Vetiver

I was encouraged recently by a Fragrantica buddy to share this list of my Top 10 Vetiver based frags.... Kindly remember: this is just my opinion... It is based on what I instictinctively reach for when Vetiver is on my mind and the mood I'm in.... This is a fragrance forum and opinions will surely differ.. That being said, i gladly encourage all to get their noses on these frags and they'll be convinced these are in elite company in terms of Vetiver frags... Like every humble student/reviewer, I gladly welcome the opinions and recommendations of the reader ***HONOURABLE MENTION*** Frederic Malle: French Lover "Bois D'Orage": (Very herbal, fresh & green Vetiver- Formal occasion Vetiver "Black Tie" worthy, power longevity 12hrs) 1. Vetiver Extrait: Roja Dove (My Review says it all) 2. Encore Noire: Lalique (Dark, Dirty & Complex Vetiver- for those who are daring and enjoy being challenged by their fragrances) For me: Niche quality @ ridiculous price... (See my review please if interested) 3. Bal D'Afrique: Byredo (Sweet, creamy, and very luxurious vetiver- Black tie/Semi-Formal dinner party worthy).. Dress-up, dress-down...., all good!☺️ 4. Les Exclusifs de Chanel: (Sycomore)-Bright at the opening perhaps some aldehydes here like the original composition to give it that champagne appeal... Once that initial blast fades, you get a green, earthy and smoky vetiver ... Very daring scent & it honestly kinda smells like cannabis... 5. Creed: Original Vetiver (Sophisticated & Squeaky clean Vetiver....- recline having cocktails on a Sunday afternoon at the country club after a few rounds of golf) 6. Grey Vetiver: Tom Ford (Professional, clean and youthful Vetiver- young guy working in a nice office atmosphere where he wears a tie regularly) 7. Frederic Malle: Vetiver Extraordinaire: (Head-turning Vetiver, like the inside of a chest in a library, crispier & more spicy than most of the rest)- I find this beats Malle's other Vetiver offering in slightly cooler temps and for evening wear when you wanna make that bold statement.......! 8. Guerlain: Vetiver (An essential in ANY serious collector's wardrobe.... This DNA is the basis for the majority of Vetivers on the market today.... Would be higher on my list, but Roja Dove took it to the SUPREME level.... 9. The Different Company: Sel De Vetiver (Salty, grapefruit Vetiver, a perfect balance of an aquatic & earthy, grassy, woody vetiver- eerily similar to Guerlain's Vetiver- not sure I can really tell them apart in a blind side-by-side test! 10. Vetiver Veritas: James Heeley (lots of depth, dark in a similar manner to encore noire, but not as well blended. Very natural smelling, but definitely NOT for everyone......., THIS ONE IS A POWERHOUSE MEANT FOR THE MORE DARING NOSES)- this is a true-to-life interpretation of Haitian Vetiver.....

(GREAT REVIEWS GUYS)- I've enjoyed reading them ALL!!! Vetiver Is a very interesting note and there is plethora of Vetiver-based fragrances on the market. I'm strongly advising any SERIOUS frag-head to have at least 3 in their collection!!! Roja Dove has proven yet again that he is a living legend... How so? OBSERVATIONS: He keeps the integrity of the Vetiver itself, because many vetiver frags have become so lightened and freshened and airy that in the end, most of them have very little to do with what Vetiver is TRULY about... Vetiver, as you know is the root of a grass, therefore, what should we expect? Dry, earthy, smoky and leathery.... Roja, attacks this composition masterfully... He starts off with an enormous amount of Bergamot & a little lemon on the top... So we get that blast if freshness on the top which counterpoints the depth of the Vetiver note. Freshness on the top counterpointed by the depth of the Vetiver in the base. His generous addition of Cedarwood, a touch of Orris and Labdanum also contributes to that lovely contrast.... I agree with those who feel that he created Vetiver Extrait to make up for the reformulation of the classic Guerlain Vetiver, the signature scent of his partner. Having both in my collection, the extrait is, indeed, modelled after the vintage Guerlain, only nicer and richer. Of course, at over $300 a pop it better be. MY TAKE: A very dry Vetiver, Dove really shows off the smoky facets of this ethereal, beautiful note.... This Vetiver comes off as a soft, woody note that is very seductive - very sophisticated. Roja has masterfully taken the Vetiver note and showcased that very smoky and masculine side. It really exudes a high level of sophistication reminiscent of another splendid scent in my collection (Tuscan Leather). What I get? Green, grassy, dry and smoky Vetiver. It really comes off as if a lot of incense has been infused into the composition...... As it dries down on your skin, that animalic nuance of the cumin, the spices, caraway & nutmeg transitions in. Nevertheless, the fragrance stays quite linear, what you get at the top pretty much STAYS WITH YOU, projection is very nice and longevity is a good 6.5-8 hours on my skin...... CONCLUSION: MATERPIECE! 10/10 in my collection! Sycomore and Encre Noire are good, but THIS.....?!?! The BEST Vetiver fragrance EVER created. I strongly believe this, realizing it may offend quite a few of you out there who love the original by Guerlain: Roja Dove took the Vintage Guerlain Vetiver (long before it became contaminated) and took it to a whole different level.... According to the man himself: "I created this to be the ultimate in how a man should smell." I couldn't agree more! Worth EVERY SINGLE penny!!!

This one of the best smelling, light vetivers that I have encountered. The blending and balance are wonderful. Unfortunately, the projection and silage are practically nonexistent. This is a skin scent. If it lasted, then that would be fine and I would have given this a thumbs up, but at nearly $400 for 50ml, the miserable longevity is completely unacceptable. This stuff cannot be a true extrait. It behaves as if it were an EdC. The longevity is about an hour on my skin (when I'm lucky) and two (barely) on clothing. I cannot believe people are getting half a day out of this. I was worried that I got a fake, so I went to Sachs to confirm my findings. Sure enough, the longevity was terrible. Such a shame. This would have easily been my favorite vetiver fragrance. Actually, I guess it "is" my favorite, but it isn't worth anywhere near the asking price, given its miserably poor longevity. People compare this to Grey Vetiver, but Vetiver Exrait smells much better. Grey Vetiver is loaded with iso-e-super and has this synthetic vibe that doesn't exist with Vetiver Extrait. GV smells good, but VE smells much more sophisticated. The Roja Vetiver is closer to vintage Guerlain than Tom Ford's offering. I wish I could be more positive about this. It really does smell so very good, but I regretfully have to give this a neutral. Such a pity.

One of the best vetiver fragrances out there. I think the Roja Dove has been inspired by Vetiver from Guerlain and boosted it so that Vetiver stays the star of this cast. Vetiver is indeed the star on this fragrance and it is allowed to shine, this is the reason why this frag is the best vetivers out there in my opinion. Labdanum complements the earthy vibe of the vetiver effectively boosting it rather than suffocating it. The opening note is a lovely bergamot, all the while the middle floral notes are supporting the vetiver symphony pretty much until the end of the scent life. Unfortunately this perfume has a short life span while its projection is really good. This fragrance has gotten me compliments and "what are you wearing?" questions every time I've worn it. It is a clean and warm scent that gives you a delicious olfactory experience every time you get a whiff. Scent: 10/10 Longevity: 7/10 Sillage: 10/10 Cost ratio: 8/10 Overall: 8.75/10 If you like vetiver and have a thick stack of money go for it, you will not be disappointed. This frag is on my Top 5 list and that is a compliment since I am a vetiver fan and I have tested many vetivers so I like to think I know that note pretty well.

A lot of freshness and fun in Roja Dove's Vetiver Extrait, it shares the same quality of Amber Extrait in not relying so heavily on its signature note and perhaps being a little surprising in that respect. It opens with more citrus, leads to a heart of some rose, and then devolves into an earthier base, admittedly anchored by the vetiver itself that is much less a part of its opening. I get some pepper and resin in the base, so it does become a little more complex, more interesting than just the freshness or just the vetiver itself. A nice composition. Projection and longevity are more on par with Bergamot Extrait, which is strong, but not the beast mode that was Amber Extrait (which I tried only yesterday). Still debatable whether it's worth its now-discontinued price tag, which obviously depends on where it is being sold. Luckily, it's not as extremely popular as the Amber Extrait, so some Vetivers should actually be floating around the secondary market. 8 out of 10