Citrus Bigarrade (1901)
by Creed

I'm finally reviewing this after several retestings. As remarked elsewhere, I meant to replace it with Neroli Sauvage because it was weak (how ironic!) but I soon learned the error of my ways. It's basically just a run-of-the-mill EdC, pretty intermediate on the scale of sharp vs. flowery citrus. The very top notes are a good rendition of the rind of a freshly-squeezed lemon slice. It gets weak fairly soon (though not unusually so for this genre) but manages to stay natural and unambiguously masculine. Even in the end, when it's gotten very weak, it still maintains more of the original zing than you typically find with these. It's perfectly decent stuff, but there's no need to pay Creed prices for a standard Eau de Cologne.

19th September, 2011.

One of the finest bergamot notes available in perfumery today! The opening is airy and crisp in the style of classic eau de cologne with a minimalistic Creed base of ambergris with a little neroli flower. This is not the smell of romantic groves in 18th Century Spain, but of industrial orange groves in southern California's Orange Empire c. 1900.

13rd January, 2011.

To my surprise, this really lasts on my skin.
Either that, or this is another CREED that varies in potency, batch to batch.
It should also be noted, that: Beyond the beautiful and deliciously accurate citrus notes, lurks one of THE BEST musk bases in perfumery!
Extremely classy and sexy.
Simple, yet SOOO well-done!

19th September, 2010.

I am not feeling the neroli in this fragrance. It smells too perfumey for me, it would smell fine on a lady but I wouldn't wear it.

1st May, 2010. (Last Edited: 20th May, 2010.)

A lively example of uber-brief but blindingly realistic-smelling citrus over a vaguely dirty base. I personally prefer "cleaner" smelling citrus, such as traditional Eau de Colognes and Portugals, but this is obviously composed with top-notch materials and is very well made.

At over twice the price of Acqua Di Parma and with less than half the longevity, i'll give it a miss, but Creed completists or citric cologne fans should get a sample, at least.

7th April, 2010.

While I wish this is more of a citrus 'brigade' with more potent hesperidic notes, I really can't fault Creed's rendition. CITRUS BIGARRADE is citrus in high definition, layered over what I took to be sandalwood and ambergris. Smooth, just a touch powdery and rather uplifting. I would have given this a thumbs up if it wasn't for the reality check I got from Monsieur Balmain.

4th April, 2010.