CREED
ABSOLU AVENTUS

2023

bergamot
blackcurrant
grapefruit
lemon
pineapple
pink pepper

Cinnamon
Ginger
cardamom

patchouli
vetiver

After the original Creed Aventus (2010), the women’s Aventus For Her (2016), the fresher Aventus Cologne (2018) and a special edition bottle for Aventus (10th Anniversary) (2020), Creed released Absolu Aventus as its most anticipated flanker to date in November 2023.

‘This limited-edition fragrance is an exquisite modern interpretation that transcends boundaries and releases a sensation of absolute freedom. Absolu Aventus unleashes a burst of bright citrus energy through exquisitely refined grapefruit, playing artfully with dynamic contrasts that intertwine for intoxicating longevity. Haitian vetiver adds smoke to the evocative rush of pineapple, while ginger, cinnamon and cardamom create a spiced finish that adds dimensions of intrigue to the dry down that lingers enticingly on the skin.’ – Creed

Absolu Aventus is probably the most anticipated niche release in several years… albeit one that I didn’t share the hype for, especially given the first feedback online. And in short; what I heard about it, is correct. This is a grapefruit-heavy original Aventus with a mix of Sauvage Elixir‘s base. It didn’t do anything for me personally.

I definitely get the Aventus DNA straight away. It’s less pineapple up front and less… watery? Instead, this is more vibrant, much fruitier. It’s a similar scent, but imagine it as the Aventus being a fruit flavored water and Absolu Aventus being a fruit juice.

There was a lot to do about the smokiness (or lack thereof). I think this all comes down to which batches of Aventus you are used to in the first place. For me, Absolu Aventus has a slight smokiness, not far off from the original depending on which batch you’re used to.

There’s a big dose of a harsh, loud grapefruit-ish fruitiness. It’s anything but ‘refined’ as per Creed; this grapefruit note is the worst part of the composition for me. Aventus, for a fruity scent, had a lot of class. Absolu Aventus however, feels too concentrated and fruity for its own good. While the drydown adds some maturity, the opening especially pulls more juvenile and it’s bordering on obnoxious; I’m not sure if I could put this in an office rotation.

The drydown is better in that regards. You get that slightly retro, mossy green and spicy combination. This feels like a sweet fougere in the middle of the wear and I must say that I like the combination with the sweetness here better than in Sauvage Elixir, where I found it clashing. It also reminds me of Roja Parfums Apex.

However, the persistent mix of the fruitiness becomes cloying for me in the same way it does in a Xerjoff Erba Pura or Stephane Humbert Lucas God Of Fire. I feel like the pineapple rears its head after the grapefruit settles down it, for a sweeter, riper juice. The fruitiness in the original Aventus had more of a green hue, but here it comes across as fully orange in my mind.

I went in with low expectations and ended up feeling indifferent overall. I’d say I dislike the opening, but was mildly pleasantly surprised by the drydown (albeit not my favorite type of scent and there are better options). Absolu Aventus clearly falls short on being a good flanker to Aventus in my opinion. Aventus may have had its hay-day and it seems like the perfect time for an update, but Absolu Aventus cheapens the signature pineapple and while there is Aventus DNA in this, it fails to highlight any of its best facets. Absolu Aventus is too screechy and too cloying; the fruitiness too heavy handed. The spiciness from the drydown is its saving grace and I appreciate it more several hours in, but this drydown doesn’t at all embody an Aventus successor in my book.

Not a bad scent per se, but I have a hard time seeing this as anything other than underwhelming, especially given its price point and status. Much of its appeal will come from it being a limited edition, which is good, because I can’t see this as the next big thing that would’ve prolonged Aventus’ reign.