Acier Aluminium

The Verdict

Creed's Acier Aluminium, created in 1973 by James Henry Creed and Bernard Ellena, is one of the most divisive fragrances in the house's portfolio. Named after "steel aluminum" in French and inspired by the chain mail armor of medieval knights, this vintage composition has nothing in common with the polished, crowd-pleasing Aventus or Silver Mountain Water that define modern Creed. Instead, it offers a genuinely eccentric metallic-fruity experience that inspires equal measures of fascination and revulsion.

As one Notable Scents reviewer described it, Acier Aluminium is a "WTF fragrance" whose strangeness is precisely its appeal. Now vaulted by Creed, it exists as a collector's curiosity and a reminder that the house once took creative risks that today's lineup would never attempt.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers bright bergamot layered with an unmistakable metallic quality that gives the fragrance its name. Almost immediately, a distinctive banana-like sweetness emerges, a composite effect of the vanilla and spice notes that defines the entire wearing experience.

The heart introduces fruity and spicy elements that reinforce rather than evolve the opening impression. Basenotes reviewers detect additional nuances including fig, cardamom, and nutmeg, though the dominant banana-metal-vanilla accord remains constant. One Basenotes reviewer noted high-quality ingredients including "Creed's trademark spare-no-expense ambergris" alongside "real Mysore sandalwood, musk, oakmoss, and a touch of vanilla" in the base.

The overall effect is linear and unapologetic. As one reviewer noted, the composition is "kind of linear" with minimal evolution, maintaining its metallic-fruity-sweet character from application through dry down.

When to Wear It

Acier Aluminium's metallic coolness and fruity brightness suggest summer and spring as its most natural settings. The Notable Scents review highlights its "cooling, summery quality" as a genuine strength. Casual weekend outings and informal social gatherings suit it best, as this is far too eccentric for professional settings. It functions best as a conversation piece rather than a signature scent.

Longevity & Projection

Despite being classified as an eau de parfum, Acier Aluminium underperforms significantly. The Notable Scents review reports approximately three hours of wear time, "comparable to an eau de cologne rather than a higher concentration fragrance." This brief longevity is the fragrance's most universally criticized aspect, though the reviewer admitted the scent's unusual quality "makes me want to reapply every three hours." Sillage is moderate during its brief life, with reviewers noting that the fragrance "smells heavenly in the air off of the skin."

The Community Says

The Basenotes and Fragrantica communities are sharply divided on Acier Aluminium. Enthusiasts call it "one of Creed's finest" and celebrate that it is "so fun and outrageous, so unlike the rest of their output." Some place it in their top three Creeds alongside vintage Aventus and Royal Oud. However, detractors find it bizarre and unpleasant, with one reviewer comparing the experience to "a poker lounge in someone's basement" that evolved into "a banana ashtray smell." The MakeupAlley reviews are similarly split, with the fragrance earning passionate defenders and equally passionate critics. Basenotes discussion threads reveal that Creed was producing it well into the 21st century, suggesting enough demand to sustain production for decades before it was finally vaulted.

Who Should Buy This

Acier Aluminium is strictly for Creed collectors and adventurous fragrance enthusiasts who value uniqueness above all else. If you enjoy fragrances that challenge conventions and provoke reactions, this vaulted composition offers a genuinely singular experience. However, its secondary market prices, short longevity, and polarizing character make blind buying extremely risky. Sampling before committing is essential.

The Bottom Line

Creed's Acier Aluminium is a fascinating relic from an era when the house embraced creative eccentricity. Its metallic-fruity-vanilla character is unlike anything in modern perfumery, which makes it either a thrilling discovery or an expensive mistake depending on your tolerance for the unusual. It rewards the curious and punishes the cautious in equal measure.