Vetiver Veritas

This is the real vetiver extraordinaire or the vetiver veritas as it has been aptly named by James Heeley. I own different vetiver essential oils and the quality of this vetiver is as good or even better than most of them. Compared to some of the other vetiver fragrances I own the quality of the vetiver in this fragrance easily beats them all. Longevity is outstanding and leads us the whole day through all the wonderful facets of vetiver nutty, wet, earthy to dry down after a long day to some smoky dark skin scent. As a fragrance I am a little bit less enthusiastic about it. I find that the opening is a little bit spoiled by some minty notes, probably coming from the lavender. Between half a hour and a hour later some grapefruit shows up which is funny because usually the hesperidic notes tend to open the show. That grapefruit is a better match for the vetiver than those minty notes. As a conclusion I think every one who is into vetiver or thinks he is should have smelled this just to have a reference for real natural Haitian vetiver without iso e, as a vetiver centered fragrance I think there are probably better choices, but not a lot. When my bottle is finished I surely will buy another because it is so unique in qualty vetiver. So a fragrance for true vetiver lovers from whom there are not too many when I read the reviews. Edit: those minty notes stayed in my mind so I went to check James Heeley's website and the notes he gives are: Top: Lavender . Mint Heart: Haitian Vetiver Base: Grapefruit Maybe the notes listed here should be corrected. So I was right in smelling the mint and wrong by assuming it was the lavender, which honestly I didn't smell.

Reference earthy vetiver fragrance, with just a hint of citrus to fine tune it. Vetiver is written on the bottle, and that's what you will get... yes, vetiver.... but made to perfection. Despite it's listed in the top notes, I get a hint of mate in the base, but the main player is and will remain vetiver until the end. All the other notes are just here to bring it forward. Projection is just moderate, but longevity on my skin is stellar. Should one hesitate between Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire and this one, stop hesitating: run to get the Heeley's, because it's really a vetiver-centric fragrance (unlike Malle's which is mostly cedar) and because it's really a step up in quality. Also, not sure why no one compared this one to MPG Route du Vetiver, since they are carbon copies one from the other (except maybe for the light currant note in RdV's opening, but that's the only difference). Looking forward to have this appear at discounters! Spring/fall days, 25+

Wow! This is a superb vetiver, dark, harsh, slightly smokey, a hay like dryness and green grassy wetness it's brilliant...everything it should be. Very good (If not the best Vetiver) in terms of a natural, accurate perfume but not necessarily my favourite vetiver compositionally. The opening has a citrus twang, also tinged with menthol which is uplifting as well as slightly strange. Despite all this praise... I don't think I want to wear it especially. Vetiver veritas is of high quality and the Eau de Parfum concentration lasts fairly well and projects gently. If you're a vetiver fan this should definitely be on your radar.

Raw power. Intensely green and earthy. Like a muddy, slow-moving river marching inexorably forward through a thicket of reeds and clay. Fresh notes appear at the top (I get mint), but it is otherwise a monolithic vetiver. As primeval and mysterious as it is, Vetiver Veritas is also quite sophisticated and subtle. It morphs endlessly as it wears, revealing facets that are alternately fresh, peaty, vegetal, licorice, citrusy, and powdery. Completely, honestly unisex. All seasons. Projection is minimal but longevity is eternal. Incredible. 5/5

Full on raw vetiver that comes across bitter and herbal. It has green-vegetal nuances with citrus notes sitting shy and faint in the background. Later, this peppermint note brightens up the rather dry and dark opening. Add a bit of incense smokiness and there you have it. A very good, although not unique, very focused vetiver without any sweetness. Unfortunately, it wears close to the skin with a modest longevity. But smell wise, one of the top vetivers out there. Scent: 9/10 Longevity: 7/10 Projection: 3/10