Royal Mayfair
Creed (2015)

My appreciation of Windor, the predecessor to Royal Mayfair, has waned quite a bit since I first discovered this scent back in 2013. Both of them smell quite alike. My recollection is that Windsor has a stronger fresh opening, I suppose it had a bit more lime and gin to give off that magical effect. Other than that, it has the same pine and eucalyptus feel in the heart with some rose florals supporting it. The base features some cedar notes. An elegant scent that works reasonably well for the office or even casual. Works well during the warmer months. It's not a bad scent by any means although I no longer have a strong desire to wear it often.

I like Royal Mayfair quite a bit. The Eucalyptus/Pine is wonderful. The floral heart isn't Rose. It's a very pretty Gardenia. The dry-down is where I hit the brakes. It's powdered Tide laundry soap. Why put something as trivial as that in an "upscale" perfume? David Windsor would never have worn Tide. He wore a lot of Knize tailoring, so I'm sure he wore Knize 10.

My lone Creed in my collection (I had several in my past which I hadn't replenished), Royal Mayfair is a true stand out in the controversial house as one that reflects much of its fabled aristocratic narrative and aesthetic, since most others that were had been discontinued several years ago (the celebrated grey caps). This is what we would call a "noble" fragrance, it feels like a garden party where croquet is played and gin gimlets are served.

Eucalyptus trees surround a courtyard and their balm is camphorous, while playing cards are painting white roses red. Yes, Virginia, there is tuberose in Royal Mayfair, which blends seamlessly with the eucalyptus as both have that mentholated flourish. Naturally I revel in that, I love a spoonful of medicine to make the sugar go down.

It dries down to lingering eucalyptus, cedar, and that signature Cetalox (that's a fancier, nicer Ambroxan, folks). I absolutely love wearing this, even if I always find myself underdressed and without a proper occasion for it. Ah well, there's always one's imagination to flex so that it doesn't atrophy. Perhaps I will be the March Hare today.

Refined, reserved, and (on me) unexpectedly restrained.

The opening of Royal Mayfair is glorious: slices of dehydrated lime and orange, with the aromatics for a smooth gin and a crushed eucalyptus leaf. This combination is a little bit heady and definitely addictive.

The rose that emerges after half an hour is small and polite, and balances well with the citrus and herbs.

After an hour, I get all of the above spread out on a freshly sawn piece of cedar, with two crushed pine needles taking over from the eucalyptus.

The over all result is charming and lasts for about eight hours on my skin.

Sadly, this is the weakest Creed I have ever tried.

Please make sure you try a sample before you buy a bottle.

I envy anyone who gets decent sillage and projection from Royal Mayfair.

A definite love at first sniff for me! Mesmerized by an initial bittersweet blend of honey and eucalyptus, then seduced by the appealing call of the citruses that make me recall a youthful memory of honeysuckle after a summer rain and the velvet petals of a purple rose in its bud, these are just a few images in a olfactory kaleidoscope that make me yearn to wear this scent again and again...

Originally launched as the limited edition Creed Windsor flacon this reissue is almost as good.

A very austere and british scent: the main accord is a pine/eucalyptus rose combo. The rose is not the dashing bulgarian wet rose of Creed Fleurs de Burlgarie - rather its a perceptible yet demure floral note wrapped in invigorating uplifting pine which gives it more of a masculine. The drydown is woody/cedar, with a dash of citrus.

The more modern Aventus crowd will not like this, but thats more reason for it to exist in the Creed catalog. Compared to Windsor, the rose/pine notes might be a little less bright; nonetheless this is one of Creeds most unique fragrances.