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

Perfection in perfumery exists right here. Roja Dove is a master at the art. Whether Vetiver is reminiscent of other fresh vetiver fragrances or not, to argue who came up with it first is pointless. Vetiver is more than just a well-blended fresh vetiver fragrance as it has some curiously uncommon supporting notes. I feel the litsea cubeba really makes this a stand-out among fragrances of a similar vein, with its lemon-rind-like character--a little bitter, a little sweet, a little herbal and marrying perfectly with galbanum. Caraway, nutmeg and pepper, along with the tarry-wood edge of guaiac, pull already dry vetiver in a slightly masculine direction. However, I'd still call this a unisex fragrance as it has enough beauty and sweetness in it's subtle floral notes and smoothness of oakmoss. Perfectly faceted with a skilled hand, Roja Dove's Vetiver is a fragrance I highly recommend to vetiver aficionados.

The best vetiver out there. It's like Tom Ford Grey Vetiver and Guerlain Vetiver had a baby which is more beautiful than both of them. Is it overpriced? You could say so, as it was sold for a good 100 pound sterling during an outlet sale when they ended the extrait line. Is RD a narcissist? Most probably. Does Luca Turin like RD perfumes? Nope, but he likes a bunch of others which make my nose curl. So who cares? This stuff is amazing. It's lush, thick, luxurious, yet light enough to wear on every occasion. I feel rich when I spray this on. It's classic, but not old fashioned. It's the perfect vetiver.

I'm loving this vetiver. Yes, it is fresh as you would expect but it also has great depth and there is great enjoyment as it unfolds with time. There is the vetiver, galbanum, citrus notes with the labdanum sweetening and softening the edges. You can pick up the spicey wood notes that keep the longevity exceptional. I cant detect the celery! Its definitely unisex so girls give this a go. I admit I'm not a girly girl but this is perfect to wear in warm weather. It smells expensive and makes you feel empowered so dont miss out.

I sampled the EdP Pour Homme version of this and it is amazing. The bergamot and lemon top notes are lush, tart, stunning and long lasting and the vetiver is natural and earthy ... but the whole concoction sits close to the skin. That said, it is the best vetiver scent I've ever tried. But it's not unique. In fact, you can get fairly close to the dry down with Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver, pocket the difference, and fly round trip somewhere. It all depends on how much you value high quality ingredients. 9/10.

Longevity and Silage are not the best, as noted below--but I agree; this is one of the very best vetiver scents out there. I find that usually vetiver is not my favorite scent and one that skews considerably more masculine on me than I would like. This has a very nice resinous and incense-like smell with grassy undercurrents lashed by the pepper and a bit of spice. The rose balances it all nicely. I just used the last of my large decant up and...sigh. I highly recommend this one!

This an amazing vetiver! Reminds me of Tom Ford grey vetiver however not as sharp. It has an evident refinement for the cost it bears and is not tamped down or restrained. It doesn't feel raw, though, like some vetivers, that are all grass and earth, etc. This has that raw element, but blends the other notes in beautifully to soften enough edges that you can wear it without offending anyone in the office. If you love vetiver, this is glorious vetiver to consider!

I love this fragrance. It’s a beautiful Vetiver. A fragrance to wear all year in my opinion. Yes, his fragrances are expensive but his fragrances and packaging are of high quality. I recently tried his Vetiver for men, I did not think it was the same. I found it more of a masculine, but a wearable fragrance for women. Just not as lovely as his extrait.

Quite simply, a gorgeous vetiver. Smooth hazelnut woodiness with that slight pinch of wet paint, zesty citrus, dry peppery spice, delicate floral touches and just a hint of clean soap powder. Perfectly balanced and ultra-refined. A sophisticated gentleman in a bottle.

Roja perfumes are nice but the price is simply INSANE for 50 ml !!!!!!! Skip this and get the Tom Ford if you dont wanna take out a loan to buy the Roja ! Without a doubt: the Ultimate and 'holy-grail' Vetiver perfume

Absolute stunner but so is Tom Ford grey vetiver for a fraction of the cost. I think Roja is nice but way over priced. You're paying more for the presentation than the juice... Too bad I don't wear bottles.

Absolutely gorgeous fragrance with perfect sillage and longevity to my liking. Expensive? YES! Would I repurchase if it runs out? Most DEFINITELY, unless I could find one better than this then.

This is the best men's perfume on the planet.there's nothing close

the parfum is much better than the extrait in my opinion

great scent but poor longevity

A spicy, somewhat dirty vetiver. Performance wise, for the first hour or so it's very potent indeed before settling down to something more manageable. As with most Roja's it's very long lasting too. Of the big Vetiver fragrances (Malle's Extraordinaire, Tom Ford's Grey and Creed's Original) this is definitely my favourite. That said however, i'm not a huge fan of Vetiver-centric fragrances, so as nice as it is, I can cope without a bottle in my collection.

This is definetly the best vetiver fragrance has today I get tons off compliment this,scream elegance!! women between 20-40give me some compliment everytime I wear this I agree with lupex its the most gorgeous sceductive scent I never came across.well done mr dove! scent=10/10 uniqueness 10/10 longevity 10/10 12h+ projection9/10 with a good arm streght abit moore!

Comparing the 3 versions, I find the Extrait fresher with a more straightforward vetiver, the new Parfum slightly darker and stronger (It's the other way around for Lily & Gardenia), and the EdP sweeter.

I mean, its pretty good. But pretty good and 500 a bottle shouldn't be a thing. Evidently they are though. Read Giskela's review.

Roja Vetiver Extrait, recently re-introduced as Vetiver Pour Homme (Parfum & EDP), is a high quality, retro and un-original perfume that smells good. Roja Dove has clearly taken Guerlain’s vintage as a starting point and used exquisite materials in his composition. The overall result is as aforementioned a classy but little dull earthy vetiver. A sweet floral tone is more pronounced but in general the fragrance feels stuffy and somehow crude to my nose. Good but for the price it sells I can buy the real reference.

For the low, low price of 300 bucks for 50 mL, you too can have Guerlain Vetiver in a fancy bottle.

Roja Dove – Truths and Lies Most of you have seen my interview with the ambassador of Roja Dove brand in Metropoliten art perfume shop in Belgrade. I was pleasantly surprised with the kindness, cooperation and level of interest mister Andrew Wright presented his brand. He did it so enthusiastically that I couldn’t say what I was intuitively feeling – lie through one’s teeth. Expensive packaging wrapped in ”diamonds”. Quality ingredients whose price is more expensive than gold. All of which are used to make up for the lack of talent in creating scent compositions. But, I must admit I enjoyed the experience and decided to investigate the world of one of (self-proclaimed) best noses nowadays. Roja Dove – actually it's Roger but I think that rejecting its name tells a lot about the pose this brand stroke. The beginning As an adolescent, he began a correspondence with the PR of the house of Guerlain, also known as the “Vatican of perfume industry” as we are talking about an almost 200 years old house with a striking number of timeless perfume masterpieces it continues to produce today. He continued bombing them with questions during his medical studies he gave up to begin working in the fashion industry. When he was 24 after tiring Robert Guerlain with his questions so much he gave him an administrative job. He worked for 20 years in Guerlain and advance to the position of brand ambassador. Then he magically opened his own perfume production in 2001. Surprise surprise, most of his creations resembled Guerlain perfumes – those already presented and those waiting to be presented. During the years he spent there he had the chance to spend time with the best perfume makers in the world and he learned a lot from them. Are copycats the best way to repay them for the incredible opportunity given to him? Is imitation the greatest form of flattering? I’ll let you be the judge of that... What do the critics say? World’s greatest perfume reviewer Luca Turin gave all Roja Dove’s perfumes one star or two. The only exemption is Fetish that received three. Not one perfume landed on the good, four, five stars perfumes list. Ordinarily eloquent and interesting, Luca used one word to describe Roger Dove’s perfumes – “routine”. And he was appalled by their price. As far as I’m concerned, luxury bottles, encrusted with metal, bejeweled with diamonds and crystals cannot mask the desperate lack of inspiration and imagination. Lack of talent is noticed with every breath and the insincerity, fakeness and narcissistic conduct of Roger (Roje) Dove can pass only with the newly rich but never with European with wit and culture and a true passion towards perfume-making art. What do you think, are Roja Dove perfumes worth 500 to 1000 dollars apiece? by scentertainer.net

ROJA's Vetiver completely raptured me by surprise as I wouldn't have thought it to be his best work, from all the press, talk and hype I heard about this house. It is a bit of an easy route to glory as Vetiver is one of the noblest of fragrant notes. Therefore with the ethereal quality of notes that ROJA employs it is not hard to see how this scent is the pinnacle. It is deceptively compleX and you will get out of it what you invest into it in terms of eXploration. It is a smoky Vetiver as if infused with s the dose of incense notes ... it is the unusually virile oakmoss note that does this. It has hints of bergamote which is a classically tried and true pairing with vetiver, as well as a host of spices to give it warmth and animalic nuance. This vetiver is dry, leathery, smoky, woody, spicy, masculine. SMELLS LIKE: Grass and smoke PERFORMANCE: Good (6hrs) & Good (within arms length range) COMPLIMENTS: Highly appreciated for it's refinement, sophistication and masculinity. seXy RATING - 10/10 FINAL THOUGHTS: The best ever created and a modern masterwork.

Roja Dove's Vetiver will probably not strike as the most original vetiver soliflore composition around but, despite that, it is still a big winner. The typical sparkling green opening that lately evolves into an extremely solid woody/mossy vetiver-centered base, is closer to vintage Guerlain Vetiver and Racine than to, say, Sycomore or Route Du Vetiver. It's clean yet plush, polite yet potent and, most of all, incredibly well blended. The vetiver here has a fresh-woody quality (most likely the haitian type), with the typical rubbery undertone and together with oakmoss gives birth to an endless old-fashioned drydown that goes on for 15+ hrs. In this context, Roja Dove is responsible of one of the most tenacious vetiver-centered composition available on the market. If you like your vetiver to be simple but unquestionably blended with top quality ingredients and, as long as you don't expect something groundbreaking or revolutionary, your search for the ultimate high-end vetiver could stop here. Terrific. Rating: 8-8.5/10

Well, it`s a very noble vetiver, but definitely not for my skin. The vetiver is so strong that it oppresses all the other notes and finally turn into an absolutely male scent. I have nothing against masculine smells and I have some in my collection, but this one becomes quite unpleasantly male on me. That`s a pity because the beginning was quite promising... but helas. I offered my sample to a male friend who adored it. I have the Neroli Extrait and can strongly recommend it, at least for a try. Please follow my review on the appropriate page.

I've never been robbed but i think these houses are stealing from me. If you let the people tell it, Roja Vetiver is the skyscraper and all these other vetivers are condos. Weird analogy..i know. Roja vetiver is nothing more than a sweetened and less potent version of Tom Ford's grey vetiver. I'm about to make heads explode with what im about to say next: I prefer Tom Ford's offering over this one. To ROJA DOVE- Please give me a reason to buy your stuff. I got the funds, just give me something distinctive.

If Guerlain's Vetiver was available in extrait or eau de parfum concentrations, this is what it would smell like. More of the creaminess in the base, without the citrusy opening. It's a cover version rather than a unique creation in my view. If you love this scent, do yourself a favour and buy a 200ml bottle of Guerlain for £50, and spend the £300 you save on something else :)

1. This parfum costs £245 for 50ml. That is insane. Clearly marketed only for the residents of Dubai and Kensington Palace Gardens. A shame really. 2. For such a high quality luxury brand with superb perfumes you would think their webside would be a bit more professional. The site is too basic and unfriendly for today's standards.

I've got an extra bottle. PM me if interested.