Creed Windsor disappointment

[Possum-Pie]

I have been itching to try Creed Windsor for 6 months now. I am a notorious Creed critic, I admit that I like Aventus and Love GIT, just HATE the Cheer-leading squad that accompanies them. ANYWAY I have been obsessing over Windsor for 6 months, and ALMOST blind bought a flacon, but luckily had the opportunity to try it first. I rarely give a fragrance a thumbs down, (ONLY 8% of all my 125 ratings were thumbs down) but this would rank a double thumbs down if I could...Lime cream, pine oil, eucalyptus cough drops, and a strange chemical undertone similar to what Creed Original Vetiver has. I know the Creed snobs would give a cup of muddy water a thumbs up if it came from Creed, but I judged it on its own merits, not its House. Top it off that people actually pay $600-$700 for this and it just makes it all the more tragic. If you must join the exclusive "Creed club" for heaven sake...buy Green Irish Tweed, or even Aventus...

[drseid]

We both have the minority opinion on Windsor, but I completely agree and disliked it immensely. I was looking for a great rose scent and instead got rotting pine and eucalyptus surprise... One to skip for sure, IMO.

[PalmBeach]

I can appreciate you did not like it, but with many fragrances, we all get and feel something different.

Myself, I find it to be a great fragrance, and am so glad I own it.

[jasonx]

I know the Creed snobs would give a cup of muddy water a thumbs up if it came from Creed, but I judged it on its own merits, not its House. Top it off that people actually pay $600-$700 for this and it just makes it all the more tragic. If you must join the exclusive "Creed club" for heaven sake...buy Green Irish Tweed, or even Aventus...

I think we have to accept that different people will have different opinion about things and a scent won't ever be judged only by the way it truly smell.
For example, I think majority of Amouage Man line is over-priced and not creative and Tom Ford Noir de Noir is a shameless copy of Bond No9 West Side, I know many out there would disagree with me

[tonghpafu]

This is on my to try list. If I ever get around to acquiring a sample I will judge it for myself. However, I'm glad you are not another Creed fanboy and can have an honest opinion. That I can respect.

[dougczar]

I am one of the biggest Creed fans in the world. IMO, they are the best fragrance house there is. However, I don't rave about all their offerings. I love some, I hate some.


Windsor is close to being very nice. I can see it is almost there. But each time I wear it, I get more and more of a buzzing note (probably the eucalyptus?). Once my 10ml split is gone, that will be it. I love and own many Creed fragrances. This is not one of them. I think it is ok, but there are many better rose fragrances. And I can see how some would completely dislike it.


I'm willing to bet that there will be people in here soon talking about how it was once great, reformulation killed it, etc. I wouldn't know - I only smelled the recent formulation.

[JiveHippo]

I think it's a phenomenal scent, sorry you didn't like it. Give it a few more tries, the first time I smelled it I thought it smelled like mothballs.

I think your assessment of Creed fans is a little unfair. So because I like Creed I'm cosidered part of a "cheer-leading squad", or a "Creed snob"? Perhaps we should lump you in with the "hipsters who like to hate on things just because they're popular squad", that seem fair?

[tonghpafu]

I think it's a phenomenal scent, sorry you didn't like it. Give it a few more tries, the first time I smelled it I thought it smelled like mothballs.

I think your assesment of Creed fans is a little unfair. So because I like Creed I'm cosidered part of a "cheer-leading squad", or a "Creed snob"? Perhaps we should lump you in with the "hipsters who like to hate on things just because they're popular squad", that seem fair?

The way I read it was, that he was referring to those who think Creed's offerings are the greatest thing since sliced bread and will praise it every chance possible.

[Possum-Pie]

I can appreciate you did not like it, but with many fragrances, we all get and feel something different.

Myself, I find it to be a great fragrance, and am so glad I own it.

More power to you. I find that I generally become more negative and scathing in my reviews of a House that has a cult following. It is hard to tell how many of the (admittedly) overwhelming positive reviews are for the fragrance itself, or for the fact that someone paid a huge amount of money for an exclusive fragrance from an exclusive house. I would LOVE to do an experiment and tell people that an "Avon discount fragrance" was Creed's newest "Diamond Jubilee" fragrance, and listen to people ooh and aaah over it.

[JiveHippo]

The way I read it was, that he was referring to those who think Creed's offerings are the greatest thing since sliced bread and will praise it every chance possible.

If I think something is the greatest thing since sliced bread, should I not have the right to praise it at every chance possible without being labelled a fanboy? I don't understand what you're getting at.

[PalmBeach]

I'm willing to bet that there will be people in here soon talking about how it was once great, reformulation killed it, etc. I wouldn't know - I only smelled the recent formulation.

It was part of the Limited Reserve line, so unless they start to produce it again, won't see much of it out there. I got the very last bottle that NM had.

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More power to you. I find that I generally become more negative and scathing in my reviews of a House that has a cult following. It is hard to tell how many of the (admittedly) overwhelming positive reviews are for the fragrance itself, or for the fact that someone paid a huge amount of money for an exclusive fragrance from an exclusive house. I would LOVE to do an experiment and tell people that an "Avon discount fragrance" was Creed's newest "Diamond Jubilee" fragrance, and listen to people ooh and aaah over it.

No different than many people who slobber all over Montale. I happen to think most of their stuff isn't worth purchasing, but I am not going to start thread calling it appalling or find any thread that has the mere mention of Creed in it and find a way to interject a negative like some people on here.

If I don't like something that I tested, I keep it to myself unless asked for an opinion.

[Possum-Pie]

I'm going to make a public apology here. I do get tired of the "Creed Cheer-leaders" by that I mean those who interject "Creed" into every thread, and feel every quality fragrance ever made was by Creed. I am sorry for implying that many Windsor lovers do so only b/c it is exclusive and Creed. Those of you who truly love it for its scent alone, and believe it is worth the money they paid for it, enjoy. I tend to ignore a "House" when I try a fragrance. Cost does play a part in my reviews...If it smells great and is a bargain, all the better, but if it is "only average" but is expensive and by a famous house, I have higher standards for it.

[Prince Barry]

It was never available ove here in the UK, so I have never had the opportunity of experiencing the disapointment of not liking it Trouble is, it sounds like my kind of scent. Going by your description, it sounds similar to SMN's Pot Pourri, which I love.

[hednic]

Personally really like Windsor quite a bit although there are others I like more in their line.

[Scentologist]

I disliked it at first. Now, I like and appreciate it but don't feel I'd ever wear a whole flacon of it. It was the rose that put me off initially but have grown to understand its importance in the fragrance.

[PalmBeach]

I'm going to make a public apology here. I do get tired of the "Creed Cheer-leaders" by that I mean those who interject "Creed" into every thread, and feel every quality fragrance ever made was by Creed. I am sorry for implying that many Windsor lovers do so only b/c it is exclusive and Creed. Those of you who truly love it for its scent alone, and believe it is worth the money they paid for it, enjoy. I tend to ignore a "House" when I try a fragrance. Cost does play a part in my reviews...If it smells great and is a bargain, all the better, but if it is "only average" but is expensive and by a famous house, I have higher standards for it.

I hear what you are saying. Sometimes it becomes a bit too monotonous. Aventus is a great fragrance, like it or not, but it is not the best thing since sliced bread, and it does not cover everybody's needs.

I think Creed has some great fragrances, but like any line, to me, not everyone will be a winner.

Whether you feel it is overpriced or not, it is one of the few high end houses that has found its way into the gray market big time and can be purchased at a price a little higher than many designer scents at retail. You cannot say that for many niche houses. Heck, most can be purchased cheaper than Montale, so all in all it can be a bargain when compared to others.

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

If someone judges a scent more harshly because others rave about it, that's ridiculous not to mention unfair because it means the reviewer isn't judging the juice. He's judging others' opinions of the juice. I don't understand the whole 'joiner' thing where people choose what to like based on the need to be part of the group. But I also don't understand those who let their opinions be little more than a reaction to the praise of the group. It's all so silly.

I don't enjoy Windsor at all. But that's just me. I don't think it's tragic that some people pay a ton of money to buy Windsor. In fact, I think it's great that they found something they enjoy enough to pay that much... but it's definitely not one for me.

If I think something is the greatest thing since sliced bread, should I not have the right to praise it at every chance possible without being labelled a fanboy? I don't understand what you're getting at.

A: Dude. Sliced bread is SO overrated. God, I can't stand the sliced bread fanboys. They're the WORST.
B: I agree with you, 100% - except for the part about the sliced bread, of course. F sliced bread

[Possum-Pie]

If someone judges a scent more harshly because others rave about it, that's ridiculous not to mention unfair because it means the reviewer isn't judging the juice. He's judging others' opinions of the juice. I don't understand the whole 'joiner' thing where people choose what to like based on the need to be part of the group. But I also don't understand those who let their opinions be little more than a reaction to the praise of the group. It's all so silly.

I don't enjoy Windsor at all. But that's just me. I don't think it's tragic that some people pay a ton of money to buy Windsor. In fact, I think it's great that they found something they enjoy enough to pay that much... but it's definitely not one for me.

I NEVER hate a fragrance b/c people croon and swoon over it. I just dislike the interjection of their pet fragrance into every thread ie. "what is your favorite citrus fragrance? Aventus. What is your favorite tar based fragrance? Aventus. What is your favorite rose female fragrance? Aventus..." you get the point. I Own Aventus and GIT, and enjoy them both. I got them at a discount and am glad b/c I own other fragrances that have better quality control. Scents are subjective, but like cars, handbags, and dress shirts, some enjoy a high rating simply b/c of a label attached. I own Lacoste shirts, but honestly they are no better quality than ones I got from WalMart...but people ooh and aahh over them.

[dougczar]

Aventus is a great fragrance, like it or not, but it is not the best thing since sliced bread

I disagree. I wore sliced bread for a whole week - not one compliment. Except from a pigeon.

I do get tired of the "Creed Cheer-leaders" by that I mean those who interject "Creed" into every thread, and feel every quality fragrance ever made was by Creed.

Creed may get the most praise, but I don't think I have noticed anyone who completely praises every fragrance they make. I feel they are far and away the best house overall, but they have many offerings that I don't like, and many that I feel very "meh" about. I don't really notice people going way off topic on threads just to mention "Creed!". I do notice that with the haters though.

Would you have started this thread if it were Mona Di Orio Windsor?

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I NEVER hate a fragrance b/c people croon and swoon over it. I just dislike the interjection of their pet fragrance into every thread ie. "what is your favorite citrus fragrance? Aventus. What is your favorite tar based fragrance? Aventus. What is your favorite rose female fragrance? Aventus..." you get the point.

I get that. But it's not just Aventus (it's the new hot thing, so that's to be expected). People swoon over Dior Homme Intense the same way. And Creed MI all summer long. And anything vintage once it's been reformulated. That's just the way it seems to be when someone tries something that they really like, they will have to talk about it, so the newer ones get a bit more buzz than they would otherwise if they are universally liked.

[papillo]

I have been itching to try Creed Windsor for 6 months now. I am a notorious Creed critic, I admit that I like Aventus and Love GIT, just HATE the Cheer-leading squad that accompanies them. ANYWAY I have been obsessing over Windsor for 6 months, and ALMOST blind bought a flacon, but luckily had the opportunity to try it first. I rarely give a fragrance a thumbs down, (ONLY 8% of all my 125 ratings were thumbs down) but this would rank a double thumbs down if I could...Lime cream, pine oil, eucalyptus cough drops, and a strange chemical undertone similar to what Creed Original Vetiver has. I know the Creed snobs would give a cup of muddy water a thumbs up if it came from Creed, but I judged it on its own merits, not its House. Top it off that people actually pay $600-$700 for this and it just makes it all the more tragic. If you must join the exclusive "Creed club" for heaven sake...buy Green Irish Tweed, or even Aventus...

It did nothing for me. But on a side note, why were you obsessing over it and almost blind buy a 600 flaccon of a scent you have not smelled from a house you criticize?

[PalmBeach]

I disagree. I wore sliced bread for a whole week - not one compliment. Except from a pigeon.

Now that is a good one.

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But on a side note, why were you obsessing over it and almost blind buy a 600 flaccon of a scent you have not smelled from a house you criticize?

I must be slow today, because I missed that one. You make a good point.

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

I NEVER hate a fragrance b/c people croon and swoon over it.

I was commenting on this:

I find that I generally become more negative and scathing in my reviews of a House that has a cult following.

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Don't get me wrong... I hate the fanboyism too. I'm just saying that anti-fanboyism is equally as bad. They're two sides of the same coin. You don't like reviews that are more positive than they should be because of fanboyism, but you said you review things with extra negativity if the house has fanboys.

Fanboyism sucks, but only you can decide if someone else's immaturity will alter your honesty.

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I disagree. I wore sliced bread for a whole week - not one compliment. Except from a pigeon.

How hot was it?

...I mean the bread, not the pigeon.

[Miket]

I don't really notice people going way off topic on threads just to mention "Creed!". I do notice that with the haters though.

Would you have started this thread if it were Mona Di Orio Windsor?

You're probably not reading enough threads then. I've lost count of the number of threads where someone has asked for fragrance recommendations and given some specifics (which would tend to eliminate things like GiT, Aventus, etc) only for someone to post and tell them to get/sample GiT/Aventus.

That said in all honesty this happens with other fragrances too, and probably has less to do with the house and more to do with things being the flavor of the month.

[Possum-Pie]

It did nothing for me. But on a side note, why were you obsessing over it and almost blind buy a 600 flaccon of a scent you have not smelled from a house you criticize?

LOL You got me there...I have a thing for anything British, and first bought GIT because I had heard a rumor that Prince Charles wore it on occasion. I had read about Windsor, and saw all the positive reviews, and again heard that a royal or two had worn it. (All of this before I was oppressed with the Creed hype.) I since learned that just b/c someone was rumored to have worn a fragrance, doesn't mean the really did...I was so naive. Maybe I speak out so about Creed b/c I almost fell for all the hype myself. Since then I go strictly by sampling first.

[dougczar]

How hot was it?

...I mean the bread, not the pigeon.

Top notes were just ok. Terrible sillage. The pigeon on the other hand, was delicious. Like a large Chicken McNugget.



I normally base my opinions of a fragrance on the fragrance itself - regardless of the house. I don't work for or own stock in any fragrance company, so I have nothing to gain either way. Also, I have found something I like and something I don't like from almost every house. And oftentimes the ones I like are not the ones that get the most love on Basenotes. It just seems like Creed is in the center of these things since about half of all the [over?] hyped fragrances are from them. All the positive hype seems to surround the fragrance itself. Most of the negative hype surrounding those same fragrances is foucused on the house, not the fragrance.

I still don't know (or care) if Creed is French or English. I honestly don't know much about many of the fragrance houses for that matter, whether they are niche or designers, where they are located, etc - just the fragrances they put out. That's all I really care about anyway.

[heperd]

...

[dougczar]

Since then I go strictly by sampling first.

That is the key.

[Possum-Pie]

Creed may get the most praise, but I don't think I have noticed anyone who completely praises every fragrance they make.


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WOW...I must disagree. I cringe whenever someone asks for a suggestion for a Oud, or Rose, or Amber fragrance, and some joker says "Aventus" Or someone says "I like YSL L'Homme can you suggest a similar fragrance? and someone says, "well, it's not similar but you really need to try Aventus" I have even seen a thread for "Ugliest bottle" and someone says "Well the bottle isn't ugly but I LOVE Aventus!" GAG.

[CaliDude]

When I first smelt Windsor, I thought it was okay. I got a burst of rose and lasted throughout. As I wore it more, I got to truly liking this fragrance. The rose note is superb and very natural to me. To be honest, i don't get many of the other notes people talk about, such as the lime note. I pretty much just get rose, and I really like it.

Regarding Creeds, I'm a big fan of the house. For the most part, I either love or like their fragrances. However, there are some that I'm not fond of. Such as Tabarome Millesime and Royal Water. Erolfa is okay (really enjoy it sometimes, other times I want to scrub it off).

[DULLAH]

Don't get me wrong... I hate the fanboyism too. I'm just saying that anti-fanboyism is equally as bad. They're two sides of the same coin. You don't like reviews that are more positive than they should be because of fanboyism, but you said you review things with extra negativity if the house has fanboys.

Fanboyism sucks, but only you can decide if someone else's immaturity will alter your honesty.

Excellent post.


I'm a huge fan of Windsor, especially in it's even more green and luscious original formulation. But I can see how the medicinal and pine aspects can make it seem "old" or "ointment-y" to some. But to me, that eucalyptus just adds to the fantasy of a cold, sparkling morning dew on a rose/tuberose garden flanked by lime and pine trees. LOVE this scent, and always will.

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I have even seen a thread for "Ugliest bottle" and someone says "Well the bottle isn't ugly but I LOVE Aventus!" GAG.

I've always found the textured pleather bottle with the stick figure horsey to be the ugliest in the creed lineup by a country mile.

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I have even seen a thread for "Ugliest bottle" and someone says "Well the bottle isn't ugly but I LOVE Aventus!" GAG.

I've always found the textured pleather bottle with the stick figure horsey to be the ugliest in the creed lineup by a country mile.