Creed’s Aventus is legendary for its complex aroma, but there are plenty of Creed Clones that offer unique takes on the style. If you’ve been looking for an alternative to Creed Aventus, then keep reading.
Released in 2010 to commemorate Creed’s 250th anniversary, Aventus quickly developed a reputation as the best cologne to have ever come out of this fragrance house. It’s a fruity chypre style fragrance that was inspired by Napoleon Bonaparte, and has a strong emphasis on the base notes that differentiates it from competitors.
In this guide, we’ll be introducing you to our favorite Creed Clones. If you can’t get a bottle of Aventus Creed because it’s so expensive or because you just don’t want it, then one of these colognes will be a sure fit for your style and your budget.
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5 Best Creed Clones For Men In 2022
Drawn from five different fragrance producers, we’ve put our collected cologne knowledge to use in bringing you the five best Creed clones. Read through the aromatic notes for each cologne, and you’ll see both the similarities and differences with Aventus.
Armaf Club De Nuit (Our Top Pick)
Made in the ever-popular woody spicy style, Armaf’s Club De Nuit Intense is the most direct competitor to Aventus. It’s drawn legions of devoted fans since its release in 2015 thanks to Armaf’s dedication to traditional Arabian fragrance making principles.
Pineapple, apple, bergamot, and blackcurrant in Club De Nuit Intense’s top notes exactly match Aventus, making it one of the Best creed clones, and are accented by a small portion of lemon peel as well. Birch is the heart note that both colognes have in common, and Armaf modifies this with intoxicating notes of Jasmine and Rose. Anchored by huge additions of ambergris, musk, and vanilla, Club De Nuit Intense is an unforgettable cologne that makes a big impression.
With a longevity approaching the eternal and an extreme intensity of dispersion, Armaf Club De Nuit Intense is even strong and longer lasting than Aventus. It’s a beautiful example of the perfumer’s art, and worth every penny of its quite large price tag.
Notes:
- Top notes of lemon, pineapple, blackcurrant, bergamot, and green apple
- Middle notes of birch, jasmine, and rose
- Base notes of musk, ambergris, patchouli, and vanilla
Best For:
- Wearing every day
- Wearing year-round
- Becoming your new go-to fragrance
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
Winner of the FiFi Award for Fragrance Of The Year in the Men`s Luxe category in 2008, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is another top seller to compete with Aventus. It’s a citrus aromatic style cologne that focuses more on the top notes than Aventus, making it quite affordable in comparison.
Grapefruit, bergamot, and mandarin orange create a trio of citrus scents in Light Blue’s top notes, accented only by a smattering of juniper for a dry and crisp scent. Mixed peppercorns are joined by rosemary and rosewood in this fragrance’s heart, while incense meets musk and oakmoss in the base. While it doesn’t share many aromatics with Aventus, the overall impression is very much the same: Fresh, complex, fruity, and masculine.
Light Blue’s moderate longevity and moderate intensity set it in a different category from Aventus, making it an excellent choice for anyone not wanting to pay full price for Aventus. You can wear it anywhere and any time of day or night, including to the office or on a date — it’s a truly versatile cologne.
Notes:
- Top notes of grapefruit, bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, and juniper
- Middle notes of pepper, rosemary, and Brazilian rosewood
- Base notes of incense, musk, and oakmoss
Best For:
- Everyday wear
- Year-round wear
- Restrained enough to wear to the office
Explorer by Mont Blanc
Made in the classic woody aromatic style, Explorer by Mont Blanc is the most recent contender to Aventus’ crown as king of the cologne world. Released in 2019, it drew immediate comparisons to the legendary Creed cologne due in large part to its complex and masculine character.
Bergamot and clary sage hold sway in Explorer’s top notes, drawing on fruity pink peppercorns to compare favorably to Aventus’ top notes. Unexpectedly deep heart notes of vetiver and leather are characteristic of Mont Blanc’s masculine style, while patchouli and cacao make an odd pairing of base notes that is accentuated by akigalawood and ambroxan. This gives Explorer an effect of growing complexity very similar to Aventus.
Long lasting but possessing only a moderate intensity, Mont Blanc Explorer is an excellent alternative to using Aventus for date nights. It projects an unequivocally masculine aura, and is best reserved for special occasions and nighttime wear, especially with your woman.
Notes:
- Top notes of bergamot, pink peppercorns, and clary sage
- Middle notes of Haitian vetiver and leather
- Base notes of ambroxan, akigalawood, patchouli, and cacao
Best For:
- Giving off strong masculine vibes
- Special occasions and date nights
Bond No. 9 The Scent Of Peace For Him
Another woody aromatic cologne to compete with Aventus, Bond No. 9’s The Scent of Peace for Him is a stripped-down take on the style. Released in 2013, it has received critical acclaim for its simple and elegant composition as well as its exceptional longevity.
Pineapple and juniper in Scent of Peace for Him’s top notes make it immediately comparable to Aventus, along with the hint of bergamot found there. Currant buds in this fragrance’s heart notes harken back to Aventus’s top notes, while cedar and vetiver create a fresh and long-lasting base that grows over time. Overall, this cologne smells very much like a minimalist version of Aventus.
Exceptionally long lasting and possessing a powerful intensity, Bond No. 9’s The Scent of Peace for Him is every bit as durable as Creed Aventus. It’s perhaps best suited for wear during the spring and summer, where its minimalist composition can be given the most room to shine.
Notes:
- Top notes of pineapple, juniper berries, and bergamot
- Middle notes of currant buds
- Base notes of cedar and vetiver
Best For:
- Emphasizing simplicity and minimalism
- Warm weather wear
Acqua Di Parma Colonia
The original citrus fragrance that put Acqua Di Parma on the map, Colonia is unique in that it is a unisex fragrance loved by both men and women. Released in 1916 and unchanged since its inception, Colonia is a wonderful cross between the scents of Aventus for Him and Aventus for Her.
Fresh and juicy Sicilian citruses are the major top notes in Colonia, and they are gracefully accented by rosemary, lavender, and lemon verbena. Rose and jasmine join together for a heart nearly identical to Aventus, while the addition of vetiver helps to keep it dry and interesting. White musk and sandalwood give weight to Colonia’s base, while amber and patchouli further accentuate the unisex characteristics.
Offering a moderate longevity and friendly, approachable intensity, Acqua Di Parma Colonia is a fantastic scent for everyday wear. While it’s not directly comparable to Aventus, it’s a fantastically classic fragrance in its own right that carries much of the same respect as Creed’s more recent inventions.
Notes:
- Top notes of Sicilian citruses, lavender, rosemary, and lemon verbena
- Middle notes of rose, jasmine, and vetiver
- Base notes of white musk, sandalwood, amber, and patchouli
Best For:
- Emphasizing a classic style
- Becoming your new signature scent
For more cologne recommendations, check out our other buyer guides such as the best Jimmy Choo colognes or Best Jo Malone colognes.
Brian Adee
Brian has been fascinated with fragrances since his 8th birthday, when his Dad gifted him a bottle of Acqua di Gio. Since then, he has become a men's grooming & style aficionado who teaches men how to look sharp. Backed by personal experience, Brian's articles are known for his no-holds-barred style where he holds nothing back. You will get his real opinions on the latest men's grooming products and best practices where he reveals the best (and worst) style advice every man should know.