The Creed specialist in Dillard‘s assured me L’Oréal (the latest owner) isn’t planning any changes to the house. Color me skeptical. I fully expect this once great house to go in the mass-appealing direction that will include offerings that smell basically like everything else inoffensive and safe and “compliment-pulling” — and innocuous and unchallenging and banal — coming out of the major designer houses these days. Viking is my favorite from the house, and that’s saying something, because Creed has several older classics I really do treasure. The distinctive top notes are pink pepper and citruses. They press on to lavender, orris root, woods and other traditional masculine notes and accords. Viking has accurately been identified as a higher quality iteration of Old Spice, the staple men’s fragrance for nearly a century. Here’s hoping Viking isn’t soon “vaulted.” Just to be safe, I snagged a 100 ml backup bottle.

Finally got my hands on this beauty. Loved it from the first sniff. Of all the TDHs this one was my favourite. Metallic, fresh, zingy and everlasting. Got it for a steal at r/UKFragranceSwap. Got a few more coming that i picked up.