Coeur de Vetiver Sacre

Update: I have had this a while now, and realizing it's one of my most favorite fragrances. It has everything, great vetiver, fruits, incense, woods, greenness, balsamic richness. This is an updated opening paragraph. Getting to know this one better. It evolves alot. This is niche perfume artistry. I just bought a backup bottle. This is a great Springtime scent. It has a lot of similarities to my fav Timbuktu, the warm, green, exotic grassy notes, papyrus and others, then the earthy rooty Vetiver strikes a balanced accord with the slightly sweet Apricot, dates, and light citruses. The Chinese Osmanthus blossom gives it an interesting, slightly medecinal piquant note. Very wearable, enjoyable fragrance. The opening you get a warm, sweet, cozy, woody, balsamic with the nice dried fruit/ date note, that is nicely balanced with a bit of peppery spice, and the woody Vetiver heart. It reminds me of Lutens, how Sheldrake, their perfumer, likes to compose sweet fruity fragrances. The nice, sweet, dried fruit opening gets quieter, and the fragrance changes to have some very nice, unique, interesting notes, along with the Vetiver. A quality niche fragrance, my second favorite from Le Artisan after " Timbuktu", but this may be closer to a masterpiece ! I'm picking up a beautiful, natural, green grassy note, I can see this is going to be complex and full of nice surprises. Many quality notes, masterfully blended into several beautiful accords. I don't like sweet fragrances, but this is not to sweet, and the sweetness seems to be there to balance the sharper notes such as pepper and musc, well done. This reminds me of a favorite "Lutens" frag, Daim Blond; the apricot, Amber, spices, but leather is at the heart vs Vetiver; Vetiver Sacre is a more complex and outstanding composition. Perfumery art ! Note: I'v seen a few reviews where people pick up leather, I agree. The sillage is not to soft, it's in between moderate and soft. PS: A nice surprise is that the fragrance is more green than expected. It has some nice, natural grassy note. And there are several varieties of Vetiver, the smoky rooty kind, as as in Encre Noire, or the greener milder type, which you have with Vetiver Sacre, Haitian Vetiver perhaps. The frag has some smokiness which comes from the Incense and not the Vetiver I believe. I think this is underated, if it had a more catchy name, like Dzing or dzong, it may get more praise. This is outstanding, into my top 5, and even better than "Timbuktu". Thanks to Max Forti review on YouTube," The good, bad, and ugly" of Le'Artesan fragrances, where he had Vetiver Sacre as his #2 L'Artisan fragrance after "Tea for Two". Update: I'm increasing the rating from 9.25-, 10/10. This is phenomenal, rich balsams, green grassy notes, exotic floral nuances, apricot, dates, pepper, spices, and Vetiver, beautifully blended, delicious ! My # 1 L'Artisan fragrance. Rating: 10/10 God bless. John 3:16

This one has taken me some time to come to terms with. I've had samples of CdVS for a couple of years, but always found the fruitiness, particularly the date note in the opening a little off putting. But I guess as my nose has matured over the years, I can now appreciate this more as the remarkable work it truly is. To that end of course, I have owned a bottle for some time now and delight in it regularly! But my advice? Don't set yourself up for disappointment by hoping this will scratch your every vetiver itch. The vetiver note is gorgeous of course, smoky and quite ethereal, but it's not really the main protagonist. Like many others here, I'd have to point to the tea accord as the main player, along with a subtle and mystical incense supported by labdanum. The addition of begamot leads my mind to the smell of an expensive Earl Grey tea in fact. The orange note may also lead to this end, orange and begamot are of course a little different, but not so different that one can't still make the association. It feels outdoorsy, but not in a rugged way, more in a contemplative sense. Mystical, a little timeless and very complex for my experience of L'Artisan scents. The thing that really turned me around on this fragrance is more the artistry of its structure. This doesn't work from the basis of your classic pyramidical design to me. It's more like a genuine symphony of stunningly blended accords that are all available to your nose at once and more or less, all throughout the life of the scent (which is quite good for an EDT, around 6hrs on my skin). You might think I'm suggesting it's linear by describing it this way, but I don't think that does it justice. The magic is in the way you can use your mind to summon up any of the accords at any one time. Want to smell incense, labdanum, smoke? Imagine it as you smell and there it is. Want to smell dates, apricots, pepper and spices? Let your thoughts take you there. Want to smell the lovely, earthy, smoky vetiver? Let your mind guide your nose and you will find it! A striking piece of work by Karine Vinchon Spehner and one which truly rewards perseverance and contemplation. It may border more on an "olfactive art work" than a wearable scent for some, but I don't count myself amongst that number. I wear it often now and am usually delighted by the interest it receives.

A few months ago I acquired a sample of CdVS and thought of it as “not bad” and “nothing special”. Boy, was I mistaken. I consider CdVS to be a vetiver and tea composition, but it’s mostly all about vetiver. Some reviewers have pointed out that CdVS has vetiver in it, but not as a central component. I disagree: CdVS is a vetiver-centered composition with other notes supporting and accentuating the multiple facets of vetiver. The opening has a fruit juice quality to it--mostly apple and apricot. The fruit juice immediately settles down and morphs into dried fruits; the dried fruits play up the (gasp) fruity side of vetiver and it is difficult to separate the vetiver from the fruit. The same is true for the black tea note; tannic earthiness and pepper blend effortlessly with the vetiver. There is also a beautiful smokiness permeating not only the vetiver, but also the tea and the fruit. Perhaps this seems unremarkable, but the 3D vetiver is supported by a quiet, yet persistent woody oriental base with woody notes, tonka, and musk. It's almost as though two compositions are layered together and it makes me think of bread supporting meat to make a sandwich. We could eat the bread or the meat alone, but why would we want to do that? Castoreum appears later as the condiment that ties the oriental part to the smoky vetiver/tea. The animalic component also serves to render the composition “wearable” without feeling overdone or vulgar. Sometimes the whole composition smells like leathery tobacco and sometimes it feels “green”, but definitely not in a crushed leaves or fresh cut grass sort of way. I like to think of CdVS is as a “spiritual” retreat for vetiver, but not in a religious or hippy sense. In this case, vetiver packs a bag, travels to the mountains, stays in a log cabin (with a wood fire and maybe some incense), drinks tea, and eats simple dried food. Projection is average, but I prefer scents that stay close to the body. Longevity was a shock: I got at least 12 hours out of CdVS. This is definitely the longest lasting LAP fragrance I’ve ever tried. This composition is truly excellent and I consider it to be elegant and underrated. On the other hand, if you are not into vetiver and tea, then CdVS might not be for you. 4.5/5

I am shocked by the beauty this fragrance contains every time I wear it. You step boldly into a world of mesmerizing magic - your nose is greeted by a revilatizing smoked tea and osmanthus, a lush violet and rose, an earthy cedar, guaiac and vetiver, and a mouth-watering date and green banana all touched by a quiet pepper and cumin lurking somewhere in the subconscious. This is a fully realized world where one could easily get lost in - I slipped between the real world thick with cedar and oak and wild roses, irises and berries - and the imagined world of Vetiver Sacre with its lush, smoky greenery of vetiver and tea and the eminating warmth of spiced dates and resinous amber. I was at home in the wild - the intermittent rain, the thick fog, the chill in the air, the splash of waterfalls, and the serenity of silence. Every step I took felt like I was getting closer to where I belong. Many hours later, my adventure concluded with the drive back to civilization, amazing smoked meats and tea, and my now quiet companion, Vetiver Sacre. Not much changes after the first couple of hours as this fume remains true to itself - the end of its grand adventure is marked with a gentle white musk and a touch of woody & smoky vetiver. Why must all good things come to an end? Why do we all toil endlessly to achieve peace when it already exists moments away? Ah, it is no time to wonder as I have work to do. I hope you all have found the answers to these questions - if not, let us find them together. Day 50 - Wild at heart Listening to: Radiohead - Daydreaming

This is a gorgeous, meditative, relaxing yet seductive, mysterious and dark vetiver scent. I am having a particularly horrid week and I drenched myself in this scent for two days in a row. I am instantly transported to a place of calm, a serene temple in some fantastical land where the weather is mild and the people are genuinely kind. A whiff of this and I am grounded. I am happy. Vetiver is so special - I used to dab the oil on myself whenever I needed to relax. It doesn't project very well, thus sillage can always be an issue unless you're blending it with something powerful. But I like it this way, I don't need to be smothered in loud patchouli everyday. Sometimes I just need to step back and be at peace. I am beyond myself as to WHY this fragrance is no longer in production. It is one of l'artisan's gems that many don't seem to want to touch. The vetiver here reminds me of fat electrician by ELdO but calmer. There is a distinct smokiness that reminds me of another l'artisan offering: tea for two. It's that black tea, caravan vibe but much creamier and greener. There is a lot going on here even though it feels very subdued. Woods, smoke, cream, fruits, musk, spices. Blended masterfully and radiating like a slice of heaven off my skin. It's crazy people perceive different things in this fragrance- tar soap, leather, rubber, temples, mystics, tea, forests and so on and so on. What do I perceive? Definitely something mystical, something occult, temple offerings YES, rituals... magic. 10/10

A forest in song with all its promises. This is quickly becoming my favorite vetiver scent of them all. It is both an earthy vetiver and a celebration of all that vetiver can be. I could easily picture this one used by Kvothe, frolicking through the forest: in one arm, Ferulian; in the other, his lute. In this sense, it is much like Enchanted Forest in its sacred/primal festival feel. It is also very aptly named. Unlike other vetivers, this one doesn't take center stage. Rather, Spehner shows how vetiver can play an important role behind the scenes, while still making its presence felt and admired. This is like casting a very capable actor in a strong supporting role. (Think Michael Caine playing Alfred.) The scent begins with a shimmering of fruit, spice, and flowers, transitioning effortlessly into spices and woods, all glowing and orbiting around the beautiful, warm vetiver heart. One has to get close to notice this heart, but it is there and it is lovely. Yet it appears that its major use here is in enhancing the various notes of orange, apricot, date, incense and woods, aiding each one to become more than it is. Sweet and spicy, this is excellent for nights and cooler weather, yet I've worn it in the heat and it holds up well. Projection is good, but can be cloying if overapplied. Grab your crown of hollies, for winter is upon us and merry times await! 5/5

Basket full of dried fruits and other offerings. CVS smells as if somebody placed a collection of dried fruits, spices, and flowers inside a whisker basket and inserted incense sticks in it. It is pleasantly sweet, smoky, and woody. Despite the name, I don't find it to be a vetiver fragrance per se. I smell more incense and papyrus than vetiver. I do smell just a little bit of it towards the end of the dry down when all the dried fruit and incense notes have calmed down. It is however a non-linear fragrance. As it progresses other notes keep peeking it and out. Sometimes I get the creaminess of the sandalwood come out, at times I can get the violet and the Rose, and at others I get a little musc mixed with a little castoreum, nothing to make it skanky at all but to give contrast to the sweetness in this fragrance, which there is a lot of. In short, this is a kaleidoscopic composition that never gets boring. To me CVS is like a piece of art (something to admire but with limited practical use). Interesting, unique, exotic, and pleasant. Not a love, but I do like it. However, it is not a fragrance I would wear to impress on a date or at a social event. This is a fragrance I'd wear for my own pleasure and comfort in more casual settings. 7.5/10

I can see why they describe it as being like an "offering to the gods". It literally is sort of spiritual and other worldly. I have smelled this in my mind while looking at photographs of sacred temples without knowing it until I pulled the very weighty top off of this bottle and sprayed it. This was a blind buy and a very risky one considering I am 50/50 on vetiver fragrances but this truly different. This smells like a stronger, bolder, less watery version of Parfum d'Empire Osmanthus Interdite after it dries down. Must be the tea and osmanthus and a few other shared notes. But there is a scent in OI that I can never pinpoint, can never resolve and never get enough of....and Coeur de Vetiver Sacre fulfills that craving. It is like that scent that I breathe in trying to find until I am dizzy, always trying to get more, was all gathered and poured into this bottle just for me. There is absolutely no way to describe how this smells, you just have to smell it to appreciate and understand it.

My oh my! Just got this one today and I have to say I'm more than happy with it. Has more than a passing similarity with Gucci pour homme II with a couple of crucial differences. This has a fearsome opening of complex notes which are sweeter, sharper and then dry. This smell of sticky dates and the overall intensity is totally different but the combination of citrus, tea, and Vetiver is very similar. The tea in this is gorgeous, metallic at first then wonderfully aromatic and slightly peppery. There's subtle stuff in this one it has the animalic qualities of tibuktu, a slightly smoky, earthy vetiver and then even a hint of violet, wormwood and maybe olibanum? The Drydown is a much softer affair settling down to a pleasing and slightly deeper GPH II. It's a stunning fragrance and that sweetness with the tea gives a great new dimension to a very well blended fresh fragrance. This EDT performs okay too, nothing rather shattering but a worthy purchase.

I'm pretty gun-shy when it comes to vetiver dominant scents - vetiver often smells like bugspray on me. But luckily for me, Coeur de Vetiver Sacre is a bit of a misnomer, and the vetiver plays a supporting role. The opening is all about tea, with a mix of smoky/dried fruit/spicy notes (lots of black pepper) in the background. Vetiver adds a nice green rooty scent that balances the sweetness of the dates and apricot. As the scent develops, it becomes less green and sharp, with the central tea note now supported by osmanthus and dates. I love it! It's a rare scent that can be worn year round - the tea keeps it fresh enough for summer and the spices keep it warm enough for winter. Despite the long note list, the notes blend nicely to create a beautiful scent. Good longevity and good sillage. I've found that the green notes / citrus appear more when sprayed on clothing rather than on skin.

A bitter-sweet vetiver, a rather toned down version compared to other classic vetiver fragrances, yet remarkable because originally constructed. All the notes are practically there from the opening, you can just tune-in to whichever ones you prefer. I can definitely smell a balsamic note (someone aptly named this a camphorous glow), which might come from a combination of guaiac wood and cedar, there is also some amber with a whiff of incense. There is a lingering sweetnes given by the dates, that is never excessive, just enough to smoulder the earthiness of the vetiver, which here is never pungent. Nicely balanced, balmy-woody-smoky and gentle, almost meditative. The moderate sillage sits fairly close to the skin, hence ending more with a subtle invitation that a bold statement. To be tried for its unassuming yet intriguing character.

This one has a very special place in my heart. It's not my favourite fragrance, and I don't reach for it very often. But I will always remember it as the fragrance that officially launched my "Crazy Phase", as I now refer to 2012-2013 : the first and most financially-irresponsible years of my perfume addiction. In terms of review, I would mostly offer this word of caution : this is not a classic vetiver scent, and anyone expecting Encre Noire or Sycomore could be disappointed : the tea, dried fruit and incense notes are very present here. But as the name suggests, there is some vetiver at the heart of this fragrance, and it timidly emerges after several minutes. To me, the overall effet is a bit more oriental than woody-spicy. Very nice, and versatile -- I can imagine wearing it in all seasons and any occasions. 7.5/10

I'm going to be one of those people who shouts, "what were they thinking when they discontinued this masterpiece!?" I'm a little upset about this one. It is the BEST unisex vetiver fragrance to ever grace my nose. It suits all seasons, but especially spring and summer. The woods, dried fruit and incense gives it depth and character, the vetiver is light and bright but not sharp. I would call this a complex tea scent with spices, woods and a little bit of fruit and smoke. A very wearable vetiver scent, or a great introductory vetiver for those who don't usually care for it. I will miss this fragrance and forever wonder why they chose to do away with it. There is no substitute in my opinion.

CdVS captured my soul on first spray to skin. I've been transported to a Shinto shrine. Tea, incense, gentle spices and some faint under-aroma of exotic fruit... I never thought I could like, let alone love, a Tea-based scent. My Canadian husband, who often mocks my obsessive coffee drinking, drinks gallons of tea a day (made in the Russian manner, go figure!) Smelling his beverage does nothing for me. But this!! Enchanting! L'Artisans tend to work well for me, I've had good luck with them and think they're mostly unique and lovely. CdVS has very good longevity and sillage on me. I'd suggest this to anyone looking for a unique, calming, and meditative fragrance. It's a keeper.

I think this is one of the very best L Artisan fragrances. It is disscontinued, but still available on eBay. I think it may have been too modern for it's time. Some of the now greatest classics like Givenchy Insense, where disscontinued after a few years for that reason. It is a light fruity vetiver, with many floral and spicy notes well blended, but it is mostly vetiver and date fragrance. Date as in fruit:) I found a great and popular current vetiver that may have the same vetiver and fruit vib... It is Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatal. Check it out, vetiver and plum are dominant, stays light and fresh.

it smells good (almoust in a gourmand way), but neither sacré nor particularly vetiver. that's disappointing. ignoring the beautiful name, it's more a juicy, cooling, spicy chai & fruit. I really enjoy wearing it, the saffron and peppery note are very present after the fruity topnotes fade. sometimes I think it's safran troublant greeting from somewhere. besides this, I miss the vetiver (there, but only a faint trace), I'd wish it had more incense/distinctive notes too, to achieve this holy thing you'd expect from a coeur sacré. and sillage is poor unless you totally overspray. I love it, though.

l'ho comprato a scatola chiusa sul web, pensando si trattasse di una fragranza centrata sul vetiver. invece è un bel profumo camaleontico, basato, nelle note di testa, su tè verde e iris, che evolvono verso il vetiver, certo, ma anche sull'incenso (da qui un bell'effetto "dark"), sul pepe nero e il cuoio, e un che di fruttato (i datteri, forse?). ogni volta che lo spruzzo colgo qualcosa di nuovo: zafferano, rosa, fave di tonka, arancia etc etc. bellissimo e sì, il cuore è di sacro vetiver.

I am wearing this, this bright and Sunny New Year's day morning, i'ts warming, yet very bright and uplifting with the great fruity notes of dates primarily, apricot and orange. I realized this is very much the same vib as Creed Aventus, maybe better than Aventus. People, including myself love the smoky pineapple in Aventus. Vetiver Sacre has a smoky, incense fruit, a smoky date, and many great fresh herbs and spices, warm woody notes, supremely enjoyable!

Wow, this is so good. I still have 30 ml from a bottle I've had for 10 years. I have a large mostly niche and artisancollection of Areej le Dore, etc. This has grown in favor to me. The date and apricot fruitiness is the best fruity fragrance I've ever tried, from over 800 reviews. It's worth the $200-$300 bucks. Great medly of spices, vetiver and florals as well. Rating 10:10 God bless

I feel like this is a vetiver for people who say they don't even like vetiver- that's how multi dimensional Vetiver Sacre is. There's something for everyone, from the chewy sweet gourmand fruits, the smooth, elegantly rich black tea right down to the earthy, resinous finish. The infused tea I feel is my favourite stage, it's like burying your nose in freshly cured ground leaves.