Creed Viking vs. Viking Cologne

Viking became a fairly popular release from Creed some years back. With its success, the brand naturally launched a flanker fragrance to this formula, called, Viking Cologne. Now, consumers have two options to choose from when they want to own a Viking scent. The question is, which fragrance is better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Viking vs Viking Cologne

Creed Viking

Notes include: rose, pink pepper, bergamot, peppermint, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli

Click here to try: Viking Eau de Parfum Spray for Men by Creed

Read my original Viking Review

Viking Cologne

Notes include: mandarin, lemon, bergamot, pink pepper, lavender, geranium, rosemary, sage, nutmeg, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, olibanum

Click here to try: Viking Cologne

Opening

Viking starts off with a bit of citrus up top. But, the peppermint, pink pepper, and sandalwood notes are all stronger. The citrus is just a bright blip in the mix.

It’s a mix of cool freshness and that warm peppery spice with woods. I love the crisp aroma of the peppermint, even as this settles into a fragrance with more balance.

Viking Cologne starts off with a strong pink pepper note, that is flanked by citrus notes. I mainly get lemon, but it’s being overshadowed by spice and some smokiness.

So, it’s mainly a fresh/smoky accord of the pink pepper, sage, and some of that incense wafting up from the base. After like 5 minutes, more of the citrus seems to finally break through on my skin. It’s like a lemon/orange blend.

This will transition into something with more of the sage, rosemary, lavender, and geranium. The citrus and pink pepper fade a good deal.

Which do I prefer? It’s actually a very close call for me. Cologne has plenty going on and I dig the blend and the emergence of the citrus.

But, between them, I’ll go with the original. The peppermint note really makes it for me. Plus, there is still overlap between these two, and I like the presentation of these notes by Viking more than Cologne.

Edge: Viking

Projection

I’ve always found the original Viking to have a very nice and steady ability to project. It was never a heavy fragrance that would bog down on you, but it’s got a nice reach and doesn’t just quite.

Early, Viking Cologne is similar. However, that will only last 30-60 minutes, before it begins its quick descent into skin scent territory. Nice start, light moderate for an hour or so longer, and skin scent for the back half.

Edge: Viking

Longevity

With the original Viking, I get somewhere in the 7-9 hour neighborhood each time that I wear it. The performance is actually good, not elite, but it gives you plenty.

With Viking Cologne, it’s around 4-5 hours. To be clear, hours 3-5 are basically a skin scent. It’s a pretty faint smell by that point, but still there.

This is an easy win for the original.

Edge: Viking

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are daily wear types of fragrances, that are clean, but not super formal. You can wear them casually, to work, etc. Neither is all that ‘sexy’ or a club beast.

But, outside of that they are very versatile. I like Viking better in cooler to moderate temperatures. Viking is lighter, so maybe it has a slight advantage in the heat. Even still, it’s not that much of a summertime cologne.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances do I like more?

In terms of the scents themselves, it’s a lot closer call than the categories might indicate.

Viking Cologne has a nice aroma. I like the smokiness, the freshness, and the citrus notes in the beginning. Also, that transition to the latter stages is also pleasing, especially wearing it outside on a mild day.

The performance of the cologne, is pretty bad. The longevity isn’t great and what power it has, doesn’t even make it far into that short run time.

Viking, I think, smells better. Beyond, just being a much better performer.

I like the balance of the notes. You get a floral middle, spiciness, freshness, and then woods in the dry down. There’s some smokiness and even a touch of sweetness, at times. All together, I am more impressed with the original versus what you get with Viking Cologne.

Cologne doesn’t live up to the lofty price tag, even if, it isn’t a bad smelling scent.

Winner: Viking

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.