If you’re like most people you probably associate Victorinox with pocket knives and multi-tools. For over one hundred years the iconic brand has supplied the world with the tools any adventurer needs. From boy scouts to soldiers, and soccer moms to soldiers, these products are used by millions of people each year. In fact, I use my own pocket knives and swisscards for various tasks throughout the day. Because of this constant association between the brand and the tools that made it famous, many remain unaware of the fact that the Victorinox brand has expanded into other industries.

One of these industries is, obviously, the perfume and cologne industry. One of the colognes produced under the Victorinox name is named (rather uncreatively) Swiss Army, and it is quickly becoming one of the most popular fragrances for men. You might ask why so many people would choose to buy their cologne from a brand not typically associated with luxury, but you would be answering your question with those very words. Men like to be men whenever they can, and many colognes simply aren’t geared for those barstool brawlers and wildlife warriors. Wearing a fragrance issued by the supplier of knives, however, isn’t sacrificing too much masculinity. If anything, it’s adding to it.

What man doesn’t want to buy mens cologne with the famous cross and shield stamped across it? It’s almost like spraying on pure testosterone. Got a hatchet? No. Got some beer? No. Got a twenty inch bicep? No. Got some Swiss Army Cologne? Yes. Okay we’re all set. Of course, the addition of the previous items would only boost your man rating even higher. And, while BO and dirt is the official scent of the wilderness, any movie will tell you that the real heroes don’t have this problem (and, as a result, probably have a bottle of Swiss Army stashed away in their rucksacks).

Speaking of heroes, Swiss Army will get you noticed. While you may not have the looks of Stallone, you can definitely amp up your attractiveness with this scent. Many reviewers have found Swiss Army for men to be one of their most complimented fragrances, and this is without the oversaturation that more popular colognes tend to reach, where their popularity is no longer attractive but merely tired and conformational. No; this scent will isolate you from the pack, and the ladies will be sure to notice.

Enough with the hyperbole though. I’m sure you’re really just interested in how the damn thing smells. You’re a man after all. Why should you have to read all this nonsense? Well, the general concensus is that this is a Green/Acquatic scent that smells fresh and minty. From the notes listed it seems as though the cologne is trying to replicate the smell of a brisk romp through the forest (Top Notes: Bergamot, Mint, Yuzu; Middle Notes: Edelweiss, Rosemary, Swiss Blue Genetian Flower, and Violet; Base Notes: Appenzell Fir, Cedarwood, Chestnut Firewood, Musk). You might obviously draw your own conclusions, however, and all of this depends on your own olfactory experiences and memories.

The most basic reviews of this cologne all state that this cologne smells clean and is cheap to buy. More negative reviews focus on the fragrance’s more synthetic qualities: something that only more experienced noses would be able to distinguish. In regards to longevity, some people say it lasts forever while others say it hardly lasts at all, which implies that this fragrance is just as susceptible to body chemistry as the next.

If I were to recommend a cheap cologne for a young man, this would probably be at the top of my list. It’s definitely a wonderful fragrance, but more worldly men who have been around for more than a few decades might find Swiss Army for men to be at odds with their personality. Indeed, this is for the young explorer who wants to impress a young gal or two; beyond that, its effectiveness is probably diminished. Of course, if you can pull it off as a signature scent then you should go for it. Just be sure to measure how other people react. Definitely best for day-wear, and probably not something to wear to work unless work is outdoors.

Creed’s Green Irish Tweed is the ideal signature scent. It respects tradition, but puts a modern twist on it. The typical floral and woody fragrances are enhanced by aquatic scents (a combination that started a whole new family of modern colognes). Many have described this Creed cologne as mossy, which is the perfect description. Moss is manly without being overpowering. It reminds us of the forests just outside of town: a delicate balance between nature and civilization. It is neither “pretentious or pastoral” as one reviewer puts it. It is a wonderful choice for the office, for dates, for home, for outside, for anything really. And, while it may sound like I’m laying it on rather thick—perhaps I’m gushing so much because I can’t afford it—many others have similar things to say. If it weren’t so expensive, you would most certainly be sick of smelling it, since every man would keep it as part of their arsenal.

While listing ingredients is never the best way to describe perfume and cologne (I prefer describing the general atmosphere) I’ll list a few of the more important/noticeable ones so that you can better understand what Green Irish Tweed is meant to smell like, although its very name is probably the best example you can get. The cologne begins like most traditional colognes with a blast of citrus. Lemon and verbena are two of the top notes most usually mentioned, although you may or may not be able to isolate them due to your own personal sensitivities. The middle notes contain iris and violet leaves, among other floral ingredients, and continue the traditional progression of scents. The base notes, however, are what the cologne is famous for and include sandalwood and ambergris.

This cologne’s popularity, however, has another reason. It is worn by some of the most famous men in the world, all of whom are associated with class and sophistication. Among some of Green Irish Tweed’s fans are Prince Charles, George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan, Robert Redford, and Clint Eastwood among others. When people whose very images depend on the atmosphere they create admit to wearing this cologne, it speaks a lot for its quality. While this isn’t the best way to choose a cologne, it certainly lends credibility to the product.

Assuming you’re not simply buying a sample, Green Irish Tweed will cost you over a hundred dollars. This is where most criticisms come in. Since Green Irish Tweed has inspired so many similar fragrances, one could save a lot of money by settling with other aquatics like Cool Water. “How can anyone justify spending so much money on a single bottle of glorified perfume?” is what most people will ask, and many will be unable to answer. Obviously, you shouldn’t be going anywhere near this cologne if you’re already drowning in debt or pressed for cash. If you can afford to spend that much every so often, however, you may find purchasing this cologne extremely worthwhile. Like most status symbols, you will feel better about yourself, and you may garner more respect than normal. You will also be able to experience one of the greatest scents of all time, of which its competitors come nowhere close.

Since you’ll be spending an arguably large amount of money on this product, you may want to educate yourself about the number of fake perfumes and colognes currently on the market. I believe, and this is just off the top of my head, that about ten percent of all the products out there are fakes, and these illegitimate clones are being found in some of the most unexpected of places: upscale boutiques. Since getting ripped off is one of the worst things in the world, and getting ripped off when a lot of money is involved is even worse, you should learn as much about Green Irish Tweed, or any perfume or cologne in general, as you can.

The best advice I can give you, however, is awareness. Although it may seem scary that so many fakes are out there, simply using your better judgment may save you a lot of grief. Don’t fall into a false sense of security simply because you’re purchasing a product at your local mall and there’s nice music in the background and the workers are friendly. It’s highly possible that you will come across one or two clones.

Green Irish Tweed Clones

If you can stand listening to an extremely uncharismatic man discuss the differences between the real Green Irish Tweed and the many illegitimate impersonations you may come across, you will most likely find a lot of valuable information in the video above. Honestly, I can’t tell whether or not the fact that he got ripped-off makes him sound this way or not, but let’s pretend he was the happiest man in the world before this happened so the lesson sticks better. Personally I had to stop watching the video half way through, but that was for reasons besides the man’s monotonous voice:

1. I only buy colognes from legitimate sites

2. I only buy colognes from legitimate sites
3. I only buy colognes from stores I trust
4. I know exactly what to look for

You might wonder how you can know what to look for if don’t know what the cologne is supposed to look/smell like, but it’s really quite simple, and will be covered more in depth at a later point in time. As you can see in the example, misspellings of words are typically one of the biggest tip-off when it comes to fakes. Obviously a legitimate warehouse isn’t going to mess up the wording. The packaging will also seem rather flimsy or cheap. If you’re paying over a hundred dollars for a substance, you can be sure that the substance will be in a nice container. If you have doubts, feel free to contact the company; if it turns out to be the real packaging, at least you informed the company that they suck at producing luxury goods. But moving on, the most blatant example of how to tell if something is fake or not is when an item lacks a serial number. This is a dead givaway. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that companies do change their products from time to time. Contacting them with your concerns is always the best choice. Like I said before, though, the best thing you can do is simply stay aware.

Sensual Perfume and Cologne Summary: if you want to experience a Creed cologne, Green Irish Tweed is the best one to start with. These days it’s seen as the flagship fragrance, and the House of Creed’s bestseller. Although Green Irish Tweed is certainly well-respected and well-liked, its high price stops it from becoming too popular and the most overused fragrance in the world. Although this cologne is probably beneficial to almost any man, it really just depends on your own personal preferences. If you want to be seen as a suave man, well-versed in fashion, you should definitely give this cologne a try.