Francis Kurkdjian is a French-Armenian nose known for his sophisticated scents that contain the purest essential oils. He crafted Baccarat Rouge 540 in 2015, an enchanting cologne whose notes evoke strong reactions – mostly positive. But how does this successful cologne compare with BR540 Extrait?
Baccarat Rouge 540 is a delicious, enduring, great-smelling, amber floral fragrance, while Extrait de Parfum is a more intense version. The Extrait is more profound, thicker, creamer, and masculine, plus it also features bitter almonds and musk.
In this detailed review, we compare Baccarat Rouge 540 with BR540 Extrait. What is the main difference between Baccarat Rouge 540 and Extrait? Which one smells better and offers the best bang for your buck?
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Baccarat Rouge 540 vs. Extrait
French crystal house Baccarat commissioned Francis Kurkdjian to create Baccarat Rouge 540
to commemorate its 250th anniversary. The fragrance was a limited edition used to scent the lobby and Grand Salon of New York’s Baccarat Hotel.
The inspiration behind the perfume was the signature ruby red crystal used in Baccarat’s iconic chandeliers, and 540 degrees is the temperature that attains the crystal.
This perfume has enjoyed an upward surge in popularity ever since its launch. Fast forward to today, and it’s created a huge buzz, becoming one of the most popular fragrances of 2021.
In 2017, Kurkdjian conceived Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait as a more intense take on the original. It quickly amassed a massive following thanks to its distinctive sweet scent.
The table below outlines the differences between Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait vs. EDP.
| Product | Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum | Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Concentration | High concentration of pure perfume oil | Much higher concentration |
| Lasting power | Enduring - lasts 8+ hours on the skin | Lasts up to 12 hours on the skin |
| Sillage projection | Strong | Louder |
| Opening scent | Delicious jasmine and saffron accords and hints of amber | A luxe sweetness from bitter almond and saffron |
| Scent | Sweet with woody-spicy undertones | Amber floral with creamy, rich, cotton-candy sweetness tinged with a dark vibe |
| Character | Intoxicating, sophisticated, unique | Sexy, fresh, addictive |
| Best use | Winter, fall, spring, day wear | Winter, spring, fall, nightwear |
| Cost | Expensive | Doubly expensive |
| Buy |
Baccarat Rouge 540
Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian is a unique combination of jasmine, cedarwood, saffron, fir resin, and ambergris. These rich and spicy notes mesh so superbly they make Francis Kurkdjianl’s gender-neutral composition universally appealing.
What does this fragrance smell like?
Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume smells heavenly. The romantic floral-woody aroma is delicious, a touch decadent, and ultra-sophisticated. It’s one of the best-smelling scents you’ll ever come across.
This EDP’sEDP’s unique composition pits two polarizing notes, ambroxan (savory) and ethyl maltol (sugary sweet), against each other, making it both alluring and intriguing.
The perfume welcomes you with an elegant duo featuring jasmine and saffron. Following these notes is a woodsy blend containing amber and cedar. The warm amber imbues the perfume with a sweet undercurrent.
Performance-wise, this is an enduring perfume with a strong sillage. That said, the attention-grabbing cologne is far from overbearing. The complex trail exudes several facets, making you more drawn to a specific element. It’s perfect for memorable occasions, notably during cold seasons.
Cost-wise, you will shell out a great deal of money as it’s prohibitively expensive. Nevertheless, the value for money and tons of compliments you will receive make the luxurious perfume a worthy investment. A single spritz is all you need for day-long staying power.
Baccarat Rouge 540
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum is a spellbinding elixir characterized by an amber woody floral essence. Its crystalline sweetness evokes dark creamy almonds.
Bitter almonds, saffron, amber, jasmine, musk, and woods form the key accords in the Extrait. Like the predecessor, it opens with a luxe sweetness, though this is less sugary and closer to the smell of decadent cotton candy.
New entrants here include a bitter almond accord (tones down and adds creamy depths to the rich sweetness) and musk towards the drydown. The latter further anchors the woodsy notes with its spirited undertones. Finally, the warm embrace comprising bitter almond, saffron, and ambergris is, in simple words, deliciously yummy.
Overall, this fragrance is characterized by a rich, sparkling sweetness that evolves into something dark and complex upon further progression. Its reaction to your body chemistry is so unique that it becomes like a personalized scent. As for the longevity and sillage, they are both exceptional.
Extrait projects strongly and lasts for 9-12 hours. The cologne’s dark, opulent vibe makes it more suitable as a nighttime scent. It works for dates, nights out, social occasions, and special events.
You want to reserve this perfume for winter, fall, and spring wear. Be warned; the sweet tones won’t turn out so good under simmering summer temperatures. Also, this is one polarizing scent; the people around you will either love or dislike it.
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait
Which Baccarat Rouge Is the Best?
Now comes the tough part in this Extrait de Parfum vs. Eau de Parfum contest. But first, a recap.
Baccarat Rouge 540 is a classic scent with a cult appeal. The intoxicating perfume contains only one sweet note, ethyl maltol, giving it a distinctive candied strawberry jam aroma. Its sweet, slightly burnt smell contrasts beautifully with the woodsy, savory ambroxan, resulting in an addictive composition that, put simply, is a masterpiece of modern perfumery.Â
This fragrance is heavy yet light and bright. It embodies luxurious minimalism, employing only a few select ingredients in higher quantities than the norm. This is a scent designed to make you feel blissful and enraptured.
On its part, Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait is a complex fragrance brimming with cotton candy sweetness. Thicker, richer, and more profound than the original, it features bitter almonds and woodsy notes for a more distinctive, masculine aura.
This beautiful scent is highly refined and super intoxicating, so much such that it’s guaranteed to make an unforgettable impression from the get-go. Sillage is excellent, while longevity is eternal. Extrait de Parfum is twice as expensive as the initial release, but oh, so worth it.
Baccarat Rouge 540 is the best fragrance if your desire is to get noticed. Incredibly long-lasting, it leaves a long enchanting trail. In contrast, Extrait will make you stand out even more. It’s best for lovers of sugared aromas and is best saved for intimate moments or esteemed occasions.
While the original was a game changer, the Extrait ramped things up a notch. We are talking better sillage, projection, and longevity, not to mention the lovely bitter almond note. While both are unisex fragrances, the EDP is slightly more female leaning.
The above is our impression of the two Baccarat Rouge 540 perfumes. However, the ultimate decision regarding Baccarat Rouge 540 vs. Extrait, or which is the better scent, lies squarely on your shoulders. Your style, taste, body chemistry, and preference will dictate this.
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait Fragrance Notes
- Top notes: Bitter almond, saffron
- Middle notes: Egyptian jasmine, cedar
- Base notes: Ambergris, musk, woody notes
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait
Final Thoughts
Being recognized by your smell is a unique thing. And people like being unique. It makes them feel special. Either Baccarat Rouge 540 will do that for you. However, one will make you stand head and shoulders above everyone else. That’s the BR540Extrait.
