Virgin Island Water (2007)
by Creed

If this was a body spray or lotions at Bath & Body Works, I'd probably buy it. There is no way I'd pay $110.0 for an ounce of this stuff, though. Virgin Island Water is so much like Ananas Fizz on my skin, that I've actually confused them. Virgin Island Water is heavy on the coconut, though, while Ananas Fizz highlights pineapple. Virgin Island Water has fabulous lasting power. It's a refreshing, sugary, coconut-citrus, rum cocktail of a fragrance. This is nice for men and women, especially in hot, humid weather. If I didn't already have a huge bottle of Ananas Fizz I might be tempted by Virgin Island Water, but I doubt I'll be purchasing this scent.

I had high expectations for this, but I must admit I am a bit disappointed. My initial reaction is that it smells good, but quite a bit like coconut-flavoured cookies; and although I like eating cookies, I wouldn't want to smell like one.

I have been wearing Virgin Island Water(VIW) for over a month now, and it was quite a hit over the recent spring break. As a rule, I dont like coconut in fragrances (Frederic Malle's Carnal Flower is about the only one to execute a coconut note with panache in recent memory). I detest sweet fragrances even more. VIW is guilty of breaking both rules, yet somehow it works - quite wonderfully I might add.

A splash of tart natural lime opens the fragrance - it smells refreshing and very natural, and I expect no less from Creed since they do citrus extremely well. Shortly thereafter, coconut makes an appearance - at first it just peeks behind the lime curtain drawn earlier, but slowly it makes its presence felt. The coconut is obvious, but never overwhelms the composition, and thats where VIW succeeds. Jasmin and ylang ylang add a more floral feel to the composition in the heart notes, but before the composition threatens to get too saccharine, notes of ginger and rum come to the rescue and balance the composition beautifully. Longevity? Despite being a citrus fragrance, I got 8 hours out of it easily. With lime and ginger on top and a rum base, the sandwiched-in-between coconut toddy has quite an enjoyable time pumping out attractive sillage.

Comparisons to Bath & Body Works Coconut Lime and Verbena: ViW smells deceptively simple at first. Some critics have dismissed it as an overpriced Bath and Body Works Coconut Lime and Verbena cologne. This is like dismissing all EdCs because they smell very similar and share most of the ingredients. I have used CoconutLimeandVerbena products and they are nice and refreshing. At a higher level of abstraction CLV does share some key ingredients (lime and coconut) with VIW, but has zero depth. A deeper analysis of VIW reveals many hidden facets like a strange subtle spicy woody note (hibiscus + ginger), jasmine sweetness and a wonderful drydown of rum and musk.

Warm weather seems to brings the best out of VIW, and as I mentioned earlier, it was quite a hit at a recent spring break outing. I got all sorts of inquiries as to what I was wearing. "That smell delicious!", "Rum and coconut?", to "Whats that smell (in a good way)?". An instant classic? Its too early to tell. For now, I will just enjoy this sexy and fun fragrance come the intense summers ...

Rating: 8.0/10

Virgin Island Water opens up with a zesty, sparkling lime note and then coconut, musk and rum start to appear and mingle, which create a sheer tropical fragrance. It is clear that very high quality ingredients were used to create this as it definitely has an “expensive” smell about it. Virgin Island Water would be perfect to wear pool-side at the Hotel Guanahani in St. Barts. It is casual yet quite chic.

I am not usually fond of coconut, but I find it to be tempered by the lime, making it balanced. The rum and musk accord that emerges is pleasant. A playful Creed, very different than any other I have tried. I will not buy it for myself, but I think it merits consideration for summery scent. I think it would work well for both men and women.

ZZTOPP's commentary regarding this Creed is perfect! I will be purchasing Virgin Island Water come summer 2008!

Well, summer's around the corner and I've got my VIW ready to go! This stuff has gotten alot of undeserved bad press. I'll tell you this: it does not smell like suntan lotion. It does not smell like a drink. It does not even smell like B&BW Coconut Lime Verbena. Nope. What it DOES smell like is zesty citrus...lime...fresh and bright. The coconut is creamy and light, not too sweet, and definitely not like any lotion. The delicate florals are barely perceptable, but give balance so that this playfully classy elixir never comes off 'foody'. VIW is also completely unisex! My husband and I love it on eachother! Remarkably tenacious, and perfect for hot humid weather or a balmy summer evening. This is the only Creed I own, because it's worth owning!