Meryl Streep as Francesca Johnson and Clint Eastwood as Robert Kincaid

We were star-crossed lovers from the very start, an olfactory "Bridges of Madison County." As I approached the Creed Boutique, I whispered to myself: "I don't want to need you." Was that Clint or Meryl who said that? Either way, I remembered that "love won't obey our expectations…"

I had gotten an e-mail from the sales associates at Creed letting me know that the New York store was getting 200 of the 500 limited-edition bottles of Olivier Creed's newest creation, CREED Millésime 1849. Originally, I thought I was safe when I learned that this was to be a UK-only release; moreover, a Harrods-only exclusive that I probably would never get to experience. Despite the fact that I am a hardcore, no-nonsense, bad-to-the-basenotes Creed fan, I was resigned to the fact that I might never smell, much less own, this ultra-exclusive (and expensive) fragrance. So when I received the notice that Millésime 1849 was but a mere subway ride away, I spritzed caution to the wind, and got myself to Madison County, oops, I mean Madison Avenue.

I walked in, greeted by the legendary Luis and Rodney (who treat all of their clientele as if we were royalty), who were readying the gleaming forest-green bottles for display. I don't want to need you…

I learned that Olivier Creed composed this fragrance to honor the legendary Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, London, established in 1849. As any Creed loyalist should know, the word millésime is French for vintage. The team at the boutique further explained that this fragrance was created as "a tribute to the unrivaled heritage of The House of Creed, Millésime 1849 is homage to the perfectionism, tradition and dedication of the master perfumes of the Creed family. A rare masterpiece, this soft woody oriental evokes a time when third generation perfumer, Henry Creed, supplied his creations to the English Royal Court." I felt a tingle in my MasterCard.

From the  Movie version of Bridges of Madison County 1995 (book by Robert James Walker 1992)

Though the fragrance is considered unisex, early word-of-mouth suggested it leans a bit more Meryl than Clint. In Victorian terms: more corset, less cravat. Hopefully, I thought, it won't suit me and I'll be able to save some money. Maybe I'll stock up on Aventus and leave this one to the ladies. Love won't obey our expectations…

Oh, just smell it and stop being so dramatic! So, I smelled it. And much to my disappointment, it was love. It's fantastic. Why must I fall for something so ephemeral, so precious, so … expensive? At $350 (£225) for 75 ml. and with only 500 available on earth? But it's good. It's great. It's exactly what one would expect from Creed when challenged with creating something so rich in heritage. Despite its unabashed Creedness, 1849 smells like nothing they've ever created. There is a texture here, a density that I've never experienced from this house. There is a silk ribbon flowing through this composition; one end is securely tied to modernity, relevance and contemporary style, but the other end connects to a different era. This is the first time I've seen this inscription so prominently displayed on the bottle: "From Father to Son Since 1760." That was it. I sensed its Victorian connection; an heirloom, a gift passed through generations. Henry Creed was holding the other end of the silk ribbon. The sweet, viscous floral opening of jasmine and ylang-ylang reminded me that this was created to evoke a time where there was no masculine or feminine marketing. Yet, the division remained in the social class system. This is a formal, aristocratic, upper class scent. Opulent and full-bodied, yet the fanfare is muted to conform to today's level of quiet, genteel nobility.

I picked up on the oud right from the start. The oud accord, similar to that in Royal Oud, counters the florals and prevents it from progressing into something too dated, too matronly. The mix of oud, patchouli and Bourbon vanilla is thoroughly modern (think Kerosene's R'Oud Elements) and provides much of the aforementioned density, a lush curtain through which the royal party emerges. Sandalwood and musk provide support and round out the royal court.

The Bridges of Madison County by ~cinoworus

Like a piece of music, familiarity often strengthens affection. After a short time, I came to believe that Creed's Millésime 1849 is extraordinary. I have fallen in love with something which cannot last. But is it better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? Sure, we can purchase it now, but it will soon be disappearing like a bygone era. The lure of collectability was enough to pique my interest in this Creed rarity, but its magnificence will remain long after it’s gone. Appropriately, when Robert James Waller's novel "The Bridges of Madison County" was published in the UK, it was released under the name, "Love in Black and White." How very Creed. Beauty is a temporary gift and perfume is a glorious reminder than love can last long after the beauty has faded.

As I write, the NYC Creed Boutique has a VERY limited supply of Millésime 1849. In fact, knowing that this review would soon be published, I secured a second bottle. If you'd like to own this exclusive fragrance which will undoubtedly become a highly-sought-after legend (a la Vintage Tabarome), call Luis or Rodney at the NYC Creed Boutique, 212-439-7777, (794 Madison Avenue) without hesitation. This scent is not available on the Creed website. There is also a very limited supply at the Harrods flagship store, Knightsbridge, London.

Because I want to share this feeling with another reader I am making my own 10mL decant of Millésime 1849 to giveaway. This draw is for US readers only. To be eligible leave a comment on what Creed fragrance you would think Clint or Meryl would wear. The draw ends July 29, 2013.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

–Michael Devine, Senior Contributor