Creed: where to start? 7 perfumes to discover the house

Everyone has heard of Creed, often because of a single perfume. But the house is much more than Aventus: our catalogue has over twenty Creeds, all eau de parfum, from the freshest to the woodiest. And when you treat yourself to a Creed, you want to land on the right one first time.

We picked seven perfumes, seven moods. The notes we mention are the ones on our product pages, nothing more.

The famous one: Aventus

Released in 2010, Aventus opens on pineapple, bergamot, blackcurrant and apple. In the heart, birch, patchouli, jasmine and rose. At the base, musk, oakmoss, ambergris and vanilla. Juicy fruit on one side, birch on the other: that contrast is what makes it so recognisable. If you want to understand why people talk about Creed so much, start here. See Aventus.

The fruity, rosy version: Aventus for Her

On our page, Aventus for Her (2016) brings together green apple, bergamot, rose, peach, sandalwood and musk. More floral and softer than its big brother, with a fruity freshness that makes it easy to wear every day. See Aventus for Her.

The elegant green: Green Irish Tweed

Green Irish Tweed (1985) is the oldest in the selection. It opens on lemon verbena and iris, moves through violet leaf, and finishes on ambergris and sandalwood. Green, crisp, a little powdery. The scent of a freshly ironed white shirt. See Green Irish Tweed.

The iced tea: Silver Mountain Water

Silver Mountain Water (1995) starts on bergamot and mandarin, continues with green tea and blackcurrant, then settles on musk, sandalwood and petitgrain. It's fresh, clear, almost sparkling. Perfect for summer, or for anyone who likes perfumes that are quiet but not shy. See Silver Mountain Water.

The sea air: Millésime Impérial

Also released in 1995, Millésime Impérial opens on bergamot, lemon and mandarin. The heart brings marine notes and salt, the base musk, sandalwood and iris. Citrus, a salty breeze, a powdery touch: a day by the sea in a bottle. See Millésime Impérial.

The woody one: Royal Oud

Royal Oud (2011) begins on lemon, pink pepper and bergamot, moves through cedar and angelica, then finishes on oud, sandalwood and galbanum. A bright oud, opened up by citrus, woody rather than heavy. A good pick if you want oud for daytime. See Royal Oud.

The spiced rose: Carmina

Carmina (2023) is the newest on the list. It opens on black cherry, saffron and pink pepper. In the heart, May rose, violet, cashmere wood and peony. At the base, frankincense, myrrh, amber and musk. A fruity, warm rose made for evenings. See Carmina.

How to choose your first Creed

• You want the best known: Aventus.
• You love fruity florals: Aventus for Her.
• You love green and crisp: Green Irish Tweed.
• You want freshness: Silver Mountain Water or Millésime Impérial.
• You want wood and oud: Royal Oud.
• You love rose and spice: Carmina.

Test on skin before you buy, and take your time: a Creed is best judged after a few hours, not on a paper strip. On every product page you can see the shops that sell the perfume, compare offers and set a price alert to hear when it drops.