Creed Royal Water

Mostly bright and zesty, like fresh orange or lemon peel. Underneath that, sharp and peppery, more like cracked pepper than baking spice.

It opens on citruses, lemon verbena and bergamot, moves through basil, allspice and cumin, and settles on musk and cedarwood.

• citruses: a general citrus impression rather than any one fruit
• bergamot: bright citrus peel, sharper and greener than orange. The note that makes Earl Grey tea smell the way it does

It lasts well and sits close to the skin after the first hour.

Built from the note listing and the measured performance figures. We have not smelled this one.