Smunitz

Not a big fan of DUA but this one is really great! Takes the Pure Havane DNA and stretches the opening into the dry down with better projection and longevity. Even though it is more expensive it's actually is cheaper per application! Highly recommend.

I must admit that I always liked the original Viking (while everyone rushed to bash it). So, of course, I like this one too. However, this one is a lot better blended and has similar scene scent profile just more summer appropriate (as the original was a bit too heavy for warm months). I get the same mint impression from geranium and same deep spicy rose impression from pink pepper. The woods in the base a lot of smoother and lighter which might be a welcomed change if the original Viking was too harsh for you in the dry down. Give it a try, wear it on your skin (as you should with all Creeds) and even if you didn't like the original Viking, chances are you will come round and buy a full bottle of this!!! All Creeds are expensive and buying them is a matter of personal taste and budget. :)

This smells (very literally) like a blend of YSL L'Homme Ultime and La Nuit de l'Homme with a pinch of Dior Homme, only niche quality and the blend and performance is excellent. I had the above three but did not repurchase. This one however is a different story: the combination (while not revolutionary) is much easier to wear and the blend makes it a very good choice for the same situations you'd use Dior and YSLs: evening wear, cooler months, smartly dressed. Overall, it grew on me and I really like it but try it first: it's expensive and not for everybody.

The Limited Edition EDP bottle is best, in my opinion. Not as smokey in the dry down, not as chemically suffocating in the openning and lasts and performs superb. While side by side, you can always tell the Aventus is the better fragrance (duh!), due to cost and performance consideration this one might be your best bet. I own both, and sometimes I prefer to wear CDNIM EDP as I need to use less (2 sprays vs 4-5 sprays with 2016 Aventus batch) and it is more noticeable after 3-4 hours. Also, it is a whole lot cheaper :) I always get more compliments with CDNIM but I believe that's because you can smell it 3-4 hours later while Aventus (unless you have pre-2014 formulation) sits much closer to the skin. I have not smelled the large 200 ml EDP CDNIM but the 100 ml special edition is definitely worth considering if performance is important to you. Make no mistake, Aventus is still unbeatable to me (even the recent formulations) as far as quality and complexity!!!

This is Creed Viking meets Bois du Portugal, in a nut shell.
It is very spicy fresh in the opening and very vanillic-lavender-patchouli heavy in the dry down. Very high quality, very long lasting, very mature gentlemanly. If all the above appeals to you, blind buy it! :)
From niche side, Ani by Nishane and Danger by Roja have similar vibe (not the same smell).