Royal Scottish Lavender 
Creed

Surprise! It's lavender! No really, what were you expecting with a name like this? Creed Royal Scottish Lavender (1981) is one of the few scents from the retired gray cap eau de toilette line that I can actually believe existed when they say it did, back in 1856. That's mainly because the mid 19th century is a time when lavender waters were extremely popular with fashionable maccaronis-turned-dandies of high society transitioning from powdered wigs, puffy shirts, and hose to frocks, mutton chops, and stovepipe hats. Women of the time loved lavender too, and when some of the earliest massed-produced lavender waters like Yardley's English Lavender (1873) reached the counters of high street stores all over Europe, the aristocrats and nobles of the era had already been in on the stuff for quite some time via expensive bespoke perfumery like Creed claims to have made then. Fleur de Thé Rose Bulgare (1980) is also one of the few gray caps that I believe could have existed when it was claimed to have by Creed, for similar reasons, but I digress. There really isn't much more here besides lavender supported with some heart and base notes to keep it anchored on skin, and that's precisely how it would have been presented then anyway.

The opening has a quick puff of dry bergamot to push out what is otherwise a wonderfully round French lavender note, and quickly that lavender takes center stage with a bit of an Earl Grey feel from the bergamot. The directness of this lavender reminds me of the much later Creed Aberdeen Lavender (2014), which I had mentioned in my review for it of having a "supernatural sense of naturalness" to the lavender. I would say that is pretty much the case here too, except less is done to boost the lavender over the base notes because this is not a modern-style perfume, so eventually the lavender does merge with the sandalwood, oakmoss, ambergris, and bits of remaining bergamot to re-assert that Earl Grey feeling I mentioned. I think this is what really separates Royal Scottish Lavender from other straightforward displays of the flower, but also the woody/mossy base reminds me a bit of Monsieur Lanvin Lavande/Lavande Lanvin (1964). Perhaps the biggest difference between this and antique lavender waters too is the strength, as Royal Scottish Lavender is not a cologne, and stays around at least 6 hours if not a little more, with readily detectable sillage for most of that, meaning you could squeeze an office wear from it. I wouldn't wear it anywhere else besides bed.

Of course, this stuff is crazy expensive in the second-hand market after having been vaulted for a good number of years, so you'll pay over $100 an ounce for what is effectively a super-powered lavender soliflore, although people already seemed willing to do that at retail with Tom Ford Lavender Extrême (2019), so I can really judge value here. All I know is I certainly wouldn't pay this kind of price knowing the glut of straight-up lavender options that exist, but wealthy collectors of surviving gray caps won't see my side of this argument. You'll find most of what is offered here in Aberdeen Lavender, which isn't exactly the same but has a very similar lavender note that is about as pure and fine a lavender as one could ever hope to get at any price, so just pick up that instead unless you're a vaulted Creed guy. Do I really believe this stuff is from 1856? Well, no I don't, but I can see Olivier Creed definitely did his homework here and maybe one of his forefathers did scent the gloves, hats, and riding crops they were making then with a crude lavender oil type of essence from which this fragrance is ultimately derived. That's about all I can say really. This is just a simple well-done Victorian lavender with a really prohibitively high price due to scarcity, case closed. Thumbs up

Soon after the crisp bergamot opening blast - enhanced by background of citrus - the lavender arrives. And a beautiful lavender it is, inititially weaker but growing stronger as the initial bergamot is receding gradually.

The base adds vanilla and a subtle but sublime touch of sandalwood, with a whiff of light spiciness present towards the end.

I get moderate sillage, good projection and five hours of longevity on my skin.

This delightful spring day scent is beautifully blended of such high quality that in its simplicity their quality is enhanced. Not complex, not ultra-innovative, but a classic mix superbly executed. 3.5/5.

Creed Royal Scottish Lavender, like many of the discontinued Creed freshies, has an allure, a classic charm about it that distinguishes from some of the house's more recent, more ready-to-please entries.

The note breakdown is rather straight forward: bergamot on top, lavender in the heart, and sandalwood, vanilla, and "spicy notes" in the base. It has a sharper opening, no doubt due to an unadulterated dose of bergamot, with the lavender itself, after which it dries down into a woody base, the vanilla serving not so much to truly sweeten the mix but just to keep it from remaining as harsh (only slightly) as at its onset.

RSL is a superior performer to most of the Creed freshies, newer or discontinued, and it fits both into the freshie realm and the woody realm, as, particularly after the initial acerbic buzz wears off, it's a mellower, more year-round woody mix.

I initially didn't think I'd like it but it won me over in a few hours.

8 out of 10

The sillage is good and the interplay of the notes makes this one satisfying. This time bergamot shows up more strongly than other Creeds and mixes well with the citrus and lavender. What is surprising is when the beautiful sandalwood arrives and stays to the drydown. There is a little hint of the spiciness found in Acier Aluminum but less upfront.