Virgin Island Water by Creed is an unisex citrus fresh fragrance released in 2007 and was created by Erwin Creed and Olivier Creed.
Perfume draws inspiration from a sailing adventure near Ginger Island in the Caribbean.
It captures the tropical beauty and exotic aromas carried by the Trade Winds through the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
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For me, this is the best summer vacation perfume of all time, but objectively, Loewe’s Paula’s Ibiza is a more complete product from a creative point of view.
That’s why, if you’re a fan of fresh, exotic, and easy-to-wear tropical fragrances, VIW might be a better perfume for you.
In this review, I’ll cover everything from the note to the perfume’s target audience and even delve into its uniqueness and value for money.
CREED VIRGIN ISLAND WATER FOR MEN ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Virgin Island Water, launched in 2007, represents the House of Creed’s unwavering dedication to creating luxury products and scent memory-inspired fragrances.
This dedication ensures that you’re getting a high-quality, authentic fragrance.
Erwin and Olivier Creed are coined as perfumers for this creation, but at this point, we already know to take this information with a grain of salt.
The fragrance celebrates the Caribbean by combining zesty citrus scents with cozy tropical aromas that bring sunny beaches and soft ocean breezes to mind.
This gender-neutral scent captures the spirit of a tropical paradise, merging freshness and warmth in an elegant and refreshing fragrance crafted to whisk the wearer away to a tranquil island getaway.
This release is still in production and available in various sizes, from 50ml for $345.00 to 500ml for $1,205.00.
PERFUME THEME
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “The enticing scent of paradise all year around, Virgin Island Water Eau de Parfum is a fresh and warm fragrance that emulates the exotic sea breeze and clear blue water of the dazzling Caribbean Islands. This refreshing fruity perfume opens with tantalizing notes of bergamot, crisp Mexican lime and tangy tropical fruits. Capturing the charm of an invigorating summer cocktail, a heart of exotic white florals and jasmine mingle with rich and milky coconut layers that step into a lasting base of tonka bean and white musk that conjure up an irresistible warmth and serenity – perfect for those high sunshine tropical adventures.”
PERFUME NOTES
- Perfumer: Erwin Creed and Olivier Creed
- Perfume oil concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance type: Citrus Fresh
- Release date: 2007
- Target audience: Unisex
- Masculine/Feminine: 50% – 50%
- Most dominant notes: Coconut, Lime, and Rum
- Age group: 20+
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Summer Vacation and Leisure
- Longevity and projection: 3 – 5 hours with moderate projection
- The recommended number of sprays: 4 – 6
- Compliments: High
- Likeability: High
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Presentation: 5/5
- Value for money: 6/10
- Price: $$$
- Accords: Citrus, Sweet, Lactonic
- Reviewed batch code: F000234
- Reformulated: Yes
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
- Sample/Buy/Pass: Sample
- Testing period: 1 year and 2 months
- Production: Available
- Possibility of discontinuation: Low
PERFUME NOTES
Top notes: Bergamot, Lime, Tropical Fruits
Heart notes: Coconut Milk, Coconut Water, Jasmine, White Flowers
Base notes: Rum, Tonka Bean, White Musk
PERFUME PRESENTATION
VIW comes in a simple and elegant bottle, reflecting Creed’s unique and sophisticated style.
The design features a clear glass bottle with a silver cap, symbolizing the fresh and relaxed nature of the fragrance. I appreciate the minimalist design as it allows the scent to be the focal point.
One thing that has been changed from the previous design is the new silver-colored cap that used to be blue, which is your way of recognizing vintage editions.
Moreover, the cap is embellished with the Creed emblem etched into the cap, adding a touch of frill.
The box is crafted from premium white cardboard, featuring a gold-colored brand logo and the fragrance name in metallic accents.
NOTE BREAKDOWN
In this section of my Scent Grail review, I’ll dive into the note breakdown that plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of a fragrance.
Understanding how the top, heart, and base notes interact can provide valuable insight into the overall character of the scent.
Whether you’re considering adding a fragrance to your collection or simply curious about how the notes unfold, this breakdown will help you appreciate the craftsmanship and positive and negative sides of a particular fragrance.
TOP NOTES
The initial spritz of VIW unveils a captivating blend of zesty citruses and coconut, creating a refreshing, tropical prelude to the fragrance that is sure to spark your interest.
It screams that familiar Creed quality nobody can recreate and this brand does the best – fantastic first impression.
That citrusy sharpness instantly evokes feelings of a beach getaway and transports me somewhere distant, where summer lasts a whole year, and the party never stops.
This top layer gives Virgin Island Water its recognizable, easy-going, yet sophisticated introduction and one of the rare fragrances reminiscent of tropical vacations.
HEART NOTES
As the middle notes kick in, the combination of bright citrus, coconut water, and coconut milk gets more intense, which welcomes additional floral notes to the scent progression.
Although there are many florals in the heart(depending on which source you check), the only real floral I can pinpoint is the jasmine, grounding the fragrance in unisex territory.
The citruses from the beginning never really go away and stay as a complimentary aroma enveloped in everything else.
This summer breeze combination is one of the rare times that the fragrance doesn’t really shift into any masculine or feminine direction and always stays relaxed and joyful.
BASE NOTES
The dry down of VIW is where the fragrance settles into a warm, rich finish that perfectly complements its tropical and aquatic theme.
The white rum, sugar cane, and musk create a smooth, velvety, sweet, and slightly boozy undertone.
Tonka bean is officially listed as a note, but I have yet to detect it once when testing this fragrance.
It’s a terrific ending that avoids the typical Creed pitfall and omits Ambroxan.
The reasons why I skipped including it in Scent Grail’s Holy Grail territory can be found in a couple of paragraphs below, where I discuss the performance of the fragrance in more detail.
There is no better tropical fragrance on the market for those who want to wear something extraordinary yet stay on a safe route without any real surprises.
PERFORMANCE/TARGET AUDIENCE/COMPLIMENTS
By far, the biggest letdown of this perfume is its performance in all departments.
From longevity, where you have to do prayers and wishes to last up to 5 hours on a perfect day to almost non-existent projection and sillage after the first 30 minutes of spraying.
For a summer-oriented fragrance, there is constantly a weird feeling about when you’ll have to reapply it again.
VIW is a fragrance that transcends gender and age. Whether you’re a man or a woman, young or mature, this fragrance is designed to suit you.
The brand has done a perfect job here, ensuring that there are no complaints about its versatility and appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.
Each time I wore it, in the first hour, somebody commented on how good I smelled and asked where they could either sample it or buy it, so you are good if you are looking for this kind of scent during the summer.
But that’s the case with almost every fragrance from the brand, so there are no shocks here, either.
WHEN & WHERE/UNIQUENESS/VALUE FOR MONEY
This scent is perfect for informal, cozy environments. It’s great for wearing during the day, which makes it a top pick for summer activities, trips to the beach, or relaxed get-togethers.
Due to its lack of depth for formal occasions, I recommend skipping wearing it there, especially since it has a specific boozy note in the base notes, which is a combination of white rum and sugar cane that gives the fragrance a unique and slightly intoxicating undertone.
As you may have already guessed, these types of compositions are no longer as unique as they used to be a couple of decades ago when this scent came out.
What sets Virgin Island Water apart from its counterparts is the sheer quality of the blend mixed with high-quality ingredients.
This attention to detail and commitment to using the best ingredients make it the best choice in this category, ensuring a luxurious and satisfying experience for the wearer.
Last, we came to the price point and value for money. If you are anything like me, you already know that paying retail for this brand is not an option.
Just wait for a better deal at discounters or get a decant. This applies to most scents from this house.
PROS AND CONS
Each composition brings charm, complexities, and shortcomings to the diverse perfume landscape.
Exploring the pros and cons provides a comprehensive view, aiding fragrance enthusiasts in their quest for the perfect olfactory experience.
Understanding these nuances allows you to make a more well-informed choice, ensuring a tailored match for individual tastes.
Pros
- Tropical paradise in a bottle
- Versatile
- High-quality ingredients
- Unisex Appeal
- Great starting point for beginners in niche territory
Cons
- Delusional retail price
- Poor performance
- Only for summer – limited usage
- It can be basic for experienced noses
COLLECTION & SIMILAR PERFUMES
Virgin Island Water is a part of the “Universal Fragrances” collection and is one of the world’s most popular summer-appropriate niche perfumes.
As of the writing of this review, there are no flankers of this fragrance.
COLLECTION
- Creed Aventus – a citrus musk fragrance released in 2010. The main notes include pineapple, birch tar, and musk. The lasting power is between 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection.
- Creed Silver Mountain Water – an aromatic musk fragrance released in 1995. The main notes include musk, green tea, and black currant. The lasting power is between 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection.
- Creed Millésime Impérial – a fruity marine fragrance released in 1995. The main notes include blackcurrant, sea notes, and musk. The lasting power is between 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection.
SIMILAR PERFUMES AND ALTERNATIVES
- Simone Andreoli Malibu – Party in the Bay – a citrus lactonic fragrance released in 2018. The main notes include lime, coconut nectar, and sugar. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.
- Tommy Bahama St. Barts Men – a citrus marine fragrance released in 2007. The main notes include lime, tequila, and salt. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.
- Laboratory Perfumes Gorse – a citrus aromatic fragrance released in 2012. The main notes include citruses and cardamom. The lasting power is between 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
- Loewe Paula’s Ibiza – a green woody fragrance released in 2020. The main notes include mandarin orange, galbanum, and patchouli. The lasting power is between 10 – 12 hours with very good projection.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to the FAQ corner on Scent Grail, curated to unravel the most common queries surrounding the best niche perfumes for winter.
Whether you’re a fragrance enthusiast seeking to explore the world of niche perfumes or simply looking for additional information to complement your style, this FAQ section will provide valuable insights.
What does Creed Virgin Island smell like?
Creed Virgin Island Water is a refreshing and tropical fragrance that combines zesty citruses with coconut, creating a scent reminiscent of a beach getaway. It settles into a warm, rich finish with white rum, sugar cane, and musk notes, evoking a smooth, velvety, and slightly boozy undertone.
Which one is the best Creed perfume?
It’s no easy task to pick the ultimate Creed perfume, but if you’re looking for a captivating and long-lasting scent, Creed Aventus is a top contender. On the other hand, if you crave a refreshing fragrance that’s perfect for summer, Millésime Impérial might steal your heart.
Is Virgin Island water for summer or winter?
Virgin Island Water is the epitome of a summer fragrance, capturing the essence of a tropical paradise with its invigorating blend of zesty citruses and coconut. Its light and refreshing composition makes it the perfect choice for warm weather, evoking the carefree spirit of summer days. Whether you’re lounging on the beach or exploring a new city, this scent is sure to transport you to your own island getaway.
FINAL WORDS
In conclusion, I love VIW, but I also understand its fallbacks. It is an easy-to-love summer fragrance with almost zero haters and an absurd retail price, and unfortunately, it’s not affordable even on discounters.
If I didn’t get it via swap from a fellow fragrance enthusiast, I might have been slightly harsher with this review, and in the end, you cannot expect more from this type of fragrance that falls into a specific season and occasion.
My advice is to get a smaller decant and then decide if it’s worth your hard-earned money or wait until you get a better deal from people online selling partials.
What do you think about this article covering Creed Virgin Island Water? Let’s start a conversation, and let me know in the comment section below.
If you are unsure whether to buy a fragrance, it is always a good decision to look at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide.
It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume-buying guide on the web. This way, you can determine whether a particular fragrance is worth checking out and potentially find your signature perfume.
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Find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists and other helpful reviews via the links below:
REVIEWS
- Clive Christian L For Men
- Dior Homme Sport 2021
- Xerjoff Accento Overdose
- Ormonde Jayne Montabaco Verano
- Creed Viking
- Ramon Monegal Entre Naranjos
TOP LISTS
- Best Books About Perfume
- Top Fall Perfumes
- Top 10 Best Spring Fragrances For Men
- Top 10 Sexiest Men’s Fragrances
- Best Cheap Perfumes For Men
- Best Signature Scents For Men
SCENT GRAIL LEARNING CENTER
- How To Successfully Blind Buy Perfumes
- Discontinued Perfumes
- Perfume Backup Bottles
- How To Decant Perfume
- How To Start A Perfume Blog
- Perfume Reformulations
Until next time, stay humble, and keep smelling great!
Best, Marin!
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