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Millesime Imperial by Creed

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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?

imperial

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.

Royal Water by Creed

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When I was testing out Aventus Cologne, I also went back to the Creed boutique to try a  fragrance, that I hadn’t given a full look at yet. Royal Water is an older release from the brand released in 1997, but one which has definitely develop a niche fan base, in its time. What does this one smell like? How long does Royal Water last? Is it ultimately even worth a try?

What Does Creed Royal Water Smell Like?

Notes include: peppermint, juniper, basil, musk, ambergris, citrus

Click here to try: Creed Royal Water Eau De Parfum Spray for Men, 4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Royal Water opens up with a mix of citrus and spice. It is dominated, mostly by those citrus notes, but you do get plenty of freshness provided by juniper, basil, and mint. Royal Water is upbeat and energetic, with a refreshing coolness, beating through the heart of the scent. The citrus can be a bit sharp at first.

The main complement to the citrus notes, in the beginning, comes from the juniper. I like how the juniper sort of tempers the orange/lime/lemon aroma, and makes things much more palatable. Then, the basil provides a further light jolt to the mix, before being joined by a light peppermint note.

As it moves forward, the citrus is still the star of the show, but the basil/mint combo takes on a larger role. The juniper falls back some. This Creed sits fairly steady in this stage, for a few hours, and then goes into its final dry down.

Finally, we get to the base layer of ambergris and musk. To me, the musk is a bit stronger. This creates more of a soapy aroma. It isn’t complete soap, but it does change from the earlier scent. What I get at this stage is: citrus, musk, and then ambergris. The spice has mostly faded and the composition is much smoother overall.

Royal Water is a fairly simple fragrance, without a bunch of unnecessary complexity, but it still provides a very nice wear.

Longevity, Sillage, and Versatility

Royal Water isn’t a projection powerhouse, nor should it be. The sillage isn’t weak, but this isn’t the type of fragrance, you want to dominate a room with. It’ll project within 3-5 feet from the skin, be noticeable, and definitely not weak.

The longevity is pretty good, it stayed for around 6-7 hours, on my skin. Not amazing, but what you can expect from most citrus led scents. However, it definitely could be a better performer, considering the price that Creed scents sell for.

This one is really great in the spring through the summer months. It is a refined clean that can be worn casually or for a more dressed up daytime purpose.

Royal Water will have a pleasant mass appeal, but definitely isn’t a ‘sexy’ nighttime wear. It is more of a any other time daily wear, mostly for those warmer months. Though, I don’t think it would be too out of place during autumn.

If you like the scent, you’ll definitely get plenty of use out of Royal Water.

Overall Impressions of Royal Water

Do I like Creed Royal Water, overall? I do. I really enjoyed the interaction between the citrus and the basil, juniper, and mint. The fragrance shifted slowly into new phases, which provided a different experience wearing it.

It’s a refreshing scent, that I find to be uplifting, and quite nice to wear on a warmer day. For me, the opening act was the most appealing part. The citrus notes are really great and give off an upbeat vibe.

Is it amazing to me? Not really, but I think that it is really good. Obviously, with the Creed price tag, it isn’t one which most people will want to simply take a blind flyer on. Personally, I think the cost is a reach, especially when this brand has better fragrances available.

However, this is a fragrance that is worth trying out to see if it speaks to you, and can serve as a signature scent for some guys.

Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters by Dua Brand

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Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters was a Dua Brand scent that I was really excited to get a hold of. I bought it earlier in the year and wore it during the summer, completely forgetting to do a full review for the site. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters Smell Like?

Notes include: Bergamot, Lime, Mandarin Orange, Coconut, Sugar Cane, Ambergris, White Rum, and Sicilian Orange

Click here to try: Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters

My Full Review

Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters is a blend of Dua’s inspired versions of Louis Vuitton’s Afternoon Swim and Virgin Island Water by Creed. So, how good this one will be really came down to how the did the blend exactly.

The opening here is a citrus explosion with a very tropical vibe. Orange, lime, and coconut truly stand out. Early on, this leans heavily towards the Louis Vuitton scent, much of what you get from the Creed is restricted to the rum, coconut, and ambergris.

It’s got that pina colada vibe, sugary highlights, but I love that they favored Afternoon Swim in use of its fruits. I’m not a huge fan of VIW, but Dua captured the best of that fragrance, and added it to the Louis scent (which I really liked).

As we dry down, the fruit notes get less pronounced. Some of them are still around for the duration, but it becomes more about the coconut and amber here. Fresh, boozy, and has somewhat of a lotion vibe…just not overwhelmingly so.

This is a pretty simple fragrance, not too much development.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters starts off strong. Especially for a summertime casual scent, this one really jumps off of my skin. For the first hour or two, you will get really good sillage, leaving a trail behind you.

Then, it is much more moderate, but still highly noticeable.

The longevity here is great. For me, it easily sticks around for 10 hours, even during the height of summer. Now, it obviously doesn’t have the same sillage throughout, but it does keep chugging along. I can even get it above 12 hours.

Seasonally, obviously summertime. Spring, if it is warm out. This stuff shines in the hot weather and is great to wear along the beach or wherever.

This is a true unisex fragrance. A lot of tropical fruit scents can get way too girly, but this is true to its inspirations and holds that line perfectly. Anyone can wear this, no problem.

But, it’s not the most versatile wear. This is a casual scent. Limited to the warmer parts of the year. Favors the daytime, but I could easily wear this to a beachside bar at night, while on vacation. Really, that’s what this perfume is, a lovely vacation fragrance.

Or, if you happen to live in a tropical region, and like to be outside a lot.

Overall Impressions of Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Absolutely. This is a fantastic blend, that I wore throughout the summertime, and will continue to make my way through the entire bottle.

It is an accurate representation of the great fruity blend of Afternoon Swim and the boozy coconut found in VIW. I’ve never been a massive fan of the Creed scent, but when paired with a clone of the Louis Vuitton fragrance, it becomes great.

But, beyond just being a great inspiration of each of those scents, the performance is way better and at a steep discount to either of the originals which inspired it.

If you like either of those fragrances, this is one to try. Or if you want a tropical beach fragrance, that is safe for men or women, this is totally one to try out.

Baccarat Rouge 540 vs. Creed Aventus

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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?

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

Creed Aventus 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spice & Wood by Creed

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I received three sample vials of Creed fragrances from the Royal Exclusive line of scents. I was interested in trying these fragrances out to see if any of them really lived up to the expensive nature of being such an ‘exclusive’ bottle of perfume. Today’s contestant is Spice & Wood, which wins in the most obvious title category, but does it live up to it’s high profile?

In this post, I am going to share my experience wearing this Creed frag, how it smells, how it performs, and whether or not I think it is worth the money.

What does Spice & Wood Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, cedar, birch, musk, lemon, apple, pepper, oak moss

My Full Review

The opening of Spice & Wood is where I detect the citrus notes, particularly that familiar bergamot that is found in Aventus. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Then, of course, is the main attraction the wood and the spice.

It should be noted that this fragrance is pretty damn linear, what you expect to get from the title, is exactly what you get throughout. Cedar, birch, and pepper with an underlying softness from the other notes.

Spice & Wood is a rather fresh fragrance, which is nice, as I thought that it could be a heavy type of woodsy scent but it is actually well done. It’s got a dry warmth and the spice is tempered and never a really heavy pepper note.

The wood notes remind me of being in a cabin or ski lodge, very comfortable yet still outdoorsy.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection is okay on this one. It’s closer to a skin scent and is actually fairly soft, which is fine, but for the price point I was expecting something with a little bit more of a high profile.

It’s longevity wasn’t great for me either. I’ve routinely sprayed twice in the same spot on my arm during my trial runs with this and while it’s detectable it’s mostly gone within a few hours. Not impressed.

This is a casual scent best used for the fall/winter months. I don’t see it as a date night fragrance nor a club type of scent. Very straightforward. I guess it could also venture into more formal occasions.

The one thing that I would like to point out is the pricing point. As a part of the Royal Exclusives line, Spice & Wood is even more expensive than the regular Creed fragrances. In fact, the 2.5 oz bottle is currently priced at $545.

Of course, this limits the appeal of this scent to those who can afford it, but even if you can pony up the cash…do you really even want it?

 

 

Overall Impressions of Spice & Wood

Overall, I like this scent. It’s pleasant and smells good. Just at this price level, I really can’t recommend it. The performance is lackluster and unless you’re really a fan of spices and wood, the aroma is never Earth-shattering.

There are plenty of better options than Spice & Wood and you don’t have to spend over $500 in the process. Honestly, I don’t see the point of owning this. Perhaps, it’s just a status type symbol. Though, I don’t know who it would impress exactly.