Essens M013 Men's Perfume — a Fragrance Inspired by Creed Silver Mountain Water

A green fragrance — fresh, transparent and noble

🏛️ The Legend of Creed Silver Mountain Water

Silver Mountain Water was launched in 1995 and became one of the most recognisable fragrances of the Creed house, a cult favourite among connoisseurs of niche and luxury perfumery. Created by Olivier Creed (according to some sources, with the involvement of Pierre Bourdon), it offered a rare image — not "heavy luxury" and not a simple "freshie", but a transparent, green, almost meditative fragrance about nature and silence. In 30 years it has become the benchmark of "mountain freshness" and remains one of Creed's bestsellers.

🏔️ The name and the inspiration. Silver Mountain Water translates literally — "silver mountain water". Olivier Creed created the fragrance under the impression of the Swiss Alps — glacial streams, melting snow, damp moss and coniferous forests. Silver here is not about metal but about the colour of water in morning light and a feeling of crystal purity. This is a fragrance-landscape — it paints a picture of a cool mountain morning where the air is transparent and sounds are quieter than usual.

💎 The bottle and the philosophy of the house. The Creed bottle is a manifesto of tradition. Massive clear glass, a black cap and the crest on the label are executed in the style of 19th-century English perfumery. The shape hasn't changed for decades — a deliberate conservatism that underscores the status of the oldest perfume house (Creed was founded in 1760). The bottle is pleasantly heavy, tactilely status-driven, but without loud luxury. The Creed philosophy is handwork, maceration of components and ageing in oak barrels. This is what gives the fragrances depth and smoothness that is hard to achieve in mass production.

🍃 The fougère profile with a tea coolness. Silver Mountain Water is a fresh fougère, but not a classic one. Instead of lavender and coumarin, there's green tea, blackcurrant and galbanum. The main feature is balance. The sparkling citrus opening (bergamot, mandarin) quickly transitions into a grassy-smoky heart, where green tea sounds like a fresh, slightly tart leaf and blackcurrant gives a green, non-sweet note. Galbanum in the base adds a bitter-resinous green, keeping the composition from becoming "sugary" and creating that very effect of "mineral" purity. This is not an aquatic "sea breeze" and not a citrus-soapy mass-market — this is a fougère with natural purity and a light bitterness.

The pyramid in brief. Top notes — bergamot, mandarin. Heart — green tea, blackcurrant. Base — galbanum, musk, sandalwood, petitgrain. The signature effect rests on transparency — the citrus never turns sour, the tea never smells medicinal, and the wood and musk give a soft, clean base without heaviness.

🌟 Status, batch variation and reformulations. Over 30 years Silver Mountain Water has become a cult favourite in the premium segment — Fragrantica rating 4.3 out of 5 with 20,000+ votes. Due to IFRA regulations the fragrance has undergone several reformulations — modern versions sound slightly softer and sweeter, while vintage 90s batches had a more pronounced green and grassy part. In addition, because of natural components, different batches can differ slightly in the brightness of tea and blackcurrant — collectors pay attention to this.

⚔️ Similar fragrances. By mood and profile it is often placed next to Aventus Cologne (more fruity and bright) and Green Irish Tweed (stricter, a "classic" fougère). Silver Mountain Water wins thanks to its "transparency" and tea note — it is less assertive and more meditative.

⏳ Longevity and sillage. Eau de Parfum. Longevity — 6–8 hours on the skin, longer on clothes. The sillage is delicate, sitting close to the skin — the fragrance doesn't "shout" but emphasises refinement rather than loudness. For it to unfold fully, 2–3 sprays are enough. It sounds best on clean skin after a shower, when there are no other scents.

🍂 When and for whom. It unfolds best in warm weather — spring, summer, early autumn. In heat it sounds especially fresh, in cool weather — slightly greener and stricter. Ideal for the office, business meetings, everyday wear and those moments when you want to be "fresh but not banal". A fragrance for the man who values silence, nature and natural elegance without display.

📖 The Story of Silver Mountain Water Notes

Citruses — a sparkling opening. Bergamot gives noble bitterness, while mandarin — sweet solar freshness. A light, energetic and refreshing start that immediately sets a mood of transparency and cleanliness.

Tea and blackcurrant — a green heart. Green tea gives grassy, smoky freshness with a hint of dried leaves, while blackcurrant adds a tart, sparkling berry note. A refined and harmonious middle where nature sounds truly alive.

Resins and wood — a noble base. Galbanum gives green, bitter-resinous freshness, musk — velvety sensuality, sandalwood — creamy softness, and bitter orange adds a tart citrus note to the trail. The fragrance stays long-lasting, natural and refined.

👤 Portrait of the M013 Man

He is calm and confident without display. His style is natural fabrics, muted shades, minimalist accessories. He doesn't chase trends and doesn't like loud fragrances — his choice is always about quality, cleanliness and naturalness.

He looks good in green, grey, beige tones, linen, cotton, wood in the interior. He loves morning tea, mountain walks, books, silence. His strength is in calm and in the ability to be himself without unnecessary words.

Essens M013 lives with him all day — citruses in the morning, green tea and blackcurrant during the day, and a light resinous-woody trail remains in the evening. A fragrance for those who value natural harmony, refinement and freshness without banality.

⚖️ The Original and Essens M013 Side by Side

Only the price and the bottle differ. The green, transparent and natural character remains recognisable from the very first seconds.

✨ Essens M013 men's perfume is a green fragrance where sparkling bergamot and mandarin intertwine with grassy green tea, tart blackcurrant and a noble resinous-woody base. It captures all the magic of the cult Creed Silver Mountain Water — a fragrance inspired by the legendary scent. Every drop carries the recognisable accord familiar to fans of the original and gives a feeling of cleanliness, natural harmony and refined freshness.

A universal fragrance for the office, everyday wear and the warm season. Try it and see for yourself.