Mr. Vetiver

Somehow close to the Imaginary Authors aesthetics, some Lana del Rey style. A little bit of smoke, a bit of nostalgia; sweet notes, bitter notes. It could easily be called "Memory Motel", too, and I find it better; Mr. Vetiver, too, suggests enclosed spaces: rooms, halls, abandoned bars. Even though there's a pretty standard vetiver/grapefruit accord in the opening, there is also a certain ashy-ness that takes it from there and grows with time. I was recently inside an ex-school that had been closed for the last 15 years and I recognize this smell: dust and expired lab materials in the chemistry room, old carpets and curtains. This, combined with the persistent, oneiric, cardamom-sprinkled sweetness, creates the tension, the contrast I call nostalgia. Nice work, great for daydreaming or going to sleep.

bought the discovery set - this and jardins the misfah (the original fragrance that inspired me to try the discovery set) are my favorites. this smells like a bathroom in a fancy restaurant, aka pretty similar to aesop's scents. will keep this in the running for a full bottle purchase but ultimately might not be worth the price as it is kind of generic. but so so fresh and spicy yum

The lukewarm reception of this vetiver is baffling! This is a stunning vetiver! Not trying to reinvent the wheel; tried and true as a vetiver frag, this captures all that sort of dried goodness of a great vetiver scent, with an amazing spicy but not heavy undertone from chili pepper, and some stunning aromatic and sulfuric notes to brighten and zest the whole thing up. LOVE.

Fresh and aromatic on the opening and something comes off a little saffron or leather to me. It’s fresh and spicey, it is unique to me a fresh scent. I get a subtle sweetness as well. The vetiver comes out more in the dry down. It leans a bit masculine on paper but on my skin I think it’s right in the middle and as a female who loves fresh spices scents I need a full bottle

Even though I don’t usually enjoy fragrances where vetiver takes center stage, I really liked this one because it’s so refined and well-balanced. Vetiver blends beautifully with grapefruit, creating something that feels both fresh and earthy. Basil; one of my favourite herbal note, adds a green and wonderfully aromatic twist to the whole composition. Being quite particular when it comes to cardamom, I picked up on its presence right away. But here, it’s a more subdued and well-integrated version that suits the overall structure. Some interpretations can feel overly edible on my skin, but thankfully that’s not the case here. The vetiver stays ever-present, almost as if it defines the entire scent: it never fades into the background. There’s also a deep and dark undertone to it. It doesn’t scream summer or winter; it strikes a perfect middle ground, making it wearable year-round. I’d also call it truly unisex.