Bois du Portugal (1987)
by Creed

A heady one, this. It reminds me a little of Chanel Pour Monsieur Concentrée (which it predates by two years), in both good ways and bad. Good in that they both project a certain middle-aged authority, bad in that there's something a little sickly sweet about both of them. BdP is definitely the better of the two: spicier, more interesting, better ingredients. I can't take a full application on skin of this, but a light misting and one spray onto my undershirt gives me a great deal of pleasure for the rest of the day. A little more spice and a little less sweet would have made this a clear thumbs-up for me. Definitely best suited for cooler weather.

I did not give Bois du Portugal a fair try for years because I thought it was old and stuffy. The opening is a lavender spice that foretells an old man scent - warm and friendly but not too intersting. But after wearing it for full day I was shocked to find I really like the way it goes. It transforms and evolves marvelously. I am surprised to find a satisfying scent that is pretty much a perfectly adjusted composition of lavendar + sandalwood then vetiver + cedar and amber. The vetiver amber combination is particularly enjoyable for that very dry finish that is refreshing. I wouldn't change a thing! For a warm spice I am impressed by how light and dry the finish is. It is very elevating! BdP passes one old test for great design structure - "when you roll it down a hill nothing falls off"! BdP is intact. There is a lightness and dry woodiness at the finish that removes any thought of old lavender spice which you get at the opening. Very satsifying.

My absolute favorite of the Creed line. For the record, most of the others are very bland and boring but this one is particularly exciting. Oddly reminds me of ck Obsession but less sweet and not as powerful.. but you need less power when it comes to Obsession. This is spicy, smooth and woody. I love it.

There's something about this scent alright. At its first impression, it does remind me of my grandfather. However, this is the scent that all fakes were made to be. This is the original, natural, pure expression of dominant masculinity. The top notes of citrus and lavender are heavenly and addicting, while the base softens up and lasts almost like a Lutens, very un-Creed like in its longevity. I own two sample decants, and will have a bottle by next fall!

I'd love to smell this on an unwashed woman. Sorry, did I say that out loud?
A balanced, comfortable woods composition, in the family of Hermes' masculine woods. I prefer it to Heritage because it has less treble, more understated use of amber and vanilla. Even well into drydown BdP retains some of the bitter wood that is the great lurking beast in Equipage. Why is there a great beast lurking in my carriage, you ask? I'll see about that, sir, and if I do get rid of the beast may I keep an unwashed woman?

This review is under revision.