"In some remote corner of the countless shimmering galaxies of the universe, there was once a fragrance.."
This could be how another Aventus comment begins. It would probably say just as little as the reviews and discussions about the batches and their longevity..
To put it simply, what distinguishes Aventus from other (dupe) fragrances can be illustrated with the following example:
After testing numerous dupes (IP2, L'Aventure, CDNIM, etc.) and only being satisfied with Zara VL so far, I was simply tired of the whole overpriced Aventus hype. I recognized the distinctiveness but also the shortcomings regarding longevity or performance of the dupes.
The actual trigger that made Aventus attractive again was a day trip to a big city. After searching the turquoise stores for a few candidates from my wish list and disappointingly noting the homogeneity of numerous newcomers on the market, a young man walked past me, leaving a sillage behind him that I had never smelled before. Eventually, I asked him what fragrance he was wearing, and he replied, "Creed!" ... ("Vintages?..wtf?.. what could that be..?") .... "Aventus!" ("ough!").
How could I not recognize THAT fragrance?
The answer is quite simple:
Aventus creates a beautiful balance between freshness and smokiness right after its opening. Some dupe developers might be able to replicate this quite well. However, what follows is an unmistakable drydown that certainly varies slightly depending on the batch but never deviates from its fundamental tone. A Creed-like musk note combines with the fruity-smoky top note to create a fresh and elevated balance that, on one hand, reminds one of aftershave, but on the other hand, of something expensive. The performance is unmistakable. No monotony, no piercing undertone - a delicately crafted work that knows how to convince at every second. Everything is soft yet hard. Bright - fresh - elegant. While you are still pondering the fragrance, it has already convinced you. A masterpiece.
Edit 20.01.2018:
Especially after frequent use of two very good dupes for me (L‘Aventure and eclat 700), the unique fragrance composition of the original really comes through. While many dupes either seem incredibly cheap in the top or in the base notes, Aventus delivers real fruit in a birch tar-musk dip. Certainly, batch discussions seem justified in the overall picture, but in the end, the fragrance remains a masterpiece for me.
There are fragrances that I get tired of wearing after just a few hours, after which I would like to apply something else..
With Aventus, I never have this thought. For me, it is the state of absolute perfection.
@Kovex: The hype here is something else and speaks for itself, although the batches and lots are increasingly stirring up emotions alongside the dupe market. You should definitely test A, and before the next dupe makes the list, it’s better to check out another A at the next perfume shop a block away.
Yes, that's how it is with dear Aventus. It doesn't seem to last long on me and quickly leads to a "blind nose," but if someone else is wearing it, it stands out right away :) and in a good way. I've tried almost all the dupes (whether cheap or expensive), and none really come close to the original. If you want the original, you have to pay the price for it - there's no way around it ;)
@RobGordon: I can definitely rule out dupes in this case, although unfortunately I don't have the expensive dupes on my radar. I'm also not someone who prioritizes and defends a brand over the scent. Creed has some unbearable options for me too, and the price for Aventus is still pretty inflated. Which dupe do you prefer over Aventus? :)
Hopefully, he didn't label a dupe as Aventus and lead you on. :) Aventus itself is only in third place for me among the Aventus look-alikes. The least prominent dupe has the best projection (specifically like the early releases), performs well on the skin, and is free from performance complaints. As much as I love and use Creed fragrances, I just can't feel the usual quality here.
I know the scent, and yes - it is something special.