What makes Creed Aventus so exceptional

The reason it gets so much love is because it has all the mass appeal of the lowest common denominator mass market scents, but still lets people feel superior and snobbish because they spent $100-200 on a bottle of scent that "nobody else is wearing."

Snobby + (compliment)slutty = community hype.

See also: New Haarlem, LIDGE, DHI.

It is definitely a little overrated (it is a good smell, but I have a couple of scents that I enjoy more), but one can't deny that it is an absolute all-star at getting compliments. Just count how many times you see the name "Aventus" on the stickied compliments thread. That's why it is so exceptional in my mind.

I've only had my bottle for a week, but I fully expect it to become my most complimented fragrance.

Agreed. Plus the bottle looks badass with the black band and unicorn stallion.

I think it's a good fragrance because to me it smells great. It's as simple as that for me.

I'm convinced Creed has included in Aventus some new synthetic. I have a tough time smelling it after 20-30 minutes, but other people, especially women, notice it.

I know they're Creed, they're jerks, snob appeal, etc, etc, etc,.. But I go off of my own experience.

I'm a mature fellow. Really, really old to many of you. Every time I've worn it, women have liked it. Sometimes young women. You can think I'm flacking For Creed for all I care. But they got something right in that one.

I gave mine away- if I can't smell it, I can't wear it.

Sadly, there is some truth to this. I should note that I own Aventus and I really enjoy it, but I didn't buy it based on any of the hype, and I absolutely do not think it (or anything else) could live up to the hype.

I got a sample and wore it for a few days, and in the process, I let my nose decide. That's the only way one should make a purchase like Aventus.

Aventus is interesting because it's VERY mass appeal without smelling cheap or needy. Needy? Yeah, needy. When I smell things like Guilty or 1 Million, I smell desperation. OH, GOD, PLEASE NOTICE ME!!! DON'T YOU NOTICE HOW LOUD YET SWEET I SMELL? Those scents scream for attention. Aventus has the fruity pineapple top that makes it easy to notice, but the smokey base keeps it from being a teen scent. It's youthful yet elegant. A confident 25 ear old could wear it, but so could a cheerful 55 year old. It might also be a bit snobby. I hope not, but, I've been told it smells kind of country-club-ish. Two women told me that, but both smelled it on paper rather than on my skin.

Aventus is Creed's attempt to cross over from niche to mainstream, and I suspect they're doing a better job of it than even they thought they would. Aventus is easy to like, and it's selling beyond their original hopes.

Frankly, I think we're going to see more of this from other niche houses. It's smart to make a few scents that are very mass appeal to bring new customers into your line, while also making many niche appeal scents for your loyal customers. It's good for business... but it only works if the niche appeal scents are excellent and the mass appeal scents don't damage your brand identity. Love 'em or hate 'em, I think Creed does a good job with that balancing act.

I know this will read as blasphemy here, but I believe someone like Andy Tauer could increase sales 4X by creating one scent that is a mass appeal version of what he does. Use it as a hook to bring non-niche people into his line. That's what Creed is doing with Aventus. It's what they did with GIT, though I think GIT was a bit less intentional (meaning, Aventus is a blatant attempt at creating a mass appeal scent, whereas I think GIT's success was a happy accident). I think that's the trick for any niche: create a few (FEW!) mass appeal scents to bring new customers into a high end and high quality niche line.

It good for business.

The main problem with hype is that it's often implied we should love whatever the hypers love. But if you pay attention, you'll notice that some of those hyping a frag today will be selling the frag in a few months because they bought into the hype rather than trusting their own noses.

So... to the OP: You weren't thrilled with Aventus? CONGRATULATIONS! You were wise enough to trust your own nose instead of buying into the hype, and you saved yourself money. Sweet, eh? The good news is, there are plenty of scents that you'll love. Choose one of those instead.

Like I said, I love Aventus, but I think the hype is silly, and I DON'T buy into the idea that it's the ultimate scent. I get more compliments when I wear things like Gucci Pour Homme II ($73), Bvlgari Black ($40) or Curve ($15!). Aventus is a scent I love, and I bought for myself and wear for myself. It's a people pleaser, and that's great! It's also excellent as a room freshener. I'm not kidding. I spray a cotton ball and stick it in the desk drawer I keep my pens and pencils in. Sounds silly? Maybe, but man oh man, whenever I reach in there for something, it smells great, and the scent from 1 spray lasts for weeks.

tl;dr: Buy what you love and love what you buy. Hype is silly. Trust your nose.

I find it to be exceptionally just okay.

I think you have to give them some credit. It's not for the older crowd and it's meant to be a crowd pleaser, but they did it first and they used reasonably decent ingredients. I get by with Zara's Gold and don't wear it often but the smoky pineapple idea is one I like.

overrated. twince.

Agreed.

Easy answer: great longevity, great projection and great overall smell. Also very versatile.

I confess I was unimpressed with it as well, loving the pineapple-laced open but finding complete disappointment in its smokey facets later-on which were quite unoriginal and mundane, IMO. The allure Aventus has with many people befuddles me, but as they say... "Different strokes for different folks"... The great thing about trying out fragrances is there are so many options that if one does not like a scent like Aventus, there are literally thousands of other choices to be had.

Mostly its the countless new threads it inspires including the one I made for Aventus as well as the fact that its a damn good fragrance.

Nail on the head

That's not to say I don't enjoy it from time to time, when I'm fishing for compliments or just going out in a certain mindset.

Its attention-whore, air-freshener vibe.

It may be overrated, but there is usually a reason a fragrance becomes popular. Sure, you can disregard the fragrance and say it gets compliments (I've owned it for a few months and I have yet to be complimented, so...), but as seen in those parentheses over there, it's not always the case. I decided to try Aventus because I liked the note profile, and because it was popular around here. I trust those who give advice around here, since, as Blake would put it, they live in a world of experience, whereas I live in a world of innocence (see, ignorance) when it comes to fragrances.

Naturally, as I smell more, I get more experience, but when someone said "Hey, try Aventus," I did just that. I love the scent, and for me it's as simple as that. It's one of those fragrances that comes along and makes you feel comfortable.

That's enough for me.

Pretty much this! I could care less about the hype (of this or any frag). I happen to dislike a good majority of hyped frags here on BN. Aventus is just one I happen to like because to me it's well blended, smells good start to finish, and it has great longevity, projection & versatility. I wouldn't care who makes it, if it were niche, designer, knockoff, mainstream/popular, a hidden gem, universally disliked, $10/bottle or $200/bottle. If it can accomplish all of the things I want/look for in a frag, I'll gladly & proudly wear it & enjoy it.

The unicorn tears in the mix - it's magical stuff

I absolutely love it. It is unlike anything else. Great longevity. The first time my wife smelled it she said "WOW!". She has no idea what it costs. She never heard of Basenotes - or Creed. She loved the way it smelled. Period. I suspect 95% of people who compliment someone wearing Aventus have also never hear of it before. So, to attribute the love of Aventus to the "hype" is incorrect.

Aventus is one of the most versatile fragrances on the market. It can be worn day or evening, summer or winter, casual or formal. It is not adored simply because of it's high price. It is not any more expensive than other Creed fragrances. It is actually less expensive than many other lines like Xerjoff, Puredistance, Clive Christian, or even the Royal Exclusives line from Creed- all of which are less "hyped" despite being more expensive.

I love the stuff. It doesn't matter to me who else loves it or hates it - it won't change my feelings towards it. Oddly, it seems like the "haters" are more obsessed with it than the fans. That is the real question... why are people who don't like it so obsessed with it?

I scratch my head wondering why people like Dior Leather Oud or Creed Imperial Millesime. I guess everyone likes their own thing - it doesn't always have to make sense to everyone else. It would be kind of boring if everyone wore the same thing anyway.

When I originally went and sampled it at Saks, I wasn't expecting much. In fact, the only reason I wanted to try it was because it had been sooo hyped by BNers. I was predisposed to not like it at first as I find GIT rather common and dislike the hype it gets (I wore Cool Water in college and it just reminds me of that period of time). And to be honest the first time I tried it I was surprised. I expected it to be more dominate from the start as a lot of BN darlings are.

It took me several wearing to really fall in love with the fragrance. It really creeps up on you, releasing a pineappley woody waft when you least expect it.

Why I love it is this:
1. It's fresh without being aquatic
2. I love pineapple and you don't find it done well in fragrance without smelling like a tropical drink
3. It's more than just fruity, it's got a nice woody backbone
- That woody backbone gives it versatility
- That woody backbone gives it complexity that an all fruit/citrus fragrance would not have
4. I find I can wear it for any occasion
5. It LASTS!
6. It is not challenging to average nose, so I feel i can wear it anywhere any time - Ah versatility!

I like Aventus but it is not one of my top ten. I can easily see why people love it though. It is a big approved quality brand name and also a fragrance that uniquely succeeds in its task of providing fresh green masculine scent.

Aventus is also very exceptional because it evokes a consistent reaction, "that smells nice!" or "I like the way you smell today". Comments like this will always come first to mind when evaluating a fragrance. But, what sets Aventus apart from other fragrances?

Fragrance brands have been trying to capture "green essence" in perfume for a long time. We have a subconscious desire to pull the mystical essence from nature and imbue ourselves with green life giving and healing powers from the planet. Aventus has captured a smell that successfully accomplishes this natural desire to possess the healing green essence and it is also a masculine scent. I know, I know . . . Aventus is not a natural essence! But, it does get that reaction when people smell it. Pinneapple freshness, verdant greens, scintillating woods, a bit of mossiness and it is lasting and it emits a very pleasant lingering vapor trail that smells fresh as the idea of what green goodness should smell like.

Also, people really like to have a big brand name that signifies quality and superiority and the coincidence of having the Creed name on the same bottle with a fragrance that works well is just too much good luck. It is exceptional.

I totally agree.

I also want to add this: I think the fact that Aventus' sillage travels across rooms and lasts for days on clothing (although most people who own a bottle won't agree because of olfactory habituation) it allows a larger percentage of the wearer's "audience" to smell it, compliment on it, and fall in love with it.

Highly complimented fragrances by definition have to "reach" people's noses often.

So, IMO the equation to Aventus' success is something like this: Great (mainstream and accessible) smell + Awesome sillage + Long lasting + Feelings of exclusivity + (High price = higher self-worth) + Internet hype = Blockbuster fragrance sales

That being said, I'd love to own a bottle!

I try to avoid jumping on the hype train as much as possible and judge scents for myself. I tested Aventus and found I got great longevity from it, combine that with the fact that pineapple is my absolute favorite fruit and I love the fact that a fragrance finally had that note, and I was sold.

its an ok fragrance but not worth the money.
i could easy spent 180 euro instead on a hermesesence fragrance.now thats quality!

Because of its complexity, longevity, and unique scent. It draws so many compliments even though its the king of olfactory fatigue. One of the most mysterious scents ever made IMO..

i dont see the big deal in aventus

Most talk about the Pineapple but it's all about the drydown for me. The compliments Aventus brings are a most welcome side effect.

The hype is exceptional, even for a Creed.

i honestly had low expectations for it. the first 3 times i wore it, i didn't like it.

now, i'm in love with it. it takes time to appreciate, but it's a true masterpeice.

One of my favs......Always a good choice

I think it's pretty awful tbh. I asked lots of people to smell it on me and asked is this cheap or expensive and every person said 'Cheap' Just smells of smoke to me - simply don't get the hype.

Got a decant recently, and completely agree with you. It's nice, but there are others i prefer. Maybe it was not a "good batch" but i don't want to buy into that whole Creed batch number anxiety

I agree!!

I just spritzed on a sample, I'm STILL trying to figure out the hysteric and unwavering universal mass praise on this one *shrugs*.

Nutshell

It's pretty unique. It leaves a great scent trail. And the sweet pineapple, apple, and black currant (supposedly) contrast and work very well with the smoky birch tar.

I like it and think it's good. I've just never fawned over it. But I appreciate it more with each wearing.

I agree with this. I would also add (or more likely elaborate) that Aventus' smoky pineapple smell is fairly unique (nothing is particularly similar ala GIT/Cool Water or MI/L&L/Sean John) with both adds to the feeling of exclusivity and excites fragrance collectors who get bored with more common notes/blends (especially on the fresh side of scents).

Also, from what I've read (don't have first hand experience), Aventus has deceptively strong silage/projection so many frag-heads are likely over-applying (more people will notice). Wearing a much more crowd-pleasing than usual favorites (which tend to be stronger, older, more challenging scents) garners a lot more complements than usual, thus hype is born.

It's unique smelling, I can't think of another fragrance that smells like it. Great smelling too, so that makes it exceptional....Price is ridiculous though, as is the annoying fact that it fucks with your nose like crazy and you have batch variations.

I love aventus threads.

Aventus is what GIT would be without clones. As far as being catered towards the snobby buyer, I disagree. The majority of people that are active on the forums have quite a few $100 - $200 bottles in their collections. Also, Aventus is going to be worn quite a bit so you'll get your money's worth. Can't say that about most of the so called "exceptional" fragrances mentioned in threads.

Remember, one man's junk, is another man's treasure.

Aventus just has that special something that makes it stand out, especially to members of the opposite sex. I wear aventus once every week or two ever since I got it 6 months ago. I don't inform my wife that I'm wearing Aventus, but every single time I wear it she gets this weird little smile on her face and then says something to the effect of "wow, what's that cologne you're wearing today"? I'll say "Why do you ask, do you like this one", and her response is unmistakably affirmative. She'll then ask for the name and I'll tell her "Creed aventus", to which she laughs and says something about how consistent she is in her preference for this one. The same general scenario plays out with my teenage daugther every time I wear Aventus. None of my other frags (around 50 or so) elicit this type of response. Maybe my wife will say "you smell good today" with some of my others, but she really prefers Aventus over all others. She tells me that I smell like a man should smell when I wear it.

I honestly didn't write my original reply here with the intent to discredit either Aventus or those who buy it (well, those who are into scent as art anyhow). I actually like Aventus now, despite originally finding it underwhelming, but I think those factors or similar factors account for many of the hyped scents around here, including things like Jubilation XXV, etc.

I have to agree with Greek Trojan's elaboration, too. Despite it's mainstream mass appeal, it actually is a fairly unique accord, and that is a difficult thing to pull off.

These ^^^^^^^^.

I'll sign this. In other words, the scent per se is nothing special at all.

Nothing at all.

AVONtus sucks, and I am a big Creed fan.

Its good but expensive.

Hype? I tried it, and after 45 minutes or so of WOW!, it fell flat and left me wondering why I had spent $300. I eventually gave it away to a friend, on whom it's gorgeous.

It's not like I dislike Creed's offerings on principle--I'm going to get the lovely Royal Oud (despite its relative lack of "oudiness"), but Aventus just didn't work.

Because, "C.R.E.E.D" and "Niche"

WOW! An Aventus thread...I haven't seen one of these in-oh...an hour!!!!!! ARGGGG!

Prices do that. I find it a good perfume though.

I agree, somewhat. But I think there are two agendas on basenotes. 1) Those that do it for the ladies. 2) Those that do it for their nose. And not always do the twain both meet.

The three biggest compliment getters do happen to be expensive - Aventus, Green Irish Tweed, Millesime Imperial. So it's not hype, they're compliment monsters, but expensive compliment monsters. Rochas Man is the one that needs to be getting the attention because of it's a dirt cheap compliment getter at a steal for under $30. Then perhaps La Nuit Homme, and Issey Miyake's Pour Homme at $50 and up.

But those two sell well, which brings us back to Rochas Man.

Less Known/Worn + Ladies Likey (Compliments) = Group 1 Agenda.

Which is what any single male of a certain age group is looking for here...

I tried it several times. I respect it as a decent fragrance, but on my skin it is nothing special and I felt not bottle-worthy, at least not at his point in time. Go for it if is is good for you. Hype - any hype - tends to make me prejudiced against a product, but I tried to judge Aventus without bias.

Obviously the entire field of olfactory stimulation is subjective...First I don't know where you get the "3 biggest compliment getters... GIT, Aventus, and MI." That doesn't hold in the general crowd here, only with the biggest Creed lovers. I have found among non fragrance people, GIT and Cool Water are so close as to be confused. Compliments I have gotten wearing GIT are "OH! I LOVE Cool Water!" (And Yes I know my GIT is genuine, and fresh) Aventus is a smokey gourmand that isn't sickly sweet. It seems by observation, women compliment gourmands ie Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille (which used to be obsessed over nearly as much as Aventus.) Lastly, if the wearer is hyped over the frag he is wearing, it will project psychologically to others, even to the point of casually trying to draw out a compliment. I enjoy Creed frags, but NO MORE than other houses I have, and I am sick to death of the Creed worship where people interject Creed into every thread. ( I know...this started as a Creed thread...) When I wear Creed, I get no more or no less compliments than other frags. I have been watching with some incredulity as a group of Creed lovers bid a 2.5 tester bottle of Windsor up over $280 on EBAY in a frantic effort to be part of the Creed Crowd. That particular frag is probable the weakest link in the Creed chain, with zero longevity or projection. We all have asked with chagrin where the quality control went, as we buy new bottles at top price with labels peeling, pumps on atomizers squeeking and ejecting anemic amounts of frag. There are whole threads devoted to panic stricken buyers worrying about grammatical errors on the boxes, and the thickness of the cardstock. and what LOT # is "Cool"

Like most Creeds, it has the bone structure of a sea cucumber.

I concur with both!

Aventus is the mass market Creed. While in Neiman Marcus a man came over to the Creed counter with a bottle of Bleu de Chanel and asked "Of all of these which one is the most similar to this." and lo and behold the rep says Aventus. I just shook my head because I see absolutely no resemblance in the two. Ironically the female with him said that she did not like Aventus because it smelled too "smokey like burnt wood".

Batch variations in 5...4...3...2.......

Well said.


I also get the feeling they've either hit upon a new synth or came up with a rather novel combination of existing synths that account for its longevity of legendary status. These molecules are probably quite large, which would account for both the longevity and anosmic trouble some have. Me? I've got no trouble with big molecules. I received a split of this a week ago last Friday (t/u mr. heperd!) and applied 3 good sprays on my favorite 'wake up & knock around' heavy terry cloth bathrobe the next morning. I'm still getting clear wafts of it 8 days later. The only other frag I've ever come across with such staying power is Joop! Homme. I appreciate Joop's drydown and use it on bath and bed linens but haven't considered it for personal wear in years. Aventus, on the other hand, seems as versatile as they come.

Big compliment getter. It's a good 'un

I am loving this stuff!

I am new to basenotes and am not going to pretend im clued up on this subject.

Heres what I get, a very expensive quality smelling cologne/bath/shower scrub scent.

I dont think ive ever smelt this good, i was so sceptical after reading the bad and meh reviews online that I was nearly discouraged completley from hunting this down and trying it.

I am so glad i did.

This smells absolute quality, make no mistake about it! Its fresh, its sporty, its classy, like the most expensive sparkling grapefruit cocktail that exists on the planet.

It makes a statement: It says, this costs alot of cash, i am clean, i am classy, i have impeccable taste.

Theres something in a different league to other scents I own. (yes, and im aware the shocking price is one of those things)

I cant see my 30ml lasting that long, I may invest in the 75ml and possibly deodrant for special occasions

Love it!