Absolu Aventus Creed 2023

I will try to approach the matter somewhat soberly and pragmatically. A review is usually limited to a personal impression and a few points of view. So I want to address any issues that I exclude in my assessment.

Fragrance:
It starts with an opening of fresh, fruity pineapple that is accompanied from the outset by a smoky aroma. The pineapple is clearly in the foreground here, the other fruity notes and the pepper kick are cheerleaders.

It doesn't take long before the aforementioned cheerleaders fade into the background and the fresh, fruity pineapple turns into a fruity, sweet candied (smoked) pineapple. Then there is the spicy-fresh character which, according to malicious tongues, is reminiscent of shower gel (do people all use the same brand and if so, which one is it?) or the character of spicy fougeres. Some say that Absolu is a cross between Sauvage Elixir and Aventus. I understand what they mean, but I don't find the description accurate.
I would say it goes more in the direction of a warm, spicy fragrance. Musk, labdanum, woods and spices flank this smoky-candied pineapple perfectly. For some, this is too much harmony, too much streamlining, where they look in vain for the contrast and ambivalence of many men's fragrances celebrated among connoisseurs.

The candied-smoked pineapple artwork remains intact until perhaps the last 2 hours, after which the fruit leaves the stage, leaving a fresh, smoky, slightly spicy base note that slowly fades away. The base note lacks a little color, but that has always been my impression of Aventus.

So, that's my impression of the fragrance. I like it, it's a great fragrance that you can wear anywhere.
It has all the DNA of Aventus in it, but it's its own thing.
Does it make the original redundant or vice versa? Hmmm. For me, who doesn't have a matured batch of the original Aventus to compare it with, it does. But if you already own a matured batch that you personally like, you might not find enough new things here.

H/S:
I have now tested several batches of the original, but all of them had poor longevity on my skin. I have never been able to test the OG batches from 2010-2013. The Absolu is not a "beastmode" fragrance either, but the longevity on skin and clothing is acceptable. It lasts for two days on a shirt, but the pineapple flame burns out on my skin after about 6 hours.

Flacon:
The bottle is typically Creed solid and pretty to look at, the spray head distributes generous amounts of the precious liquid as a jet with too little pressure. However, it does not drip or leak.

P/L:
Should a fragrance now be evaluated independently of everything, i.e. the price in absolute figures, the price-performance ratio in relation to other creations from the same company, other products from the same niche?
Yes, you should. For precisely these considerations, there is the price-performance value that can be awarded. And how is this price-performance ratio? Oh dear. Poor would still be benevolent. No, the P/L is a catastrophe with an announcement.

But if you think you can enjoy an equivalent and even identical fragrance experience with one of the better-known fragrance clones such as those from the CDNIM range, those from Afnan, Al Haramain or Parfums Vintage, then I must also disappoint you. I can't give a verdict on the new one from DUA, but I would also be skeptical.

Based on this, I would come to the following conclusion: Anyone who already has an original Aventus, I should carefully consider whether they need this fragrance. Anyone who wants this Creed fragrance will probably be prepared to pay Creed prices for it anyway. But if you are looking for a fragrance with the Aventus DNA, you will find plenty of choice out there (even beyond the fragrance clones) where not only the fragrance but also the price/quality ratio is right.