Creed is a boutique fragrance designer that caters to the luxury crowd. Since it’s inception in the 18th century, Creed has been a renowned designer for those who seek unique and painstakingly crafted scents.
Much of it’s clientele throughout its history has been European royalty and other families residing on the upper crust of society. At least, that’s the story they tell.
Maybe much of that is marketing or legend, but the brand does provide some amazing colognes. I am going to list 11 Creed fragrances for men, which I feel are the best, after testing them out over the years.
Favorite Creed Fragrances for Him
I have now updated this page for 2024. In this iteration, I have added another cologne to the list, after spending more time with it, and really beginning to appreciate the aroma.
Secondly, I have added more info on each Creed scent, and linked to my personal review of these individual fragrances.
Since I wrote the original version of this page about 6 years ago, I have also reviewed many other fragrances by Creed, which can be found on this page: Best Men’s Cologne Reviews Page Also, check out: Top Creed Scents for Ladies
Most Popular Creed Scent
Creed Aventus by Creed Eau De Parfum Spray for Men, 2.50-Ounce
The pineapple is sharp, it has a dry woody/smokiness provided by birch, and ambergris/vanilla bringing up the rear in the latter stages. The pineapple tones down after the opening, and the dry birch and oak moss, really come into their own here.
Creed Aventus is at times sweet with vanilla undertones, then, dry and smoky. This one has a complexity, that you can fully appreciate, the more times that you wear it. All in all, Aventus is one the most balanced and enjoyed scents out on the market.
Maybe it’s over hyped, at this point, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great cologne. It had to become a best-seller for a reason, it wasn’t all ‘just hype’. Here is my review on Aventus
For Men and Women
Delphinus by Creed– This is a newer release to make the list. It’s better than Absolu Aventus and edges out Centarus for me. Even though, I like both of them.
I have to say, if you want a masculine fragrance, don’t go for this one. It’s powdery, floral, and definitely falls in the unisex category.
That being said, this isn’t a complete iris bomb to me. This heliotrope sticks out more, Delphinus has an initial sweetness/spice, with a warm vanilla and slight amber in the dry down.
Rich orris with a nuttiness from the almond note, gives it similarities to some other scents out there, but Delphinus is a fairly unique one from Creed. Powdery with an underlying waxy sort of aroma for stretches.
I would try to sample this Creed fragrance, if possible. At least before you commit to a full bottle. Note: Alternatively, you could go with Dua’s ‘inspired by’ perfume: Cosmic Sky of Amber.
Best Pure Vanilla Fragrance
Sublime Vanille by Creed– This fragrance is very expensive, even by Creed standards. Also, its performance isn’t the best. However, Sublime Vanille might have the best vanilla note that I’ve ever come across. It’s delicious.
It is a pretty simple fragrance. Vanilla, is joined by lemon and orange, to give it a sweet citrus creamsicle vibe. Very syrupy with a light hint of musk coming through towards the end. Not much development, but the aroma is great.
Sublime Vanille is more of a niche pick from this brand. Though, if you love vanilla, this could be a great pick for men or women.
Top Fresh Fragrance by Creed
Creed Silver Mountain Eau De Parfum Spray for Men by Creed, 4 Ounce
Later, it can become a bit more herbal, especially when the green tea note emerges fully. SMW is a great choice for the springtime, features the same black currant note found in Aventus, while going in its own direction.
This is a very refreshing wear, in my experience, but with fairly average longevity and moderate sillage. However, its aroma alone, gets Silver Mountain Water a spot on the list. Silver Mountain Water Review
Popular Clean Scent
Green Irish Tweed By Creed For Men- Green Irish Tweed is right up there with Aventus, as one of the most popular colognes by Creed. It starts off with lemon verbena, but dries down as a fresh woody scent.
Though, the wood is present throughout. Sandalwood, is the most noticeable of the woods.
Once past the opening stages, I think that this really comes into its own, and the citrus/wood balance becomes really nice.
GIT often gets compared with Cool Water by Davidoff, but to me, that similar smell is only for part of the wear. Cool Water is much more aquatic, also. Plus, the Creed does it better.
Green Irish Tweed has a bit of a blend between soapy and powdery, during its dry down. This is probably my favorite part of the wear. The performance is really quite nice.
The sillage is strong enough to be noticeable, but not overwhelming. Plus, it will last long enough for a full work day. Review of Green Irish Tweed
The Oud Option
Royal Oud by Creed– Oud, as a note, can be hit or miss for people. This is a nice blended example of the note, where it isn’t too heavy or too dominant in the mix.
Royal Oud actually starts off with a burst of bergamot and lime, which is joined by a light and warm pink pepper note, to keep things interesting. Early on, it is citrusy and has that nice spicy kick too it, but not overwhelming.
As it dries down, it becomes woodier. The oud is the main attraction, but there is also a nice cedar freshness in there. Musk and sandalwood round things out. Though, the latter isn’t too heavy in the mix.
To me, it kind of splits between the oud, musk, and cedar during the late stages. The sillage itself isn’t too heavy, but Royal Oud does have a good performance, while not blowing out the room.
Very nice classy fragrance, that is more suited for formal or special occasions. I like this one, but for a lot of people, they consider Royal Oud to be Creed’s best.
Great Vetiver Fragrance
Creed Original Vetiver Men Millesime Spray, 4 Ounce
I always feel energized after applying Original Vetiver, as the fragrance just seems to strike an upbeat and positive chord.
It’s not a complex sort of cologne, rather, it is linear but everything that it needs to be. This vetiver is a modern style with an older soul. Solid choice for business or casual wear. It all comes together as very clean, with good performance that will last a full work day.
The opening citrus is bright and really a highlight of this fragrance. There is some iris and sandalwood, in here as well, but they definitely don’t hit the same heights as the citrus and vetiver. Original Vetiver Review
Top Woody Fragrance
CREED BOIS DU PORTUGAL by Creed EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 4 OZ – Bois du Portugal gets lost in the shuffle of Creed offerings, I feel. It does air on the side of being mature, somewhat old school, with a spicy masculine finish.
It opens up with bergamot and sandalwood, feels like a usual Creed fragrance, before it shifts into its own thing.
Bois du portugal is woody and warm, I love when the cedar and lavender come in to join the sandalwood. It’s clean while having an outdoorsy quality, to its aroma.
During the middle part of the wear, it can become difficult to distinguish between notes, as it has such a superior blend. Simple yet elegant.
Bois du Portugal goes from a citrus and sandalwood opening, to losing much of the citrus, and becoming a clean somewhat spicy woody fragrance. It definitely gives you something different, from most other popular scents, on the market. Bois du Portugal Full Review
Best Classic Style Fragrance
Tabarome By Creed For Men. Millesime Spray 4.0 Oz.
The tobacco note actually is more like a growing tobacco plant, and less of what you would pack into a pipe before smoking. It’s a green note that is joined by the bergamot citrus, the ambergris, and a bit of sensuous leather.
The leather and tobacco finish is smooth, with a blend of spicy/sweet notes flanking everything. Ginger with tobacco and leather? Absolutely great.
Ultimately, it’s all of that, some ambergris, on top of a sandalwood base. Read my full Tabarome Review
Top Creed Cologne for Summer
Millesime Imperial By Creed For Men. Millesime Spray 4.0-Ounce Bottle
It’s an aquatic cologne that shines to life in the spring and summer months of the year.
It is juicy and luxurious. The melon aroma is produced by a lemon and mandarin orange combination and how they interact with the other notes within the composition.
It is very light and clean but grounded by the hint of musk and salty sea notes it unveils. If you enjoy a more oceanic type of fragrance, Imperial may be a great choice for your collection. This is one that I really like to wear on certain warmer days.
Imperial is a fruity marine fragrance, with a light musk, and some powdery undertones from an iris not. It’s not a sillage beast, but it will last for 7 or so hours, in the heat. That’s pretty impressive, when so many others, simply wilt. My Review
Favorite Viking
Creed Viking Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.3 Ounce
It opens up, super crisp, with peppermint and sandalwood providing a cold woody infusion. There’s a very light bergamot note, briefly.
Creed Viking balances the warm and cold notes, as it introduces pink pepper, and then also vetiver. It’s woodsy and refreshing, with some earthiness and spice added in.
Lots of sandalwood, pink pepper, and peppermint. Blended well and the other notes, can be difficult to distinguish at times.
The longevity is good, I keep getting closer to 8 hours of wear from it. Again, this one is a cologne that I enjoyed, but didn’t love at first. It’s still not my favorite, but it has become much more favorable in my eyes, since I first tested it. Creed Viking Review
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides. You can also follow me on: YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok!
– Let’s start it off with the original. This was one of the first designer fragrances that I bought for myself, when I first started working a job. It’s a classic at this point and has been popular since the 1990s.
– The name would suggest that this might be an aquatic version of the above fragrance on the list.
– I found Bleu Astral to be a much more tolerable fragrance than its predecessor, Nuit. It starts off with a fresh and juicy bergamot, spicy coriander, all on top of a woody base.
– A refreshing and indeed sporty scent that really works well in the summertime.
– The intense version to the original L’eau D’Issey. It of course shares a lot of the same elements, however, this is a warmer and dark composition.
