Viking

Who tf is still saying it smells like old spice?? Old spice is an entirely different animal it’s sharp it’s spicy and a very classic fougere that though doesn’t necessarily smell expensive but holds its own place as one of the all time masculine classics which was surely used by grandfathers of many individuals reading this to pull women back in the day. Now coming to the review which ya’ll started reading for in the first place: the rather wrongly named Creed Viking. There’s nothing Viking about it by the way, nothing macho, none of that alpha male crap aventus got popular for(aventus ain’t bad but its popularity and reformulations ruined the magic). This one’s not a fougere either from what I could understand by my experience with countless fragrances including countless fougeres(one of my favourite genres is fougere btw). This is a rose perfume. One of the very few fragrances men can wear without smelling like they borrowed their whatever partner or sister or mom’s rose perfume or someone who bought a rose fragrance cuz they heard “perfumes are unisex”. This one genuinely smells like a masculine rose. The foundation is rose, and it uses just enough warm spices and citruses to make it feel deep, elegant manly, yet keep it a rose-first fragrance. The warm spices and citrus notes are borrowed from the idea of a fougere hence it’s completely understandable for many people to think it’s a fougere. All that “aristocratic” association maybe yeah it can be considered that way cuz it’s a good quality, well blended understated fragrance with depth and it doesn’t perform aggressively either which is actually good for such kinda compositions cuz otherwise they’d be headache inducing, for peak elegance any oud or incense or leather perfume may smell good if it performs aggressively, but when it comes to understated scent profiles such as this, a bit of softer performance is appreciated imho, and despite me almost always being disappointed with most creeds cuz they’re often a bit too weak, this one still performs decent (though not too strong, but still better than other Creed freshies/aromatics) which actually suits it. I can’t see myself liking this if this were beast mode or whatever. Also just a thought, for any oud-rose lover who specifically likes the rose sweetness paired with the oud providing depth which can at times be associated with masculine appeal, for example someone who loves LV ombre nomade, for such individuals Viking can be used as another rose fragrance if they want something lighter and easygoing. This thing works in all seasons, it’s light enough to be used in peak heat (where I’m from, the temperature here gets hot enough to let you fry an egg if you keep a pan in the open for a little while, I know many of you guys from all over the world who live in warmer regions might understand). Masculine leaning fragrance but can also be easily used by women for upscale occasions for a darker aura. It’s excellent, not a must have unless you’re a rose lover or collector with 30-40 or more fragrances. Blind buying not recommended, cuz even I blind bought this expecting something fougere but it turned out to be something very different though still decent. Test this first, both on skin and clothing, the development might be a bit different on both, sometimes the citrusy facets are a bit more prominent on skin. Edit: can’t believe how well it grew on me, it’s super versatile and words can’t explain how gorgeous it smells in the air, it’s inoffensive in the classiest and the poshest way possible. I’m genuinely delighted to have this. Ordered 2 more bottles considering how much i think i can see myself using this. Nothing too extraordinary or dramatic but the “ease of use” is genuinely impressive and this level of simplicity is honestly hard to achieve. Good job Creed. God bless

This one is more for the connoisseurs I think. A scent that I find exquisitely refined but with perhaps just enough of a touch for the everyday fella! Anyone who thinks this is generic or cheap smelling also thinks McDonald's is top grade cuisine and reality TV is the height of sophistication. 😳 It's all the things listed, Fragantica got this one right! There's elements of citrus freshness, aromatic spices, green notes and florals with a base of musky, woody lavender on my skin, and vetiver of course. One of the best ingredients when it has that slight astringent smokiness that delicately caresses your nose. 😆 The contrasting notes are just blended so masterfully, as you'd expect from any brand at this price point but especially Creed, no worries in that department! Although initially it's fresh spice and mint come on strong it eventually settles to not only those notes but a deeper mixture containing all the other essences and nuances. Once you know the Viking profile you'll always be instantly alerted to it's presence, for me there isn't another perfume that's close enough as yet, no matter how many have tried. There is no substitute for this one! Initially, on application it'll smoke out a room but in minutes it sits back and stays a little over my preferred arms length for 5-7 hours, gradually becoming intimate towards the latter stages. General opinion seems to agree this is a masculine scent, absolutely spot on I think but wear what you want. No one cares and if they do then that's their problem. Do what makes you happy 😊 and comfortable. Definitely for the older man in my minds eye, probably 30+ and with discerning taste. Having said that, if your relatively new to fragrance and just want one high quality scent that does it all, here you go! Certainly an all year scent, pepper, cloves, all spice, absinthe and more to cut through the chillier days while the citruses, rose and of course mint come alive in the heat. Cleverly done and just so effective. It's a classic for a reason! Wear this anywhere you like. It's got so much style and panache that it can't fail to get positive attention for all the right reasons. If anything it's too good to wear for menial chores or office duties! Enough performance for a full day or night.....just, but not both without a further top up. Viking creates an inviting, elegant personal hue with a stunning sillage that'll leave a trail of envy and admiration in your wake. As with most Creeds (definitely not Oud Zarian, and to a lesser extent Centaurus and Delphinus) it could always do with a bit more longevity and perhaps 5-10% more oomph. Especially for the price! But it's acceptable and nothing more. It's saving grace is quite simply it's beautiful, distinctive and easily recognisable high quality aroma. As it should be for any high end perfumery. I've owned this for several months but held back my review as I wanted to see if the rumours of maturation with Creed were true. I can confirm that this is the case for sure. Not massive improvement but still noticeable, not only all round performance but it feels less muddled than it was when purchased, smoother even. As always, money is an important consideration. Especially when it comes to luxury purchases. If you can comfortably afford Viking then I think the value is reasonable but only when discounted, never pay the RRP! However, if things are not quite that easy right now it's not that important. I'd wait until things are better and cash is a little more abundant. It'll still be around and isn't going anywhere. Truly wonderful as part of any collection and a brilliant fragrance for the man that wants a one and done. I think this fragrance is legendary.

My experience with this perfume was realizing how our big expectations and falling into hype can be a double-edged sword. I love how the blend is done expertly and how this composition successfully encapsulates the contrasts of a great workplace and night-out fragrance. It is one of those scents that should be sampled before buying since it does not possess compliment-getting qualities like Aventus. Since it is priced in the same way as better offerings from Creed, I realize why it became a lukewarm release and disappointed some fragrance enthusiasts. TOP NOTES The opening of this fragrance is just beautiful. This composition is classic and modern, ideal for more mature men. I adore this combination of citruses and powerful mint, which reminds me of that one in Acqua di Parma’s Club Colonia. It is a masculine blend that thankfully takes a step in another direction by ditching ambergris for something completely new, which was a bold move from the brand if we consider what came before it. HEART NOTES As soon as the heart notes start to kick in, the clove note starts to overtake the composition. I love cloves, which is evident in the fact that Frederic Malle’s Musc Ravageur is my favourite fragrance. Let this serve as a warning before you buy this product. It is not for everyone, and the clove blend here comes entirely naturally, just as if you were to open a new bag of this spice. For better or worse, the allspice mix gets even more intense in this stage, accompanied by the pepper in the opening. For me, this is great, but this is where Viking starts to remind me of Old Spice cologne, but it is on a much higher execution level. BASE NOTES Lavender dominates the base, along with white musk, woods, and residues of the more robust notes from the opening and middle stages. Even if I understand the inspiration behind this creation, including something like chocolate patchouli in a vein found in Jovoy’s Incident Diplomatique, it could have made this masterpiece. It just feels like something is missing in the base, and excluding ambergris from this composition was a great decision since it wouldn’t work here; there should have been more in the base. OVERALL THOUGHTS Does this one have the potential to become a classic in the future? Probably not in the broader aspect of things, and it is one of those products at risk of being discontinued in the future and getting a cult status in collectors circles. Nonetheless, it is good enough for me to keep it until I use the whole bottle, and it is a more exciting release than Original Santal. Read the full review at scentgrail.com

Once every blue moon, you encounter a fragrance that threatens to absolutely f**k up your entire collection. Creed Viking is one of those fragrances, and it has left much of the rest of my shelf collecting dust. If you like the modern barbershop fragrances such as Bvlgari Malakeos and Tom Ford Fougere d'Argent, but tire of their sharper synthetic accords and predictable convention, Viking may well be your next best discovery. Viking's top-note explosion of pink pepper and peppermint may sound like a screechy nightmare, but Creed executes it exquisitely here, eschewing the overt astringency that characterizes many a barbershop fragrance's opening. What follows is a fluffy, three-dimensional creaminess of lavender and iris, sweetened conservatively and accentuated with a well-calibrated assortment of spices -- certainly clove and allspice, and probably some star-anise too -- before drying down towards Creed's beautiful signature musky cedar base. Altogether, Viking's effect is that of an evolved, barbershop-adjacent masterpiece (I said it), sufficiently grounded in the fougere olfactory heritage to be intelligible, yet original enough to demand your sustained interest and appreciation. Yes, performance may leave a little more to be desired. I say that wearing two different batches from 2018, so aging doesn't necessarily fix the issue here. One way to compensate is by cutting against the grain and wearing this one in the summer heat. Viking's barbershop overtones obviously lend it well to spring and fall, but there's nothing screechy here that will undermine a heady and delightful summertime wear. Performance be damned, Viking earns a big love from me. I've had it for several weeks, and I still haven't been able to put it down. Until I can find another soft, fruit-forward batch of Spice and Wood, Viking stands as my favorite offering from Creed and a threat to dethrone one of my top-five favorites.

When I first smelled this, it legit smelled like spicy dirty water with a waxy floral film on top. Making it the second Creed fragrance that I strongly disliked. The first was Royal Oud (which I absolutely love now). Tried Viking again over a year later and it smelled amazing. This made me wonder if the bottle I sampled from had gone off. Or is this a case of batch variation. Because it did smell like rancid dirty wax water to me. But that has completely changed. I do get the Old Spice references but to call it a niche Old Spice is such an oversimplification. Viking is so much more complex, and high quality. With its own twist and turns giving it its overall distinct character and unique wearing experience. That citrus fresh, minty, spicy, floral, green, woodiness is just so good. And then the vetiver...yeah..I love it. Now that I think about it, it was probably the orris that I perceived as wax floating on dirty water. All super subjective, but in an odd way I think my initial impression of this fragrance as dirty waxy water actually fits the Viking name a lot more than how this fragrance is generally perceived. I still get hints of that but I have to search for it now, where as before it was just there immediately. Now it mainly smells to me, like a classic well put together man. In which case I believe (comparing my and others experiences) I've come to perceive it somewhat closer to how others do. In my experience I don't find Viking weak. Projection is good, I think appropriate for its profile and its pretty long lasting too. (Imo) It captures the classic gentleman vibe of yesteryear without feeling dated. As someone who appreciates that classic timeless aura I'm glad Viking exist. I think its a gem and it's risen high on my list.

I absolutely love this scent, it opens with a classic aromatic fougere scent, verging slightly on being a bit dated - but settles into these rich spicy florals - tobacco isn't a listed note but I feel like I smell it here anyway, it eventually mellows out to a creamy tonka-bean dry down, but even still holds onto the aromatic heart and the core of it all. The balance this walks feels like it shouldn't work but it absolutely knocks it out of the park. Genuinely a masterpiece of to me, type of scent that justifies Creed's status in the industry. I sort of get the Old Spice comparisons, but to me the Old Spice OG is a lot more powdery, lacks depth, and doesn't last at all. Creed Viking is the fully realized, leveled up version. This is a 24/7 year-round scent to me, great for any season - best in fall or spring though, there are just better seasonal-specific options or the peak of summer or winter. This is 100% signature-scent worthy, the scent profile leans mature - but I'm a young guy myself and I don't think it is nearly as old man-ish as the original polo green or paco robanne pour homme. I think it is suitable for basically any event/occasion too, but I think you do it service by dressing up with it. I've found that it lasts for quite a long time as well with decent strength. I wouldn't say it's a blind-buy friendly scent (and who would, at this price???) but if you're a fan of aromatic fougeres I do truly see this as the peak of the entire class of fragrances. Once I'm able to get my hands on a bottle, this will be my new signature scent! Honestly a good chance that once I get it I might entirely fall out of the hobby altogether, that's how good this is. Absolutely love this, second 10/10 I'm giving to any fragrance I've tried.

Viking by Creed is a truly unique and captivating fragrance that completely won me over the moment I smelled it. I first encountered it at Neiman Marcus on a strip, and I immediately fell in love with its complexity and boldness. The top notes of pink pepper, peppermint, bergamot, and lemon gave it an energizing burst of freshness, while the absinthe and orange added a surprising depth and intrigue. As it evolved, the middle notes of lavender, Bulgarian rose, and allspice created a rich, aromatic heart that balanced beautifully with the freshness of the opening. But it was the base notes—vetiver, cedar, and tonka bean—that really sealed the deal for me. There's a subtle earthiness and warmth in Viking that grounds the fragrance, giving it an undeniable masculinity and sophistication. It’s a fantastic composition, one that feels completely left field compared to anything else from the Creed house. It’s bold, modern, and a little bit daring, a departure from the more traditional fragrances they’re known for. Can I actually afford a bottle? Hell no—it’s like $400! But that didn’t stop me from fixating over it, wondering if I could somehow justify the splurge. Fortunately, I decided to wait until it hit the gray market and prayed to the cologne gods that it would be legitimate. To my delight, I was able to grab a 50ml bottle from a website I had never heard of, and it turned out to be the real deal. Viking is a fantastic fragrance, one that I’ll treasure in my collection. It’s bold, unique, and refreshing—everything I wanted and more. I give it a solid 9/10. If you're looking for something completely different from Creed, this is the one to try.

This was a very enjoyable fragrance! The opening starts off very warm and spicy but not to loud or in my face. It has a very pleasant opening. The dry down is just as nice however, after about the first 30 minutes it keeps the same warm spicy notes that are so pleasant in the opening but it matures as citrus along with a slightly floral clean note shine through. There is also an almost musky undertoon that ads in a very nice background as well. Interestingly the sum of these notes remained me of Old Spice with a fun slightly modern twist on it. Viking had great performance on my skin! It lasted about 6 hours overall, maybe a bit longer close to the skin but it was hard to pick up at that point. It also projected very nicely for 5 out of the 6 hours. I would give it a 7/10 for longevity. Regarding projection it was very good for the first 5 hours hovering within arms length or perhaps a little further, as hour 5 wore on it recited to a skin scent, I could still pick it up on my skin but the projection definitely fell off. I give it a 6/10 for projection. Overall however I think this is a great fragrance, a 9/10 for me. It perhaps could be called a little bit of an older persons fragrance but I still really enjoyed it!

A sweet and cooling blast of mint and cloves right off the bat contrasting hot-and-cold beautifully. Works most of the year as long as the temperature isn’t sweltering, however the overall spiced touch Viking possesses makes me consider it a predominantly Autumnal fragrance. Reminds me of the spice seasoning you’d use for a pumpkin pie, without so much of the sugar. So many notes in the mid/base that ground this scent in the territory of deep, dense and even a little hazy, but so much up top that gives it a brisk edge that really cuts through the air. I’ve tried Aventus, Aventus Cologne, Green Irish Tweed, Erolfa, Original Vetiver, Virgin Island Water and Viking Cologne but this one is by far my favorite. Very wearable but also full of character. It’s the only Creed I’d actually consider buying a full bottle of (and I dislike Creed’s business tactics) Viking’s performance can easily be mistaken as poor; it’s loud upon first spraying before becoming subdued and closer to the skin. However, it really blasts off your skin once you heat up, and does so for most of the day. It only radiates when necessary, which lends a bit to its classy nature.

Viking really grew on me. A lot. The initial blast is indeed very heady and for a moment gives you 80’s lavender fougere vibes, but give it a little time. There are layers to this one. The citrus, lavender and pink pepper hang around up top for just a few minutes, then the clove and allspice come out to play. Pretty sure I'm getting an unlisted cinnamon. I’m personally not getting much mint or absinthe, though I’m sure they’re in there somewhere. All the while, everything is underpinned by this gorgeous, warm woody musk that smells extremely high quality and undeniably masculine. I can see how the younger crowd could write this off as being too old school, but careful smelling and patience reveals this to be very modern. Overall, Viking is very warm, spicy, and musky, and has a cozy quality that makes want to keep smelling it. Don’t let the haters discourage you from trying this. I think Viking is a thoughtful, well constructed, original, and excellent release by Creed.

I'll be honest. I've been a creed skeptic for years now. Smaller bottle sizes at higher prices with less potent juice in the last few years across the board... My initial first impression of Viking a couple years ago was meh. I thought it was dusty and dry. Too stale smelling. Like an old moth balled flannel coat. Well. Fast forward to yesterday in a Nordstrom and I decided to come back a second time on a casual pass through and I have no idea what I smelled the first time. Apparently my palate wasn't ready. This go around I pick up on fresh aromatics, warm spices and a shave foam like soft touch to round off the edges. Really enjoyed. The sample I put on my wrist also lasted a solid 6 hours. Which for the time of year I want to wear this - Spring, early fall, mild summer days/nights is perfect.... Sometimes you just have to come back around and admit where you had it wrong. Our noses are all in different places at any given time. Bought it right then and there.

Creed Viking is a bold and invigorating fragrance that captures the essence of adventure and strength. The opening features bright notes of bergamot and pink pepper, providing an energizing start. As it develops, the heart reveals a blend of lavender and spice, adding a touch of warmth and complexity. The base notes of sandalwood, vetiver, and patchouli give it a rich, grounding finish. Overall, Creed Viking is praised for its versatility, making it suitable for both day and night wear. Its longevity and projection are impressive, ensuring it stands out without being overpowering. Fans of fresh, woody scents will likely appreciate this unique offering from Creed. I tried sample of Viking Cologne and compared both, OG give more depth take towards classic Fougere, Cologne more leans towards fresh Citrus and spicy take. Scent: 9/10 Silage: 7/10 [ 2- 3 Feet radius] Longevity: 8/10 [ Solid 2 Hrs afterwards it becomes skin sent] Bottle: 9/10 Price: 7/10

Opening is very much similar to the original old spice aftershave. 5 minutes into it, the smells changes. The spices take the centre stage - it smells extremely nice, masculine, yes barbershoppy. The dry down is sooooo addictive! I think that’s where this fragrance shines. It is not for the younger crowd, who want to show the world they are wearing a fragrance n they smell “good”. This is for the gentleman who has a great collection of fragrance , fine taste in everything. He is the person who definitely smells good but only when you come closer to him. Also this Fragrance is for someone who has other things that have good smell as well, his office room, his car, his hand soap, his hand moisturiser , may be his hair product. His shower gel. Extremely elegant and signature worthy scent. 8.5/10 -1.5 because of its mediocre performance.

If you find it too strong and not very smooth; I recommend letting it chill for a year or more at a good temp, out of sunlight. After 18 months or so, this thing blends together and becomes so much smoother. The notes are easier to pick up on and it becomes a much more enjoyable experience. I liked it to begin with but it's even better now. People who compare it to old spice seriously need to quit smoking, clean out their noses or judt give up on comparing frags. It's not even close. This is a true masculine fragrance. Mint, potent lavender mixed with strong spices make this a fragrance that everyone will notice. You will make a statement and your presence will be known. I don't recommend this for anyone under 30, but I feel the perfect demographic is men over 40. With that said, if you are a confident man, 35 years old: try it out.

Despite its few flaws, this fragrance remains one of the best aromatic fougères I've ever smelled. The lovely green and spicy opening with mint and absinthe, combined with a hint of pink pepper, is to die for. On the dry down, it smells 90% like the old spice aftershave, which I also love, as I have amazing memories associated with it. The only downside is that it doesn't last significantly beyond three hours; after that, you only get a very faint dry woodiness from the cedar and a soft whisper of that aftershave scent. When purchasing this, be aware that you might need to reapply, which can be a turn-off for many people. But the entire scent journey makes it worth it. The fragrance is a 10/10, but I have to knock it down a few points because of the price and performance, so I rate it an 8/10.

I picked up a bottle of this a couple of weeks ago after mistakingly trying Viking Cologne. I like the smell of Viking Cologne more, but it doesn't perform. For the House of Creed, Viking performs excellent! All of their offering disappear well within 4 hours aside from this and BdP. I got about 3 hours of arm's length projection out of this and another 3 in a scent bubble. After that, it becomes a skin scent until you wash it off or sweat it out. 9/10 for this barbershop fragrance. This and Bois de Portugal are my favorites. I have been looking for a bottle of it, but I had to settle for a 30ml decant. I also plan to purchase Viking Cologne as its rather inexpensive. All other Creed offerings are good but they don't perform so I will wear the dupes that do perform.

This scent smells very good and has a large sillage and is a bit overpowering. It’s perfect, and I mean absolutely perfect for a summer night out at the club, and settings similar to that. It’s also a nice scent to wear on the beach because of the strong orange, lemon, bergamot, and peppermint notes. It’s a fresh smell it smells like a refreshing Italian ice you’d eat at the beach when it’s too hot. I had more than two handfuls of women asking me what that cologne is. It worked magic, if you can get your hands on this I totally recommend it. I wish the price was better because It is a very handsome, and masculine scent but yet so seductive. 10/10 *if the price was right*

This perfume is so sexy! No joke. Everytime my man wears this it's like a narcotic, I always compliment him. It's fresh yet somehow juicy, very well balanced on all of it's aspects, its edges and its curves. It's a perfume that can be worn all year round and it's pretty versatile, in my opinion, regarding the situations it can be worn, as it can be easily worn in a business setting, at a bar or a dinner date. As for the scent itself it evokes this image : He's a man, one that knows who he is, who is not boring, he's the man who can look good in suits and ties, in a leather jacket and in sweatpants and tees as well because it's him that you see, not his surroundings.

Great signature barber shop style fougere. Fresh, manly, clean and spicy. This is a versatile scent that can probably be worn in all seasons and both formal and casual occasions. I enjoy wearing this to the office or when im in a good mood. One of my all time favourite Creeds along with Aventus/Absolu Aventus and Green Irish Tweed. Doesnt smell like old spice (in my opinion) like some people say, it is much more refined, natural and luxurious. It changes to a softer musky floral type scent after the first few hours and loses its sharpness and spicyness. Performance is not fantastic but lasts a work day before turning to skin scent - 6-8 hrs Overall a solid 8.5/10

I don't understand how this is not one of the more popular one of Creed's, because this is by far my favorite out of the ones I've tried from them. Aventus seems to overpower a lot of people's opinions on Creed, but I'd have to say that this one by far is my favorite. I was only able to try some off of a decanter website, but will definitely be purchasing a full sized bottle in the future. This scent is extremely classy, yet can be mass appealing as well. It has a slight aquatic feel to it, but it definitely is a masculine fragrance overall. It's really hard to put it into simple words on how to describe it, but it is definitely a great scent.