Okay, so I’ve been seeing “Creed Aventus Cologne” all over my TikTok and Instagram, and everyone’s raving about it. I finally caved and decided to check out what the hype is all about. Here’s how it went down for me:

First Sniff – The Hunt Begins
First, I needed to understand, What am I actually dealing with here? So, I went down a rabbit hole online. I started by jotting down all the notes mentioned on the product page. I did get a good idea of the fragrance through many different blog posts, but only when I tried it out I can give my true opinions.
Breaking Down the Notes
The main thing I wanted was to understand was all these fancy fragrance terms. I had no idea what top, middle, and base notes even meant.
- Top Notes: These are the first smells you get, the initial impression. They’re usually light and fresh. For this cologne, it’s things like ginger, mandarin, and pink peppercorn. Think zesty and spicy.
- Middle Notes (Heart Notes): This is the “core” of the fragrance, what develops after the top notes fade. It’s usually more mellow. We’re talking patchouli, sandalwood, and vetiver – woody and earthy.
- Base Notes: These are the long-lasting scents that stick around. They give the fragrance depth. Here, it’s birch, musk, styrax, and tonka bean. Think warm and a bit sweet.
The Actual Test Drive
Armed with my newfound knowledge, I finally got my hands on a sample. My aim was to try and recognize the stuff I’d read about.
The Opening: Boom! Right away, I got that burst of ginger and something citrusy. Very fresh and kind of invigorating. This must be the mandarin and ginger they’re talking about.
As It Settles: After about 20-30 minutes, the initial zing calmed down. I started to notice a smoother, warmer scent, which is possibly the sandalwood and patchouli. It felt much more grounded.

The Dry Down: Hours later, there was this lingering, almost creamy, musky smell. It’s subtle but definitely there. I’m guessing that’s the musk and tonka bean doing their thing.
My Overall Thoughts
Honestly, I get the hype. I was able to identify and understand the different layers in the scent journey! It’s a very “put together” kind of scent, perfect for someone who doesn’t want to disappear into the background.