Silver Mountain Water is one of my most complimented fragrances – but it is pretty expensive.
Luckily, plenty of respectable cologne brands have stepped up to provide more accessible alternatives. The best Creed Silver Mountain Water alternatives harness that same crisp, citrus, musky character – but won’t break the bank.
I’ve picked out a range of colognes that cover all bases. Some are very similar fragrances, while others are more “inspired by” scents with a twist to them.
My top pick, Cremo Silver Water and Birch is a fresh and clean scent that smells 90% similar to Silver Mountain Water.
At just $17, it’s superb value for an excellent fragrance that lasts all day.
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$23.99 ($7.06 / Ounce)
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- A blend of bright lime and creamy coconut, like a beach cocktail.
- Just a quarter of the price of Virgin Island Water.
- 90% similar to the original Silver Mountain Water.
- An excellent price for a long-lasting, expensive-smelling fragrance.
- A top-notch imitation at rock-bottom prices.
- Al-Rehab Silver has cucumber and citrus notes ideal for staying fresh on a hot day.
If you’re looking for a twist on Silver Mountain Water, check out Bond No. 9 Hamptons lemony alternative, or Tommy Bahama’s coconut-led blend.
I’ll step you through the 7 Silver Mountain Water alternatives that I’ve enjoyed the most, and let you know when and where to deploy them, based on:
- Note profile (what does it smell like)
- Longevity (how long does it last)
- Projection (how subtle/strong is it)
- Value for money
- Occasion (season, time of day, setting)
So, let’s get into it
Best Creed Silver Mountain Water Alternatives in 2023
Cremo Silver Water and Birch – Best Silver Mountain Water Alternative Overall
Al-Rehab Silver – Best Budget Silver Mountain Water Alternative
Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Barts – Best Coconut Silver Mountain Water Alternative
Fragrance Club Inspired by Creed Silver Mountain Water – A Very Similar Budget Alternative
Bond No. 9 Hamptons – Best Lemon-Zested Silver Mountain Water Alternative
Franck Oliver Sun Java White Men – Best Creed Silver Mountain Water Alternative for Maturity
Armaf Derby Club House Blanche – Best Armaf Silver Mountain Water Alternative
What’s the Best Creed Silver Mountain Water Alternative
Cremo Silver Water and Birch – Best Simple Silver Mountain Water Alternative
Silver Water and Birch is about 90% similar to Silver Mountain Water. It really captures the fresh and relaxing feeling of the original – it smells vibrant, but so effortless at the same time.
The watery notes and oakmoss feel full of life and are pitched perfectly against a more masculine base of woodsy birch.
Cremo Silver Water & Birch
90% similar to the original Silver Mountain Water.
An excellent price for a long-lasting, expensive-smelling alternative.
| Projection: | Moderate |
| Longevity: | 6 – 7 Hours |
| Value for Money: | 5/5 |
It makes for a fresh and relaxing cologne, that’s ideal for spring or summer strolls through the city.
Equally, this uncluttered fragrance is a refined choice for professional environments where you want to project confidence without being too quirky.
It’s the sort of fragrance that will pick up occasional compliments from passersby, but without being overbearing if you’re up close.
For a cologne that’s a fraction of the price of the original, it performs really well. It lasts for 6 – 7 hours in warmer weather, which is plenty to cover you for most excursions.
| Top Notes: | Watery Notes |
| Middle Notes: | Oakmoss |
| Base Notes: | Birch and Woodsy Notes |
Al-Rehab Silver – Best Silver Mountain Water Alternative Overall
Al-Rehab Silver is an affordable and clean-smelling fragrance perfect for hot weather. And when I say affordable, I mean like $17 bucks affordable.
This reliable Silver Mountain Water alternative smells just like citrus-cucumber water – refreshing and natural with just a hint of green zest.
Al-Rehab Silver
A top-notch imitation at rock-bottom prices.
Al-Rehab Silver has cucumber and citrus notes ideal for staying fresh on a hot day.
| Projection: | Subtle/Moderate |
| Longevity: | 5 Hours |
| Value for Money: | 4.5/5 |
After an hour or so, the zest seems to make way for light florals. They’re pretty neutral though – the effect is “bright and summery” rather than effeminate, for sure.
It’s perfectly balanced for subtle wear at the office. If people are up close, they can tell I’m fresh and clean, but there’s no risk of me making an abrupt entrance and filling the room with scent.
It also lasts a long time for the price. I get 5 hours of good projection from this budget alternative, which is very respectable.
| Top Notes: | Citrus, Watery Notes, Green Notes |
| Middle Notes: | White Musk, Floral Notes |
| Base Notes: | Woodsy Notes |
Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Barts- Best Coconut Silver Mountain Water Alternative
St. Barts for men is a fun and affordable alternative to Creed Virgin Mountain Water.
The opening is a bright, punchy blend of lime and liquor. After half an hour or so, coconut milky creaminess enters the scene, alongside a gentle marine saltiness that gives the impression of shoreside living.
Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Barts
A blend of bright lime and creamy coconut, like a beach cocktail.
Just a quarter of the price of Virgin Island Water.
| Projection: | Moderate |
| Longevity: | 5 – 6 Hours |
| Value for Money: | 4/5 |
St Barts captures a lot of what makes Virgin Mountain Water a success, but I have to admit it’s not quite as smooth as Virgin Mountain Water. It’s a little closer to a homemade punch than a fancy cocktail if you follow me.
If you’re looking for Virgin Island Water levels of sophistication, just go ahead and get that. You won’t find it here. However, if you’re looking for fun and summery lime energy, I’d sail with St Barts any time.
Longevity is respectable at 5-6 hours. It’s good enough for the working day, but it won’t carry you through to a night on the town.
- Check our guide to the best coconut colognes for men for more.
| Top Notes: | Lime, Coconut, Tequila and Sea Notes |
| Middle Notes: | Salt, Green Notes and Coconut |
| Base Notes: | Palm, Vanilla and Musk |
Fragrance Club Inspired by Creed Silver Mountain Water – A Very Similar Budget Alternative
Inspired by Creed have devoted themselves to producing the most similar scents to possible – and they do a great job for such a budget price.
| Projection: | Moderate |
| Longevity: | 6 Hours |
| Value for Money: | 4.5/5 |
Their Silver Mountain Water effort is a particularly sincere representation that could probably pass as a cologne 10 times the price.
This refreshing, care-free blend smells almost identical to Silver Mountain Water, apart from an ever so slight synthetic sense if you’re really scrutinizing the palate. There’s maybe a touch more lemon in the opening, too, but not in a way that’s particularly noticeable.
I’d wager that most people, especially those new to colognes, would have a pretty hard time telling the difference between the two fragrances.
Plus, Fragrance Club scents actually last a fair amount of time – around 6 hours. Some original designer colognes can’t even do that, let alone a cheapie.
| Top Notes: | Bergamot, Mandarin and Neroli |
| Middle Notes: | Green Tea and Blackcurrant |
| Base Notes: | Sandalwood and Musk |
Bond No. 9 Hamptons – Best Lemon-Zested Silver Mountain Water Alternative
If you’re looking to fly under the radar, look elsewhere. This is a serious compliment collector. A true neckbreaker when you walk by.
Bond No.9 Hamptons
A zesty designer cologne of incredible balance and quality.
Very similar to Silver Mountain Water, but with a streak of vibrant lemon.
| Projection: | Strong |
| Longevity: | 8 Hours |
| Value for Money: | 3.5/5 |
The opening is fresh and zesty lemon paired with woodsy/floral tones, with the introduction of lime blossom after the first 20 minutes or so. It feels incredibly clean and elegant.
Then, these lighter citrus notes make room for fresh sandalwood and powdery amber in the dry down.
It’s a blend with a noticeably soft projection that entices rather than asserts.
If you’re a fan of lemon accords, Hamptons is your best bet on this list.
However, just be aware that Bond No. 9 is a niche designer house that isn’t actually much cheaper than Creed. So if you’re here for a budget pick, you’ll want to go for something cheaper like our Cremo or Armaf picks.
- Check out our guide to the best Bond No.9 men’s colognes for more.
| Top Notes: | Bergamot, Lime Blossom, Lemon, Sage and Cedar |
| Middle Notes: | Jasmine, Turkish Rose and Magnolia |
| Base Notes: | Musk, Sandalwood and Amber |
Franck Oliver Sun Java White Men – Best Creed Silver Mountain Water Alternative for Maturity
For anyone reluctant to spend hundreds of dollars on Silver Mountain Water, this might be the cologne for you. I picked up my bottle of Sun Java White for just $20 (!) and haven’t looked back.
| Projection: | Moderate |
| Longevity: | 5 Hours |
| Value for Money: | 4/5 |
This musky, soft citrus fragrance comes with an added streak of blackcurrant. It’s a subud sort of sweetness and the main element that distinguishes it from Silver Mountain Water. Moving into the heart, things get a little more herbal with flickers of rosemary and mint that add a sense of gentlemanly maturity.
To my nose, the base is mainly soft white musk, which is perfectly pleasant – but if you’re looking for the tea notes in Silver Mountain Water, you’ll be waiting a while – ‘cause they ain’t here.
Sun Java White lasts a solid 5 hours, which is a win for a $20 cologne in my book.
| Top Notes: | Blackcurrant, Tangerine, Lemon, Bergamot, Grapefruit, and Orange |
| Middle Notes: | Rosemary, Mint, Black Pepper, Patchouli, and Sage |
| Bottom Notes: | Musk and Amber |
Armaf Derby Club House Blanche – Best Value For Money Silver Mountain Water Alternative
Armaf Derby Club House Blanche is a clean-smelling, citrus and musk-oriented fragrance that is equally at home at work, or for leisure. Armaf colognes tend to do a great job of outperforming their price tags, and Derby Club House Blanche is no exception.
| Projection: | Moderate |
| Longevity: | 4 – 5 Hours |
| Value for Money: | 3.5/5 |
Plus, if you appreciate the tea note in Silver Mountain Water, you’re in luck. Armaf Derby Club House Blanche has beautiful green tea accords in the heart which adds a streak of vitality and natural earthiness to the blend. It’s not exactly the same as the black tea in SMW, but it’s certainly within the same ballpark.
Projection is in that perfect arms-length sweet spot. It leaves a nice scent trail as you walk for the first couple of hours, before becoming a skin scent for another 2 – 3 hours.
Just be aware that for some, the citrus notes in the opening can be a little harsh. They calm down after 10 minutes or so, but that initial blast could be considered a little screechy if you over-apply.
- Check out our guide to the best Armaf fragrances for men to learn more.
| Top Notes: | Water Notes, Bergamot and Orange |
| Middle Notes: | Green Tea and Blackcurrant |
| Base Notes: | Musk, Galbanum and Sandalwood |
Which Silver Mountain Water Alternative Lasts Longest?
The longest-lasting Silver Mountain Water alternative is Cremo’s Silver Water and Birch. It lasts for between 6 – 7 hours, which will carry you through a full day at the office, or a night on the town.
| Fragrance | Longevity |
|---|---|
| Cremo Silver Water and Birch | 6 – 7 Hours |
| Al-Rehab Silver | 5 Hours |
| Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Barts | 5 – 6 Hours |
| Fragrance Club Inspired | 6 Hours |
| Bond No. 9 Hamptons | 8 Hours |
| Franck Oliver Sun Java White Men | 5 Hours |
| Armaf Derby Club House Blanche | 4 – 5 Hours |
Bond No. 9’s Hamptons delivers 8 hours of scent – but it costs over $200! For that price, I’d expect that sort of longevity as standard.
Which Silver Mountain Water Alternative is Strongest?
The stongest similar scent to Silver Mountain Water is Cremo’s Silver Water and Birch, which projects with a good arms-length scent bubble for the majority of its 6-hour lifetime.
Silver Mountain Water is a relatively light scent in the first place – so we’re hardly looking for a powerhouse in alternative – but we still want to be noticed and pick up compliments.
Fragrance Club’s “inspired by” scent also kicks out strongly in the opening, but it’s a little marred by a slight synthetic sense. It doesn’t smell as natural as the Cremo scent – but it’s still a totally passable scent.
What’s the Best Value Silver Mountain Water Alternative?
The best value Silver Mountain Water alternative is Cremo’s Silver Water and Birch. It’s the cheapest fragrance on this list per spray, and also happens to be the one that most closely imitates the Creed original. That’s what we can a win-win.
| Fragrance | Price | Size | Price per Oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cremo Silver Water and Birch | $17.53 | 3.4 Oz | $5.16 |
| Al-Rehab Silver | $13.00 | 1.15 Oz | $11.3 |
| Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Barts | $72.00 | 3.4 Oz | $21.18 |
| Fragrance Club Inspired | $32.95 | 1.7 Oz | $19.38 |
| Bond No. 9 Hamptons | $221.90 | 3.3 Oz | $67.24 |
| Franck Oliver Sun Java White Men | $28.95 | 2.5 Oz | $11.58 |
| Armaf Derby Club House Blanche | $23.93 | 3.4 Oz | $7.04 |
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get started with Silver Mountain Water imitations, you could also go for Al-Rehab Silver – which costs just over $10 for a bottle.
On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got fragrances like Hamptons by Bond No. 9, which almost cost as much as the original.
This is a pick for someone who wants an extra slice of lemon in their designer fragrance, and while it’s not overpriced for a designer cologne, it’s certainly not a cheap option.
What Does Creed Silver Mountain Water Smell like?
Silver Mountain Water is an easy-going, breezy cologne that emphasizes notes of citrus musk, tea and bergamot.
Creed Silver Mountain Water
A refined and elegant fragrance with subtle notes of bergamot, green tea, sandalwood, and musk.
Really impressive longevity - you'll get 12 hours out of this fragrance.
It’s a non-aggressive and clean fragrance that’s best for exuding sophistication in warmer weather. This versatile fragrance is equally at home in the office as it is for relaxing at the coffee shop on the weekend.
It provides a vibrant but sensible base layer of fragrance that will be appreciated by those near you but isn’t going to demand attention whenever you walk.
It doesn’t rely on any overly rough, classically masculine notes, and is probably gender-neutral enough to be worn by both men and women. That said, the musk in the base does become fairly overt in the dry-down, so that’s worth keeping in mind if you struggle with more animalic accords.
This citrusy, musky concoction feels like an early summer evening in the city center. Imagine sharing a crisp gin and tonic with a beautiful businesswoman, discussing quarterly turnover amongst all manner of other things.
On that note, when a woman likes Silver Mountain Creed, they really like it. It’s an intoxicating fragrance that’s bound to receive positive attention.
| Top Notes: | Mandarin and Bergamot |
| Middle Notes: | Blackcurrant and Green Tea |
| Base Notes: | Sandalwood, Petitgrain and Musk |
Consider a Creed Silver Mountain Water Sample
If none of these alternatives are jumping out at you, maybe consider getting a sample decant of the real deal instead.
Stores like Microperfumes will let you order 2ml vials of fragrances for just a few bucks so you can try out designer colognes without blowing the bank.
Microperfumes
The most affordable place to try genuine samples of designer colognes - starting at 99 cents.
A huge range of the most popular colognes, with quick and easy shipping options.
Once you’ve tried Silver Mountain Water, there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love and be able to justify splashing out on a full-sized bottle. At least, that’s what happened to me.
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