Hello readers, it's been quite some time since I've exercised my nose and mind in tandem to come up with an article. I've been holed up in my home though for the past few days due to a decently rough illness and thought this may be a good way to lift my spirits. Today I want to talk about a fragrance that has received zero complaints from anyone I've encountered while wearing it. This fragrance is claimed to have been released in 1901...if you can believe that, and is still in production today as one of the few Creed's that's been able to withstand the test of laws and time; no doubt due in part to it's refreshingly minty yet transparently light aroma which is a perfect combination for a lovely inoffensive finishing touch to one's wardrobe. It's called Selection Verte...and this article isn't exactly in season.
When I first had the opportunity to try this fragrance out I all but lept on it and got myself enough to last through the spring and summer (which is not hard to do in Michigan!). I had been reading about it for quite some time although I've not seen any video reviews of it, which is sort of odd in my mind, but at the same time not surprising considering the price tag it carries. With that in mind though, if you have one or two other people in your life that have a taste for pepper(mint) and spear-minty spring/summer fragrances, then this would be perfect to share among them. For a moment though, on to the notes to give you an idea:
Top notes: Neroli and citrus, slightly peppered
Middle notes: Peppermint and green herb notes
Base note: Ambergris
The first time I read that note list I immediately told myself I would enjoy this fragrance all 'round aaand this was one of the few times I was right. From beginning to end Selection Verte just feels and smells right. On my skin the neroli note is there initially but it is very underwhelming. It gives way to this lemony citrus-mint scent which is surprisingly sweet and I believe it is due to an early appearance of the Ambergris base (not necessarily a bad thing). It then immediately lends a helping hand to the herb notes in the middle once it's dried nicely. Just as the top notes say though, on my skin you can detect a very slight peppermint scent which is also superbly done for me. It's like a cold, zesty, sweet lemon-peppermint drink with a bit of strength behind it. Nothing spicy at all about this though, so don't think it's that kind of pepper. There isn't much to say on the base note for this relic. The use of Ambergris is absolutely superb in making this fragrance a staple summertime concoction with it's uniquely sweet attributes. It ties everything together, making it something you'd like to see fizzing in a glass with ice.
If your are not well versed in today's fragrances you might find Selection Verte to be groundbreaking. Once you venture out of the normality of common department store fragrances, though, and into what is your unknown, you will find that Selection Verte isn't exactly storming the front of summer by today's standards anymore. In fact there are many similar fragrances out there, all of which have their own unique citrus-y attributes...but Selection Verte still rightly remains on a high shelf of it's own.
That isn't why I'm here though is it? To study and review common-ground fragrances? Probably not why you're here either if you've read my blog in any detail. Being claimed a formula from 1901, to my young mind, is astonishing. Certainly I'd imagine it's been refined a bit, chemicals tweaked to give it a little more lasting power for today's demanding market. One thing I can respect though is Creed's claims to hold fast to their original formula's and only changing it when a particular law demands and only if it can be done without detriment to the scent (yes those types of laws exist). If you've made it this far take a look at Creed's vaulted fragrances on their website. Point being; if a successful Creed fragrance cannot retain the original scent, it will be forever vaulted as to uphold it's makers vision. That is yet another reason I continue to wear and support Creed in the fragrance community. As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed.
