I finally got the chance to try Creed Aventus at Neiman Marcus

[Verai55]

Creed aventus is definitely one of my favorite fragrances. Awesome longevity, average sillage. Amazing scent

[cameron]

I'm not a fan of the scent, but there is no denying it is very popular and a compliment getter. I think the strong projection contributes to it, and the fact that it's unique and a manly scent.

[Scentologist]

I love this fragrance and glad I own it!

[Maque]

Sounds like something a Creed rep would say! LOL. I've tried all four (including the two Zaras), and for me Black XS is unwearable, due to its harshness. It's also has a different predominant fruit note (a strawberry kind of thing rather than pineapple). I did a side by side with Aventus and Zara's Gold, and they were nearly identical to me. I wonder if I sprayed Gold and Aventus on two different people and had those people walk by a Creed lover. Could they tell the difference? I don't think so !

I rather like Aventus myself, and I find it superior to Zara Gold. To a undiscerning nose like mine, I can differentiate the two: Zara Gold is harsher, with the notes of bright pineapple and woods; Aventus is smoother, with a quieter dark pineapple, and a creamier ambery base. I am not sure if Aventus has the same kind of ambergris base as the other millesimes, but I like the ambery base.

But, between Aventus and Millesime Imperial, I like MI a lot more: there are many many days where I just want to wear MI simply because I crave the smell of MI; the flowery 'melon' note is rather intoxicating to me! Aventus, while rather nice, does not inspire me so much. But I really do like that pineapple note!

[cologne connoisseur]

[QUOTE=Redneck Perfumisto;2510072)


I may not exactly be an Aventus fanboy, but I simply have to admit that this thing charms the ladies in an obvious way. Makes me wonder if this stuff got focus-grouped. No law that says Creed or its anonymous "less-than-master" perfumers can't do it. [/QUOTE]
I'd bet heavily on the idea that this one got focus-grouped. Great comment, RP!

[Bigsly]

But Bigsly, I gotta say - the similarity is all in the fruity topnotes. Which we all know you hate! What about the base?

As I've said before, skin chemistry seems crucial with many frags. With Zara Gold, the smoky pineapple lasts for a very long time. This may be accentuated by the fact that I get a little on my shirt. Whatever the case may be, neither frag is like the old vintage ones. These are largely if not entirely non-natural frags. Aventus may be a bit "better" in some way, but because I rarely wear it, or anything like it, and because of my skin chemistry, there is no difference for me. Sure, if someone studies these day after day, he will likely detect some difference, but that is irrelevant to me, just as some people can't tell the difference between the new and old Lagerfeld Cologne/Classic or Red for Men by GBH (which I think separates a great frag from an unwearable one). What kind of base could Aventus have that would compete with the great vintage designer frags? The answer is that it can't compete, at least for what I'm seeking. However, if the top notes last for hours, as is the case for Aventus and Zara's Gold, and I like them, it works for me (at least once every couple of months) !

[Redneck Perfumisto]

As I've said before, skin chemistry seems crucial with many frags. With Zara Gold, the smoky pineapple lasts for a very long time. This may be accentuated by the fact that I get a little on my shirt. Whatever the case may be, neither frag is like the old vintage ones. These are largely if not entirely non-natural frags. Aventus may be a bit "better" in some way, but because I rarely wear it, or anything like it, and because of my skin chemistry, there is no difference for me. Sure, if someone studies these day after day, he will likely detect some difference, but that is irrelevant to me, just as some people can't tell the difference between the new and old Lagerfeld Cologne/Classic or Red for Men by GBH (which I think separates a great frag from an unwearable one). What kind of base could Aventus have that would compete with the great vintage designer frags? The answer is that it can't compete, at least for what I'm seeking. However, if the top notes last for hours, as is the case for Aventus and Zara's Gold, and I like them, it works for me (at least once every couple of months) !

Yeah - I have to admit that the Aventus base is just your standard modern thing that doesn't compare with the oldies. Probably more similarity to the JayZ scents and Gucci Guilty PH Intense than anything you're talking about. And in that sense, not a lot of difference between them.

I tend to use the base of Kouros as a reference standard for "good old bases". That one is just wicked strong. The drydown is actually stronger than most modern sport scents, fresh on skin, and is about as strong as a modern weak oriental. And clearly neither Aventus nor Zara Gold are anywhere close to that kind of base.

Still, for modern mainstream, I think the base of Aventus is significantly better than Zara Gold's. The latter just seems quintessentially nondescript to me.

[A. Homme]

I like Aventus well enough, but I don't get the comparison to Voyage at all.

[Bigsly]

I'll have to wear Gold one of these days and report back. One thing is for sure, which is that it smells great when I take the cap off and smell the sprayer, and that really surprised me (I don't know if I can say that about any other fairly recent frag, other than M7, which I don't actually like to wear).

[Maque]

I tested Zara Gold again today, as I happened to go to Zara. It seems that Zara Gold is now Zara Man Gold (Zara Gold is in a gold metallic bottle in 100ml while Zara Man Gold is a black glass bottle in 30ml; ditto for Zara Silver/Zara Man Silver). I am not sure if there is any reformulation for Zara (Man) Gold. Testing Zara Man Gold, it confirms my impression of a bright, tangy pineapple with a woodsy undertone. Compared to Aventus, it is less smooth (the pineapple is more prominent and imposing) and less complex. Aventus has more complexity in that the pineapple note is less fruity per se (the floral accords) and is better blended with the other fruit accords (with the apple being more prominent). I also do not get much of a base from the Zara Man Gold, the pineapple just goes on then fades out.

Had I not known of the existence of Aventus (Creed is not well known in Singapore at all), and I only know of the Zara, I would definitely go for the Zara for a rather nice pineapple fragrance. But Aventus, though expensive, is really quite worth the price, and since I wear fragrances for my own enjoyment (Singaporeans in general are not really into fragrances, and fragrances are usually lightly applied here anyway), Aventus is definitely more pleasing to my nose.

[Ovaltine Jenkins]

I like Aventus well enough, but I don't get the comparison to Voyage at all.

+1. Aventus has weak projection for me.

[Vince23heat]

aventus smells nothing similar to voyage, they are both fruity scents and one is hell of a lot cheaper.

[Vince23heat]

+1. Aventus has weak projection for me.

you must have a bad batch. I got the fruity batch that is hyped up in a split and the next day it feels like i just sprayed it on.

[Bigsly]

I'm wearing Zara's Gold today. There is no metallic or "synthetic" qualities, and I am very sensitive to them, especially calone and metallic ones. It's lasting well, a few hours in now, though I get little in the way of "development" (in this case, that's what I'm seeking, since any base would likely be typical/generic and not worth noting). Sure it's simple, but it's not like so many of the super-sweet or downright revolting fruit frags marketed to men these days, and I enjoy it, which of course is most important to me. I don't remember Aventus being any different (my decant of that is no longer available), but for my purposes there is really no way it can be "better." There is no base that it could develop into that would be something I'd want, at least that I've ever come across. Others may be looking for something else, which is legitimate, but to me the cost difference is far too great to even consider purchasing a bottle of Aventus.

[The Smelly Scientist]

Though I do own it, I do find it a bit overrated, and truly believe I can find an even better more unique every day scent. With that being said, you are lying to yourself if you think the Zara smells anywhere close to it.

Aventus is MUCH more complex, and the crisp, fresh pineapple opening dries down to something very different. Zara Gold starts off honey glazed pineapple, and finishes a more synthetic honey glazed pineapple. Too sweet.

[We Came As Romans]

This is one of the best Creed's in my opinion and when my decant runs out I'll definitely be getting more

[dollars&scents]

I like Aventus well enough, but I don't get the comparison to Voyage at all.

this ^^^^^^^^^

[JyyskNotes]

paid 150 euros (188 dollars) for 75ml (2,5oz) bottle of Aventus. My batch number is C42B11Y02 and I'm very satisfied. Maybe expensive but smells amazing so I don't care

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

it reminds me very much of Creed Himalayas mixed with Nautica Voyage... it has that clean soapy smell and that apple scent from Nautica Voyage...

Uhm.... huh?

A: I smell no soap or apple in Aventus. I get rich (not sharp) pineapple and smoke.
B: Clearly, I need to snag one of those $20 bottles of Nautica Voyage at Ross!

[2ndBakeryAttack]

I smell absolutely no similarity between Nautica Voyage and Aventus. I HATE Nautica voyage, but love Aventus. I'm no Creed snob either.

[emes]

Best Creed. Original and if you get a good batch.... Great performer