Never mass produced or sold cheap on the high street, Creed fragrances are loved by A-listers – from Winston Churchill and Frank Sinatra to the Queen and Audrey Hepburn – and the only way to make an entrance in the most exclusive establishments across the world.
Creed Royal Oud is loved by royals and presidents (Photo: creedboutique.com)
Just as most people wouldn’t turn up for lunch at Café de la Paix wearing a t-shirt from the dollar store, the fragrance you wear while visiting the world’s best establishments should send out the right message. There are many colognes and perfumes available in extravagant bottles at most departure lounges, with prices to match, but few have the exclusivity and attention to detail of Creed. Included in the company’s fanbase are Jackie Kennedy, Elton John, Elvis Presley, David Bowie and David Beckham – the list goes on. The reason for Creed’s popularity is the company’s obsessive researching and sourcing of the finest natural raw materials – rose from Bulgaria; Italian jasmine; Florentine iris; tuberose from India; Haitian vetiver – which still make up the majority of what goes into the bottle. The range of iconic hand-crafted perfume can be dazzling – we’ve rounded up the five best-selling Creed perfumes for men from the range:
Creed Silver Mountain Water
Said to be worn by David Bowie, Silver Mountain Water is one of Creed’s all-time classics. The company says it is inspired by snow-capped Swiss Alps, which translates to a fresh, crisp and invigorating scent that can be worn all day. There are refreshing notes of milky-sweet blackcurrants and green tea, combined with the richness of bergamot and sandalwood, with a dash or orange. This is a zingy, citrusy fragrance that is equally at home in a beach front bar as it is when drinking cocktails overlooking the Manhattan skyline. From $470.00 (100ml).
Creed Aventus
Aventus is inspired by the emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Photo: creedboutique.com)
Inspired by the emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, this fragrance is said to be all about strength, power and success – and who doesn’t need that after a night on the red-eye? With notes of lemon, pink pepper, musk and the signature pineapple, it’s a confident-yet-complex fragrance, with smokey, woody and fruity tones. Creed even calls it unpredictable, with so many different notes coming through, but this is no bad thing. Ultimately it manages to be both masculine and light and fruity, which is a good combination. Introduced in 2010, Aventus has quickly grown to become the best-selling fragrance in the history of the brand. From $495 (100ml).
Creed Royal Oud
For anyone who prefers their scents a bit more noir, the unisex Creed Royal Oud is a more subtle, although stoic, addition to the range. It’s no surprise that Royal Oud is said to be favoured by a string of presidential families in the United States and royal families across the world. Inspired by the luxurious elements of a Persian palace, Royal Oud is packed full of exotic rare ingredients, including ambergris, smoky frankincense, guaiac wood and oud. This is more of a mature fragrance and defintely one for exclusive engagements with a glittering guest list. From $570 (100ml).
Creed Green Irish Tweed
Green Irish Tweed is reference to the company’s couture heritage (Photo: creedboutique.com)
Green Irish Tweed is a nod to the Creed family’s couture heritage in the textures and assemblage of high-quality materials. A favourite among celebrities, it is crisp and clean, with a woody freshness and slightly spicy, making it a great choice for trips away in the springtime. This is another of Creed’s best sellers for good reason, blending peppermint and lemon with Egyptian geranium and base notes of Indian sandalwood and oakmoss. For anyone looking for a fragrance that is not too strong and not too light, the easy to wear Green Irish Tweed is our pick. From $470 (100ml).
Creed Zeste Mandarine
Creed Zeste Mandarine is the essential partner after a long flight. It’s zesty and juicy with a blend of Sicilian citrus fruit that is designed to instantly uplift the wearer. Definitely a summer vacation fragrance, Zeste Mandarine is zingy and inoffensive and ready to be worn in warmer climates. As well as Sicilian mandarin, there is bergamot, lemon and orange blossom, combined with delicate swirls of patchouli flowers, creating a scent that sweeps you off to lunch at a trattoria in the country before you’ve even left the arrivals lounge. From $360 (100ml).
Creed Aventus Cologne
Aventis Cologne is like the original, albeit lighter and more everyday (Photo: creedboutique.com)
Creed created the Aventus Cologne as a more everyday, wearable alternative to the OG Aventus. Where Aventus is richer and more of a statement, Aventus Cologne has the same pineapple middle tones, but adds ginger and mandarin top notes to create a woody, citrus scent that isn’t too overpowering. Less smoky and leathery than the original, it ultimately has a broader appeal. If there is just one fragrance going in your suitcase, this could be it.