Delphinus Creed 2024

First proper sampling of one of Creed’s newest releases, Delphinus, since I first smelled it in-store several months ago, it being my favorite vs. its companion release, Centaurus. Delphinus is, to me, an orris-led blend colored by incense, vanilla, and pepper, primarily, with an additional mélange of resinous/powdery/earthy notes of patchouli, almond, leather, and tonka. It balances boldness and subtlety, offering a little bit of the powder and creaminess orris but coupling it with a spicy, resinous, sweet ensemble that seems to be at the intersection of a few concepts, yielding a new idea that, while not a wild departure in its own right, does not remind me specifically of any one perfume. I find it to be smooth, easygoing, and classy, a reasonable statement in a formal occasion in cool weather, and a much louder statement at the beach in the summer. Evolution-wise, it begins with a bit more of a spices-and-orris vibe and gives way to the vanilla gradually over time, but the blend remains fairly consistent over the course of some hours.

Delphinus now appears to be sold via the Creed website and in Creed boutiques as well as its standard retailers, including department stores like Neiman Marcus. Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle to enjoying this fragrance and this house is its retail pricing, which continues to increase steadily, currently $545/400 for 100/50ml for this new release. Discounters like FragranceBuy.CA already offer it at more modest $309 for 100ml, however.

Overall, though, this is an outstanding release to me, one of Creed’s very best in a number of years to the point that I do not have an immediate comparison in mind as far as quality and just how much it stands out to me in a positive way.

8 out of 10