Virgin Island Water 2007 by Creed

It smells basically of coconut and lime, with a mojito touch. It’s not a coconut like Le Beau or similar, which are sweet and heavy; it’s a fresh, refreshing coconut, with that typical Creed feeling of quality and naturalness, although ‘natural’ is a bit of a stretch. A coconut that calls you closer rather than pushing you away. It has acceptable longevity and projection, better than MI or SMW from the same house. It’s a gem for summer, I think it’s excellent.

Bottled summer: tropical, distinct, sexy, one of the best I’ve ever smelled. Coconut and rum with a sharp, sparkling lime that wraps around that duo. Pity the poor performance; there’s already an Arabic copy whose scent is practically identical (Coconut Lagoon, Paris Corner), I just need to check the longevity and the rest.

What more can be said that hasn’t been said before about VIW? I managed to get a partial bottle of a first batch a few months ago, what luck to have been able to acquire it… A fragrance summarised in a sparkling citrus opening, from which a soft halo of lime remains accompanied by the coconut accord and a very vibrant white rum. I’ve tried a sample of a 2022 batch, where slight changes are noticeable; I don’t know if they are due to the maceration time of my bottle or reformulations (likely after almost 20 years on the market). In my opinion, in current batches the citrus and vanilla notes predominate more than the flowers, coconut, or rum. Personally, I don’t perceive sugar as a protagonist, but rather as part of the sweetness of the other accords. I recently acquired Malibu Party in the Bay by Simone Andreoli: while they follow the same path, they diverge in the early stages. Malibu comes out with an overwhelming, expansive, and loud lime, with a slow dry-down that lets the coconut and, in this case, a much more direct sweet sugar note be felt. The main difference is that in Creed the white rum is the clear protagonist. And if VIW has any flaw, it is precisely what Malibu Party excels at: the performance. While VIW’s projection is good, Malibu Party’s is INVASIVE. In longevity, it far surpasses VIW. In summary, comparing them side by side, one notices a much greater roundness and quality in Creed. Conclusion: Acceptable longevity of 7 hours, good projection of 2 metres, a composition that continues to stand out and please, quality in the best Creed style and price… well, something had to be wrong.

It’s a fantastic perfume in every sense… Fresh, with a quite marked but very balanced coconut note. It’s something like a piña colada, but with notes that make it smell masculine; I don’t think it’s unisex at all. Ideal for hot days, it feels natural, it makes you feel like you’re at the sea. The only thing I would change is its longevity and trail, a bit low for its price. I usually use between 10 and 15 sprays. Rating: Scent 10/10, Longevity 6/10, Projection 6/10, Presentation 10/10, Versatility 8/10. Total: 8/10.

To the people who talk about zero trail and longevity, let me remind you that this is not Megamare. It happens to all Creeds. To appreciate them you must spray generously: we are talking about 10-12 sprays. Then you can analyse the perfume. People who expect 2 shots of VIW to last as long as 2 of Oud Maracuja… Obviously, it hurts 99% of mortals to apply 12 sprays of an Aventus or VIW that costs you 300€ for the bottle. But if that’s the case, you might as well buy a Cedrat Boise for 80 euros.

Simple, discreet and very pleasant aroma reminiscent of coconut suntan lotion. Clear notes: coconut, lemon and musk. Perfect balance between the warmth of the coconut and the freshness of the lemon; it’s not heavy, it’s light. If you like the smell of beach suntan cream, you’ll love this; it’s that aroma but more refined and fresh. It doesn’t project much, so it’s not overwhelming, blends well with skin and clothes. I liked it and recommend it for anyone seeking that coastal coconut touch.

Silver Mountain Water is my favourite Creed, always with me, but with this Virgin Island I see that the surname ‘water’ gives me strange sensations. Creed doesn’t take things lightly; apart from Aventus, they aren’t mainstream enough to please everyone (and I’m included). Having Silver Mountain Water among my favourites, I tried a decant. The opening was wonderful, so refreshing! Citrus and coconut, a marvellous combination elevated to a superior level thanks to Creed’s talent. It’s a beach fragrance, summer, chilling with a cocktail by the sea; it makes me want to go on holiday already. It dries down sweet, but not a teenage sweet, it’s subtle and gives body to the volatility. Longevity: about 6 hours with moderate projection, enough for it to come close subtly. An authentic summer delight. I’ll go for the full bottle.

One of Creed’s most characterful scents, breaking the brand’s classic mould. Appears fresh but packed with nuances: citrus opening accompanied by a very light, measured coconut water note – not cloying or dense like sunscreen, yet heavier than a standard citrus. As it dries, it loses some freshness, gaining body from a subtle white floral sweetness. It doesn’t smell of rum or alcohol, but the citrus/coconut/sweetness blend evokes a beach bar cocktail, while the musk adds a soapy tone. I emphasise the delicacy of the coconut, a note I usually dislike. The sweetness adds density without being excessive; perhaps not ideal in extreme heat despite the name. Excellent perfumer work. Good longevity and moderate projection. Summer and spring are its habitats, though it could work in autumn too. Casual or semi-casual, not for the office due to its holiday vibe, but perfect for a walk or informal meet-up.

Second time wearing it and I have to swallow my words from the comment a month ago. The lime and coconut create an exquisite sweetness, it smells classy. This perfume lasts; it’s not like people say it lasts nothing, I’ve been smelling it constantly. Recommended for people with several perfumes because this is pure summer. I think not all men would wear it. Regards, good longevity, rich scent, nothing like it. 9.5 out of 10.

The opening caught me off guard; it smells like a Vicks box, which is odd but not unpleasant. Ten minutes in and the magic explodes: real coconut, lemon foam in an icy drink, and playful ginger that smells like a sea breeze. I feel myself floating with constant bursts. I wore it at 11 and by 4, heading out of work, the scent was still beautiful and I adored it. I went in to buy something and a stranger followed me with that aroma; I thought, ‘It smells incredible’ and ‘OMG, it’s me.’ By two hours it was fresher, like straight out of the shower. Super smart buy.

Rich summer scent, of the beach, of the sun. Those who complain about poor skin longevity, a question: have you bought the original? I have a current batch F and the longevity isn’t crazy, but it’s not bad either, well above average. Moreover, my skin isn’t blessed with retaining perfumes.

Finally, I could test it properly. After Malibu – Party in the Bay, yes, they resemble each other at the start. But Creed evolves into something creamier and more refined, whereas Malibu is citrusy and brash. I don’t see the point of owning both for summer and holidays. Performance is not explosive but lasts around 7 hours, which isn’t bad for this type of scent. In terms of aroma, the quality is evident; for me, it’s Top 1 alongside Malibu for summer, two absolute gems.

It feels watery and sweet, well-balanced, with softly caramelised citrus. The dry-down leans towards bleach and camphor that are initially alarming, but I love how they blend with the aquatic nuances. Once dried, it becomes charming—a light lemon caramel with a lingering pool chlorine note that I adore. It’s a very low-mineralisation mineral scent, something I always enjoy. It has a strong vapourwave vibe; it’s bold and far from boring. I expected something duller and more photorealistic, but no, it’s fake and plastic in the best possible way. The trick of using lemon with hibiscus acidity to neutralise the bleach is old, but here it’s used uniquely.

Creed VIW smells like summer to me, like a late afternoon at a tropical beach bar sipping a crazy coconut drink; the tables have hibiscus vases that mingle their scent with the sea breeze, creating a brilliant atmosphere. The citrus and ginger are perceptible and add freshness. Good longevity and sillage.

Perfect freshness. This perfume inspires me to lie on the beach with a wooden table, enjoying an iced coconut with rum, a magnificent and balanced combination: coconut water, rum and lemon. Uff. Sillage and longevity are uffffff and uffffff, quite substantial. Completely unisex, ideal to be the couple’s holiday beach fragrance.