Creed Bois du Portugal

Bois du Portugal is a gentleman's wood scent with a full spice cabinet behind it: dry, aromatic and unapologetically classic.

The opening is busy in a good way. Bergamot and lemon brighten a herbal mix of basil, thyme and coriander, galbanum adds a sharp green streak and pepper a little heat. The heart turns warmer and more textured, with cinnamon and clove wrapped around lavender, rose, jasmine and orris. In the base, cedar and sandalwood carry most of the weight, while vetiver, patchouli, moss, leather and amber give it a dark, burnished finish.

Classed as amber woody and framed for men, it suits cool evenings, tailored clothes, and anyone who likes fragrances that smell deliberate rather than fresh from the shower. With this many notes in play, the order in which they surface varies from skin to skin, so a 5 ml decant gives you a few full wears to decide whether the spice or the wood wins on you.

Notes. Top: basil, bergamot, coriander, galbanum, lemon, pepper, thyme; heart: cinnamon, clove, jasmine, lavender, orris, rose; base: amber, cedar, leather, moss, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver. Launched in 1987. Perfumer: Olivier Creed.