Baccarat Rouge 540 vs. Creed Aventus

Creed Aventus and Baccarat Rouge are two of the most popular fragrances in the world. Since they are both luxury scents and have that popularity, they often get compared to one another. Even though, they are both different scents, and one is distinctly for men to wear. Nonetheless, I thought I’d give my full comparison between these perfumes. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

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Tale of the Tape: Aventus vs. BR 540

Baccarat Rouge 540

Notes include: saffron, ambergris, cedar, fir resin, jasmine

Click here to try: Buy from Saks

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Creed Aventus 

Notes of Creed Aventus: 

Top: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to read my original Aventus Review

Click here to get Aventus: Aventus by Creed

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Opening

The opening act of both of these is pretty funny to compare for me, as I’m not a huge fan of how either starts off. The sharp pineapple note, with the other citrus and woodsy elements of Aventus has never been something I enjoyed.

If all I’d have to go by was the first 15 minutes or so, I’d think that this fragrance wasn’t worth wearing. The pineapple, blackcurrant, and the dryness of birch can be a bit much at first.

However, I do like what it settles into. Fresh and lively, very enjoyable to wear. Next, you get less pineapple, and more of the birch wood and oak moss. This is where Aventus comes into its own. Plus, a little vanilla sweetness and the remaining apple note.

Baccarat rouge goes with the saffron and jasmine, front and center in the beginning. It’s clean, sweet, and presents a lemony tinge to it from the hedione (jasmine). Sitting under that, is the amber and wood notes giving this a invigorating and resinous quality early on…which will become greater as it develops.

Which is a better opening? Again, not a huge fan of either. But, I’d give the edge to Baccarat Rouge, because I like the resin.

Edge: BR 540

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Projection

Both of these fragrances starts off strong. But, most of what separates them in sillage, will come later in the wear.

I think Aventus hits a higher level and can project itself further. Plus, it will maintain much of its strength for a longer time than Baccarat Rouge does.

Rouge kicks off strong, goes moderate, and then has a stage wear it is pretty airy and light. It does hang around, but doesn’t have a heavy or overwhelming presence.

Aventus is the better of the two here.

Edge: Aventus

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Longevity

With Aventus, I will usually get 8-9 hours of wear out of it. Sometimes, it’ll hang around for 10, on my skin. But, within that time frame, the sillage will mostly stay pretty substantial and it won’t be a pure skin scent.

Meanwhile, BR 540 will land anywhere from 8-12 hours. It has a much wider spectrum than does the Creed, usually hitting around 10 hours total. They’re fairly close to one another, but Baccarat does have a higher high than Aventus.

Thus, the Kurkdjian perfume takes this category.

Edge: BR 540

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Versatility

This is an interesting category. Baccarat Rouge 540 is much more of a unisex fragrance, than the more traditionally masculine Aventus. So, in that sense it is more versatile.

However, I think seasonally Aventus is more versatile since it can hold up better in the warmer weather, while also being able to stick around for the cold. Spring and autumn is where Aventus is best, in my mind.

Both are the sort of fragrances that can be worn pretty much anywhere.

All in all, I think I’ll give BR 540 the nod. Just because it will have a greater appeal to a wider range of people, even if it isn’t a warmer weather scent.

Edge: BR 540

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Overall Scent

Baccarat Rouge is a very nice fragrance, that has captured so many hearts, that it has been endlessly copied. It is distinct, pleasant to wear, and has very good performance.

I do like when it settles down. The amber, jasmine, and overall clean yet resinous quality is intriguing. For women, it’d be the one I’d go with between these two. Although, if you can swing it, BR 540 Extrait is a better scent.

As to which of these two fragrances is better? The answer is Aventus. Yes, I think the opening is rough, but the dry down has so much depth and just smells better than does Baccarat Rouge. Sure, Rouge has a slight edge in different metrics, but Aventus isn’t far behind.

I would rather wear Aventus, hands down. Most men, will probably prefer the Creed fragrance, also.

So, women: vast majority will want BR 540. Men: Vast majority will want to go with Aventus. But, again, BR 540 is the more unisex friendly scent.

Winner: Aventus