Absolu Aventus

I own Aventus (F batch 2023/2024, 2018 A batch, and some terrible batch from 2021), Aventus Cologne (2019 among the first batches released), and 2025 Absolu Aventus (one of the first batches) as well as a sample of the original Absolu. Smelling the original Absolu and Absolu 2025 side by side, they're very similar. At initial open, the original has a more buttery, borderline gourmand element to my nose vs the 2025 being a little smoother, fruitier, and fresher; after that, super similar to the point you can't really tell. The rest of my review will be about the 2025 version. I smelled it at Saks and bought a 100mL for $319 from a trusted discounter less than a week later. It was worth that, but definitely not $610. I would highly recommend buying the 2025 version in 100mL for the same price/likely less than the 75mL original. Of Aventus, Cologne, and Absolu, I think Absolu is the best and the one I'd keep if pressed to choose. Cologne and Aventus are so similar. Absolu, while a flanker, takes a very different path and is not redundant to own in conjunction with Aventus or Cologne. Longevity on Absolu for me so far is better than Aventus, but my Cologne has macerated for about 5-6 years to perform similarly to Absolu now. I've only had Absolu a few days, so I expect after a few months, it's probably going to turn into a beast. My wife isn't really into fragrances. I asked her what she thought about Absolu, and she said, "It's pretty good" and "alright." The only fragrance she LOVES on me is Louis Vuitton Afternoon Swim or Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman. I'll wear the rarest Tom Ford, Xerjoff, Creed, Roja, etc... and she either dislikes them or more often says it's just okay. So I really just buy these for myself. So what does myself think? It's a great release. Yes, it's kinda a cash-grab, but I think I'll keep a bottle in the collection always. It smells inoffensive and what I'd call a "power fragrance." It definitely gives a successful, boss type of vibe. It therefore is slightly more mature smelling than Aventus/Cologne. Not that it's grandpa-like or anything... just not something you'd expect on a college frat guy. While it is darker smelling than Aventus/Cologne, I don't think it's out of place year-round, but think it definitely favors the winter. It's blazing hot Summer here, and I feel comfortable wearing Absolu. It favors dressing up, but it's versatile enough that casual wear is fine. Would I wear it to a pool party? No, but general going to work/meetings, this is perfect anytime. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's worth it from discounters. Is it revolutionary? No, but what it does, it does incredibly well beyond what I think any clone can provide.

So, this isn’t so much of a review of Absolu but more a comparison between the brand new 2025 release and the very first batch of Absolu from a side-by-side test. Firstly, I’ll put it out there by saying they are both great fragrances that carry the Aventus dna but in a darker, spicier and more intense manner. Doing a side by side comparison of the two versions, they’re virtually the same. I think it’d be difficult to tell them apart unless you did a direct comparison. My original Absolu is a first release and it smells very slightly richer and perhaps a little sharper. The 2025 version is a touch brighter and juicier up top. I find the patchouli is more present in the new version but I think that’s because the spice element isn’t so high to overlay the base. I don’t think Creed intended to do a new version per se, rather the manufacturing process, differences in natural ingredients or different raw materials has led to a slightly different scent profile but to my nose any differences are negligible. Of course, my original bottle has also matured so any difference could solely be down to that. Performance is similar. I get decent longevity from Absolu but I do find that it dies down quickly and I wish its projection was stronger. The original Absolu does seem slightly more potent on my skin though. Again, it’s just that touch richer and deeper which makes it slightly more intense. Overall, I prefer the original. It’s just feels a little more complex and richer. Patchouli’s not a favourite note of mine and I smell it less in the old version which isn’t as earthy in the drydown as the new version. They really aren’t that different though, to my nose anyway. As they dry down, they get closer. My guess is that it’s the same fragrance but my original bottle has matured leading to a slightly richer and denser experience. No doubt we’ll hear lots of talk about differences between the two versions but I think for most people, they’d see them as virtually the same. 2025 has less of the warm spice thereby taking it closer to the original Aventus and it feels a bit thinner, not quite as intense, which in itself gives a very slightly different scent profile. Personally though, I wouldn’t get hung up about any differences in the two versions, they are only minor and you can barely tell them apart. It’s all subjective of course but I hope this helps if anyway was wondering about any differences.

Absolu does a great job of retaining the classic Aventus DNA, but differentiating itself enough to rationalize owning this and the OG. This is richer, slightly deeper, darker, and woodier than the OG. It also opens juicier and dries down warmer and smoother. I only use this in the late fall, winter, and early spring. The richness of Absolu allows these notes to hold their weight in colder weather, plus since I own the OG and Cologne, it makes sense to use my Aventus's seasonally. Now you could use this almost year-round if this was your only flanker, except in blazing heat and humidity...I think the density of Absolu may become cloying and "too rich" in that weather. Of course, if you're hanging out in a climate controlled environment all day, it doesn't matter when you wear this. Regardless, I think the warm spicy aromatics (cinnamon and cardamom) make this profile better suited for cooler seasons. Longevity is better than the OG. I get close to 9 hours with strong projection off my skin for the first hour/hour and a half with my usual 8 sprays - 4 on my sternum, and sides and back of neck, and 4 on my forearms and wrists. The bubble thereafter is noticable and very pleasant. People love it and you'll get compliments. In conclusion, this is good stuff. I do like the OG more because it's brighter, more uplifting, and the most versatile. Cologne is my third favorite because it doesn't last that long and its lacking the punchy fruit blast found in the OG and absolutely Absolu. 9.0/10 - it's excellent, but my heart still belongs to the OG.

Absolu Aventus, what a gorgeous opening. Unfortunately I think Absolu Aventus is held back by its popularity, it smells incredible but also very common, like I smell it often on other people or in other places. The smell itself is amazing and very well blended. Both on the opening and dry down there is a lovely mix of fruit, citrus, spice, wood and freshness. It is interestingly hard to pick out any one note definitely or identity particularly ones to me but I think that speaks to the quality of the blend. Absolu Aventus smells like a singular combined note. The performance is perfect on Absolu Aventus as well. It lasted about 9 hours on my skin and about 7 on my clothing. A 8/10 for longevity. The projection was also incredible, radiating just outside my arms length for the first 6 hours before fading to a skin scent for the last 3. An 9/10 here for projection. Absolu Aventus is a hard one for me to rate overall. It perfomes extremely well and it smells absolutely amazing as a fragrance & a scent. The issue is that Absolu Aventus is a fragrance that I feel like I smell all over the place. That aside it’s an 8/10 for me purely based on the smell and the performance. When I consider the fact I feel like I smell it on a daily basis, it’s still a 6/10 or a 7/10 for me. I love the fact that all of its notes are blend together in a way that makes it a singular scent instead of multiple distinguishable notes.

Creed Week Day 7: Saved the best for last, this is a banger! Concluding the Creed Week, a review for Absolu Aventus. It opens up with pineapple cranked up to 11, with supporting citruses and soft sweet spice. At the drydown, the spice becomes more prevalent, but the top notes never fade completely. It turns heads, and is designed specifically to be more "in your face" than regular Aventus. It's multipurpose, you can pull it off as your daily wear or as a special occasion scent. If you already have Aventus and love the DNA, I recommend you also check the Absolu out: wear Original as a daily and Absolu for special events. Imagine the original Aventus was split down the middle. The freshness and juiciness went to Cologne, and the fruitiness and spice went to Absolu. Absolu has also improved on performance with a whole-day longevity and good sillage. Despite the VERY high price point, I believe that this fragrance delivers its promises. As with most expensive bottles, it is not blind buy safe and should be tested thoroughly before purchase. I advise you get a tester set from Creed directly, and choose Absolu and either Oud Zarian or Cologne as your "additional picks" for the biggest bang for your buck. Overall 9.5/10. Probably my next pick. EDIT: As of now, I own a full bottle of this.