Reviews of Bois du Portugal (1987)
by Creed

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.

BdP is obviously made of quality ingredients, and yes, it's really spicy, boozy, manly, etc, etc.. I even bought a small 1 oz. bottle of it recently. However, unfortunately I'm finding it's hard for me to wear this because it makes me feel like I should be wearing an ascot. I can't smell this without thinking of a prissy, uptight dandy from the 18th century. I can't totally pan BdP because it's obviously very well constructed, and it has an amazing warmth, richness and complexity. It's just a bit too stodgy and stuffy for me to wear except in cold weather. Even though it's not really my style, I have to give Bois du Portugal a thumbs up. Fans of classic British masculine fragrances will drool over this.

Top of the tree! Rich, classy and elegant. This is a real mans cologne for formal/evening wear.

To those who say this is 'old school' take note: class never goes out of fashion!

I like this but I don't love it to the extreme so many of you do. Its virtues are many, esp its lightness which starts right at the opening, and continues to the almost everlasting drydown. Yes, it's a sophisticated, boardroom scent but it lacks the aggressive, masculine feel of Vintage Tabarome, or---to leave Creeds altogether and step out into the outdoors--Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet.
I can't help but wonder if Churchill would have considered BdP a bit of a ligtweight

This is an 80's frag --the time when fougere, chypre and woods ruled male perfumery as the ubiquitous aquatics do today. It was Drakkar Noir country, --the woods were closing in on all sides as oakmoss battled fern. In this scenario, BdP was a safe and refined alternative with well blended notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, and vetiver (The same combo the GIT uses today, btw minus the oriental/woods)

Bless all BdP fanatics, but for me, it's 4 a star scent at most

When I first tried BdP on my actual skin it was a few days before Christmas - an unusually cold and snowy season this year on the west coast. I'd tried BdP on spray cards in stores over the years but never had I decided to actually apply it to my skin.

So I did.. and I was blown away - Bois du Portugal is pure elegance. Not only does it whisk me away into a world of luxury and true, classic style - I feel comfortable wearing it. I don't see myself wearing this one for casual occasions, but it has to be THE #1 formal fragrance. I will never get tired of this one, as it reinvents itself every time I wear it.

The longevity? Superb. Sillage? Superb. Price? You get what you pay for, bottom line.

I think people who label a fragrance as "old man" or "outdated" need to broaden their horizons. Be skeptical of the folks who write these things - I would challenge those peoples' sense of appreciation for the finer things in life after writing something like that.. but everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.

Now I can't imagine being without a bottle of this masterpiece and I think every positive review here is justified. Wear this classic fragrance in good health and enjoy the vivid journey from glorious start to finish!

One of the most refined male scents around, reminding faithfully to its name of a Mediterranean landscape, the notes changing, just in a real life landscape, between light and shadow, between solar warmth and both hot and cool winds, somewhere near the seaside... Rich woody mossy background, bearing the same incense smell like Irish Moos, but much more elaborate, deep, almost dark, powdery spiced backbone of this creation. Also, a very Oriental impression at first, almost thinking that this scent might (d-) evolve into something too sweet, but then comes a peaceful, distinguished and uncommon citrus dry down, with hints of leather ( quite similar to Armani PH) with record-worthy staying power, but also discretion. Almost 24 hours of a timeless, puristic citrus cocktail as the longest memory connected to this scent. This one is therefore one of the utmost perfect, distinguished scents i ever knew.

Elegant yet masculine, BdP works on so many levels, it's frightening. It exudes class and, dare I say it, nostalgia? There are many complex elements at work here, allowing the fragrance to evolve so beautifully during the dry down, one's emotions can't help but change along with it. I'm addicted. It almost reminds me of walking into a news shoppe -- the way the smell of fresh newspapers and unsmoked tobacco sort of blend together, wafting throughout the place. And then the guy behind the counter yells at you because you're reading all the magazines, and those little postcards keep falling out onto the floor. "This isn't a library!" he shouts. "You gonna buy something or what???" And you silently leave the place, finding yourself out on the sidewalk of a busy downtown street.

Interestingly, I've experienced some unexpected reactions from women while wearing this fragrance. They hover more. Just an observation. I will not, for a moment, insinuate that this fragrance instantly transforms you into a babe magnet, but it may just boost your self-confidence, allowing you to feel as though you are.

Magnificent!

After about a half hour on my skin, the delicious, sexy cedar really stands out, and made the "old man" aura dissipate -- somewhat. However, sadly, the ambergris takes over and the fresh-from-the-barbershop old man returns. Overall, I think of it as a subtler, perhaps more wearable version of its 80s counterpart, Macassar.

Bois du Portugal is definitely a sophisticated power scent that is warm, extremely rich and very masculine. It has pretty good sillage and very good longevity (but maybe not as much as previous reviews have made out, although it could easily last 6-8 hours). However, there’s something distinctly ‘80s about it that has prevented me from completely falling in love with it. Some would argue that it’s a timeless classic but, to a certain extent, I disagree – it's just okay.

[Original submission date: 25 May 2008]

I love the big blast of Lavender in the beginning mixed with dry cedar. The spicy woody dry down is also excellent. Great sillage. Lasts full-force for 5 hours easily, then becomes a clean skin sent for 12 more hours. One of my 3 favorite colognes.

Good for cold weather. Its classy as is many of the Creeds, but it is very complete in its blend, its not missing anything. To me this is the epitome of high class fragrance, and unfortunately alot of high class brands (including Creed) keep coming out with mediocre stuff.

I made the mistake of buying this blind.

Image conjured up: an overdressed, aging woman or man attempting to use scent to establish some kind of power position. They cannot see it but everyone else does.

This is an extraordinarily elegant fragrance that screams "old money" and luxury. And well might it scream luxury, because this stuff ain't cheap. It does, however, last a long time, and it provokes favorable comments from friends and strangers alike. The razor-sharp opening notes settle quite quickly and leave a warm, woody cloud of pure delight.

To me, this fragrance could be worn by men (or women) of any age - it's grown-up enough for mature gents to wear, but luscious and unique enough for sophisticated younger men to stand out of the crowd in a world filled with average scents. A true delight.

Rich, warm, luxurious...these words describe BdP perfectly. A very mature, masculine scent. Reminds me of CK Obsession, though much, MUCH more refined.

It's a classic power scent. I envision men like Frank Sinatra or George Clooney wearing this with their tailored suits and $1000 shoes. I presently feel a little too young to pull this off, though it does give me one thing to look forward to as I grow older.

I saw someone refer to this as God's personal perfume.
I guess that about sums it up for me......

I really do like this scent. I is a powerful long lasting scent. I find that now, I only wear it when I go to parties or dancing. 2 sprays last a very long time on me. I could live without it though and may not repurchase.

The lore is that this was "created" for Frank Sinatra. Maybe so but whether Sinatra wore it is doubtful. According to Bill Zehme's manual about Sinatra and his grooming habits, he favored Agua Lavanda Puig and disliked strong fragrances on men. And this is a strong fragrance. The reviewers who compared it to Old Spice are not wrong. This is a dense, spicy, woodsy scent with strong notes of cognac, tobacco, and leather. The dominant notes, though, are the spices. Possibly clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg whose sweetness is muted by the cognac, tobacco and leather. Think Bill Holden or John Forsythe, maybe; think CEO circa 1940. I understand why this is not generally considered a "babe magnet." It's too old word men's clubby. It's not a fragrance I like enough to wear but on the right person it would be wonderful. I love Creed, it's my favorite house by far, but I must say that if I feel tempted one day to wear this frag, I'll save the money and slap on some Old Spice.

for me it started off all cedar and more ambiguous woods... a sweetness crept in after about a half hour and stayed the entire time, dancing in and out with the woods for the entire four hours this stayed noticeable on my skin... there is a bit of booze to it, and perhaps a bit of tobacco but the sweetness is definately there, and it is absolutely lovely... i can see how some people would consider this to be a fragrance for another generation because it does have an air of refinement and opulence, but i can't pigeonhole this into any age restriction. the ingredients are definately high quality, much smoother and rounded than many crass synthetics put into popular fragrances today... creed's ambergris is kind of like chicken (i know that sounds stupid, but here's why)... although it is a mainstay in all of their offerings the last however many years, it absorbs whatever other ingredients are in the "stew"... i have yet to find a creed that is all ambergris, and even if i did i don't think i would enjoy it... bdp is a beautifully constructed product for those seeking a sense of austerity and warmth

Doesn't get much better than this!! Took me about 3-4 wearings to appreciate it however. The grandaddy of woodsy scents. The only thing I'd change is increase the longevity a little. MUST OWN.

I have never understood what “suppose” to be so great about it. It doesn’t smell bad of course, but I can’t see the magic even to start with.

It’s just nice for the price. *yawn*


Semi-fresh aromatic woodsy oriental fougere. Very masculine for sure. Creed-style amber is by far the most prominent ingredient. It almost overwhelms this scent completely. Defeated woods with lavender are very subdued here yet they are capable to add few layers to this otherwise fairly minimalist blend.


When I smell BdP, I think of the word “ympäripyöreä”; I then check out the Finnish-English dictionary and see it translates into “vague”, “evasive” or “noncommittal”.

This ultimate Creed is perhaps the finest male fragrance made. When I say "not for little boys," I am not referring to chronological age but psychological age. This frag is the "power frag" for men, refined, aristocratic, sensual...but also simply joyful. It has good, close to the skin staying power, and does not project an aura so broad, that everyone you pass in a room will know you are wearing it. It does have a come hither quality with individuals in a two foot radius...after immediate application. I love this Creed. So much so, that I do wear it for special occasions...or I would run through it like Gatorade!! Bravo Creed.

Warm, warm, warm. Sharp woodsy opening notes that dries down spicy and soapy. During the dry down, there is a sweet note (tobacco?) that I actually don't care for, but disappears rather quickly. Just like an old cedar cigar box.

I was in love with this "old man" (read: "established") scent for months, until my girlfriend said she didn't like it (she prefers sweet modern scents). Huh. Now I just wear it when she isn't around!

(and, as a side note, I apply just a drop of Terre d'Hermes when I am wearing BdP to counteract that sweet note. It works really well, and adds some dimension to the one-act TdH!)

Sophisticated and warm, this is one of my favorites from Creed (GIT, being the other). My 18 year old son loves this as well, so much for the "old man scent". The "Woods of Portugal" do in fact, take me back to the days I lived on the Iberian peninsula, with the fragrance's longevity staying well into the wildly festive night and beyond!

I read so much about it, so many good things that I went out of my way to buy a bottle.
I got the phone call that it arrived, I went to the store and pick it up. Once I got home I smell it and .. what? I barely smell anything. I sprayed on me and same, weak and weir, like a fragrance gone bad. I panic and returned back to the store. The SA called her manager.He smelled the fragrance and said it was in perfect condition but if I wanted I could returned. I did not.
I was upset for the mistake and put it back on his box following some senior basenoters.The same day I reached to my beloved GIT bottle and got drunk on it to erase the sorrow of a very expensive blind purchase gone sour.
A month later I reached again for that BdP bottle. I sprayed myself all over, I was in cloud of BdP. It was then when I hit me, when all the sudden everything made sense. I was wrapped in a aura of magic. Sublime.
Woody, boozy , elegant, mature, luxurious, different , simply amazing.
This one will be for ever in my wardrobe. I only use it for special occasions and every time I wear it I feel, just that, special. A gift from Creed. This is the ultimate gentlemen fragrance.

This is definitely a high class fragrance. When you first smell it, it comes off as harsh, but after a while it mellows down to a very classy, almost "old man" scent. It is a strange mix of sweet and bitter at the same time. Considering I'm nowhere near old enough to pull a scent like this off, I give it a neutral. That being said, this is a true gentleman's cologne, and should at least be sampled by anyone who likes fragrance.

Creed's best millésime.
Nice smell, manly and mature.
Also, better lasting power than the other Creeds.
But way overpriced.

Be prepared...BdP is forceful and makes no apologies. It's for a man who likes his power, class, and dropping top dollar on little indulgences to make his presence known. It screams Michael Douglas in 80's flick, Wall Street.

You might want to brace yourself for its initial lavender love smack. I describe it as mildly assualtive because it's forceful, dramatic, impactful, but, fortunately, not offensive.

Even though BdP opens strong and at first sniff resembles a more refined RL Chaps, its fine craft and unmistakable Creed nature come out in its middle and end: ashy, woodsy, cigar-lounge middle, sandalwood and ambergris for its finish.

Overall, to be appreciated if you like powerhouse scents or if you feel like something traditional, impressive, and high quality. Not a top choice for everyday wear (or for the American metrosexual guy without a special occasion), and is probably too overwhelming for hot and humid weather.

Try it if you feel like something different than what's being designed at the moment. You won't regret it; it's complex, compelling, and very "manly." Also, the "Grandpa smell" really does go away after a few moments. Fear not, young ones.

It is difficult to pick a favourite fragrance of all time as often it depends on your frame of mind or under what circumstances you are using one, but I think I will find it almost impossible to find something to top Bois du Portugal. I would suggest that you live with this for a while before you pass complete judgement. It actually acts on me as a pick-me-up. I feel better just by using it on a regular basis. This is a rich varied scent, weaving a heady tapestry into the opening accord, before settling into the eponymous woody tones. These evolve through the entire day, becoming somewhat sweeter towards the evening. This is perfect for 3 seasons of the year, summer wear would not be suggested for this fragrant behemoth.

Wonderful fragrance - stong vanilla - long stay

Topnotes begin full-on; strong, pungent and they make themselves known. Develops to a more woody mid that is better and more subtle, less bitter than the opening. The drydown is a nice wood, vetivery and spicy affair. Overall not terribly smooth norrefined or as superlative as it's made up to be. Quite linear to me. If you're under 30 you may think it old-fashioned and old-man-ish. This isn't Creed's best but fairly long lasting though.

Oh dear -- I'm the black sheep again. I really don't like BDP. It's just too 'old school' and unashamedly masculine and formal for me. The scents that go for that angle all smell roughly similar, Safari, Riverside Drive, Polo and I don't like any of them. I like scents to amaze me -- not produce a 'ho hum -- and?' reaction.

I think Vibert nailed this one; from ash tray to a bar of soap, more or less. It's not a terrible fragrance, but the problem for me is that there are two other fragrances that are better, going in two different directions (one of which I would have liked BdP to go). There's the super-"cheapo," Lomani, on the one hand, and Carven Homme on the other. CH has rich rosewood, vanilla, spices, and amber in the drydown, with the lavender playing no more than a background role (and hence no "soapiness"). With Lomani, the lavender is much stronger, but it plays off citrus, spice, oakmoss, and amber, and I find that it's never boring. BdP is too strong initially in one way, then it's nothing special in the drydown, in a different way. If price is taken into account, I'd give this a negative rating, but I'll go with neutral, judging it as if they all cost the same amount.,

Absolutely tops any other scent I have worn to this date! It is very formal. It opens harsh and at first appears almost feminine. BUT as it begins to dry down the masculinity shows up in full force as it surrenders its rich woodsy aroma. It has a distinct nostalgic appeal to it. It brought me back in time conjuring up thoughts of visiting my grandfather. Feeling his wisdom and the sense of class and sophistication he possessed. It is definitely an over 40 scent. Not to be worn with jeans and tees, but a 3 piece or Tux. It has a longevity and still shows up in the morning after a night out on the town. You HAVE to go easy on the application or it will be overpowering and work against you. You do not want to be noticed when you walk in the room because of the fragrance you are wearing, but want the people to FIND you with there nose as they are wondering where that fabulous smell is coming from.

Top Notes: Bergamot, French Lavender
Heart Notes: Cedarwood
Base Notes: Mysore Sandalwood, Bourbon Vetiver, Amber

One of Creed's most popular and best offerings. This is a fresh woody-oriental fougère-style fragrance of good breeding, the sort of thing a proper gentleman would wear to his club or a board meeting. For me, lacking such lofty venues in which to shine, it does for work at times, but more often for a nice evening out. Bergamot, lavender, cedarwood, sandalwood, Bourbon vetiver, amber (perhaps some hint of cinnamon?): very balanced, yet well and closely blended, with a very slight development, as befits such a stately fragrance. The longevity on me is about average; the sillage is quite marked at the beginning, but tapers off gradually, making a discreet exit. Too correct? Perhaps, for some, but not without a certain charm, and above all breeding... (How we do hate that word 'class'!)

I've been putting off reviewing this one because I'm torn. Out of all of the Creeds I've sampled, this is my favorite, and yet there's no way I can wear it. Most of the people whom I've asked for an opinion have called this "old man smell." Yet when I smell it I'm getting this wonderous woodsy, earthy thing.
Every positive review here is dead-on-balls accurate, so please pick yourself up a sample today, they're very abundant.

It's a damn fine scent, and maybe one day when I stop my Peter Pan nonsense I'll get to know it better.

All other fragrances please step aside! Bois du Portugal is the undisputed king of my collection, and I am sure that it is also the king for many members here. It is a very exotic and woody fragrance, but again, as is typical of Creed, its elegance and supremacy lie in the simplicity of its formula. The officially listed notes are: cedar, Mysore sandalwood, vetiver, and lavender. I would add to that ambergris, as it is detectable, and all of the Creed Millesimes do contain ambergris in the base. To be sure, most male fragrances contain the four notes used in BdP, but do any of them smell like BdP? No, they do not. This is a testament to Creed's ingenuity; Bois du Portugal is unlike anything you will ever experience, at once uplifting, filled with fire and masculinity, and maybe just a little too over-the-top. But this is why I and many others worship it! It is at once commanding and powerful, yet there is also a slight sweetness to it, which smoothes out its rough and woody edges. Much like a gritty and egotistical gentleman, who also has a softer side tucked away somewhere, so too does Bois du Portugal. It is a perfect achievement in perfumery, and for me, there is nothing that can rival it in its magnificence. When I wear it, I feel almost omnipotent, and its longevity certainly is powerful as well! One to two sprays easily lasts 24 hours, which is remarkable. Granted, it is more of an evening and formal fragrance, but sometimes I cannot help myself and wear it in the daytime, as it is such a delight to smell always! Some say that it is for men over the age of 50, however I am in my early 20s and am proud to own it and appreciate its artistic brilliance, probably as much or more than some older gentlemen. Yes it is very expensive, but you do get what you pay for. Bois du Portugal is in a class of its own.

Definately NOT a fragrance you would call "youthful", but "classy" and "sophisticated" do fit the bill. I don't know why, but I was expecting more leather. Smelled this on a testing strip before and it made me cringe. recently I got a sample from TPC and got a full wearing of it yesterday and my mind was changed. Definately an old school type of fragrance. It says up top that Frank Sinatra use to rock this...I think he would have been the perfect spokesman for BdP if they ever did start an ad campaign.

While I loved the approach, after but two hours on my skin all that was left was a strong and lingering scent of baby powder. Were my body chemistry different I would enjoy wearing this scent. Alas.

I'm impressed! Going along with the Creed stereotype I have developed, this scent is sophisticated and classy. The cedar, the lavendar, and maybe a little orange is what I get out of this one. They all seem to come together into a candy-like scent.

The dry down is even better! It turns into this very masculine scent with just a touch of fruitiness to it. A real winner for me!

Bois du Portugal is a great scent. I bought it several months ago and wear it every day. To Hell with day versus evening wear. I like it, I wear it, and that's all.

This one is different that most of the fragrances I own, but if I had to pick one its closest to, I'd say POLO green. Now this is not to say that they are identical...they just have similar notes. They are totally different other than this.
From the opening I can pick out a hint of citrus and what I'm assuming would be the lavender. I know what lavender smells like, but for whatever reason it comes out a little sharp in this one. Its very spicy with woody undertones. After a little while I can detect a little bit of vetiver and the sandalwood base. The sandalwood, amber and musk really come out in the base and lingers for hours. This is another one that WILL last until you take shower. The first day I tried this one, I put it on right after my morning shower around 6AM and this one was still going till I got up the next morning....simply amazing.
This is not for those who are looking for a sweet fragrance. I don't find any part of this bad boy sweet. It is woody, spicy, dry and very masculine. LOVE IT.

IMO, you can wear this one anytime. You don't need a suit or tux, but of course it would go great with one. I rock business casual on the daily for my job and this goes perfectly with it. It creates an older, sophisticated aura around me that sends out the signal that I'm not dependent on big name, mainstream designer fragrances that everyone wears. I get more questions about what fragrance I'm wearing when wearing a Creed fragrance than anything else. Great stuff....multiple thumbs up.

A very nice woody and spicy scent. It lasts a decent amount of time, but don't expect much more than 5 hours. It is very manly and seems to be made for a 40-50 year old. Anyone can wear this, but I just mean that it doesn't exactly smell of flowers or something sweet.

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.

I'm not giving this a thumbs down because of poor construction or because it's a Creed. I'm giving it a thumbs down for the simple fact that I don't like this scent. To my nose it smells too "perfumey". It's also strong but not in a good way. I can imagine how overapplying this would quickly turn you into "the cologne guy". What I mostly get from this scent is wood that isn't balanced out by other notes. I'm sure there are other notes but the aldehydes and wood overpower everything else that my nose can decipher. But if you like old school scents then you might want to give this a try.

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?

The opening lavender note is a bit sharper than I would like, but it settles down nicely. Wonderfully elegant woods here, very masculine, great projection, great longevity, great drydown. I would say that the dry down peaks at about the 8 hour mark for me and I get at least 12 hours altogether. A real mood lifter for me. One of my favorite Creeds.

I can see why Bois du Portugal has its admirers. It appears to stand utterly opposed to the polite and pretty millesimes that represent so much of the modern Creed line. Bois du Portugal opens LOUD, with a smoky leather assault that catapults straight out of the bottle. This is a take-no-prisoners accord if ever there was one: leather and burning wood all the way. The smoke hangs on for quite some time, eventually even taking on an "old ashtray" character that might pass as macho camp, in an ironic, post-modern sort of way.

My gripe concerning Bois du Portugal is with the drydown. As the scent develops, a surprisingly soft, powdery note emerges above the ashtray, building a very soapy accord that dominates the base. I hate smelling like soap. It makes me feel uptight and stodgy. Once the soap asserts itself Bois du Portugal transforms from assertively potent to stuffy and, I dare say, elderly in a matter of a few minutes.

What I'm left with is an extended drydown so fusty and so morbidly nostalgic that I feel as if I've walked into a nursing home. What a letdown. I'm already comfortably ensconced in midlife, but I can't imagine wearing this scent for at least another twenty years.

Like all the Creed creations, this one is also a masterpiece. It's one of the richest and most complex scents, and the veiling of the sweet notes by the spicy notes is very subtle. Unfortunately, sometimes too subtle... An earthy and woody scent, this one is for gentlemen only!

I absolutely LOVE this fragrance!
It lasts a very long time, and blends very well with my body's natural chemistry. Even after a night of Argentine tango dancing, driving home, I am enjoying the fantastic dry down.
Classy, very masculine and stands up!

Thanks Creed!

This is my first Creed that left my credit card numb.

It smells good from the bottle. That's it.

Apply it to your skin and it's just...too...soapy. too powdery. Smells "old," too. This fragrance is for men over 40. I'm not kidding.

The only pro I can see is that it seems to last forever.

Do not apply more than two sprays...or else you will choke people around you. You could get sued.

The most upscale, "safe" manly scent which is simply astonishing as you wear it. To appreciate this, you have to wear it. It lasts forever and garners many compliments. Do not be fooled by its simplicity.. it changes into a complex, formal fragrance that is so classy, so upscale, and yet pleasant.. all at the same time.

This is great cologne.
Combine all the good timeless smells from all the old colognes (Polo Green, Aramis, Santos, Canoe, Armani pour Homme, Old Spice, etc.), and leave out all the dated bad smells...

= Bois Du Portugal

Probably will end up as the only "Traditional" cologne I ever buy.

This may be my 2nd favorite cologne.
Both thumbs way way up.

This one doesn't need any more positive reviews, but it really is a wonderful scent. Unlike many scents that I like at first but, slowly, start to enjoy less and less, BdP becomes better the longer I'm around it. It's an almost perfectly balanced fragrance, there are woods, there is a little spice, and there is plenty of depth and warmth.

It definitely is a more "mature" fragrance, but easily compliments the wardrobe of a man who likes Chanel PM, GIT, Cuiron, or Knize Ten.

A classic that, unlike most fragrances, is definitely worth the time and money.

Wow, this one absolutely deserves every bit of the raving hype it gets. I have a definite weak spot for dry spicy woods fragrances, and this once certainly fits the bill. It's the best in the category that I've smelled. Like Caron's Third Man, this one changes an unbelievable amount through the drydown. Both start out dominated by lavender, but while Third Man turns warm, sweet, thick, and almost damp, Bois du Portugal is like a sauna.

I get a very strong incense accord after the lavender fades, and this sticks around and gets spicier for a few hours. I felt like I needed a glass of water. Gradually, a very light powder note appears. This stays completely in the background though. The spice and woods definitely dominate, but now they take on a soapy oakmoss character. I've smelled an accord like this before in Divine's L'Homme Sage. It's a sweeter drydown there, but both are oakmoss beasts as far as I can tell.

I find BdP to be very charismatic and wearable in small doses...a streamlined beast that never tries to be too many things at once.

What can I say? This is one of the greats--rich, mature, intense...subtle and yet--like the Ghurkas--this takes no prisoners! With Zino and Heritage, this completes my trifecta for rich, dry woody favorites. Best worn, in my opinion, in cooler weather. This is from the golden age of Creeds--emphatic, masculine and worth every cent.

This is one of the Best Creeds out there ,(Next to Original Santal). I rarely get compliments this was one where I did. I was at a Pizza place w/ a friend of mine.
When the waitress brought my order to our table. She said "One of you smells really good". That was me cause my friend never wears cologne. I think this has is similar to Bel Ami , or an extreme version of Japiur Fresh. You won't regret it.

Has anyone noticed a general
resemblance with L'Instant from Guerlain ? Spice and woods, minus the vetivery finish.
A very well made, comfortable, relaxed, mature smell.The relaxed
maturity of a man in his 30's.
Very hard to achieve, in life and fragrances...
I recommendwearing this for casual/sporty moments in association with Antaeus for office wearing.

Outstanding! Dry woods, smoke, incense, and lavender all done in a incredibly smooth and rich emulsion. Perfect for whenever the occasion calls for a suit. A votre sante!

BdP is sooo rich and elegant. For the evening is this the perfect scent.

I find myself largely in agreement with zztopp’s comments. The dominant note definitely is vetiver, not oakmoss. Both are earthy/woody scents, but vetiver here is contributing the uniquely smokey tang that is characteristic of Creed’s Bois du Portugal. This has a very powerful pungent opening of lavender and smoke. This “comes smokin’ out of the chute,” to use a rodeo term. It is very dry at this point, and enormously interesting. Quickly, a very complex grassy vetiver note emerges, and later a hint of amber sweetness. There is amazing longevity on the wood-smoke opening, however it eventually retreats as the vetiver develops a more and more rich and soapy tone. BdP threatens to lapse into a heavy sweetness but manages to stay on the line though at times it is very creamy and rich. There is a somewhat powdery dry-down. Overall, I’d say this is a luxurious scent, mature and not an everyday thing.

I bought a small sample of Bois du Portugal and tried it on for the first time today. Let me tell you this right now, it is the MOST distinguished and masculine men's fragrance I have ever come across. This is worth its weight in gold. True masculinity! It speaks power, royalty, and depth. It’s out of this world. I have yet to sample many other great fragrances out there; however, this is an authentic winner that will stand the test of time! So euphoric…

Notes:
Top: Bergamot, French Lavender
Heart: Cedarwood
Base: Mysore sandalwood, Bourbon Vetiver, Amber

Bois Du Portugal (BdP) has been granted lofty distinctions as "the king", "best fragrance ever", to weird associations like "old man smell" and "Old Spice 2000"...sometimes you start wondering whether some people are handicapped by a wooden nose.

BdP is neither God's personal cologne, nor is an "old man" smell. It is though a masterfully crafted dry woods fragrance. It announces its presence with a bang - a powerful force of sharp lavender, bergamot and dry cedar results in a tingling spicy woody accord which can either instantly draw you in or turn you off. But wait...spend some time with the scent before you go off writing praises about it or crying to momma that you spent your yearly savings of $180 on a 1670's fragrance. There's no oakmoss in BdP as far as I can detect. What I do detect after the thunderbolt opening is a stark change to a vetiver dominated accord - yes, vetiver, a note which almost no one has mentioned in the reviews so far. It must be my skin then. The formal/powerful/forceful theme continues albeit this time in a more understated fashion, with a smooth vetiver note joined by subtle sandalwood tones. I catch whiffs of the powerhouse opening from time to time, but its the "hidden" vetiver in here which attracts me the most. And it lasts and lasts, if less forcefully than before.

BdP is a tad overrated and a tad underappreciated. Its a powerful, masculine and forceful composition whose qualities I have only recently unearthed over the space of an year. Be on the lookout for the brilliantly utilized vetiver note on display here, which complimented by the spicy woody top notes pushes BdP to regal heights. GIT? Old Spice? Oakmoss? Get real people. Smell the full force on display here.

After reading all the reviews of Bois du Portugal it sounded like an ideal fragrance for me. My tastes have been evolving towards the more masculine end of the spectrum. I gave it a try and it definitely was as advertised, a finely crafted, very masculine fragrance which I genuinely like. That being said, I also felt a bit of disappointment. While I do like it, I really don't like it any better and many cases less then several fragrances which cost me 1/4 as much: Yatagan, Cumming, Santos, Bel Ami... Based upon the Creed mystique I guess I was expecting "All this and a bag of chips too" and someone left out the chips. So very good fragrance but I really question the value.

At first I was taken aback and wondered whether the sample had gone bad. I wore it a bit on my wrists. Murky, musty, dusty, musky. The last third of a thick cigar. The complete opposite of me: ultra-strong, ultra-masculine, ultra-formal. I thought this would be a perfect fit for the classical stereotype man who is the size of a bull, never even had a feminine side, always wears a suit and tie and neglects his family. Seen Twin Peaks? Major Garland Briggs is BdP personified.

But I'm being unfair. So much for the first impressions. I'm trying this for the second time now. The greenness is there, although it is the dark green of a thick pine forest before a thunderstorm, and the sweetness can be found as well, hidden beneath the resin and spices. In all, this could be a good scent and I like some parts of it (perhaps it is the legendary "Creed base") but still probably not for me.

thumbs up. starts off reminding me of a calmer jean pascal. spicey and for sure masculine.

The rich man's Old Spice...and I mean that in s good way. This is one of my favorites.

Although I'm a big Creed fan, for me this one is an awful lot like the much-cheaper Old Spice. It's nice enough, and the dry down is very nice - but - it doesn't seem as classy as the other Creeds I wear regularly. The practical guy in me would buy Old Spice and then with the money I saved buy a different Creed. Cheers!

Thanks to a fellow basenoter, I was able to get my hands on a sample of Bois du Portugal. It is surprisingly very similar to Patricia de Nicolai's New York.

New York is a harsher, more effervescent perfume so I can say I think I prefer Bois du Portugal. I can't really tell what the notes are because I don't want to take the time, but I will say this is a good, interesting fragrance. A thoroughly confident scent. Four stars out of five.

One of Creed's best for formal wear and important meetings during cool weather. Its very powerful, classy, refined and solid as a rock. This is about as good as it gets. Scent-wise, it's the equivalent of having a loaded revolver in your desk; reserved for special occasions.

So I got to try my first Creed scent today - Bois du Portugal. I try to smell fragrances for notes on my wrist, as it's easier to see where they're going that way. It starts off manly, sharp and green - very resinously green, like you're chopping balsam or fir. There's a lot going on underneath that, but it takes about 15 minutes for it to come out. When it does, out comes the fascinating aromas of shellfish being cooked in crab boil - roasted peppers, shellfish stock, allspice, saffron, all sorts of cooking scents come forward as the green topnotes go away. After 2 hours, we finally get to a base of some subtle, shimmery honeyed, powdery musky notes. Absolutely amazing how this one changes. Good sillage and staying power.

One of my absolute favorites and to me the measure of all dry wood scents. How I adore it for lacking any soapiness and florality. It has the perfect balance, power, beauty and precision of a damascene steel blade. It can appeare pungent at first, due to its smokiness, the scent of finest aromatic woods smoldering in a fireplace, which reenforces the lavender top notes. But this never gets cloying or bogs you down in any way. BdP is often characterized as a fragrance perfect for performing in power deals, but, while true, functionalizing it in this way almost seems degrading. I for one love to wear it on walks through cold autumn and winter days, it blends perfectly with a thick pullover, red-golden forests, a pale winter solstice sun, a crackling fire and hot toddy. In the all time top three. All thumbs up. Six stars. You get my meaning.

Definitely not for the faint-hearted, this is one powerful scent. Albiet, it may conjure up memories of the Eighties, but what's wrong with that (I say)? It truely remains around as an archetypal fragrance, that no imitators have perfectly replicated (hear that P.Diddy?). Just take a quick look at the BN community, for what tends to be considered as one of the "power scents" and this creation tends to take the lead (with a runnerup being Creed's other "dated" frag, Vintage Tabaróme). No need here to list the notes, as previous posters have already covered this topic quite proficiently. Two small sprays is all you need for strong projection (read "sillage"). Longevity is quite strong as well. Bought 3 250ml flacons - a lifetime supply!

Hard to believe the same house makes GIT... A testament to "live and learn". One of only 3 frags to deserve a 4 star or better rating in my wardrobe. As with most fragrances, use in moderation.

Raw power - like a panther stalking its prey. A strong, precisely masculine scent - no wonder such a character as Frank Sinatra wore this stuff.

Perfectly!The best scent ever made! Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Kevin Costner and Jennifer Love Hewitt and many others!!! 44 members have this scent on their wishlist and noone on swaplist! Bois du Portugal=masterpiese of masterpieses!!! Ten thumbs way up!

ok, I did not know this was a mens fragrance untill now. I have been wearing this scent for a couple of months now and i love it! It does start off masculine with notes of what seem to be vetiver, but after an hour or so, it settles into a wonderful mixture of warm and sweet....

Rich and warm and spicy -- positively sublime stuff, this. It's very old-fashioned, and I wouldn't have been a bit surprised had I read "1887" instead of "1987" as its introduction date.

The base below the lavender and spices reminds me very much of Knize Ten. (Am I the only one to smell this?)

One of my top five Creed favorites.

Out of the way! The big boys are here! Lavender spice power. Dry aromatic wooden heaven. Assertive. Puchy. Frightenly classically in your face. Smell like you mean it!

smells rich,powerfull old man

This is on my top 5 list and probably will be on yours if you enjoy dry woods and spices in a masculine way because nothing I have smelled does it better than this juice. Sillage and longevity are excellent and I seem to get compliments from both men and women. The only negative (if you want to call it that)is my former gf thought it smelled "old" but even she liked it. Nothing but quality here folks. The John Wayne of men's fragrances. It has few peers.

Tops everything I have ever smelled in my lifetime. There really is nothing more to say about this work of art. It lasts long and it has very good sillage without being an untamed beast. This stuff soliloquies sophistication into the ears (well, noses really) of everyone around you. Formal in every sense of the word. I still wear it to my high school beacause I'm pimp like that.

I love Bois du Portugal! It's the best Creed for me. The dry-down changes it in a marvellous way, making this my favorite scent. Pure class!

As so many have commented, it does have a prominent spicy, sharp lavender note, especially in the topnotes, lots of sillage, and day-long longevity. There is also a sappy, green wood quality to it, and a smoky, burnt wood sort of note. "Sharp, sappy, spicy, slightly smoky, woodsy" is how I would describe it. BdP is so well-blended and classy that the first thought I had was "formal." But, the more time I spend with it, the more I see it as a mood scent - okay to wear anywhere, anytime, so long as my mood fits it. And that mood is? Strong, like a big redwood tree. Confident like the opening blast of spicy lavender. A bottle of BdP is in my future.

Easily one of my top 5. BdP is sublime. There is no vaguery to it, the presence is full tilt unmistakeable. Easy to over apply (which I sometimes do because I friggin love it!) one spritz is easily enough for social occasions.

Magnificent and elegant. Forceful elements made sheer and exquisite—a manifestation of the power of transformation. One wants this to never fade.

To me, this smelled like Chaps, the old drug store cologne by Ralph Lauren.

I can't decide if I like it or not, but that's what I got out of it....Chaps. Oh...and flashbacks from 7th grade.

I had such high expectations from this after reading so many positive things about BdP. I must say, though, that for my taste, this is a little too "old man." Admittedly, it does improve during drydown, but it still smells a little old for a 30-year old. I like the smell of grandpa, but I don't want to smell like my grandpa. It's pleasant, just not how I prefer to smell.

The most phenomenal drydown of any fragrance I have ever experienced. This potion just keeps getting better with each minute its on your skin.

Failed being very analytic on that one. It falls into the category of good scents I'd rather not wear myself. Yet I have imagined such a situation. Sea shore, one washes off the sea salt; it's getting trembling cold. One packs the beach set, and, just before putting a casual shirt on, one applies a mist of BdP to the chest and perhaps shoulders. The way back home will be accompanied by a classy warmth of rich notes. A mystery in such a setting. Is that formal?

I'm pretty new to this fragrance thing, so I'm afraid my nose is not nearly as sensitive or as experienced as the others' on this board. However, I know what I like, and this is simply amazing stuff. I bought this based upon basenotes recommendations and I'll be buying more of this, for sure. Bois du Portugal has the most incredible ambery/woody smell...musky, but more complex. It lasted all day and made me feel like a million bucks.

Spicy, sophisticated, clean, fairly long lasting...did I mention, spicy? I dig a lot of the older, spicier scents like Z-14, and I find Creed BdP achieves what very few spicy scents do: Hit you with spice that is pure and simple! The Creed accord in the bottom notes are there to be sure. A great change of pace from other tangy, sweet, or watery scents, to be worn on special occasions.

Unbelievably dry and woody. Wearing this actually makes me thirsty. Smells like freshly cut firewood with a bit of musk. By far the longest lasting Creed I have ever used. Great scent.

One day soon I will be able to afford a full bottle of this master piece. Some of the driest woods I have ever come across in a scent, comparable to Santal Nobile in that regard. The beauty lies in the warm, ambery drydown. I don't really see this one as formal at all, you could wear it in almost any setting.

A modern Creed scent that can stand up to all that have come before it. Feel free to think of this as a less sweet Guerlain Heritage with deeper and more potent woods. One of the best men's fragrances in the last 20 years, it never falls out of my personal top 5.

It took me a while to understand Bois du Portugal. At first, I thought it was awful. I thought it had this awful gourmand like note that smelled like a potato dish I used to eat. I just couldn’t get into it, then, one night, I realized it was lavender. That’s lavender and rich dry woods. After that night, I realized what a brilliant and amazing fragrance it was. I have a couple ounces of it now, and love wearing it. Despite many people saying it’s formal, I can wear it anytime. BdP is an amazing Creed. It’s probably my favorite Creed.

verile lavender, strong woods, unabashed spices

Wow! This is some great stuff! A very luxurious, sweet, but well balanced fragrance. Potent and long-lasting without completely reeking of sweet notes like e.g., Pi or A*men does. My absolute favorite Creed scent! For some reason it somewhat reminds me of the discontinued KL Homme. Highly recommended!

Pure masculine power! Classic Gordon Gecko style powerhouse scent with amazing sillage and projection. Not for the too young or insecure for sure. Cedar, sandal, lavender, vetiver and citrus notes mingle in the most manly way possible. A joy and something that will always be in the fragrance wardrobe of many men.
Mattias / Sweden

One of my top three favorite Creeds, this is rich, woody, and spicy with a subtly sweet base. Has a very elegant and masculine aura. This scent posesses incredible staying power, and dries down to a wonderfully rich and warm woodsy-musky-sweet scent. One of those rare scents that has so much depth, heart and originality, and just seems to generate a very calmng yet powerful aura around you when you wear it . Try layering with Dzing! or Helmut Lang Parfum for great variations.

This is a masterpiece! Professional to the core with great longevity.

Sexy, masculine, elegant and classy. BdP is very woody but the ambergris base softens and sweetens. A great fragrance for a great suit. As other have mentioned a bit formal but I think one can get away with wearing this anytime as long as the weather is cool.

An incredible scent. Very masculine, and more on the formal side, but could work in any setting. I love this one, and it might be my favorite Creed, though it's not as versatile as M.I.

My favorite Creed next to Tabarome. Full and rich with spice and woods. It screams elegance and really has staying power. The fact that Kevin Costner wears it is of no concern to me. He's your average Hollywood dick anyway....

Besides Green Irish Tweed this is my all-time favorite Creed scent. A rich, gentlemanly scent full of gentle spice and woods. Very classy and long-lasting, which can be a rare commodity in some Creed scents.