I received the bag of goodies a week ago and have taken some time to sit down with each sample.
I have tried the TV, Executive, Oud Intense and SMW. I've yet to wear the Oud Wood but I've taken a few deep sniffs with it.
Okay, I would like to start by saying that I am in no way an expert on scents. I've enjoyed lots of various EdTs over the years but until recently have never taken the time to explore different scents or actually learn the differences between aftershaves, EdTs and EdPs.
So I'll start. The scent that I simply adore is Acqua de Parma Oud. I only discovered AdP having seen their scents mentioned in lots of SOTD. One day I was at an airport and tripped over the AdP stand. Having sniffs at their various offerings I fell in love with Oud. So much so that I was literally pounced on by shop staff as I continually sprayed the sample bottle, dousing myself. I then realised why when I saw the price.
Now I'm no skinflint, and as much as I adore this scent, I simply cannot afford or justify spending this amount.
However.....CopyCat Oud Intense is an almost exact match. I was out yesterday and was at various AdP displays in Glasgow. Each salesperson gave me the hard sell, but with CC Oud Intense there is simply no reason to buy the real thing at what is simply ludicrously marked up prices. The CC fragrance is as near enough identical to my nose. It lasts at least 10 hours too. Perfect. SWMBO isn't a fan of it but I will be getting some for when I'm out without her.
Executive. This is Creed Aventus. Simple. If you want Creed Aventus save yourself money and buy CC Executive. I had this on yesterday and when I walked into House of Frasers, straight into the Creed display, the salesperson said that I was wearing Aventus. Nope CC Executive. It's that close you will not be able to tell the difference. It matches my Stirling Executive Man products perfectly.
TV - Tabacco Vanille. A really pleasant scent. An subtle evening scent that oozes class.
SMW - Creed Silver Mountain Water. Another near perfect match. Having sampled the genuine scent yesterday and doing a side by side comparison with the tester card from yesterday and the CC sample I have, it is another spot on match.
That's the 4 I have tried and tested. As mentioned previously, these are as near perfect matches as your likely to get. The scents certainly need at least 15 minutes drying time to fully appreciate what they give, but by Christ they are good.
A little definitely goes a long way with these products and I'd recommend only a few sprays. Any more and you will be the talk of the ball - likely for the right reasons! The scents do get attention in confined places such as offices and trains. You will be beaming with any of these scents knowing that you smell bloody good!
I've ordered Executive today as SWMBO loves it. I WILL be getting the Oud Intense very soon, probably next month, as (that's) my favourite. I just can't splash the cash I want to right now - even with the hefty discounts that are available from CopyCat.
Apologies if this review is a bit all over the place, I just wanted to get my initial thoughts written down.