Millesime Imperial by Creed

I thought it was about time to review another Creed fragrance, especially since, I grabbed another sample vial of Millesime Imperial with this last batch of cologne samples. I really do like this scent above all of the other samples that I received, some of which were down right horrid. Update: This is a ongoing review, that I come back to every few years, when I try a new batch of this consistent best-seller.

Anyways, in this post I want to take a closer look at this Creed fragrance for men and what makes it special. How does it smell? How does it perform? Is it even worth a buy? List of the Best Creed Fragrances for Men

What does Millesime Imperial Smell Like?

Notes include: Lemon, Iris, Green Bergamot, Mandarin, salt, musk, wood

Click here to try: Creed Millesime Imperial Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce

My Full Review

Let me start by saying, that this scent has a fruit based aroma to it. The lemon note that is contained in Creed Aventus (Aventus vs Imperial Millesime Comparison Review), is not the same type of lemon as in Imperial, this lemon is Sicilian lemon and it is blended with a sea salt and bergamot note to help produce a melon sort of aroma.

Yes, the opening has a fresh watermelon/melon vibe to it with a background of marine notes and musk, which get hidden a bit from the start. Imperial has a musk note that peaks in from the start, it really isn’t heavy, but provides a great complement to the bright citrus open.

Millesime Imperial is a crisp and clean cologne which is beautifully constructed. It reminds me of a summer day spent along the coast, as it is warm, inviting, and almost juicy in its presence.

The dry down period subtly shifts from the abundant fruity notes to the more marine or oceanic side of things, which reveals a certain masculinity to the scent.

This one has plenty of that salty oceanic smell to it, as it wears on, but the fruit notes are still the star overall.

Further along, Millesime Imperial, continues as a fruity marine scent but the light iris note comes through with a hint of powder sitting underneath it all. It’s a nice touch to a fragrance, that is already luxurious, and that create such a strong imagery of coastal summers. There’s a warm dryness which runs through its heart and really stands out from other aquatic colognes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This cologne is a fairly light one, probably more moderate, so you won’t blow out the room with it. Don’t expect huge sillage with Millesime Imperial. However, it does lend itself well to more intimate moments, where someone is much closer.

It is still a pretty good performer, even without being a complete beast or insanely overwhelming. It fits in nicely with the season it’s to be used in. For me, I get a few hours where this one is noticeably above average versus the standard cologne on the market. Then, it’ll gradually lighten up.

Some people do, however, report longevity problems. I get moderate longevity out of it, it’s not a distance runner by any means but it’s not horrible in that regard either. Seems like it works for around 7 hours on my skin, sometimes it will go longer.

I’d say it maxes out at 9 hours, on a good day (few and far between), but 7 hours is usually what I can expect to get, when wearing it.

Another positive, is its versatility, Imperial can be worn for almost any occasion and work. This is no doubt a Spring or Summer scent. It really shines during the warmer months of the year, when so many other colognes begin to wilt in the heat.

It’ll add a clean and subtle touch to any man’s summer wardrobe. I really liked to wear it casually or wearing something semi-casual during the summer months, that’s when it felt correct to apply for me.

It’s not the most formal cologne out there, but it is well put together and has a classiness about it, that many warmer weather fragrances do not.

Overall Impressions of Imperial

All in all, I do think Millesime Imperial is a great choice for guys, especially during the summer months. It is a wonderful blend of oceanic and fruity notes that won’t overpower and spells class the whole way.

This has a pretty unique aroma overall and doesn’t have that same old vibe, as many other aquatic fragrances out on the market.

I really like that opening melon-like aroma. Fresh, aquatic, sweet, juicy, and salty. It provided something pretty unique back when it came out. Nowadays, it’s obviously been copied and duped. Though, this still stands on its own as a very enjoyable wear.

Like any other Creed fragrance, this one is definitely pricey, so if that’s a problem maybe consider picking up a small bottle for special occasions. This is one that I do think is worth the price for what you’re getting. It’s now considered a classic, across the board.

It’s a more mature summer aquatic, fairly simply, but does so much well. The scent itself is really captivating and it is without a doubt, a top Creed cologne.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.