CREED
DELPHINUS

2024

PERFUMER
Mathieu Nardin

pink pepper
black pepper
incense
almond

orris
heliotrope
orchid

patchouli
tonka bean
amberwood
leather
bourbon vanilla

‘The House of Creed invites you to discover The Amber Universe before its official launch with an exclusive sample experience. Its two celestial-inspired perfumes explore different woody amber textures, both enveloping the wearer with sensuality in their own enigmatic way.Delphinus: Celestial Aura. Delphinus is a luminous amber fragrance that mirrors the magnificense of a star-adorned sky. Resinous incense sets a smoky stage for precious orris to shine, while leathery Bourbon vanilla surrounds the wearer with the warmth of a starlit night.’ – Creed

I’m writing this review as I’ve had on both Delphinus and Centaurus, Creed’s 2024 amber duo, for about 9 hours. Both are solid releases, but while not clear copies of anything out there, they’re a derivative mix of popular releases, which makes them a bit hard to recommend at their price points. Still, not bad and a better output than many of Creed’s previous releases for my taste. And I like them equally after one wearing. Check out the review for Centaurus as well, but first, what about Delphinus?

Delphinus opens with an overdose of a marzipan scent. Smooth, creamy tonka bean and heliotrope have a distinct scent and it is most of what I could smell for a few minutes. Before long, you get what I perceive to be the main ‘theme’ of Delphinus; incense vanilla. There is a spiciness, but it fades quickly (not accounting for some saffron/leather).

This has the dry, irisy, but band-aid-ish incense vanilla that people rightfully compare to YSL Babycat among others. I do find Delphinus a bit easier going and smoother to wear. On the other hand, I don’t exactly love it, as there’s a plasticy, vacuum-seal type of hint throughout the first hours. Later in the wear, it becomes a slightly nicer leather scent, but I wouldn’t say Delphinus is great option if you’re looking for a leather fragrance.

The sweetness goes through different stages on my first impression. Marzipan-tonka at first, more sugary for a bit, but it dries down to a cozy, simpler and rather generic vanilla, that wears nicely. Most of the wear is subtle and for performance, it was completely overshadowed by Centaurus, when wearing them side-by-side.

In the first 1-2 hours, I clearly preferred Centaurus, but by the time I was ready to complete my review, I think Delphinus has caught up to it. I’ll have to wear it again, but either way, Delphinus is a solid, albeit not groundbreaking release.