Don't stop making scents

Now that Guerlain no longer belongs to the founding family of the same name, there is only a handful of old perfume businesses still privately owned. Of these, the oldest and most distinguished - if also, least deservedly, unknown - is Creed. The company dates back to 1760 when it was established by James Creed in London; it moved to Paris in 1854 thanks to the Empress Eugenie's patronage and has been based in France ever since.

Today it is run by the founder's direct descendent, Olivier Creed, who, in keeping with family tradition, tries to use natural essences rather than synthetic ones whenever possible. Creed fragrances are noted for including such pure ingredients as Italian jasmine, Indian tuberoses and rose essence from Turkey and Bulgaria. Components are all weighed, mixed, macerated and filtered by hand, which helps to explain why the eventual scents are not the cheapest on the market.

For many years, like Annick Goutal or Jo Malone, Creed has been something of a closely guarded secret among perfume cognoscenti, but it is now being more widely distributed and appreciated. Here in Ireland, a number of Creed scents are being stocked by Cuba on Trinity Street in Dublin. The shop is offering the pure Millesime fragrances rather than the weaker eaux de toilette and among those being carried are the unisex Green Valley and Silver Mountain Water, Fleurissimo for women, as well as the most popular in the men's line, Green Irish Tweed. Prices start at £60 for a 30ml spray.

Creed is stocked at Cuba, 13 Trinity Street, Dublin 2