A*Men Pure Malt Creation by Mugler

I finally dug into this polarizing limited edition. A*Men Pure Malt Creation (2013) is part of the Les Liqueurs collection, and everyone debates whether the liquid differs from the 2009 original or if it’s just a packaging change. I did blind tests with 2013 and 2015 bottles, and honestly, I couldn’t tell them apart; they’re so similar that any variation is minimal, akin to normal batch differences. I do notice the Creation lasts a bit longer, perhaps because my regular bottle has been open for years and aged. Plus, the Creation box lists the same ingredients and code as the standard one, so they smell identical. The only way to tell them apart is that the Creation has a silver star covering the liquid, while the standard is transparent, showing the amber color. By the way, its fruity, boozy, and gourmand blend is unique, and unfortunately, L’Oréal has forgotten it. I also tried a clone called Star Men Nebula, and the difference is brutal—that clone smells like Iberian ham in comparison.

So hard to find this tragic gem. It’s sweet and complex, perfect for a night out with drinks in winter. It has moderate projection and is ideal for close encounters. My cousin uses it only for Christmas and New Year’s. It’s an intoxicating, sweet yet light scent that definitely works as a magnet for girls.

It’s my favorite version of A*Men; I wear it to parties, and girls look at me a lot. Totally recommended, though unfortunately, it’s very hard to find.

The opening isn’t as aggressive as the father, A*Men; it smells like fruits with a boozy touch and a base of woods and patchouli. In the mid-stage, the fruit fades and gives way to a caramelized scent, likely from the mix of caramel, honey, and patchouli. You still notice the malt and fruits, but less pronounced. The dry-down reminds me of A*Men, with that minty patchouli. The main difference from the 2009 version is that this one is sweeter, especially as it dries down. In the old version, the fruit and alcohol last longer; here, caramel dominates and it’s less woody. The opening is identical. The performance isn’t excessive, but I do feel it a bit stronger than the vintage version. Longevity is slightly above average, but not by much. It’s a gourmand any woman could wear. It works better for me in cold weather than hot. I really like it; it’s one of my favorite flankers, along with Pure Havane and Pure Tonka. At first, it smells a bit plastic, but after five minutes it settles and smells great. The performance isn’t as beastly as the old A*Men, but it lasts hours without issues. Even though it’s sweet, it’s not cloying, and the fruit and alcohol notes are well-integrated. It’s a less flashy version, ideal if the original overwhelms you too much.

This perfume delivers and is super sensual, like bottled sex if you want to captivate and surprise, definitely that scent 😉 It was my Christmas gift and it’s a treasure.

A*MEN PURE MALT CREATION 2013 smells exactly like the 2009 version; only the star’s shine changed, and the box is silver. Official confirmation from Mugler via email. What does it smell like? It’s Angel Men diluted, without the harsh tar and with a touch of whiskey. It’s not as strong or long-lasting as the original. It’s versatile, casual, and great for going out at night. It’s not gourmand. Age? A bit mature, +25 years. Is the hype and overpricing worth it? For me, no. It’s good, but nothing more. It’s hard to get because Mugler releases limited editions to create panic and resell, leaving everyone else out of stock. It only came out in the UK and Mexico, not in the USA.

It has better fixation than the previous one, but in the opening and heart, coffee dominates, while in the dry-down, nuts and whiskey emerge. For me, the previous version without coffee was much better. It’s a mistake to say it smells the same as the 2009 version.