Royall Vetiver

Royall Muske captured my heart not too long ago, so it was only fitting to try this other offering from Royall Lyme Bermuda. Another slam dunk, as far as I'm concerned. Keep in mind that it's an EDC, so longevity and projection aren't beastly. It still beats out TF's grey vetiver which I got rid of due to its joke of a performance. The fragrance is top notch with its bright citrus opening that cools and comforts the skin, and then to its classic earthy/woody drydown that's typical of vetiver essential oil. The value is great for such a generous 8 oz bottle. I've been splashing liberally along with a scent-free moisturizer post-shave. It lasts a couple hours on its own, or makes a perfect layer base for other fragrances like encre noir sport. Overall, it's a great-smelling, inoffensive fragrance made with quality ingredients at a very fair price. Not much more I could ask for. Grade: A

classica colonia agrumata e lievemente speziata con assestamento su vetiver. preferisco il vetiver aspro di guerlain o quello terroso di eau du gouverneur, ma per la stagione calda questo è perfetto.

I've always wanted to try something from the Royall Fragrances line, but it was never imported in Greece and Bermuda lies so far away. So, I was more than excited to receive some Royall Vetiver, due to a noble lady's kindness and generosity. Now, I understand there's a myriad of "vetiver this" and "vetiver that" fragrances out there, but I've always being wondering about how many people actually know how vetiver essential oil smells like. Since I fancy myself as a Nicolas Mamounas or at least a Roger Pellegrino in the making (yeah, right...), I have a good deal of pure essential oils around, and vetiver is one of my staples. So here's the case. For the first ten minutes or so, Royall Vetiver smells like the closest fragrance to vetiver essential oil that I have ever smelled. But after that, it smells like nutmeg and coriander and nothing else! Just in case of being somewhat hallucinating, I even compared it with the vases of nutmeg and coriander in my spice rack, and yes, it's definitely nutmeg and coriander all the way! Minus the first minutes that is. Now, the problem is that despite the fact that I really love nutmeg and mostly coriander, I can't understand why a fragrance consisting of three notes, and with the first two occupying 95% 0f its life, should be named after the third. I guess it's because vetiver is one of the brightest stars in the perfume sky, while nutmeg and coriander are mainly kitchen dwellers above all. Thus "Royall Nutmeg and Coriander" probably wouldn't stand a chance. But in any case, a fragrance so much alike Cacharel pour Homme, which is one of my eternal loves, couldn't score anything less than exquisite in my book, along with making me think that a trip to Bermuda anytime soon wouldn't be a bad idea, since suddenly, it doesnt look that far anymore....

Disclaimer: I use this solely as an aftershave, and am reviewing it as such Unlike the other Royall fragrances, Vetiver is unique in that it's not a linear fragrance (i.e., there are distinct top, middle and base notes). The open is a bracing citrus, which is quickly followed by a spicy note that combines with the vetiver and sustains through the drydown. While more complex than other Royall fragrances, it still retains it's simplicity - this is a vetiver fragrance, through and through. The bottle indicates that it's mixed with "oils from the finest rootlets of the Vetiver grass", and I don't doubt that. This is a quality fragrance at a very affordable price point. The only downside, like other Royall fragrances, is the longevity. I get just around 2 hours out of this one (not bad as an aftershave, though). However, sillage is a bit better on this one.

OK, so the BOTTLE indicates that this is for men, but I found it perfectly fine on my skin. Better than fine! I really enjoyed the spicy citrus, which winds up smelling like a dark bar at closing time - full of wood, liquor and bad decisions. The fragrance is for sale at Whole Foods, for all you Americans! Inexpensive and easy to find.

I possess a number of different fragrance houses Vitiver offerings. They are all different in their fragrance experience, but all having the present Vitiver top note while the middle and base notes maintain unique variations of Vitiver throughout. That said, Royall Fragrances Vitiver is also one of those offerings in my fragrance cache. Amazingly, Royall Fragrances maintained their signature 'simplicity' of this fragrance as they have with their Lyme and Bay offerings, and done so quite admirably I might also add. The simplicity I refer to is that the Vitiver fragrance remains throughout the top, middle and base notes without turning too resiny or sharp as other fragrance houses attempts at a simple Vitiver fragrance result in. Royall Fragrance Vitiver has a bit stronger sillage similar to their Spyce and Musk, so, unlike their Lyme and Bay, a little goes a long way. When I want to wear a Vitiver-based fragrance that is distinctly the woody effect of a more pure (i.e. simple) Vitiver fragrance and has strong staying power and a bit more sillage I reach for my Royall Fragrance Vitiver. In fact, while I use Carven's Vitiver and a couple of other high-grade (and costly) foreign Vitiver fragrances from time to time, it is Royall Fragrances Vitiver I reach for when I want that strong but smooth and sustained woody essence of Vitiver to be with me throughout the day.

A brief, focused review that is precise - like the scent itself. A nice, deep green and slightly rooty vetiver in Eau de Cologne strength. The woody texture is dampened by a splash of citrus and a pinch of spices...this is of good quality. Not long lasting, but a scent that is natural, crisp and refreshing. I find this to be tasteful and a nice summer splash/spritzer that will wear well in the heat. Invigorating juice from a classic house. Recommended.

Nothing earth shaking goin here, but I find this to be a nice Summer refresher after a cool shower on a hot humid day. A little citrus, followed be a spicy note which carries right through the drydown, combined with a light transparent vetiver.Not terribly long lasting, but well worth wearing while it does last.

A nice rooty vetiver that doesn't last very long, maybe three hours at the most. Imagine if Guerlain Vetiver and Givenchy Vetyver collided and you'd have a decent idea of what this is like.