BORNTOSTANDOUT Drunk Lovers Extrait Extrême: Jordi Fernández Has Been Busy

At this point, someone should probably check whether Jordi Fernández has discovered a way to squeeze more than 24 hours into a day.

The Spanish perfumer has been exceptionally productive in 2026. According to the fragrances currently catalogued on Fragrantica, more than 30 creations bearing his name have appeared this year alone. From BDK Parfums to Ex Nihilo, Essential Parfums and Nishane, his work seems to be everywhere.

And apparently, that wasn’t enough.

Because somewhere between creating fragrances for half the perfume industry and presumably finding time to eat breakfast, Fernández has also returned to BORNTOSTANDOUT.

His latest contribution? Drunk Lovers Extrait Extrême, a darker, richer and considerably more provocative interpretation of the brand’s original Drunk Lovers.

The name isn’t particularly subtle.

Then again, subtlety has never really been BORNTOSTANDOUT’s favourite recreational activity.

Editor’s note: This article is an editorial preview based on official information provided by BORNTOSTANDOUT. The fragrance has not yet been personally tested. Olfactory descriptions refer to the stated composition and the brand’s creative presentation, rather than first-hand wearing impressions.

The Morning After? Not Quite

There’s something wonderfully unapologetic about BORNTOSTANDOUT.

While some perfume houses spend considerable time convincing us that their latest creation represents a peaceful walk through an imaginary garden, this Korean brand generally seems more interested in what happens after midnight.

Preferably behind closed doors.

Drunk Lovers Extrait Extrême follows that philosophy rather enthusiastically.

The original Drunk Lovers played with brightness, alcohol-infused warmth and sensuality. Its Extrait Extrême counterpart takes the same general premise and pushes it into darker territory.

According to the brand, the new composition exchanges much of the original’s sparkling energy for an atmosphere dominated by red wine, brandy, leather and oud.

Think less spontaneous first date, more questionable decisions at three in the morning.

Not necessarily a bad thing, of course.

Some of the world’s most interesting stories begin with questionable decisions.

Red Wine, Brandy and Absolutely No Intention of Behaving

The composition opens with an unusually evocative combination: red wine, wine lees, bergamot and clary sage.

Wine lees are the sediments left behind during fermentation and ageing. As a perfume note, their presence suggests something considerably more complex than the familiar sweetness of a fruity cocktail.

The brand describes an opening built around the weight of red wine and its fermented character, with bergamot and clary sage providing contrast.

It’s an intriguing direction.

Boozy fragrances are hardly unusual nowadays, but wine-inspired compositions still occupy a more particular corner of perfumery.

Rum, whisky and cognac have enjoyed their moment in the spotlight. Red wine, especially when accompanied by wine lees, introduces an entirely different kind of olfactory imagery.

Less cocktail bar. More abandoned glasses, stained velvet and the unmistakable feeling that the evening has gone rather further than anticipated.

Whether the finished perfume genuinely captures those nuances is something that will require a proper skin test.

But as a creative starting point, it certainly gets my attention.

From Brandy to Something More Dangerous

The heart develops around brandy, red ginger, davana, jasmine sambac and Peru balsam.

This is where things become particularly interesting on paper.

Brandy continues the alcoholic theme, while red ginger introduces a spicy dimension.

Davana is another noteworthy choice. Its character can suggest fruity, aromatic and almost liqueur-like nuances, making it an especially appropriate companion to the composition’s boozy ingredients.

Jasmine sambac introduces floral richness, while Peru balsam contributes warmth and a resinous, sweet character.

Taken together, these materials suggest a potentially dense and enveloping middle phase.

Not exactly the sort of fragrance one imagines wearing to a particularly dull Monday morning meeting.

Although, admittedly, that might improve the meeting considerably.

Leather, Oud and a Rather Serious Drydown

If the opening and heart sound indulgent, the base appears determined to take matters even further.

Here, Fernández brings together roasted tonka bean, Akigalawood, cistus, leather and oud.

The roasted tonka is especially interesting. Rather than relying on the familiar dessert-like sweetness often associated with tonka compositions, the brand emphasizes a darker, bittersweet character.

Akigalawood adds a dry, woody dimension, while cistus contributes resinous warmth.

And then there’s leather.

Because apparently red wine, brandy and oud weren’t quite enough.

The addition of leather potentially changes the entire personality of the fragrance, moving it away from conventional boozy sweetness towards something more textured, sophisticated and provocative.

Oud completes the composition, reinforcing the darker woody character that distinguishes this Extrait from the original.

Based on the official description, this doesn’t appear to be a simple exercise in making Drunk Lovers louder.

It’s an attempt to make it substantially different.

And that’s a much more interesting proposition.

Extrait Extrême: When Concentration Becomes a Statement

There’s another aspect worth discussing.

Drunk Lovers belongs to BORNTOSTANDOUT’s Extrait Extrême collection, which the brand presents as an exploration of unusually concentrated perfumery.

According to the company’s official information, fragrances in this collection contain between 55% and 62% fragrance concentration.

The brand also states that the compositions undergo a three-month aging process in traditional Korean Onggi pottery.

It’s an unusual production detail, one that connects the collection to a recognizably Korean craft tradition.

BORNTOSTANDOUT also emphasizes the use of natural oud in these creations.

Of course, concentration alone doesn’t automatically guarantee better performance.

A perfume containing an exceptionally high proportion of aromatic materials isn’t necessarily more beautiful, more balanced or even more projecting than a traditional Eau de Parfum.

Formula, ingredient selection and overall construction remain fundamental.

And longevity is something best established through actual wear, rather than through impressively large percentages.

Still, it’s difficult not to be curious about how Fernández has approached this particular challenge.

Because there’s a difference between making a fragrance powerful and making that power genuinely interesting.

DOES CONCENTRATION REALLY MATTER? Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, Extrait de Parfum… The fragrance world certainly loves its labels. But does a higher concentration automatically mean a better, stronger or longer-lasting perfume? Not quite. Before judging a fragrance by its percentage, discover what these classifications actually mean. Read our guide to perfume concentrations

Jordi Fernández and the Art of Not Sitting Still

Returning to Fernández, one thing becomes increasingly apparent when looking at his recent work: the sheer variety of projects bearing his signature.

His 2026 portfolio includes fragrances for several very different perfume houses, from the refined universe of BDK Parfums to the more experimental personality of BORNTOSTANDOUT.

That versatility is worth acknowledging.

A perfumer working across such different creative territories needs to adapt to distinct brand identities, commercial expectations and olfactory directions.

And Drunk Lovers Extrait Extrême seems particularly well suited to the more theatrical side of his work.

It’s a composition built around indulgence, tension and excess.

Three concepts that BORNTOSTANDOUT has never been particularly shy about exploring.

The real question is whether all those powerful ingredients ultimately produce something beautifully balanced or simply overwhelming.

That, unfortunately for my curiosity, cannot be answered by reading a list of notes.

Final Thoughts: One More Drink?

BORNTOSTANDOUT Drunk Lovers Extrait Extrême has all the ingredients of a fragrance designed to attract attention.

Red wine and wine lees provide an unconventional opening. Brandy, davana and ginger promise warmth and complexity. Leather, roasted tonka and oud suggest a darker, more substantial foundation.

On paper, it sounds rather irresistible.

But there’s a distinction between an exciting composition and an exceptional fragrance.

Until I have the opportunity to experience it properly, I’m keeping my expectations enthusiastic but appropriately cautious.

What I particularly appreciate is the apparent decision to reinterpret the original rather than simply intensify it.

A successful flanker should have a reason to exist beyond a different concentration and a revised price tag.

Drunk Lovers Extrait Extrême certainly seems to have found one.

As for Jordi Fernández, perhaps someone should suggest a holiday.

Although, judging by his 2026 output, he’d probably return with another six fragrances.

And honestly, I wouldn’t complain.

ONE BORNTOSTANDOUT OBSESSION IS NEVER ENOUGH If Drunk Lovers has caught your attention, BORNTOSTANDOUT has another rather unconventional creation waiting for you. Meet Melon Malo, a fragrance that proves this Korean perfume house has absolutely no intention of playing by the rules. And frankly, we wouldn’t want it any other way. → Discover BORNTOSTANDOUT Melon Malo