Dior Homme Eau de Toilette (2020 version)
Christian Dior (2020)

Maybe I'm just not that savvy when it comes to marketing and branding but Dior Homme 2020 is not even close to being a flanker to the first iterations of its name sake, which only makes the decision to package and brand it with the same bottle and name as its iris bomb ancestor hard to understand. If Dior had put it in a different bottle, ramped up the volume just a hair, and called it something like, oh, I don't know; Dior Jour de Travail Pour Homme, this would be considered a modern masterpiece.

As it is, it's a quality woodsy-musky-cashmere-y creation better described note for note by others here (I'd just be repeating them) and worthy of any collection. And yes, this is the perfect unobtrusive, sotto voce office scent. I love it.

The opening I would classify (and les connaisseurs would most likely regard me as a nasal illeterate) as a very very (2x) modern take on fougère as I get a mix of lemon and subdued lavender. It has an aquatic, cologne like-vibe to it without being "marine" at all. This is most likely due to the iso-e super (I'm guessing a bit here as I'm still learning its correct "olfactory definition") to which the perfume settles.

Not complex nor spectacular, but I would say an elegant and soft mainstreamer which is welcome in the dominated blue-realm. I think I could enjoy this as an office-scent both for the opening and the base.

Classy. French cuffs and cuff links. Porterhouse Steak and Martinis. James Bond.
But I'm very cautious where I use it and to not overspray because I don't want to be known as the "cologne guy".
I do feel somewhat betrayed because I bought this thinking it would resemble Dior Homme Parfum (2014) which I loved and it delivered many compliments. My bad for not reading the ingredients. Dior's bad for not giving it a unique name. I can't say it's a bad scent. It's a good scent, so thumbs up.

Dior Homme 2020 EDT (5ml decant) -

As a vintage enthusiast, most new releases are not on my radar to sample. Although, since Iris and I are not friends, this frag gets to take its shot on my skin.

As advertised, its mild citrus over soft woods profile is so inoffensive that I am a bit offended that I “may” actually be enjoying it.

I imagine this would be something Ryan Gosling would have worn in “The Grey Man”. Simultaneously noticeable and unnoticeable, while eventually becoming unmemorable.

Neutral - 2.5 / 5 stars

Dior Homme EdT 2020 version is a soft and subtle slightly woody cologne that takes the place of fragrances such as Pour Monsieur and Tiffany for Men. It opens with lemony bergamot warmed with light elemi resin that is accented with pink pepper, patchouli, and vetiver. The characteristic Dior Homme softness is present with cashmeran and musk but no iris or leather. Overall the fragrance has an even handed but lasting character. Does it lack boldness? Yes, but you would be hard pressed to find a better soft masculine scent that is perfect for everyday wear and will not wear you out.

Before I give my take, I should note that I have no affinity one way or another toward the original Dior Homme. I don’t own it but don’t hate it, so my view of Dior Homme 2020 isn’t clouded by my love/hate of the original.

That said, I don’t have much to say about Dior Homme 2020. It has about as much character as a brown paper bag. I don’t hate it, but it’s far from the first “office-safe” fragrance I’d wear.

That’s not to say Dior Homme 2020 is bad (though I wouldn’t call it good). Its basically a mix of synthetic woods dressed up with some Dior class, which is better than much of what you will find at Macy’s or Sephora.

I can also appreciate its understated style. It would be a good gift for a father, brother, or basically anyone for whom you don’t know their taste. It just doesn’t work for me personally, and if something like Dior Homme 2020 sounds like your jam, I’d sooner point you to a fragrance like Hermes H24, which I also find middling, but which has much more character.