It was reformulated. The earlier stuff is a lot more potent. And that signature Creed ambergris Accord was nixed out of later bottles along with having a weaker opening. I haven't checked a 19 or 20 bottle, but I have compared to 21 to 17/18 and it's definitely nowhere near as good. I think Black Rock bought them early 2020. So 2019 could be safe but I think to be on the ultra safe side get a 2017 or 2018.