Al Dur Al Maknoon Silver

Bottom Line

This is a competent Aventus-inspired fragrance. If you want a cheap, everyday approximation of the Aventus DNA and are not seeking high refinement, Al Dur Al Maknoon Silver delivers. However, those familiar with the nuances of Aventus will detect the synthetic edges. At roughly 1/10th the price of Creed's offering, it represents decent value. A good starter scent, if you like the DNA, it may lead you to spring for the real deal eventually.

The Scent Profile

Al Dur Al Maknoon Silver aims squarely for the Aventus profile. The opening presents a citric burst dominated by a candied pineapple note, backed by bergamot. It's a touch synthetic, lacks the nuanced smokiness of the original's pineapple, landing closer to a pineapple candy. The heart attempts the birch tar accord, but uses a synthetic birch that lacks the smoky leather quality of Creed's Aventus. The jasmine and patchouli are present, but subdued, acting as a bridge between the fruity top and the woody base. The drydown leans heavily on a clean musk with a vanilla sweetness. The oakmoss is dialed back significantly. Overall, I'd place it at 92% similarity to Aventus. The main differences are a sharper, less refined opening, and a less complex, musky drydown.

Longevity & Projection

Projection is moderate for the first hour, then settles closer to the skin. Longevity is decent, clocking in around 6-7 hours on my skin. Aventus delivers a more powerful projection and lasts several hours longer.