9/23/11

Green Irish Tweed (Creed)


After spending a good amount of time stinking up the fragrance community, I’ve noticed something curious: no one seems to want to review Pierre Bourdon's baby anymore. Why? Maybe it’s review fatigue from all the chatter on forums like Basenotes. Perhaps people think reviewing it is beneath them. It's amusing when well-known bloggers like The Candy Perfume Boy or Abigail from I Smell Therefore I Am downplay Creed’s importance, as if admitting it’s one of the best fragrance houses of their lifetime would somehow undermine their credibility. (Spoiler alert: it wouldn't.) 

But let’s be clear—Green Irish Tweed is the fragrance that really put Creed on the map, long before Aventus. That’s right, Aventus fans, GIT did it first, back when people used actual fold-out maps. As for the scent itself, I like it, though I wouldn’t say I love it. Its refreshing mix of violet leaf, sandalwood, lemon, iris, and ambergris makes it the perfect companion for a rainy autumn day. There’s a nice interplay of Parma violet and iris notes that give it lushness and shimmer, reminiscent of Grey Flannel, but smoother and a touch fruitier. It's lovely, but I wish it had a wee bit more of a bitter chypre feel.

The secret to GIT’s appeal lies in dihydromyrcenol, which gives it that semi-sweet, semi-green (more purple, really) freshness. Its unique blend of florals and creamy sandalwood creates a smooth, slightly synthetic chill that’s often mistaken for an aquatic note. It’s not traditionally "green," but that’s what sets it apart. In my view, Olivier Creed had a big hand in crafting GIT, alongside Pierre Bourdon. Their collaboration produced a timeless fougère, blending lemon verbena, powdery iris, and ambergris into an elegant and understated fragrance that’s perfect for any occasion. Maybe a bit too perfect, even. Personally, I prefer the more rustic, coarse-green blend of Grey Flannel, but to each his own.