SMW is a strange boy, that’s for sure. One thing that deviates from the norm is the lack of ambroxan/ambergris notes found in many other Creed releases. It is a musky fragrance enriched with fruity and tea notes, which means it won’t be for everyone, which is a good thing. I’ll also add that even if this is a masterpiece release, when we consider everything, it is still not my favourite from the brand.
TOP NOTES
The opening of SMW will be a hit or miss for most people. It is somewhat strange and pleasant at the same time, but the quality of the blend cannot be disputed. The first spritz on my skin reveals this weird combination of metallic, musky fruits and citruses. It’s a refreshing, kind of soapy, and energetic combination of blackcurrant, bergamot, and mild orange, infused with muskiness immediately.
HEART NOTES
Heart notes quickly kick in after the exciting opening. For me, this is where the real magic happens as we are introduced to green tea and ozonic accord. The ozonic accord is the only aspect of this composition that will remind you of the 1990s when many ozonic and aquatic scents were available on the market. At this stage of development, I still get that ambiguity, a metallic touch of blackcurrant, and a delightful and realistic green tea accord.
BASE NOTES
You have a clean, musky, slightly woody, and calming scent when everything settles down. There are still slight aspects from the opening and the middle notes here, but don’t expect them to be solid or bold anymore. It’s not an overbearing fragrance, and certainly not something you’ll have to pick a particular occasion to wear. It speaks of the early spring days when everything starts to blossom; in the end, it is not that complicated.
OVERALL
SMW is not a perfect fragrance; it also stands for every other perfume that has been released. I was thinking about whether it deserves a holy grail status for quite some time, and in the end, I decided that it just wouldn’t be fair not to place it here. As a composition that has stood the test of time and went into the perfume hall of fame with millions of users who swear by its quality, I conclude this review with its deserved ranking.
