Chasing the Dragon Euphoric

The Verdict

Clive Christian's Chasing the Dragon Euphoric, from the 2017 Addictive Arts collection, is a fragrance that lives up to its dramatic name. This is a full-throated floral oriental built around a heady cocktail of ylang-ylang, jasmine, and narcissus, wrapped in cinnamon warmth and grounded by a rich amber-vanilla base. It is unapologetically opulent, intentionally intoxicating, and priced like a piece of fine jewelry. Whether that price is justified remains the central debate.

What It Smells Like

The opening is a statement of intent. Black Currant and Lily of the Valley provide a brief moment of fresh innocence before the heart takes over and announces exactly what kind of fragrance this is. Ylang-Ylang dominates, exotic and almost narcotic in its headiness, while Jasmine adds sensual sweetness and Narcissus contributes a slight spiciness that prevents the florals from becoming too saccharine. Iris adds a powdery refinement, and Cinnamon wraps everything in warmth.

One reviewer described it as "spicy, grapey jasmine and ylang syrup poured over bitter, burning balsams," and that captures the spirit perfectly. Another compared it to the sensation of "a gorgeous satin nightie with lace trim" -- alluring, upscale, and unapologetically feminine.

The base is where the Guerlain comparisons emerge. Amber, Patchouli, and Vanilla create a rich, resinous foundation, while Sandalwood and Musk smooth the transition from heady florals to warm orientalism. Oak adds a subtle boozy warmth. The drydown has been praised as a "Guerlain-style amber-musk-vanilla accord," and that is high praise from perfume enthusiasts.

When to Wear It

This is a cool-weather evening fragrance at heart. Fall and winter are its natural seasons, with spring evenings extending its range. Community voting is nearly balanced between day and night, but the character of the scent -- those dense, heady florals and that rich amber base -- lends itself to cocktail bars, theatre outings, formal dinners, and dates where you want to be remembered. Wearing this to a casual brunch would be like wearing a ball gown to a coffee shop.

Longevity & Projection

At 25% perfume concentration, the performance largely delivers. Expect 8-10 hours of wear time with strong projection in the first 2-3 hours, settling into a lingering, luxurious trail. The community rates sillage at 2.99 out of 4. One reviewer noted "an enormous sillage," while others found the performance very good but "not atomic like some white/yellow florals of this calibre." Two sprays will suffice for most occasions. The slow drydown is one of the fragrance's genuine achievements, transitioning smoothly from heady florals through warm spices to that rich amber finish.

The Community Says

With 154 community votes and a 4.17 average, Euphoric has earned genuine admiration. The 51% who love it call it a powerhouse, a "proper floral oriental" with an impressive transition from opening to drydown. One longtime Dior Poison devotee declared it a serious competitor to their signature scent. Fans of bold, uncompromising femininity tend to place it among Clive Christian's best.

The 13% who disagree often focus on the price. A Basenotes reviewer acknowledged the artistic achievement but pointed out that Euphoric costs "something like 2000% the price" of fragrances achieving similar effects, questioning whether such luxury goods "have the same cache" they once did. Others found the Addictive Arts collection "just ok" given the expectations set by the pricing.

Who Should Buy This

This is for the woman who wants a fragrance that commands attention without shouting. If you love rich floral orientals -- think Dior Poison, Guerlain Shalimar, or Tom Ford Black Orchid -- and you have the budget for ultra-niche, Euphoric rewards with genuine quality and complexity. The ylang-jasmine-narcissus heart is masterfully balanced, and the transition to the amber base shows real craftsmanship.

Skip it if you prefer understated skin scents, if bold florals give you headaches, or if spending this much on a fragrance makes you feel guilty rather than glamorous. There are excellent floral orientals at a tenth of the price, and honesty demands acknowledging that.

The Bottom Line

Chasing the Dragon Euphoric delivers on its promise of intoxication. Angela Stavrevska has crafted a floral oriental with genuine depth, an impressive arc from opening to drydown, and the kind of bold femininity that is increasingly rare in modern perfumery. The quality is there. The question, as always with Clive Christian, is whether the price is justified by what is in the bottle rather than what is on the label.