This video is a game changer. I’ve got so much respect for this guy. He says it as it is. No other fragrance reviewer comes close. I watch other channels for entertainment , but George knows his stuff, really knows the game. Absolutely fantastic.
I knew the type of guy he was when I saw his video telling the truth about that Bleu Electrique shit every youtuber was lying about. This guy deserves a lot more
😂😂😂 Holy smokes, I'm watching this and suddenly my face pops up! I thought I was about to get bashed for some reason hahaha. I guess the sample of SMW I had was a newer one, because I honestly liked Club De Nuit Sillage more. Thoroughly enjoyed this video George!! ❤️
It’s sad that in the community that’s your first thought. Even in my relatively short time in fragcomm the hate and shade has taken over in a really toxic way. Glad to see there are still some great people in the community.
Even though I'm a casual frag user this is just pure gold. I love the sense of existential threat, the dilemma faced by supporters of authentic fragrance creators as the clone companies make huge inroads. Your passion is infectious. By the end I cared more than I really should.
" This smells more like silver mountain water than silver mountain water does right now. " 😲 He dropped the hammer 🔨 ! Pure honesty. It's spooky hours for Creed lol.
It's totally legit - I remember first smelling SMW in 2015 from a Creed sampler from a friend of mine who didn't care for it, but I know it'd been sitting in his fragrance drawer for a while, so I'm thinking it was at leas a 2014 batch, and who knows how long it was out there before he got it. Andrea's review also perfectly described SMW from that sampler - and I LOVED it. I finally got myself a new SMW bottle for a deal, and it was a 2018 batch, and there it was - the opening was GLORIOUS, just as the sample was - to this day maybe my favorite opening of any scent - but it very quickly became 100% inky-musk - no real trace of the citrus and creamy spicness that made SMW so amazing - exactly as mentioned in the video. I quickly got myself a bottle of Sillage after this review, and while it doesn't have the ridiculously amazing opening of SMW, it's so much better than SMW after ten minutes or so.
Glad that someone is calling Creed out. I am 19 and have recently gotten into fragrances and all I ever hear in older review on UA-cam is that Creed is something you must have as a collector. I got 5 mL vials of Aventus, SMW, and MI and was impressed that they smelled good but when I see they all cost around $400 for the full size, there is no justification for those purchases even on discounters. Creed is currently getting away with murder in the pricing of their goods and their loyal fanbase and it just isn't right for the industry. I still think Aventus is my favorite fragrance I've smelled so far in my short 6 month collecting time, but the Armaf version doesn't feel like I am spraying away money when I am wearing it. Thanks for the video George.
The price is not a problem, for a niche Parfum. The problem is that the fragrance is basically a cologne diluted in water to the point that it lasts 1hour, smells good in the first few minutes and after that not detectable.
@@cano5063 do you really think $400 is a fine price for what is essentially smelly water? I adore fragrances but there's no way I'm giving that much money to something that doesn't have any practical use, (I can go on holiday for a week for that much). I get that what each person wishes to spend loads of money on is entirely subjective but you probably need to be earning 50k+ a year to genuinely be able to afford to spend $400 on 100ml of aftershave even if you truly believe what they say about the craftsmanship and the investment. I think it's absolutely nuts and it's going the way of designer clothing brands like Gucci increasing prices astronomically and reducing the quality, I'm worried for the industry
@@robbiecale3327 that’s what I said. For that price I expect more. There are other parfums for the same price that Do more. And of course it is arguable wether to spend that much for any parfum is a good choice in the first place.
This the best fragrance video I've seen in long time. Forget top 5's, top 10's, all of that.. This is so inspirational, it's impossible not to feel all the passion you have for fragrances, and how much it means to you. you can't fake that! I even felt emotional at some point. What you're making in the fragrance community is very special George! Don't stop!
I gotta say something..... How does George have only 26k subscribers ? Other fragrance reviewers (without mentioning names) have tens of thousands more and not nearly the level of channel. Great work George.
Just a theory, but I think it has to do with the level of passion for fragrances. It seems that your casual fragrance viewer only wants to know (or get his opinion approved by someone else) about what fragrances are "good", to the point of time skipping the video just to see the names. Even when other fragrance reviewers do a poll of "what do to for my next video?", the majority goes for (yet another) "TOP 10 FRAGRANCES TO ....". Meanwhile, people that see more unique videos about fragrances - like the ones The Frag. Apprentice usually does - are in a minority, and it ends up reflecting in the subscribers. As a similar analogy: You can cook the best, most juicy, and unforgettable burger ever made, but McDonalds will always end up having more clients.
@@miguelsousa9802 ah yes. The top 10 McDonalds, a concept on which one 'fragrance reviewer' has capitalised like no other. Lifting ten bottles, with just enough time to utter their names and finishing off by thanking God for guidance... Fine for many, but not my cup of unsweetened tea. And then there's George, the haute cuisine master chef of our beloved fragrance community. What a breath of fresh salty sea air!
This is just a work of art. The color grade on your video is amazing, the content is like prose, and the message is like a warning from the past, placed in a bottle and thrown into the sea. Absolutely amazing. A cut above so many other review videos! They should give awards for videos such as these. Well done!
There are a couple Creed fragrances worth investing in, if you’re able to navigate them within your budget... Many of them however, as George has stated, are just not the quality they once were.. Only from discount sites though... so... in part, George is beyond right.
Their entire club de nuit line was probably the idea of a bunch of former creed fanatics to both make dinero and show creed how deplorable and incompetent their brand is becoming in hopes of pushing them to make better products. Most people are brainwashed into loving creed but if they don't up their game by insane amounts and make better frags than armaf they'll be done within weeks
Masterpiece of a video. I can only assume that Creed are terrified to put a foot wrong. Terrified of the blank slate ahead and the huge expectations that have arisen due to the legendary fragrances that came before. But to do nothing and be left to the remnants of history would be the worst outcome of all. I can only hope that Creed will rediscover itself in time.
You’ve hit the nail on the head. I fell in love with Aventus with 16 years old and saved (back then) a lot of money to finally get it, and I still love it to this day and have great memories with this fragrance, but when I smelled it again in 2020 I was shocked. Aventus isn’t nearly the same as it used to be, and the same goes for SMW and MI, and Armafs Sillage and CDNI bring a fair bit of these memories back. They’re not perfect clones by any means, but they’re ridiculously close and only a fraction of the price of what Creeds are today, while offering more fragrance for your money… Personally I think Creed destroyed itself when they removed the smoky Birchtar and Oakmoss from Aventus and opted out for “Birch” and Vanilla to make a more “niche” fruity counterpart of Diors Sauvage. I know I’m late but thank you for this Review and awesome Video!
Coming back from work, putting youtube on my tv, grabbing a glass of whiskey along with my dinner to watch these masterpieces of a review is a wonderful time and experience. I don't know how you do it man, but you've outdone yourself once again! And I have to agree 100% with you, it's a scary times for a fragrance world indeed. It's like you bought a counterfeit rolex and it's better made than the real deal, how's that even possible?😅 What are they putting into these fragrances nowadays that the clones are better for STILL a fraction of the original one price? WATER? Wait....
George, you’ve transcended fragcomm; this is art. There’s more visual quality and insight in these 21 minutes than most fragrance channels have in their entire catalogues. I don’t know how you do it, but I’m in awe. Bravo.
One of the best fragrance reviewers on UA-cam for sure! I hope CREED MI review will never be done in this channel. George please do us a favor in fragcom.. never quit making videos. This kind of content is getting less in fragrance channels. Most channels are just top 10 and random lists nowadays. This is a legendary review and it will be remembered for years to come. I've watched it 5 times now. Thank you George.
George... please... Never quit your channel! The new series you try out, (the new if you like this...), and before the compliment factor (not just for seeing you being mad) and the others.. Reviews and talks like these, you just don't see them anywhere else. Too bad you don't have the big subscribers numbers but this makes your channel a 'niche' one with high quality and especially PASSION that will be very hard to clone.
I'll explain what's happening. There is no fragrance on the planet (a few minor exceptions) that is worth more than $120. Most of the value comes from the name and the prestige of it being a luxury product which is fine, I have no problem with that. The issue is that these houses got greedy, they wanted a larger market share beyond their niche audience. But in order to market to that audience they needed to mass produce, lower their quality but not the price in order to keep the same margins. Now these clone companies can come in and take the wool off. They can make a fragrance and sell it for $60 that smells just as good. My advice to creed is either stay niche and raise your quality, or lower your prices to be the same as Dior or the other high end designers.
How can you even state that? Do you even have an idea of how expensive raw materials are, and most importantly THE ARTISTIC SIDE OF CREATING A MASTERPIECE FRAGRANCE? Clone houses just have to make a cheap version of something someone already came up with and created
The commitment, the quality and sheer clarity of expression this man has. Don't get me wrong, we all do follow bigger fragrance channels but they can't match this production value
George, after watching this video I bought this fragrance. I saw half a dozen reviews since it was released but none convinced me as you did. Armaf should be grateful of your incredible contribution.
As usual - great work, George. I remember when I first heard that Creed were shrinking their bottles from 120ml to 100ml AND raising the price at the same time. I thought wow, what an asshole thing to do... but maybe they'll improve the quality /longevity?! Nope, multiple new batches from 3-4 fragrances that I tried were noticeably weaker and even different. I am glad I have my 120mil bottle of Green Irish Tweed from a few years ago but I won't ve giving them my $$$ anytime soon unless they stop the nonsense. Keep the videos coming, mate ✌️👍
It's what happens when a predatory private equity business like BlackRock, buys the brand. Lowers the quality, raises the prices. They literally price-rape their consumers - in the end there is a sense of betrayal and violation. !
Because of you're epic armaf milestone video I bought it...now I have to go and buy Sillage, why wouldn't I? You worked for Creed! Brutal videos my friend
"It's up to you now...what are you gonna do...what are we all gonna do?"... Suddenly getting up and walking away and then comes in the shot of the bottle and water in background...I think it was a quite beautiful sequence....great video from beginning to end....
The thing I really like about your reviews, is you put in so much detail and explain the backstory so well, I genuinely believe you when you speak on a fragrance :D
Superb review Geroge. The cinematics are just immense and the intro and ending are beautifully composed. This is what separates you from the rest of the fragrance reviewers and your channel is the reason why I started getting into fragrance in the first place, a fellow Brit with true British wit and a clear passion for this industry. Really glad to see you reviewing Sillage because it is an incredible alternative and I say alternative because I feel like Armaf, at least with Club De Nuit, are no longer clones, but alternatives, to the Creed Juggernaut that has dominated the men's fragrance game for the longest time. I do not have a concern with what could happen to Creed, its a brand, and brands rise and fall all the time. Fashion, especially fragrance is an extension of yourself, how it makes you feel, how you enjoy it, not about funding a brands marketing campaigns to justify, what to some, is 4 days of wages working full time. I have sampled, reviewed and bought, what I would call the Fantastic 4; Club De Nuit Intense Man EDP, Milestone, Intense Woman and most recently Sillage (because balls to Urban) and the way they make me feel, the way it resonates and the joy I get from smelling like £1000 worth of luxury fragrances for £125 and the notes I pick up, it's just joyous. Creed will have their fans and they have deserved their international acclaim, but let's be honest, they cannot expect to survive in this day and age when a clone can stand toe to toe or even win against their creation that for decades have sold for £100-£250 a bottle. The day that Armaf release Royal Oud, Original Santal, and Green Irish Tweed, if they can replicate it as well as they have with Sillage and Milestone, I think that is the day that Creed will die off. Armaf knows what they are doing and they know how to create a fantastic composition and they have proven their worth by being a competitive rival to Aventus, Millesime Imperial, Silver Mountain Water, and Noir de Noir by Tom Ford. I think the day is coming when Armaf will take the Creed and Tom Ford range and turn it on its head as they consume the market, replicating icons down to a Tee where not even a honed nose can differentiate between the original, but that is where I get concerned... that's what bothers me. I do not want to see these brands go but nor do I really want everyone to smell like it either because there's a pleasure in standing out amongst the crowd which was usually where these Luxury/Niche fragrances reigned supreme so having something so similar so accessible is going to make these fragrances, or at least the prestige of them, completely redundant. Confusing times indeed...
@@Oakleyworld 10 years ago creed cost 90 dollars which he did say in the video an I can confirm and if you went on ebay you could pick up one for 75 to 80 dollars and a slightly used one you could pick up for 50 to 60 dollars. That's was ten years ago. But now they costs 240 dollars smh. He can enjoy his fragrance but advising him to buy more is stupid after looking at this in depth video. There are soo many niche houses that are actually niche quality. I would say lay off creed and try out another niche houses of course always sample. Xd.
@@Sampleador update. My 2019 batch of 100ml royal oud is a dud. No performance at all. My only hope is the summer brings something out if it. 200 bucks in the toilet.
@@BarbaPamino Guess if we want niche with performance and power without the reformulation problem we will have to leave Creed and move to Roja Dove, Amouage or Nishane
No joke I'm almost at the end of the video and got gotten goosebumps from the way you've presented this story. I honestly admire your passion and the thought that you put in your content and how you manage to be so original with it. I know most of the people who watch fragrence related videos are just there for the top 10s and the inspiration for their next purchase, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I sincerely have to thank you from all of us who appreciate this informative, storytelling, cinematic kind of content for all the time you invest into coming up with new ideas and executing them so well. Thank you, George.
One thing about honesty and truth is it’s quite brutal if ur on the other side of the fence hope Creed takes note. That’s what happens when u get too comfortable at the top. That’s what got Mike Tyson his first KO.
Watching Fragrance vids by everyone for the past 5 years, this by far, is the BEST fragrance video ever done !!. Not a fan of Creed nor M.I. however the way you told the story was absolutely intriguing, genuine and extremely captivating fron start to finish. WOW - very impressed. I cant stand watching Jeremy anymore (with his whimsical shirtless rants). Keep these kinds of vids coming
Haha George when you said alarm bells were ringing when you saw Andrea’s video, I knew where this was going. You captivate your audience with your detailed stories of your fragrance experiences. I will always watch your stuff brother! Waiting for you to change your channel name to The Fragrance Master! Keep it up!
The level of quality you put out there as a frag-com content creator is head and shoulders above the rest, you do the research, your production quality is remarkable, you're really articulated and well prepared in any given subject related to fragrances and the industry, you're my favorite frag-com youtuber and at the top 10 of the youtubers i follow without taking content subject into consideration with no particular ranking among them in mind.
This is the best fragrance channel in the game right now and it's not even close. My appetite for yet another "top 10 fragrances for blah fucking blah" is waning. Not that there's no room for that ever but, fuck me, it's like that's the only format most other channels can contemplate. Thank you for keeping things interesting and being different. True fucking original.
George, this video man, its a confirmation of my subscrition, personal, natural, like a conversation with your friend that doesn't know much has you do about fragrances but you want him to know a bit more... the very real and so natural interruption from the man with is dog, the production value, the scenes, the final scene with the wave, "sea water" (symbolic in so many ways I think). Thank you Sir. P.S. George were the F* is the video story about betrayal, Creed, Davidoff and Montblanc ??? Did the companys involved pressed the “Infringes My Rights” button ? You have earned my subscription with that one...
What a refreshing departure from the usual frag reviews. I was genuinely impressed by this. I have Armaf CDN and their MI clone. I love both of them. I can't justify $300+ on a fragrance. Any Erolfa clones?
If you look around you can friend erolfa for under $150.00 at times. Costco just a year ago had erolfa for $129.99 for a 100ml, I’m still kicking myself for not blind buying it.
Such a great video! It's a crappy, snowy day here in Philadelphia and I feel like I was able to get out of the house and hang out with a friend as he shared a story from memory lane. Loved it. Keep up the awesome content!
I’ve been a subscriber for a while now this is the 1st review I watched by you and I’ve been addicted too your videos ever since hope your well heard you were in hospital take care
Mate what a legend you are you’re videos are the creme de la creme of the fragrance world. Informative, production value and in depth analysis about all the fragrances. I take your recommendations as gospel at this point and it hasn’t failed me hahah
Hi George - first comment under one of your vids for me, but still enjoyed all of them and your artistic approach to your videos (one can tell you studied something in this direction). to be honest - I never smelled MI and bought Milestone because of your review and it was really worth it - it's one of my favourites, especially in the summer. Due to this video I also think about giving Sillage a chance (even though I have al Wisam day too). Anyway - the only reason I bought these clones is clearly the prive advantage - as you said: there is no honour in copying stuff. But comparing 40€ against 290€ is no joke. Of course it's also politics about your image etc (what everyhigh class brand hass) - but I'd think that in a field like perfumes, where you don't have every season a new collection strategic mistakes are way more severe. Of course we don't know the numbers but lets be honest - most of the people dont want ant can't spend 250-300€ on a bottle of perfume. And If you spend that amount and have an alternative which is nearly the same level for a fraction of the other price......the top price company will lose in the end (except from the snobeffect), as you can't see what you're wearing - so you don't have this prestige transfer. By the way - talking about strategy - also the video you made about Jeremeys strategy is on point and it might be in a way similiar - but if your strategy is not too clear, or not robust to changing times you might get on a losing streak. That being said - maybe it's an video idea for how different houses changed their strategies over time (pricings/audience/DNAs) - maybe that would be worth talking about. Anyways - you deserve so many more viewers - keep on going Greetings from Germany!
I’m honestly looking for a new fragrance go to channel since Brooklyn fragrance lovers creator recently passed. Lo and behold this was recommended to me. I really think that Carlos is looking out from above. Subscribed.
Not gonna lie... you’re spot on. Within the last year, I bought the newer versions of Aventus and Milesime Imperial and I’m not getting those peeks in the valleys like I did when I first smelled them. I hardly use my Aventus anymore and I gave away Miliesime Imperial. I’ve been itching for Silver Mountain water, but with my last two buys from Creed, I had been contemplating it. I ended up purchasing Armaf Club De Nuit Sillage yesterday and although I have not received the fragrance yet, something is telling me I made the right choice! I’m sorry Creed, but I can’t be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t give me their best! 😪
Excellent comments, George. You reflect my sentiments on this matter exactly, although I've seen this coming for quite some time. And I for one welcome the improved clone houses, even though it is a phenomenon that somewhat annoys me. I think it may force the fragrance industry to take some risks and try something different for a change. Creed thinks that just because ingredients get more expensive that they can consistently water down their fragrances and use lower and lower concentrations of raw materials while at the same time upping the price without anyone noticing? It's an insult to their customer base, quite frankly. They should just own up to what they are doing the way some more honest independent perfumers have.
This is why this is the best frag chanel on youtube. The special content! Not like all those stupid top 10 lists everyone and their mama are doing when it is obvious that most of the fragrances there are just because the brand paid the reviewer to put there an avarege fragrance (aqua di gio porfumo was suddenly on every single list this year?)! Much respect fot this chanel for being different
I just started my fragrance journey a couple of months ago and got introduced to Creed for the first time aswell. They do make some nice fragrances, but they are so weak compared to almost everthing else today and the Armaf's are ridiculously good so justifying that 300 + pounds isn't going to work in the long run I reckon. Anyway awesome video mate keep up the good work :)
Very good stuff here. We know many of our favorite perfumes have suffered from EU restrictions on specific ingredients for allergies, as well as the scarcity of popular ingredients. I have to imagine it's the same with Creed and the lines you mentioned here. What the clone houses have succeeded at is adapting their fragrances with the resources available, and it's not surprising since it's their entire business model.
I adore this video! 😍 Love how you adress the elephant in the room. I agree with you. Reformulations and greed of some designer and “niche” houses made me run away in the direction of indie and real niche houses such as Francesca Bianchi, Areej le dore, Papillon artisan and others.
Yeoooo!!!! I have seen other reviews on this frag. but this review, coming from YOU is what I have been waiting on!!!! Thank you George. I like your reviews because you are VERY INFORMATIVE, as well as you try to educate, give some history to your viewers. Your review on Milestone is the only reason I purchased my bottle, & with this review well...........I'm waiting on the mail carrier. Love the quote "that's your hill to die on".........keep em coming!!
As professional as it gets in the "reviewers" category. One might suggest this single video could really shake things up. If I was helping run the Creed empire, I would be listening...closely. it may go nowhere but I think this is so honest and so accurate, this video could be a game changer. Very well done and very honest. What more can you ask for.
I wore milestone the other day and I could be smelt 10ft away 8 hours after application, and I only did 5 sprays. This stuff is fantastic. SOTD Gucci envy
You have Gucci envy for men?? I am so jealous. I can still smell the full bodied heaven of a scent that it was. I smelled it in 1998 for the first time. I hope Armaf will make a good clone as Gucci basically does not care about it’s clients. They just discontinue the best scent the had and gave us shit in return.
I was about to comment that Armaf should clone Gucci Envy as I stumbled upon these comments. Feels good to know we are not alone. So many people will never know that legendary scent. I got mine in highschool and my GF's hated it-- but their mothers LOVED it.
@@Mohannesburg I know... but is it good? I saw some reviews and they said it was just ok. I have a clone from a German clone maker,.. and that is ok. Not the deep sweet ginger intoxicating smell I remember from 1998. Do you have the one from Alexandria? I know Dua also has a clone. But that review was also middle of the road.
@@Mohannesburg do you have that clone? I heard Dua also has one,.. but the reviews are not so good here on UA-cam. Thank you for your message ,.. I appreciate your help. 👍👍😀
Other reviewers mindlessly pump out top ten lists hoping the UA-cam algorithm will turn them into the next Jeremy Fragrance. The Fragrance Apprentice makes beautifully produced art house films that just so happen to be about the world of fragrance 😁
Amazing video, it’s a nice change from the top 5s or 10s. If clone houses can make a product that’s better than the initial scent in all aspects for a fraction of the cost well it’s pretty much game over. Creed got comfortable and stagnant (while increasing their prices) and it shows. Seems like their mindset is more about the money, then the actual fragrance and if a clone can trump their offering well that’s on them not the clone house.
Wow, the class woofs over me like Creed. I immediately subscribed. Yup, ordered my bottle this week. Arrives tomorrow. A lot of reviewers believed armaf sillage prices would fall. Not so. If it's good, we find out, and the prices hold.
Rarely feel compelled to comment on videos, however this was great - thank you. I was amazed by Milestone, although when I did a side by side I definitely preferred Dua’s Imperial Pastique. That said it’s roughly the same price however for 30ml, so... Now Creed has been bought out, I would expect better production processes to be deployed and batch variations to be a thing of the past (unless this is a deliberate strategy...?). At the same time I’m sure the drive for efficiencies means cost of materials will be squeezed and quality impacted
Turning on notifications for this channel in the hopes that we are blessed with another video like this. The atmosphere was amazing and the conversation was thought provoking. Thank you George.
George continues to raise the bar!! The ending with the wave crash gave me chills. No one comes close to what you’re doing, G. When you hang it up, the fragrance community who appreciates these videos will feel awfully sore from your absence.
Your passion and enthusiasm makes this very compelling. As someone with no prior interest in cologne I sat through the whole thing and enjoyed it thoroughly. Any time someone is authentically passionate in this way it is compelling, regardless of the subject matter. There is almost a sadness in this video that is interesting. Maybe sadness is strong, but a real sense of shift where what was old & cherished is now breaking down, and being overtaken.
This was an AWESOME video. Interestingly, it took me a long time to finally smell Aventus because in the rare few department stores that carried it, the sampler was always empty. I finally tried it a few months ago and loved the opening pineapple, but found it quite weak and the dry down certainly didn't wow me. So imagine my surprise when I see Club de Nuit Intense Man at the freaking local chemist and I give it a try. Opening isn't quite exact, but it's 95%. Powerful. Long lasting. The fruit stays for hours rather than vanishing an hour in like Aventus. Long story short? I shamelessly bought the Armaf. I'm the last person to buy a knock off of ANYTHING for the exact reasons George stated at the beginning. But the simple fact is that I find CDNIM to be a better damn fragrance overall than Aventus, and it's around a tenth of the price. Creed is a sinking ship. Also, please keep doing these videos. They're so much more interesting than every other fragrance reviewer!
Thank you for a very in depth and analythical review. This is what we need and not the regular “I got complimented 46.7 times today guys!” This is what makes me either want to purchase a fragrance or the opposite, but have a rational reason for my choice without all the bullshit.
"That needs a little bit of sweetness" Man, I enjoy when you drop videos like this. You're much more than a fragrance reviewer....I said I wasn't going to buy anymore frags!
Before you even finished the video i already bought myself a bottle to try out! And subscribed, i can tell you put your heart and soul into what you enjoy. :)
Armaf are even getting there with there Aventus clone (club de nuit intense man) ironing out the harsh lemon opening with the parfum version. Great vid buddy 👍🏻
This video should be archived under "Masterpiece"! When I was younger, in high school, I couldn't afford to buy the authentic stuff. I remember buying a oily "Cool Water" dupe but was depressed after taking that same bottle to the department store and smelling the authentic Davidoff Cool Water. Fast forward, I am 50 years old and can now afford the "authentic". Although I love Creed, but am not that affluent to spend the money on their fragrances, the "dupes" that are out now give Creed a "run for the money". I have bought many of the Armaf fragrances because of the value. I deeply respect your point of view! On another note, the sound of the ocean behind you is mesmerizing! Where ARE you?! (LOL) I can't help but think of how beautiful and chilly...fantastical that view of the sea must be! Thanks for your honest review! My grandfather used to say, "Never rest on your high horse!" Perhaps Creed should take heed and listen to this idiom!
Very poignant declaration George. Enjoyed the video as much as all the other excellent clips you put out mate ! Really going to think twice about going to New York to Madison ave and dropping $500 like I have done so often on shiite. Bought SMW last year and it is very disappointing. I will be purchasing Sillage now. Thanks again from freezing Canada !!
Also I'd like to say that the quality of these videos are way above what I would expect for most frag channels and your style of reviews has most definitely earned you a new subscriber
George, George, George. Another masterpiece. I brewed a cup of tea, sat down and enjoyed the hell out of this video like I do all of your videos. Also, I agree with you about Creed. Looks like I’ll be checking out Sillage. What’s next for Armaf? Hope they are watching this video...and if they are, hopefully they take it to heart and create a 5/5 version of Viking. Thanks as always for the amazing content, scenery, and unparalleled fragrance speak. Nobody does it better than you. Cheers. 🍻
Undoubtedly the best review/content and information on the Tube. I've got/had most of the Creed fragrances and sold them all off recently due to weak batches lasting no more than 2 hours and having to carry a travel sprayer around to constantly re apply. Sillage just came into my local pharmacy (Love from Australia) and was put on the shelves for $39, 50% off original $79 price. I grabbed all 5 bottles and still less than half the price of Creed SMW ($459) Sillage for me is a burst of juicy citrus (bergamot, lemon, lime) and as it dries down a smooth blackberry and ginger bomb with a hint of ink. Rose and jasmine floats around in the background with a flurry of light musk. It's so uplifting it's laughable, not to mention lasts 8 hours on the skin with ease. Creed you should be worried/ashamed, increasing price whilst reducing the juice amount, and watering it down so the consumer uses more to then have to buy more is disgusting.
This is your best video, George.
Mate, you've been here since almost day one, thanks! 🙌
The only video I watched without skipping
Excellent vid!! Great job!
Facts
Just bought a decant of Sillage
Aventus is realy realy hard to clone.. even creed cant get it right .. 😂😂
LOL
LOL
Lmao
😂 😂 😂
Best comment ever!! 😂😅💪🏾
This video is a game changer. I’ve got so much respect for this guy. He says it as it is. No other fragrance reviewer comes close. I watch other channels for entertainment , but George knows his stuff, really knows the game. Absolutely fantastic.
He really puts his emotions into it.
I knew the type of guy he was when I saw his video telling the truth about that Bleu Electrique shit every youtuber was lying about. This guy deserves a lot more
😂😂😂 Holy smokes, I'm watching this and suddenly my face pops up! I thought I was about to get bashed for some reason hahaha. I guess the sample of SMW I had was a newer one, because I honestly liked Club De Nuit Sillage more. Thoroughly enjoyed this video George!! ❤️
Our girl showed up. Thank you for all your work curly!
Hi beautiful!
It’s sad that in the community that’s your first thought. Even in my relatively short time in fragcomm the hate and shade has taken over in a really toxic way. Glad to see there are still some great people in the community.
I just ordered the Intense version. Any thoughts? And a DUA Hybrid of Parfums de Marky Herod with Baccarat Rouge 540.
George is a gentleman, he really doesn't bash people. And when he does, it's in a very polite way. ;)
I currently watching this on a big screen tv and Armaf should hire you to make them a commercial. The bottle with that background was a gorgeous shot.
thanks
I appreciate the time and passion you put into your videos. Very well done.
Even though I'm a casual frag user this is just pure gold. I love the sense of existential threat, the dilemma faced by supporters of authentic fragrance creators as the clone companies make huge inroads. Your passion is infectious. By the end I cared more than I really should.
" This smells more like silver mountain water than silver mountain water does right now. " 😲 He dropped the hammer 🔨 ! Pure honesty. It's spooky hours for Creed lol.
It's totally legit - I remember first smelling SMW in 2015 from a Creed sampler from a friend of mine who didn't care for it, but I know it'd been sitting in his fragrance drawer for a while, so I'm thinking it was at leas a 2014 batch, and who knows how long it was out there before he got it.
Andrea's review also perfectly described SMW from that sampler - and I LOVED it. I finally got myself a new SMW bottle for a deal, and it was a 2018 batch, and there it was - the opening was GLORIOUS, just as the sample was - to this day maybe my favorite opening of any scent - but it very quickly became 100% inky-musk - no real trace of the citrus and creamy spicness that made SMW so amazing - exactly as mentioned in the video.
I quickly got myself a bottle of Sillage after this review, and while it doesn't have the ridiculously amazing opening of SMW, it's so much better than SMW after ten minutes or so.
Glad that someone is calling Creed out. I am 19 and have recently gotten into fragrances and all I ever hear in older review on UA-cam is that Creed is something you must have as a collector. I got 5 mL vials of Aventus, SMW, and MI and was impressed that they smelled good but when I see they all cost around $400 for the full size, there is no justification for those purchases even on discounters. Creed is currently getting away with murder in the pricing of their goods and their loyal fanbase and it just isn't right for the industry. I still think Aventus is my favorite fragrance I've smelled so far in my short 6 month collecting time, but the Armaf version doesn't feel like I am spraying away money when I am wearing it. Thanks for the video George.
The price is not a problem, for a niche Parfum. The problem is that the fragrance is basically a cologne diluted in water to the point that it lasts 1hour, smells good in the first few minutes and after that not detectable.
@@cano5063 do you really think $400 is a fine price for what is essentially smelly water? I adore fragrances but there's no way I'm giving that much money to something that doesn't have any practical use, (I can go on holiday for a week for that much). I get that what each person wishes to spend loads of money on is entirely subjective but you probably need to be earning 50k+ a year to genuinely be able to afford to spend $400 on 100ml of aftershave even if you truly believe what they say about the craftsmanship and the investment. I think it's absolutely nuts and it's going the way of designer clothing brands like Gucci increasing prices astronomically and reducing the quality, I'm worried for the industry
@@robbiecale3327 that’s what I said. For that price I expect more. There are other parfums for the same price that Do more. And of course it is arguable wether to spend that much for any parfum is a good choice in the first place.
How come the start of these type of vids aways feel like I just clicked on a netflix documentary
Mate, you are too kind. 🙌
Yes i get that vibe too!
Honestly thought
David Attenborough will pop up out of the bushes any moment.
Video was better then most of the slop Netflix documentary are today.
... Yes! I always view George's reviews as educational, not entertainments too!
This the best fragrance video I've seen in long time. Forget top 5's, top 10's, all of that.. This is so inspirational, it's impossible not to feel all the passion you have for fragrances, and how much it means to you. you can't fake that! I even felt emotional at some point. What you're making in the fragrance community is very special George! Don't stop!
I gotta say something.....
How does George have only 26k subscribers ? Other fragrance reviewers (without mentioning names) have tens of thousands more and not nearly the level of channel. Great work George.
One reason is that none of mine are Bought.
Just a theory, but I think it has to do with the level of passion for fragrances.
It seems that your casual fragrance viewer only wants to know (or get his opinion approved by someone else) about what fragrances are "good", to the point of time skipping the video just to see the names. Even when other fragrance reviewers do a poll of "what do to for my next video?", the majority goes for (yet another) "TOP 10 FRAGRANCES TO ....".
Meanwhile, people that see more unique videos about fragrances - like the ones The Frag. Apprentice usually does - are in a minority, and it ends up reflecting in the subscribers.
As a similar analogy: You can cook the best, most juicy, and unforgettable burger ever made, but McDonalds will always end up having more clients.
@@miguelsousa9802 Damn, perfectly articulated and I'd agree. Cheers!
He’s always been this good it’s just that now people are noticing
@@miguelsousa9802 ah yes. The top 10 McDonalds, a concept on which one 'fragrance reviewer' has capitalised like no other. Lifting ten bottles, with just enough time to utter their names and finishing off by thanking God for guidance... Fine for many, but not my cup of unsweetened tea.
And then there's George, the haute cuisine master chef of our beloved fragrance community. What a breath of fresh salty sea air!
This is just a work of art. The color grade on your video is amazing, the content is like prose, and the message is like a warning from the past, placed in a bottle and thrown into the sea. Absolutely amazing. A cut above so many other review videos! They should give awards for videos such as these. Well done!
You officially confirmed for me that I shouldn’t invest in Creed
Same
Agreed never been impressed, PDM, Mancera and Montale far superior imo
I have silver mountain water, it’s ok but not one of my favourites by a long way.
Tbh, for the prices, Aventus is the only one still worth investing in. and thats only if its within your budget.
There are a couple Creed fragrances worth investing in, if you’re able to navigate them within your budget...
Many of them however, as George has stated, are just not the quality they once were..
Only from discount sites though... so... in part, George is beyond right.
You're the Christopher Nolan of fragrance reviews.
So true - George deserves many more subscribers, hopefully they're coming soon
@@CinHotlanta absolutely
@@CinHotlanta They will
Underradet comment 🤩👍
lol
You deserve to be at the top of Fragrance Reviewers....this is so much more High Quality content than the Rest.
Armaf is calling Creed out for their BS!!!!
Facts
Can't argue that!!
Their entire club de nuit line was probably the idea of a bunch of former creed fanatics to both make dinero and show creed how deplorable and incompetent their brand is becoming in hopes of pushing them to make better products. Most people are brainwashed into loving creed but if they don't up their game by insane amounts and make better frags than armaf they'll be done within weeks
Masterpiece of a video. I can only assume that Creed are terrified to put a foot wrong. Terrified of the blank slate ahead and the huge expectations that have arisen due to the legendary fragrances that came before. But to do nothing and be left to the remnants of history would be the worst outcome of all. I can only hope that Creed will rediscover itself in time.
You’ve hit the nail on the head.
I fell in love with Aventus with 16 years old and saved (back then) a lot of money to finally get it, and I still love it to this day and have great memories with this fragrance, but when I smelled it again in 2020 I was shocked.
Aventus isn’t nearly the same as it used to be, and the same goes for SMW and MI, and Armafs Sillage and CDNI bring a fair bit of these memories back.
They’re not perfect clones by any means, but they’re ridiculously close and only a fraction of the price of what Creeds are today, while offering more fragrance for your money…
Personally I think Creed destroyed itself when they removed the smoky Birchtar and Oakmoss from Aventus and opted out for “Birch” and Vanilla to make a more “niche” fruity counterpart of Diors Sauvage.
I know I’m late but thank you for this Review and awesome Video!
The Fragrance Apprentice doesnt always make videos, but when he does, he doesnt simply stand in his flat and wave the bottle around
😂😂😂
Lmaooooo
You're right, mate. Both Milestone and Sillage are awesome. They're not suppose to be this good.
Coming back from work, putting youtube on my tv, grabbing a glass of whiskey along with my dinner to watch these masterpieces of a review is a wonderful time and experience. I don't know how you do it man, but you've outdone yourself once again!
And I have to agree 100% with you, it's a scary times for a fragrance world indeed. It's like you bought a counterfeit rolex and it's better made than the real deal, how's that even possible?😅
What are they putting into these fragrances nowadays that the clones are better for STILL a fraction of the original one price? WATER? Wait....
George, you’ve transcended fragcomm; this is art. There’s more visual quality and insight in these 21 minutes than most fragrance channels have in their entire catalogues. I don’t know how you do it, but I’m in awe. Bravo.
The quality, passion, and art in your productions are what the overwhelming majority of creators need. Brava👏🏽
One of the best fragrance reviewers on UA-cam for sure! I hope CREED MI review will never be done in this channel. George please do us a favor in fragcom.. never quit making videos. This kind of content is getting less in fragrance channels. Most channels are just top 10 and random lists nowadays. This is a legendary review and it will be remembered for years to come. I've watched it 5 times now. Thank you George.
I’m in a Tesco and I was gonna stand and watch it but from the first shot, I’ve decided this is worth sitting down later to see.
it's one to have a cup of tea and sit down with I'd say.
George... please... Never quit your channel! The new series you try out, (the new if you like this...), and before the compliment factor (not just for seeing you being mad) and the others..
Reviews and talks like these, you just don't see them anywhere else.
Too bad you don't have the big subscribers numbers but this makes your channel a 'niche' one with high quality and especially PASSION that will be very hard to clone.
I'll explain what's happening. There is no fragrance on the planet (a few minor exceptions) that is worth more than $120. Most of the value comes from the name and the prestige of it being a luxury product which is fine, I have no problem with that. The issue is that these houses got greedy, they wanted a larger market share beyond their niche audience. But in order to market to that audience they needed to mass produce, lower their quality but not the price in order to keep the same margins.
Now these clone companies can come in and take the wool off. They can make a fragrance and sell it for $60 that smells just as good. My advice to creed is either stay niche and raise your quality, or lower your prices to be the same as Dior or the other high end designers.
It does not smell as good as Creed lol
How can you even state that? Do you even have an idea of how expensive raw materials are, and most importantly THE ARTISTIC SIDE OF CREATING A MASTERPIECE FRAGRANCE? Clone houses just have to make a cheap version of something someone already came up with and created
@@ozneonil7132is this armaf Sillage as good as creed?
This is not just a review, this is a critique. Congrats on the good work!
Aren't all reviews critiques?
The commitment, the quality and sheer clarity of expression this man has. Don't get me wrong, we all do follow bigger fragrance channels but they can't match this production value
George, after watching this video I bought this fragrance. I saw half a dozen reviews since it was released but none convinced me as you did. Armaf should be grateful of your incredible contribution.
It's official. The best fragrance content in the world is right here on this UA-cam channel.
As usual - great work, George. I remember when I first heard that Creed were shrinking their bottles from 120ml to 100ml AND raising the price at the same time. I thought wow, what an asshole thing to do... but maybe they'll improve the quality /longevity?! Nope, multiple new batches from 3-4 fragrances that I tried were noticeably weaker and even different. I am glad I have my 120mil bottle of Green Irish Tweed from a few years ago but I won't ve giving them my $$$ anytime soon unless they stop the nonsense. Keep the videos coming, mate ✌️👍
It's what happens when a predatory private equity business like BlackRock, buys the brand. Lowers the quality, raises the prices. They literally price-rape their consumers - in the end there is a sense of betrayal and violation. !
Because of you're epic armaf milestone video I bought it...now I have to go and buy Sillage, why wouldn't I? You worked for Creed! Brutal videos my friend
George, you are the best fragrance channel for your honesty, passion, industry experience AND cinematography. THANK YOU!
I watched the first 3 minutes and couldn't resist saying this: you look like a character in assassin's creed!
Lol facts
"It's up to you now...what are you gonna do...what are we all gonna do?"... Suddenly getting up and walking away and then comes in the shot of the bottle and water in background...I think it was a quite beautiful sequence....great video from beginning to end....
The thing I really like about your reviews, is you put in so much detail and explain the backstory so well, I genuinely believe you when you speak on a fragrance :D
Superb review Geroge. The cinematics are just immense and the intro and ending are beautifully composed. This is what separates you from the rest of the fragrance reviewers and your channel is the reason why I started getting into fragrance in the first place, a fellow Brit with true British wit and a clear passion for this industry.
Really glad to see you reviewing Sillage because it is an incredible alternative and I say alternative because I feel like Armaf, at least with Club De Nuit, are no longer clones, but alternatives, to the Creed Juggernaut that has dominated the men's fragrance game for the longest time.
I do not have a concern with what could happen to Creed, its a brand, and brands rise and fall all the time. Fashion, especially fragrance is an extension of yourself, how it makes you feel, how you enjoy it, not about funding a brands marketing campaigns to justify, what to some, is 4 days of wages working full time.
I have sampled, reviewed and bought, what I would call the Fantastic 4; Club De Nuit Intense Man EDP, Milestone, Intense Woman and most recently Sillage (because balls to Urban) and the way they make me feel, the way it resonates and the joy I get from smelling like £1000 worth of luxury fragrances for £125 and the notes I pick up, it's just joyous. Creed will have their fans and they have deserved their international acclaim, but let's be honest, they cannot expect to survive in this day and age when a clone can stand toe to toe or even win against their creation that for decades have sold for £100-£250 a bottle. The day that Armaf release Royal Oud, Original Santal, and Green Irish Tweed, if they can replicate it as well as they have with Sillage and Milestone, I think that is the day that Creed will die off.
Armaf knows what they are doing and they know how to create a fantastic composition and they have proven their worth by being a competitive rival to Aventus, Millesime Imperial, Silver Mountain Water, and Noir de Noir by Tom Ford.
I think the day is coming when Armaf will take the Creed and Tom Ford range and turn it on its head as they consume the market, replicating icons down to a Tee where not even a honed nose can differentiate between the original, but that is where I get concerned... that's what bothers me. I do not want to see these brands go but nor do I really want everyone to smell like it either because there's a pleasure in standing out amongst the crowd which was usually where these Luxury/Niche fragrances reigned supreme so having something so similar so accessible is going to make these fragrances, or at least the prestige of them, completely redundant.
Confusing times indeed...
Me: Buys my first Milleseme Imperial this year
**George releases video saying "Creed's going down"**
Me:🥴🥴
🤣 Oh man, i actually laughed out loud with this one!
Sorry my dude!
@@TheFragranceApprentice Haha. I'm glad! My first and last MI then, I don't know.
Creed isnt going anywhere and awesome pickup armaf is not taking creed down lmao.
@@varunbrahmwar8574 stop being influenced by UA-cam videos, you have a great original fragrance, enjoy and buy some more if you wish.
@@Oakleyworld 10 years ago creed cost 90 dollars which he did say in the video an I can confirm and if you went on ebay you could pick up one for 75 to 80 dollars and a slightly used one you could pick up for 50 to 60 dollars. That's was ten years ago. But now they costs 240 dollars smh. He can enjoy his fragrance but advising him to buy more is stupid after looking at this in depth video. There are soo many niche houses that are actually niche quality. I would say lay off creed and try out another niche houses of course always sample. Xd.
If Armaf goes full force against Creed with clones of Royal Oud and Erolfa is over
Has Royal Oud diminished in quality too? Was about to get another one
@@BarbaPamino i dont know but if aventus milessime imperial and silver mountain water has its a matter of time until that trend reaches royal oud
@@Sampleador guess I'll just buy and hope for the best. Can't imagine quality going up from here. Cheers
@@Sampleador update. My 2019 batch of 100ml royal oud is a dud. No performance at all. My only hope is the summer brings something out if it. 200 bucks in the toilet.
@@BarbaPamino Guess if we want niche with performance and power without the reformulation problem we will have to leave Creed and move to Roja Dove, Amouage or Nishane
The meditation on Creed and clones that we needed.
number one fragrance channel for me!
we need more videos like this - creed have turned into greed! gotta make them feel how we are disappointed
No joke I'm almost at the end of the video and got gotten goosebumps from the way you've presented this story. I honestly admire your passion and the thought that you put in your content and how you manage to be so original with it. I know most of the people who watch fragrence related videos are just there for the top 10s and the inspiration for their next purchase, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I sincerely have to thank you from all of us who appreciate this informative, storytelling, cinematic kind of content for all the time you invest into coming up with new ideas and executing them so well. Thank you, George.
Brilliantly structured and delivered content. You're the niche version of a fragrance reviewer. Cheers mate! 👌
One thing about honesty and truth is it’s quite brutal if ur on the other side of the fence hope Creed takes note. That’s what happens when u get too comfortable at the top. That’s what got Mike Tyson his first KO.
I feel like I’m watching a Netflix documentary with a multi million dollar budget when I watch these type of reviews of yours lately
Good on you George for calling them out.Need more reviews like this and maybe,just maybe they'll listen.
Watching Fragrance vids by everyone for the past 5 years, this by far, is the BEST fragrance video ever done !!. Not a fan of Creed nor M.I. however the way you told the story was absolutely intriguing, genuine and extremely captivating fron start to finish. WOW - very impressed. I cant stand watching Jeremy anymore (with his whimsical shirtless rants). Keep these kinds of vids coming
Haha George when you said alarm bells were ringing when you saw Andrea’s video, I knew where this was going. You captivate your audience with your detailed stories of your fragrance experiences. I will always watch your stuff brother! Waiting for you to change your channel name to The Fragrance Master! Keep it up!
This is my favourite fragrance channel. Outstanding content, hope to see more for many years to come. 👍
The level of quality you put out there as a frag-com content creator is head and shoulders above the rest, you do the research, your production quality is remarkable, you're really articulated and well prepared in any given subject related to fragrances and the industry, you're my favorite frag-com youtuber and at the top 10 of the youtubers i follow without taking content subject into consideration with no particular ranking among them in mind.
This is the best fragrance channel in the game right now and it's not even close. My appetite for yet another "top 10 fragrances for blah fucking blah" is waning. Not that there's no room for that ever but, fuck me, it's like that's the only format most other channels can contemplate. Thank you for keeping things interesting and being different. True fucking original.
George, this video man, its a confirmation of my subscrition, personal, natural, like a conversation with your friend that doesn't know much has you do about fragrances but you want him to know a bit more... the very real and so natural interruption from the man with is dog, the production value, the scenes, the final scene with the wave, "sea water" (symbolic in so many ways I think). Thank you Sir.
P.S. George were the F* is the video story about betrayal, Creed, Davidoff and Montblanc ??? Did the companys involved pressed the “Infringes My Rights” button ? You have earned my subscription with that one...
I was literally on the verge of buying SMW these past couple of weeks. And then this video popped up. Thank you George. I’ll be buying Sillage!
What a refreshing departure from the usual frag reviews. I was genuinely impressed by this. I have Armaf CDN and their MI clone. I love both of them. I can't justify $300+ on a fragrance. Any Erolfa clones?
Dua High Seas. I love Erolfa but I think this is actually better than Erolfa.
If you look around you can friend erolfa for under $150.00 at times. Costco just a year ago had erolfa for $129.99 for a 100ml, I’m still kicking myself for not blind buying it.
This is an iconic video on UA-cam. Even the interruption from the guy with the dog is perfect. Great content .
Definitely the most original content on this platform
Such a great video! It's a crappy, snowy day here in Philadelphia and I feel like I was able to get out of the house and hang out with a friend as he shared a story from memory lane. Loved it. Keep up the awesome content!
I’ve been a subscriber for a while now this is the 1st review I watched by you and I’ve been addicted too your videos ever since hope your well heard you were in hospital take care
Mate what a legend you are you’re videos are the creme de la creme of the fragrance world. Informative, production value and in depth analysis about all the fragrances. I take your recommendations as gospel at this point and it hasn’t failed me hahah
Hi George - first comment under one of your vids for me, but still enjoyed all of them and your artistic approach to your videos (one can tell you studied something in this direction).
to be honest - I never smelled MI and bought Milestone because of your review and it was really worth it - it's one of my favourites, especially in the summer. Due to this video I also think about giving Sillage a chance (even though I have al Wisam day too).
Anyway - the only reason I bought these clones is clearly the prive advantage - as you said: there is no honour in copying stuff. But comparing 40€ against 290€ is no joke. Of course it's also politics about your image etc (what everyhigh class brand hass) - but I'd think that in a field like perfumes, where you don't have every season a new collection strategic mistakes are way more severe.
Of course we don't know the numbers but lets be honest - most of the people dont want ant can't spend 250-300€ on a bottle of perfume. And If you spend that amount and have an alternative which is nearly the same level for a fraction of the other price......the top price company will lose in the end (except from the snobeffect), as you can't see what you're wearing - so you don't have this prestige transfer.
By the way - talking about strategy - also the video you made about Jeremeys strategy is on point and it might be in a way similiar - but if your strategy is not too clear, or not robust to changing times you might get on a losing streak.
That being said - maybe it's an video idea for how different houses changed their strategies over time (pricings/audience/DNAs) - maybe that would be worth talking about.
Anyways - you deserve so many more viewers - keep on going
Greetings from Germany!
You've really grown into the Romantic era poet aesthetic, my man. Love it
I’m honestly looking for a new fragrance go to channel since Brooklyn fragrance lovers creator recently passed. Lo and behold this was recommended to me. I really think that Carlos is looking out from above. Subscribed.
Thank You 🙏
I wouldn't touch a Creed even before seeing this video... this just confirms it 👍
Exactly 💯
Not gonna lie... you’re spot on. Within the last year, I bought the newer versions of Aventus and Milesime Imperial and I’m not getting those peeks in the valleys like I did when I first smelled them. I hardly use my Aventus anymore and I gave away Miliesime Imperial. I’ve been itching for Silver Mountain water, but with my last two buys from Creed, I had been contemplating it. I ended up purchasing Armaf Club De Nuit Sillage yesterday and although I have not received the fragrance yet, something is telling me I made the right choice! I’m sorry Creed, but I can’t be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t give me their best! 😪
Excellent comments, George. You reflect my sentiments on this matter exactly, although I've seen this coming for quite some time. And I for one welcome the improved clone houses, even though it is a phenomenon that somewhat annoys me. I think it may force the fragrance industry to take some risks and try something different for a change. Creed thinks that just because ingredients get more expensive that they can consistently water down their fragrances and use lower and lower concentrations of raw materials while at the same time upping the price without anyone noticing? It's an insult to their customer base, quite frankly. They should just own up to what they are doing the way some more honest independent perfumers have.
This is why this is the best frag chanel on youtube. The special content! Not like all those stupid top 10 lists everyone and their mama are doing when it is obvious that most of the fragrances there are just because the brand paid the reviewer to put there an avarege fragrance (aqua di gio porfumo was suddenly on every single list this year?)! Much respect fot this chanel for being different
George please do the 40 minute video on how Aventus changed everything...I would be glued to the screen
I just started my fragrance journey a couple of months ago and got introduced to Creed for the first time aswell. They do make some nice fragrances, but they are so weak compared to almost everthing else today and the Armaf's are ridiculously good so justifying that 300 + pounds isn't going to work in the long run I reckon.
Anyway awesome video mate keep up the good work :)
The production quality of this video is Hollywood level. I can’t believe this is just a UA-cam video about fragrances. Amazing.
'the apprentice' became 'the master'
Very good stuff here. We know many of our favorite perfumes have suffered from EU restrictions on specific ingredients for allergies, as well as the scarcity of popular ingredients. I have to imagine it's the same with Creed and the lines you mentioned here. What the clone houses have succeeded at is adapting their fragrances with the resources available, and it's not surprising since it's their entire business model.
I adore this video! 😍 Love how you adress the elephant in the room. I agree with you. Reformulations and greed of some designer and “niche” houses made me run away in the direction of indie and real niche houses such as Francesca Bianchi, Areej le dore, Papillon artisan and others.
I watch a few reviewers, but I only recommend and promote one... Thank you again, George!
Yeoooo!!!! I have seen other reviews on this frag. but this review, coming from YOU is what I have been waiting on!!!! Thank you George. I like your reviews because you are VERY INFORMATIVE, as well as you try to educate, give some history to your viewers. Your review on Milestone is the only reason I purchased my bottle, & with this review well...........I'm waiting on the mail carrier. Love the quote "that's your hill to die on".........keep em coming!!
As professional as it gets in the "reviewers" category. One might suggest this single video could really shake things up. If I was helping run the Creed empire, I would be listening...closely. it may go nowhere but I think this is so honest and so accurate, this video could be a game changer. Very well done and very honest. What more can you ask for.
I wore milestone the other day and I could be smelt 10ft away 8 hours after application, and I only did 5 sprays. This stuff is fantastic. SOTD Gucci envy
You have Gucci envy for men?? I am so jealous. I can still smell the full bodied heaven of a scent that it was. I smelled it in 1998 for the first time. I hope Armaf will make a good clone as Gucci basically does not care about it’s clients. They just discontinue the best scent the had and gave us shit in return.
I was about to comment that Armaf should clone Gucci Envy as I stumbled upon these comments.
Feels good to know we are not alone. So many people will never know that legendary scent.
I got mine in highschool and my GF's hated it-- but their mothers LOVED it.
@@michaeldebree4870 Alexandria has a clone of Envy
@@Mohannesburg I know... but is it good? I saw some reviews and they said it was just ok. I have a clone from a German clone maker,.. and that is ok. Not the deep sweet ginger intoxicating smell I remember from 1998. Do you have the one from Alexandria? I know Dua also has a clone. But that review was also middle of the road.
@@Mohannesburg do you have that clone? I heard Dua also has one,.. but the reviews are not so good here on UA-cam. Thank you for your message ,.. I appreciate your help. 👍👍😀
Other reviewers mindlessly pump out top ten lists hoping the UA-cam algorithm will turn them into the next Jeremy Fragrance. The Fragrance Apprentice makes beautifully produced art house films that just so happen to be about the world of fragrance 😁
George , your content keeps getting better and better. Oustanding .
Opening bit was really nice George, the whole video is great tbh
Amazing video, it’s a nice change from the top 5s or 10s. If clone houses can make a product that’s better than the initial scent in all aspects for a fraction of the cost well it’s pretty much game over. Creed got comfortable and stagnant (while increasing their prices) and it shows. Seems like their mindset is more about the money, then the actual fragrance and if a clone can trump their offering well that’s on them not the clone house.
Wow, the class woofs over me like Creed.
I immediately subscribed.
Yup, ordered my bottle this week. Arrives tomorrow. A lot of reviewers believed armaf sillage prices would fall. Not so. If it's good, we find out, and the prices hold.
Rarely feel compelled to comment on videos, however this was great - thank you. I was amazed by Milestone, although when I did a side by side I definitely preferred Dua’s Imperial Pastique. That said it’s roughly the same price however for 30ml, so... Now Creed has been bought out, I would expect better production processes to be deployed and batch variations to be a thing of the past (unless this is a deliberate strategy...?). At the same time I’m sure the drive for efficiencies means cost of materials will be squeezed and quality impacted
Turning on notifications for this channel in the hopes that we are blessed with another video like this. The atmosphere was amazing and the conversation was thought provoking. Thank you George.
Armaf will have a clone of Viking in the near future. I bet that will be spot on aswell. Great video 📹 👍
i really hope so !!
Will be glad if they do that
They should do Royal Oud too, my guess is Armaf will do Aventus Cologne CDNIM Cologne or Sport.
@@lv2465
That will be great move
Really love AVENTUS COLOGNE
@@lv2465 they already have enough aventus dupes maybe time to move on from that DNA
George continues to raise the bar!! The ending with the wave crash gave me chills. No one comes close to what you’re doing, G. When you hang it up, the fragrance community who appreciates these videos will feel awfully sore from your absence.
Your passion and enthusiasm makes this very compelling. As someone with no prior interest in cologne I sat through the whole thing and enjoyed it thoroughly. Any time someone is authentically passionate in this way it is compelling, regardless of the subject matter. There is almost a sadness in this video that is interesting. Maybe sadness is strong, but a real sense of shift where what was old & cherished is now breaking down, and being overtaken.
This was an AWESOME video. Interestingly, it took me a long time to finally smell Aventus because in the rare few department stores that carried it, the sampler was always empty. I finally tried it a few months ago and loved the opening pineapple, but found it quite weak and the dry down certainly didn't wow me.
So imagine my surprise when I see Club de Nuit Intense Man at the freaking local chemist and I give it a try. Opening isn't quite exact, but it's 95%. Powerful. Long lasting. The fruit stays for hours rather than vanishing an hour in like Aventus.
Long story short? I shamelessly bought the Armaf. I'm the last person to buy a knock off of ANYTHING for the exact reasons George stated at the beginning. But the simple fact is that I find CDNIM to be a better damn fragrance overall than Aventus, and it's around a tenth of the price.
Creed is a sinking ship.
Also, please keep doing these videos. They're so much more interesting than every other fragrance reviewer!
Thank you for a very in depth and analythical review. This is what we need and not the regular “I got complimented 46.7 times today guys!”
This is what makes me either want to purchase a fragrance or the opposite, but have a rational reason for my choice without all the bullshit.
"That needs a little bit of sweetness" Man, I enjoy when you drop videos like this. You're much more than a fragrance reviewer....I said I wasn't going to buy anymore frags!
Before you even finished the video i already bought myself a bottle to try out! And subscribed, i can tell you put your heart and soul into what you enjoy. :)
This is so for the best best best fragrance video I have come acrossed all these years and it is a LEGENDARY VIDEO out of all fragrance channels 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Armaf are even getting there with there Aventus clone (club de nuit intense man) ironing out the harsh lemon opening with the parfum version. Great vid buddy 👍🏻
This video should be archived under "Masterpiece"! When I was younger, in high school, I couldn't afford to buy the authentic stuff. I remember buying a oily "Cool Water" dupe but was depressed after taking that same bottle to the department store and smelling the authentic Davidoff Cool Water. Fast forward, I am 50 years old and can now afford the "authentic". Although I love Creed, but am not that affluent to spend the money on their fragrances, the "dupes" that are out now give Creed a "run for the money". I have bought many of the Armaf fragrances because of the value.
I deeply respect your point of view! On another note, the sound of the ocean behind you is mesmerizing! Where ARE you?! (LOL) I can't help but think of how beautiful and chilly...fantastical that view of the sea must be!
Thanks for your honest review! My grandfather used to say, "Never rest on your high horse!" Perhaps Creed should take heed and listen to this idiom!
Very poignant declaration George. Enjoyed the video as much as all the other excellent clips you put out mate ! Really going to think twice about going to New York to Madison ave and dropping $500 like I have done so often on shiite. Bought SMW last year and it is very disappointing. I will be purchasing Sillage now. Thanks again from freezing Canada !!
Also I'd like to say that the quality of these videos are way above what I would expect for most frag channels and your style of reviews has most definitely earned you a new subscriber
George, George, George. Another masterpiece. I brewed a cup of tea, sat down and enjoyed the hell out of this video like I do all of your videos. Also, I agree with you about Creed. Looks like I’ll be checking out Sillage. What’s next for Armaf? Hope they are watching this video...and if they are, hopefully they take it to heart and create a 5/5 version of Viking. Thanks as always for the amazing content, scenery, and unparalleled fragrance speak. Nobody does it better than you. Cheers. 🍻
A Viking Armaf? Oh man that would be something!
@@TheFragranceApprentice agreed! 👍
Undoubtedly the best review/content and information on the Tube. I've got/had most of the Creed fragrances and sold them all off recently due to weak batches lasting no more than 2 hours and having to carry a travel sprayer around to constantly re apply. Sillage just came into my local pharmacy (Love from Australia) and was put on the shelves for $39, 50% off original $79 price. I grabbed all 5 bottles and still less than half the price of Creed SMW ($459) Sillage for me is a burst of juicy citrus (bergamot, lemon, lime) and as it dries down a smooth blackberry and ginger bomb with a hint of ink. Rose and jasmine floats around in the background with a flurry of light musk. It's so uplifting it's laughable, not to mention lasts 8 hours on the skin with ease. Creed you should be worried/ashamed, increasing price whilst reducing the juice amount, and watering it down so the consumer uses more to then have to buy more is disgusting.
I like your style, more like an actual youtuber. Most of the cologne people seem like they're just reviewers.