Virgin Island Water "worth it" in 2022?

[tcmquincy]

I have had a small decant of Creed's Virgin Island Water for a few years and have been trying it over the last few days. I do really enjoy the vibe it has, but as many others have noted the performance on it is definitely lacking.

I remember there being a few popular clones/similar fragrances but I have not looked into them since I bought the decant years ago. Is it still worth buying today or are there any VIW inspired fragrances that beat out the original?

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Sadly it's not as good as it once was. It was a one of a kind scent.

 

[hednic]

Absolutely worth it in 2022.

 

[Mannheim]

TF Soleil Blanc is another excellent alternative, more heavy on the base with amber and less citrusy versus VIW.

 

[ScentSensei]

I too remember when I was pondering whether to graduate from decants ( I was on my 3 one) and just buy a bottle.
Since I bought my bottle under $250 it is totally worth it. Performance has been surprisingly strong vs what I expected and a scent like VIW makes it hard to accept weak synthetic substitutes (although other Creeds I can with Millesime Imperial and Aventus and to some extend Silver Mountain Water). I'm in the 'go for it' category with the caveat being price and affordability being self limiting. I personally can't fathom $450 for any bottles right now (this being a BNer that is less than 12 hours removed from Friday Sync wear of Aspen for Men I paid something like $12 for 4.2 oz).

 

[tcmquincy]

Sadly it's not as good as it once was. It was a one of a kind scent.

This is what I was concerned about. I'm considering just buying a clone but it's a tough decision since I haven't smelled any newer batches.

 

[RedRaider430]

I can't tell you if there are any VIW "inspired" copies that might be a good alternative to the real thing. I do see Dua makes a copy of it called Caribbean Waters. It gets good reviews, but who knows. 🤷‍♂️

Before considering that, I think you should at least get a current sample of VIW and decide if it's worth it to you.

 

[mrcologneguy]

Alexandria Perfumes Hawaii Volcano is intended to be a VIW clone, but it’s a lot heavier on lime top notes. I actually prefer it to VIW for that reason. VIW smell like suntan lotion. Hawaii Volcano is more like a cheery tropical cocktail.

If you’re looking for the suntan lotion vibe, be sure to sniff Bobbi Brown Beach. It smells a lot like the classic Coppertone scent. Poolside summer fun in a bottle.

 

[Foamywax]

I see many complaints over creed prices. I usually see them much cheaper than 400 dollars. My friend bought Virgin island water on sale at a big department store in NYC. I guess you just need to look around a bit..
It seems Aventus is the only one that's overpriced because of it's popularity.
Viking edp is on sale at notino as of now for 230 euro.

 

[peruano119]

I too remember when I was pondering whether to graduate from decants ( I was on my 3 one) and just buy a bottle.
Since I bought my bottle under $250 it is totally worth it. Performance has been surprisingly strong vs what I expected and a scent like VIW makes it hard to accept weak synthetic substitutes (although other Creeds I can with Millesime Imperial and Aventus and to some extend Silver Mountain Water). I'm in the 'go for it' category with the caveat being price and affordability being self limiting. I personally can't fathom $450 for any bottles right now (this being a BNer that is less than 12 hours removed from Friday Sync wear of Aspen for Men I paid something like $12 for 4.2 oz).

Wow that is a very good price for VIW! May I ask where did you purchase it?

 

[ScentSensei]

Wow that is a very good price for VIW! May I ask where did you purchase it?

Not a story of intrigue, mate. There was a time pre-inflation where using the max code('35%') at FragranceNet could get you to $238. In fact less than a month after I gratefully made my purchase it went out of stock then back with a huge jump.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Set Sail St. Barts gets mentioned with Virgin Island Water but they're not the same.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

I too remember when I was pondering whether to graduate from decants ( I was on my 3 one) and just buy a bottle.
Since I bought my bottle under $250 it is totally worth it. Performance has been surprisingly strong vs what I expected and a scent like VIW makes it hard to accept weak synthetic substitutes (although other Creeds I can with Millesime Imperial and Aventus and to some extend Silver Mountain Water). I'm in the 'go for it' category with the caveat being price and affordability being self limiting. I personally can't fathom $450 for any bottles right now (this being a BNer that is less than 12 hours removed from Friday Sync wear of Aspen for Men I paid something like $12 for 4.2 oz).

What size was the bottle? Until very recently Virgin Island Water was more likely to be found at a cheaper price compared to Green Irish Tweed or Millesime Imperial. I was able to secure multiple blue cap bottles ranging in the $1.5/ml to $2/ml range.

 

[Schnitter]

I bought Gorse by laboratory perfumes because VIW doesn't last much at all. It smells very similar, lasts a whole lot longer, but it doesn't have the rum note. Without that note, I still want VIW... someday, I'll hunt down a 120ml bottle just to pair it with my other 120 ml's

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Been seeing a lot of these "is X overpriced luxury fragrance still worth it?"

The answer has always been "no" from an objective perspective, even from launch of the scent. Almost always you have comparable options for much, much less.

Although on the flipside, if you like it enough, who really cares? Nobody's judging nor should be for that matter.

Like I said in another thread, the value proposition of higher-end fragrances often amounts to fool's gold.

There isn't really a price on happiness however, so if you know what you're getting, go ahead and get it.

I like Virgin Island Water, and I don't think the oft-compared Set Sail St. Barts by Tommy Bahama is really all that close, at all.

In fact, the Tommy Bahama scent irritates me, and VIW doesn't. I'd likely end up with a bottle of the Creed myself, one of these days.

 

[hednic]

Although on the flip side, if you like it enough, who really cares? Nobody's judging nor should be for that matter.

Exactly!

 

[StylinLA]

Been seeing a lot of these "is X overpriced luxury fragrance still worth it?"

The answer has always been "no" from an objective perspective, even from launch of the scent. Almost always you have comparable options for much, much less.

Although on the flipside, if you like it enough, who really cares? Nobody's judging nor should be for that matter.

Like I said in another thread, the value proposition of higher-end fragrances often amounts to fool's gold.

There isn't really a price on happiness however, so if you know what you're getting, go ahead and get it.

I like Virgin Island Water, and I don't think the oft-compared Set Sail St. Barts by Tommy Bahama is really all that close, at all.

In fact, the Tommy Bahama scent irritates me, and VIW doesn't. I'd likely end up with a bottle of the Creed myself, one of these days.

What he said!

I don't wear it much but on me Virgin Island Water is the longest lasting Creed. Crazy longevity.
If the OP doesn't get longevity out of it, I'd say move on. Not worth it.

But the overall vibe is not "me" too often. I think it's a great scent. If you try it, really love it and can afford it, it's worth it.

If you've never worn it and are using comments here to judge, I would say "maybe, maybe not" worth it.

If it's really a push for you to buy it, I'd weigh the decision very carefully. It's not for everybody. It's only a signature style of scent for certain type of personality or if you live in the Bahamas.

I would suggest that a lot of people could get a decant or the smallest Creed size bottle. I've had my 30ml for over 10 years.

 

[lair77]

TF Soleil Blanc is another excellent alternative, more heavy on the base with amber and less citrusy versus VIW.

Yeah, Soleil Blanc is one of my favorite TF fragrances. Not a clone of VIW, but the vibe is a teeny bit similar. More of a floral scent, less coconut. Worth trying for sure.

 

[lair77]

I like Virgin Island Water, and I don't think the oft-compared Set Sail St. Barts by Tommy Bahama is really all that close, at all.

Same. St. Barts is a good scent and a good value. It has a similar vibe; I'd say 30-40% similar. But VIW is sweeter and has more coconut; its hard to describe in words but VIW just has a richer sillage to it.

There are probably many coconut/lime fragrances that try to compete with VIW. I haven't tried them all. Many have a similar vibe, but I don't know of any that have fully executed it like VIW has.

 

[lair77]

Imo, VIW is a great scent but not a great value. Creed's prices, inconsistencies, performance/longevity are a factor for many.

I'd say sample it or get a small decant. If you absolutely love it, then consider a bottle or larger decant.

 

[Varanis Ridari]

Same. St. Barts is a good scent and a good value. It has a similar vibe; I'd say 30-40% similar. But VIW is sweeter and has more coconut; its hard to describe in words but VIW just has a richer sillage to it.

There are probably many coconut/lime fragrances that try to compete with VIW. I haven't tried them all. Many have a similar vibe, but I don't know of any that have fully executed it like VIW has.

For a weird alternative, try Andy Warhol pour Homme (1999).

Suntan lotion, herbs, and fruity drinks.

 

[woofwoof]

Andy Warhol pour Homme (1999)

I was reading up on this the other night and estoy muy interesade


May I ask if it would be as easy as buying from amazon?

Amazon.com

 

[Varanis Ridari]

I was reading up on this the other night and estoy muy interesade


May I ask if it would be as easy as buying from amazon?

Amazon.com

I've never used Amazon, always eBay for discontinued stuff.

 

[Tourtiere]

Virgin Island Water is the only Creed I like. (I do appreciate Aventus, but it's too ubiquitous for me to ever purchase and wear).

Is VIW worth it? I'd say no. It's such a specific fragrance, so beachy, suited to very hot days. I spent a lot on my large bottle of it and I wear it very seldomly. (My partner doesn't like it, says it smells like somebody spilled a pina colada on me.). I enjoy it when I do, but it's one of those bottles that I absolutely felt was not worth the price, and wish I'd spent the money on something else.

 

[Melbourne21]

One of Creeds best imo.
Probably should always have a bottle of this in the collection for the warmer times of year.

 

[woofwoof]

For a weird alternative, try Andy Warhol pour Homme (1999).

Suntan lotion, herbs, and fruity drinks.

Just wanted to come back after wearing the Andy Warhol pour Homme for a bit and say that it was a fantastic pull

I believe I've tried most of the popular Virgin Island Water "alternatives" at this point and they seem to lean on traditional tropic notes, which is fine, but they don't necessarily develop accords that excite me

The Andy Warhol however dries down to something that evokes a similar hot outside cool inside beachy hotel lobby sense memory as Virgin Island Water does for me

Does Virgin Island Water smell better? Yeah for sure I like it more

But out of the other fragrances in the Virgin Island Water conversation I would wear Andy Warhol pour Homme if it was a Saturday in mid July and I was just getting into Miami for some event this evening

 

[PrinceRF]

Yeah, I think it's a great scent.