Bois du Portugal (1987)
by Creed

I appreciate the quality of this scent but it doesn't sit nicely on me. The first time I wore it I got quite negative feedback from friends (you smell like a dirty, rich, old man was the general theme). The second time I wore it, the same thing. I'm only 35- no spring chicken for sure, but not that old either..sorry Creed, but this one isn't for me...at least not yet.

I understand the general enthusiasm over Bois du Portugal but I don’t necessarily share it. I like the fact that it stands opposed to all of the polite and blandly pretty millésimes that occupy so much of the modern Creed line. I also like the way it catapults from its bottle in a take-no-prisoners volley of smoky leather and tobacco. The birch tar laden top notes hang on for quite some time, eventually taking on an old ashtray character that was 1980s speak for “masculine,” but might read more as ironically macho camp today.

So far, so good. It’s in the drydown that Bois du Portugal loses me. Strong lavender and intense powder emerge underneath the smoke and leather as the scent develops, building a very soapy accord that dominates the foundation. Once the barbershop duo of powder and soapy lavender fully assert themselves Bois du Portugal transforms from dynamic to stodgy. I normally object when someone refers to a scent as smelling “old,” but there’s a morbidly nostalgic quality to Bois du Portugal’s extended drydown that makes me I feel as if I've walked into a nursing home.

Top notes...lavender...and an almost chocolately boozy note maybe? Sort of spicy as well. After that, it seems like some vetiver (in the style Creed does vetiver) comes out. The spiciness is more pronounced at this point too. Definitely some dry woods. It's a very complicated scent, and not one that I would wear often - but it is extremely well made and I have deep respect for it.

Classic and elegant, one that I'd save if the house burned down. I don't agree about the old man connotations, but agree that it is easier for a mature man to carry it off. Obvious comparisons with PdNY but to my nose BdP is better.

Starts with the nostalgia... I am at high school, all girls are wearing sweaters with shoulder paddings (god save us but that nightmare seems to be returning) and boys have high waist blue jeans and it is completely brut time. More austere male teachers have more pungent coniferous resine scents that you feel as a pain deep in your nasal passage... Yes Bois portugal have a very common pungent resinous top notes. But only in half an hour develops a burning woods accord sweetened by oakmoss. It is amazing. Sadly this rules only one hour more before ambergris gets up and ride all scent to pit of mediocre.

I just bought a 75 ml yesterday without testing it on my skin. Just felt like taking the risk and see how it goes.

It went Perfect. Decent woody scent and long dry down.
Amazing Sillage, and amazing longetivity.
I only had two sprays at 8 pm in the evening and could still smell it at 6 am today when I woke up.

It is a gentleman's scent if not exaggerated during application (very strong!)
Excellent composition by creed! Absolute 5 star for me!