Creed lot numbers...SOLVED!

So, after collecting a list or LEGIT Creed lot numbers from numerous sources, I decided to run some analysis on the Creed lot number mystery. It was pretty straight forward once I glanced at all the data.

First off, I’ve found that from 2007 and before, Creed used the 7-character lot designation, where the last two digits do in fact represent the YEAR. I didn’t bother to delve further into the other digits because: i) this system is now discontinued, and ii) people usually just care about what year their bottle is.

From 2008 and on Creed used the 8-character lot number designation where the first letter (usually an “A”), represents the house of Creed (some newer bottles seem to have a "C" which also stands for "C"reed).

The following two digits represent the scent ID number in their line-up (see sample list below).

The 4th & 5th digits represent the YEAR, so you will only see an 08, 09, 10, or 11 (self-explanitory).

And the last 3 characters I could only speculate on because I wasn’t given enough data from my sources to determine what they meant.

The 6th character is always a letter, and in all my data I’ve only seen either an: A, E, F, G, K, X, or Y. The last two digits are only ever an 01, 02, or 03, which leads me to speculate that this may be a region code. Why I’m guessing this is a region code and not bottle size is because the data shows that there is too much variation between these last two numbers and size.
**EDIT: now that "04" seems to be popping up I'm wondering if this means quarter in which the batch was made (ie Quarter 01, Q2, Q3, or Q4)**

If you want to help solve the last 3-charater problem then reply to the thread with info such as lot number, scent, bottle size, language of inserts, and location of purchase.

Creed scent ID numbers:

01=SVanille
02=S&W

10=AA
11=AC
12=BdeG
13=BdeC
14=C
15=CB
16=E
17=F
18=OSpice
19=REL
20=RSL
21=SI
22=Vetiver (1948)
23=ZMP

30=BdP
31=Erolfa
32=GIT
33=MI
34=NS
35=SMW
36=RW
37=GV
38=Tabarome
39=Himalaya
40=OV
41=OS
42=Aventus

50=FdeF
51=FdeB
52=TI
53=Vanisia
54=JIE
55=RD
56=SF
57=2000F
58=Irisia
59=Jasmal
60=LIB
61=LIW
62=VIW
63=AF

75=CM
76=FdeTRB

81=Windsor

89=LesF

96=RC

EDIT: So, I did some more analysis of the 7-character lot number system (from ?-2007), and speculated based on my data that the 2nd "letter" is the scent ID code:

Examples:
B=Erolfa
C=GIT
D=MI
E=NS*
F=SMW
G=RW
H=GV*
I=Tabarome*
J=Himalaya
K=OV
L=
M=OS


*yet to be verified, so please contribute with your numbers!!!

Hi,
My data set consisted of 86 serial numbers and this is the first I've seen of an 01, so for the time being i'll have to consider it an outlier. But this is good, the more info I'm given the finer I can tune this. I encourage others to post their serial numbers al well!

BTW, what was the insert language in your box and where did you buy the bottle?

Yes, I forgot to add that on the latest batches (also seen on Aventus), it seems that they are replaceing the "A" with a "C" which stands for "C"reed...pretty logical.

Yes, that is their reference number. The "10" is the year, the "075" is the size in ml (I bet you have a 2.5oz/75ml bottle ), and "22" is the scent ID for the Vetier (1948) EDT version.

Yep, the inserted "B" is assumed to be for "B"atch year...I should have mentioned that when I explained the "A" to "C" change. But I dont have enough serial numbers on the latest 2010 versions so please add your numbers!

The fact that its a tester could have something to do with it...all the numbers I collected were strictly NOT from testers. Sorry I didnt mention that earlier.

Yes, as a scientist I agree with you! I would love to have a data set in the thousands to increase my confidence interval, but I'm merely posting what I've been able to extrapolate from the data given. Keep posting those numbers & info!

Give it some time. I've heard from secondary sources that Mr. Creed himself prefers "aged" batches over newer ones. I guess it's kind of like a wine, seeing that they're both comprised of organic ingredients.

For what it's worth, I think my new bottle of OV (A4009Y02), doesnt have the complexity of my older stock, but I'm not bothered and I still love it. I mean, I'm glad all my bottles of Bordeaux don't taste the same. There's something special about each one!

Will have to consider this one an outlier as well, until I get more numbers of 75ml BduP's that were purchased from the same location. But it's duly noted.

Doesn't look like those summations account for post 2008 bottles.

Are you sure your number isn't CA12Z05? Because "21" is the current ID number for Santal Imperial and "12" is the ID number for Baie de Genievre.
05 would be the year (although I had very few 2005 numbers, most data was from 2006-09 bottles). CA wouldnt be for Cali...according to my data.

Thanks for the compliment!

Hopefully, with this info we can start buying online with more confidence.

Your BuP is a 2008 version.

The scent ID list I have is an updated 2011 version so maybe "21" used to be the ID code for Baie de Genievre in the past, but I can assure you the current ID code is now "12".

As I mentioned before, I have very few 2005 (or older), serial numbers to begin with, let alone an '05 BdP. The more data I get, the better! But I have to admit that I'm less concerned with pre-2008 at this point since that system is now obsolete.

Hi,

Even though I didnt originally want to include testers in my analysis, I've started to notice a pattern about their lot numbers:

The 4th and 5th digits seem to be switched with the last two digits (ie. your "08" is switched with "01"). Possibly a way for Creed to know which bottles are testers (after all, they ar NOT supposed to be sold). So, effectively you have a 2008 tester version. The "56" in the reference number would also account for that (but I do believe the first 2 digits of the REF# is more of an "inventory year" number rather than production date number...go to the lot number for that)

I know I said I didnt care about the pre-2008 lot numbers but being the type of scientist I am I get annoyed when there's a problem that can't be solved.

So, I did some more analysis of the 7-character lot number system (from ?-2007), and speculated based on my data that the 2nd "letter" is the scent ID code:

Examples:
B=31=Erolfa*
C=32=GIT
D=33=MI*
E=34=NS*
F=35=SMW
G=36=RW
H=37=GV*
I=38=Tabarome*
J=39=Himalaya
K=40=OV
L=41=OS*
(N/A)42=Aventus

*yet to be verified, so please contribute with your numbers!!!

The rest of the scent ID codes:
(remember, these only apply to the 8-character lot system)

**EDIT: codes have been cut&pasted in OP**

I wrote that the 2nd letter representing the scent ID was only used for the 7-character system.

Thanks for the number!

Thanks for providing me with the data!
Could you please post any other Creed numbers you have?

Yeah, at first I only found 01, 02, and 03 at the end, but with the help of the people on this forum I've got a few numbers ending in 04 now.

Makes me think: Could this be representative of the year-quarter in which it was made (ie Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4)?

Yes please!

Hahaha. No thanks, I have my hands full analyzing human DNA for my thesis.

This Creed analysis only arose out of my personal frustration from not knowing where to buy legit bottles online.

Now I can just ask sellers what numbers are on the back of their bottles.
In fact, I just tested this out this morning on the bay and on the "for sale" forums here at bn. You should see the repsonses I got, from "It's EM77277B63," to "oh, Creed never put numbers on their testers," or "only the newest bottles have numbers," etc. (although I have to admit that ~50% that responded gave me legit numbers).
And as for online retailers, I now have a discernible method I could use to determine whether or not I should make a return.