Tendre Poison

The Discontinued Green Floral Poison, 1994

Tendre Poison launched in 1994, composed by Edouard Flechier as the first major flanker of the iconic 1985 Poison. The brief was a complete tonal shift from the dense original: a fresh green floral built around galbanum and asafoetida at the opening, freesia, orange blossom and tuberose at the heart, and a soft base of musk, sandalwood, heliotrope and vanilla. Where the original Poison reads dense and confidently grown up, Tendre Poison reads fresh and softly romantic, designed for daytime and warmer weather. Despite a devoted following, Dior retired Tendre Poison from production years ago. Original bottles now sell at significant premiums on resale platforms, often spoken of as a “missed gem” by Dior collectors. Our interpretation brings the composition back.

How It Smells

The opening is famously green and slightly bracing, galbanum leading with its intensely green resinous character, asafoetida adding a quiet aromatic depth, bergamot contributing citrus lift, and Brazilian rosewood threading through with a slightly woody floral nuance. Within fifteen minutes the soft floral heart appears: freesia takes a leading role with its clean dewy floral character, tuberose adds creamier white floral support, honey contributes a soft golden warmth, orange blossom provides a honeyed floral lift, and rose threads through the middle with quiet floral depth. The base is the perfume’s gentle drydown. Musk smooths the composition, sandalwood adds creamy wood support, heliotrope contributes soft powdered warmth, and a quiet vanilla rounds the finish. The overall impression is fresh green floral, tender and slightly romantic, distinctly different from the dense original Poison.

The Notes

Top: galbanum, asafoetida, bergamot, mandarin, Brazilian rosewood.
Heart: freesia, tuberose, honey, orange blossom, rose.
Base: musk, sandalwood, heliotrope, vanilla.

How Our Version Compares

With the original out of production, finding Tendre Poison has become an expensive hunt through resale platforms. Our European Union production at 40 percent perfume oil concentration brings the composition back at proper density, with the galbanum bergamot opening sparkling cleanly, the freesia tuberose heart holding through the wearing, and the sandalwood musk drydown lasting well into the next day on clothing.

Common Questions

Is the original really discontinued?
Yes, for many years now. Dior pulled Tendre Poison from production, and existing retail stock has long since sold through. Resale platforms occasionally list sealed bottles but prices have climbed considerably, and the perfume is widely missed by Dior collectors.

How does it compare to the original Poison?
Lighter, brighter, and far less dense. The 1985 Poison is a heavy spicy oriental with tuberose and amber. Tendre Poison is a fresh green floral with galbanum, freesia and honey. They share a perfumer (Edouard Flechier) but represent quite different feminine perfumery directions.

Best season?
Spring and summer especially, when the green floral character reads at its best. The galbanum freesia opening performs particularly well in mild warm weather. Autumn wear is fine; deep winter can feel slightly out of season against the bright green opening.

What does the asafoetida note actually smell like?
In trace amounts as Flechier used it here, asafoetida provides an aromatic warm depth without the pungent character that the raw spice has in cooking. It adds a quiet sophistication to the opening that distinguishes Tendre Poison from simpler green florals.

How does it project?
Moderate. Tendre Poison is a polished daytime composition rather than a loud projector. The 40 percent oil concentration extends the wearing, with the floral heart and sandalwood drydown carrying well through the day.

Comparative Advertising Disclaimer

Parfumour creates inspired by interpretations of well known fragrances. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Dior. Dior and Tendre Poison are trademarks of their respective owners. Our product is an independently formulated fragrance designed to evoke a similar olfactive impression, helping customers identify a scent profile they are seeking.