Royal Water Impression

How it Smells

Royal Water Impression bursts open with a bracing citrus cocktail – lemon and lime primarily – spiked with a noticeable, almost candied mint. It's an energetic opening, but lacks the refined sparkle of the Creed original. The juniper and basil heart attempts to echo Royal Water's crisp greenery, but comes across slightly harsher, a bit more synthetic. Think cleaning product versus freshly-muddled herbs. The dry down softens into a musky ambergris accord. It's where this clone comes closest to its inspiration, achieving about 90% similarity. Still, the ambergris here is a whisper, not the oceanic roar of Creed.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

This is a decent rendition of Royal Water for the budget-conscious. If you're drawn to Royal Water's preppy, clean vibe – picture a Hamptons summer, linen shirts, and gin & tonics – but can’t stomach the Creed price tag, this scratches the itch. It's for the guy (or gal) who appreciates the aesthetic but isn't obsessed with perfection.

The Performance Stats

Longevity is moderate. I get about 4 hours of decent projection before it sits close to the skin for another 2-3 hours. It's an intimate fragrance, not a room filler. Fine point, but don't expect all-day performance.