Vetiver fragrances inventory: under-the-radar

[Andy the frenchy]

Being a huge vetiver fan, I am starting a comprehensive thread to inventory and discuss under-the-radar vetiver-centered frags that are currently available to buy (retailers or ebay). Please no discontinued/historical fragrances. In order to avoid endless discussion on the usual suspects, I'll clear them immediately, so we can focus on the more "stealth" frags. let's go:

- Guerlain Vetiver - dark green with tobacco (my first vetiver, and still my favourite)
- Guerlain Vetiver Extreme - dark green with incense
- Guerlain Homme L'Eau Boisee - fresh light green
- Lalique Encre Noire - Earthy black, black, and black
- Lalique Encre Noire a' l'Extreme - Grey/brown, very similar to Chanel Sycomore
- Lalique Encre Noire Sport - Fresh black with a drop of white, with a pleasant subtle lavender twist
- Carven Le Vetiver (white bottle with grey woody cap) - light green with florals , quite complex and a little old school. I love.
- Carven Vetiver (green bottle with silver cap) - one of the few I hate. nose irritating sharp citrus. Unbalanced.
- Dunhill Icon - more a neroli-centered fragrance, but in which the vetiver is quite strong supporting note in the heart/base
- Franck Olivier Black Touch - Dracula's powdery (very) synthetic take on Encre Noire + Terre d'Hermes
- Givenchy Vetyver - classy mid-tone green/grey, hazelnut feeling. Drydown similar to Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire.
- Mugler Cologne - soapy light green (actually, does not contain vetiver oil at all, but the floral/musky accord tricks the nose in an impression of vetiver leaf, and the results is very similar to Creed Original Vetiver)
- ELdO Fat Electrician - sweet brown with a hint of dark green (this one is 80% sweet creamy chestnuts supported by some vetiver, not the opposite)
- L'Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu - smoky grey/green
- Hermes Terre d'Hermes - orange/green
- Hermes Terre d'Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver - metallic green/grey
- Hermes Terre d'Hermes Parfum - asphalt/orange/hint of green (more formal and better projecting version of the original)
- Dior Eau Sauvage - you know it, no need to talk about it
- Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum - great fragrance, the 2012 version's opening being a little more full bodied than the 2017's, but the drydowns are identical
- Dior Eau Sauvage Cologne - an adapted version of the original, fitting more the current tastes, with improved performance
- Tom Ford Grey Vetiver EDP - a sharper Guerlain Vetiver. A little overpriced imo
- Tom Ford Grey Vetiver EDT - very similar to the previous one, thinner and less interesting though. Discontinued.
- Hermes Bel-Ami Vetiver - sharp green opening, brown red drydown
- Creed Original Vetiver - light airy green in the sun. Creed uses all parts of the plant (both roots and leaves), but it's often considered a reference in the "vetiver leaf" category, that only a few houses did. Mugler Cologne is similar to this one, in "lower definition".
- Roja Dove Vetiver Extrait - pure perfection, but overpriced
- F.Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire - hay-ish, yellow/brown, creamy cedar supported by an earthy/floral vetiver. Some facets of Etro Vetiver and Givenchy Vetiver. Imo overpriced given its fleeting performance, and the name is a bit misleading - but quality is top.
- Chanel Sycomore - the top is 80% Encre Noire Sport, the heart is a 95% Encre Noire a' l'Extreme, the base is 80% Encre Noire a' l'Extreme +20% Lutens Vetiver Oriental.
- Dior Vetiver - a great one. Shares some vibes with the cheaper Elie Saab Vetiver n.6. In that high price range, I'd opt for Sycomore tbh.



Since we're done with those, let's start the interesting part. I'll throw a few here that are much less discussed in forums, and that I own or that I previously tested: (feel free to rediscuss them later)


- Gucci Guilty Absolute - leather and vetiver, stunning designer frag
- By Kilian Dark Lord - very similar to the previous one, a step up
- Initio Divine Attraction - vetiver and leather, basically the ater ego of Dark Lord
- Korloff No Ordinary Man - similar to the previous one, a step lower
- Atelier des Ors Cuir Sacre' - in the same style, and for me the best of the previous 4, with the strongest expression of vetiver. Superb!
- By Kilian Straight to Heaven - a leather/patch/woods-centered fragrance, that has a strong vetiver support in the base
- Tiziana Terenzi Ursa - a different take on the previous one
- Elie Saab Essence n.6 Vetiver - classy, perfectly tailored green, slightly powdery
- Etro Vetiver - earthy green/brown, with a roasted chestnut note, but no creamy sweetness like ELdO Fat Electrician
- Montale Red Vetyver - metallic green/black, similar to TdH Eau Intense Vetiver
- Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental - beautiful sparkling green/orange with a sweet background (not unlike Timbuktu)
- D&G Velvet Vetiver - light purple. Very luxurious feeling, but a sweet fig is the main player here, vetiver is just a supporting note
- Monsillage Pays Dogon - superb light green with orange/pink background, beautiful.
- Meo Fusciuni #1 Nota di Viaggio (Rites de Passage) - similar to the previous one, but brings it to the next level. Masterpiece
- E.Zegna Haitian Vetiver - It's the high-quality version of Guerlain's Vetiver, with a carrot seed twist
- Le Labo Vetiver 46 - yellowish/brown, an hay-ish vetiver. A masterpiece, but very pricey
- CdG 2 Man - very similar to the previous one and cheaper... what else?
- CdG Vettiveru 2 - very nice earthy vetiver kept fresh by citrus. Below average performance (it's and EDC), but honestly priced
- James Heeley Vetiver Veritas - the reference in the earthy/rooty vetivers dept imo, and the purest vetiver around
- Diptyque Vetiveryo EDP - a beautiful earthy-rooty vetiver, a little smoother than Heeley's, and an added subtle rose that fits very well imo
- Diptyque Vetiveryo EDT - not as interesting as the EDP, and all Diptyque's EDTs suffer of performance issues
- Jovoy Private Label - the king, beautifully supported by patchouli. Bold, powerful, masterful. My love.
- Jovoy Incident Diplomatique - a great great one too. My preference goes to the previous one though.
- Robert Piguet Bois Bleu - similar to Guerlain's, with a noticeable supporting violet that gives a great twist. A very green/blue impression, the name is spot on!
- Lush Smuggler's Soul - earthy vetiver with a nice sandalwood twist
- Lush Breathe of God - fruity vetiver, it's a mix of two oils previously released by the house (Inhale and Exhale)
- Verduu Matthew Miller - wow. My runner-up to Jovoy Private Label. A great earthy soily vetiver
- Mark Buxton Emotional Drop (fka Emotional Rescue) - the perfect version of Diptyque Vetiveryo, with an iris twist. Masterful!
- Aedes de Venustas Grenadille d'Afrique - a finer take on the Buxton Emotional Drop, but with lower performance and higher pricing.
- Mark Buxton Devil in Disguise - really great, smoother than the previous one, with a beautiful rhubarb support.
- Aedes de Venustas (original) - the alter ego to the previous one: rhubarb with vetiver support. Very nice.
- Escentric Molecules Escentric 03 - great fresh gingery vetiver fragrance. Sparkling. On my to-buy list
- Escentric Molecules Molecule 03 - pure (or nearly pure) vetiveryl acetate. very bitter. To be layered with the previous one to increase the body, but not so great by itself.
- Escentric Molecules Kinski - a rounder, greener and more complex version of Escentric 03, with rose, blackcurrant and castoreum support
- Lubin Le Vetiver - with support of frankincense. It has not left me a lifelong memory
- Andy Tauer Vetiver Dance - I now own a full bottle. Unique, but a love or hate kind of fragrance. A love for me.
- Vilhelm Smoke Show - very similar to AC Emeraude Agar, with a noticeable vetiver/incense twist in the base. Not really vetiver centered thouh.
- DS&Durga Bowmakers - a beautiful woody/leather fragrance, that paved the way for Vilhelm Smoke Show and Initio Divine Attraction. The vetiver is very noticeable, although not the main player
- Lorenzo Villoresi Theseus - beautiful grassy vetiver with a celery twist, beautiful.
- Armani Prive Vetiver d'Hiver (fka Vetiver Babylone) - nice clean take on vetiver, but very soft and overpriced for what it is
- LT Piver Vetiver - thin and old school. Good in that category
- Fragonard Vetiver - same as the previous one
- TdC Sel de Vetiver - changed my mind completely... this one is simply stunning, salty, crystal clear, fizzy, unique
- Prada Infusion de Vetiver - very light and soapy. Smells of clean
- Yves Rocher Cuir Vetiver - low performance, and pretty common
- Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatal - light vetiver with fruit support, unisex leaning feminine
- Byredo Bal d'Afrique - similar to the the previous one, but fully feminine
- Hermes Vetiver Tonka - nice take on vetiver, with tonka support and a hint of booze also.
- Eight&Bob Nuit de Megeve - similar to the previous one, but low performance
- De Nicolai Vetyver - very clean on vetiver. Too clean maybe? Not sure, but overpriced for sure.
- Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vetyver Haiti EDP - a very nice earthy vetiver surprise that I may put my hands on when it gets discounted
- Roger & Gallet L'Homme Vetyver - thin orange with supporting vetiver, old-schoolish
- Montale Vetiver Patchouli: tried it but no clear memories... will retry
- Paul Emilien Vetiver Indien: nice citrusy dominant vetiver. Clean and subtle.
- Murdock Vetiver - green mossy vetiver with patchouli support. Not groundbreaking, but still, very nice.
- L'Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha - meditative incense/vetiver masterpiece
- Lalique Hommage a l'Homme Voyageur - top of bergamot, then heart of patch/cardamom/vanilla trio with stong vetiver support, and then a vetiver/payrus duo takes the lead in the base. Great value, but misses the masterpiece grade just by an inch.
- Ormonde Jayne Zizan - sparkling vetiver with rooty (but not dirty) base, a high-end take on Escentric 03. Stunning.
- Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent - opens very resinous, and drydown to a dark earthy vetiver. What Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum 2017 should have been. In my top 5.
- Fzotic (B. Fazzolari) Lampblack - clean, inky, dry smoke (styrax), not really vetiver-centered. Quite thin. Will please people looking for a minimalist fragrance, disappointing at that price point in my book.
- Fzotic (B. Fazzolari) Vetiverissimo - straightforward high quality vetiver, middle of the road between freshness and darkness. Good, but nothing new here.
- Bois 1920 Vetiver Ambrato - amber forward with vetiver support. More an oriental than a vetiver frag. Was expecting more tbh
- Creed Vetiver Geranium - mostly geranium. Good, but I prefer Malle's take on the theme (Geranium pour Monsieur), if forced to choose.
- Oliver & Co. Vetiverus - clove-forward fragrance with support of orange and a subtle vetiver. Not sure what to think of this one... a piece of art, or totally unbalanced?
- Floraiku My Love has color of Night - a fantastic woody/resinous frag with a dark earthy vetiver in the base. Very high quality but not unique, and its price is simply outrageous.
- Masque Milano Hemingway - top notch metallic vetiver with rhubarb, reminding of gunpowder, cold leather base. In the same ball park as Malle's VE and Heeley VV (both in terms of quality... and price unfortunately). Etro Vetiver is a great cheaper alternative to all of these listed!
- Cartier Declaration Essence - the tea/vetiver take on the original, with a toned-downed cardamom. Very very nice, especially given its price.
- Byblos September Morn - L'Essence de Cerruti / Dunhill Icon Elite with a vetiver twist. Nice but not groundbreaking, and below average performance (very cheap though)
- Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla - very nice nutty vetiver with vanilla base
- MPG Route du Vetiver - a dark, damp, earthy, unapologetic take on vetiver, for hardcore vetiver fans only
- Annick Goutal Vetiver (1985) - a stunning salty/dark vetiver, on a beautiful spicy-tobacco base
- Annick Goutal Les Colognes Vetiver (2013): light citrusy vetiver. Unfairly criticized when seen as an heird to the 1985 EDT (it is not!), but beautiful if compared to other sunny/citric/woody EdCs
- Rogue Le Canotier - fruity/sweet light vetiver. Not a fan, but many are, and I respect the art
- Nishane Sultan Vetiver - starts grassy and damp with a strong note of anise (and dried fruits/sage possibly?), closes rootier (but never eathy or dirty). Superb!
- Mona Di Orio Vetyver - vetiver with noticeable nutmeg, ginger, and cedar. A high end, crystal clear, "cripsy" take on Etro Vetiver. Stunning (but not cheap)
- Monsillage Eau de Celeri - very realistic celery! shares similarities with LV Theseus
- Frederic Malle French Lover (aka Bois d'Orage) - nice and dark, mostly galbanum/angelica centered with clear vetiver support
- Franck Olivier Sunrise Vetiver - wow! at just $20, a fantastic fresh/green thin but well defined vetiver, similarities with PE Vetiver Indien
- Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver (vintage blue bottle) - a grassy vetiver with spices and a hint of sweetness, giving an impression of "vegetal decay", on the same shelf with Tauer's. Not for vetiver-beginners!
- Korloff Black Vetiver - nice variation inspired by Dior Homme. The vetiver is more noticeable on the label than in the bottle, tbh
- Chris Rusak 33 - wow! Probably one of the 3 finest vetiver frgarances this planet can offer. In between MPG Route du V and Malle VE
- Amouage Dia Man - mostly cardamom, with incense and woody florals. Nice salty vetiver in the late drydown. A bit overhyped, and much overpriced imo.
- Motif Olfactif Vetu de Vert - fresh celery-ish top, juicy yuzu heart and hay-ish dry vetiver/cedar/cypress base. The drydown is similar to Etro Vetiver, a tiny bit more grassy. A great one.
- Le Jardin Retrouve' Bois Tabac Virginia - floral opening, creamy cedar heart with tobacco-ish facets and dry hay-ish vetiver drydown a-la Mona di Orio - simply stunning. High quality at popular pricing.
- Clive Christian V for Men Amber Fougere with Smoky Vetiver: more an incense fragrance than amber centric, the nicest of the quintet, but overpriced.
- Just Jack Vetiver - well done TF Grey Vetiver EDT clone, even if a bit 2 dimensional and with low projection (but so is the original, so...)
- Odin 08 Seylon: a vetiver/tea fragrance, with a plastick-y feeling, similar to TdH Eau Tres Fraiche. Nothing to write home about.
- Malizia Uomo Vetyver - Green/woody: spicy citrus/pine with vetiver support. In the same vein as Dunhill Edition. For just $5, it's a good one.
- Mazzolari Vetiver: one of the latest in my collection, and a big 'wow'! A stunning citrus/aromatic fragrance with a drydown a-la Guerlain Vetiver, but a step higher in quality. Masterpiece.
- DS&Durga Cowboy Grass - grassy, aromatic, with a (slightly) rooty/nutty base rounded by sweetness (probably a hint of elemi). Great, and one that managed to still surprise me (in spite of the many I tried before), but that might not result the most quintessential of the one I know. I really like it, but there might be more interesting option at that price point. That said, it is one of the very few that results totally unisex while still delivering a real expression of vetiver without compensating it with a caricatural sweetness to make it wearable by women (ie. ELdO Fat Eelectrician). For that, chapeau!
- Unum Symphonie Passion - Peony and musk, with vetiver support. Original, but not really vetiver-centirc, imho.
- Chopard Vetiver D'Haiti au The Vert - very well done, even if not very unique
- Chopard Magnolia au Vetiver d'Haiti - a vetiver rounded by white florals. Really well done, the most interesting of the 2, imho.
- Tauerville Vetiver & petitgrain Splash - ultra bitter orange petitgrain, with vetiver. This is a water-based fragrance. Interesting.
- MPG Racine - nothing unique, simply the perfect classic citrus aromatic fragrance with vetiver base. Top notch quality. Bought a full bottle right away.
- Profumum Fumidus - peaty scotch, then vetiver. Not quintessential, imo.
- Profumum Victrix - aromatics centric, with vetiver support, and a hint of vetiver in the base. I was expecting more.
- Pierre Guillaume Monsieur - incense, patchouli and vetiver. Very nice, even if Jovoy Private Label might do it (a bit) better. Both solid options.
- Aesop Tacit - herbal, airy, basil-forward fragrance with a hint of vetiver support. Nice, but a bit overpriced.
- Caron Aimez Moi Comme Je Suis - combo of tonka, ginger and vetiver giving an impression of hazelnut (but vetiver is not a main player here). Simple, sweet, and leans feminine. Not a fan, but at discounter pricing, it might do the job for a dumb reach for colder days.
- Jacques Fath Le Loden - nice even if not unique. Overpriced, and imho overall forgettable (please have me change my mind)
- Le Galion Vetyver - classic citrus/aromatic fragrance, verbena-centric and noticeable vetiver and tonka support in the base. Nothing new here, but man, it's well blended!
- Chanel No.19 EDT - a beauty combining galbanum, iris and vetiver. Is there a need to introduce that one? Unisex dark green masterpiece.
- Chanel No.19 EDP - possibly the most majestous of the 4, more fragile/refined and feminine than the EDT
- Chanel No.19 Parfum - the EDT made opulent. And a bit more feminine
- Chanel No.19 Poudre' - a different take on the EDP with the iris amped up. Very feminine, and personally not a fan
- Guerlain Homme EDP - mojito on a vetiver base
- Roja Dove Vetiver Parfum Cologne - TF Grey Vetiver, more refined, more luxurious... and more expensive. Not sure it's worth the premium.
- Olympic Orchids Salamanca - beautiful hay/leather/clay/green fragrance with an ultra salty vetiver in the base
- L'Orchestre Vetiver Overdrive - an amber vetiver, with strong tonka support. Quite sweet.
- Mizensir Mythique Vetyver - I had high expectations but it resulted being just nice, nothing groundbreaking. Light, easy to wear, modern.
- L'Artisan Parfumeur Vetiver Ecarlate - a very fruity one, quite feminine. Not really vetiver centric
- Adolfo Dominguez Agua Fresca Vetiver - very nice white floral, musky, leafy soft vetiver
- Parfum d'Empire Vetiver Bourbon - the apex of rooty/nutty vetiver with cloves support, softened by orris and ambrette. Not original, but ooooh so perfectly blended!! Skyrocketed on my vetiver podium!
- Les Indemodables Escale en Haiti - sheer beauty... a perfect clean, soft vetiver, with juniper support. Very comforting and elegant, but the price tag might be a bit high in view of its EDC performance
- Oriza L. Legrand Vetiver Royal Bourbon - Peppermint top with some florals, then light vetiver
- Phaedon Lentisque
- Chantecaille Vetyver Cedre
- Thomas Kosmala Tonic Vert
- Lanvin Vetyver Blanc
- Floris Jermyn Street
- Jacques Fath Green Water Parfum - the remake of the older Green Water that is now a strong vetiver scent
- Etro Palais Jamais
- Provision Maitri
- Jacques Fath Vetiver Gris
- Jul et Mad Cuir et Vetiver
- Profumum Aquae Nobilis
- Perfumer H Vetiver - by Lyn Harris, who is now playing solo

Some others I heard about, but never tried. I'd love to hear some feedback (please add a descriptive line when commenting on them, or I'll update based on your comments):


- Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel - aromatic and salty
- Karl Lagerfeld Bois de Vetiver
- Pascal Morabito Bois & Vetiver
- Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver (current "Vintage Collection") - Dark rooty vetiver, with a minimal hint of smoke; quite woody. A little one-dimensional
- Czech & Speake Vetiver Vert - bright green vetiver with an added note of bay leaf, but overpriced beacuse of poor performance
- Cartier Vetiver Bleu - fresh vetiver, shares similarities with Declaration EDT
- Adolfo Dominguez Vetiver Hombre
- Jo Malone Vetyver
- Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vetyver Haiti EDT (older version still available on ebay, not the new EDP)
- Elizabeth W Vetiver
- Carolina Herrera Vetiver Paradise
- Chopard Noble Vetiver
- Chopard Noble Cedar - the vetiver is strong in this one, despite its name
- West Third Brand Old Bourbon
- West Third Brand Vetiver X
- West Third Brand Vert Vetiver
- Franck Boclet Vetiver
- Ex Nihilo Vetiver Moloko
- Pierre Guillaume Vetiver Matale
- Bruno Acampora Vert Vetiver (oil) - great sharp, bitter, green, and very refreshing vetiver
- Art of Shaving Vetiver Citron - a great one according to some
- Clean White Vetiver - surprisingly "unclean" and earthy
- Banana Republic Linen Vetiver - very crisp and fresh, a comfortable vetiver
- Gap The Natural - grassy juicy vetiver
- Dsquared2 He Wood Cologne - more vetiver than wood
- Derek Lam 10 Crosby Rain Day - opening is neroli, but drydown is a very muggy damp vetiver
- Vero Kern Onda EdP - apparently very complex
- Mr Fine Fresh Vetiver (aftershave) - some vibes of TF Grey Vetiver
- Sammarco Vitrum - deep, herbal, peppery and smoky, like if pure vetiver was burning
- Kenzo Air - licorice and vetiver
- Kenzo Air Intense
- Kenzo - Homme Boisee
- L'Artisan Parfumeur L'Eau du Caporal
- Ferrari Vetiver Essence
- Mercedes-Benz Silver
- Bentley Wild Vetiver
- Bentley Infinite
- Bentley Infinite Intense
- Bentley Infinite Rush
- Essential Parfums Mon Vetiver
- Lush Stayin' Alive - smoke, vetiver and frankincense over a non-sweet vanilla base
- Rasasi Woody for Men - vetiver and cedar
- Ensar Oud Khus d'Afrique (oil) - South African vetiver oil similar to Terre d'Hermes.
- Ensar Oud Hindi Classique (oil) - Indian vetiver oil with fresh cut, deep green leafy notes, sharing similarities with Malle VE
- Ensar Oud Vetiver El Salvador (oil)
- Ensar Oud Khus Malagasy (oil)
- Rising Phoenix Perfumery Green Velvet - Kafir lime with vetiver support
- Lubin Itasca (fka Le Vetiver Itasca) - earthy and refreshing with a lot of complexity
- Lubin Bluff (fka Le Vetiver Bluff) - vetiver with creamy lime
- Parle-Moi de Parfum Woody Perfecto
- Helan Vetiver & Rum
- Bvlgari Man
- Ramon Monegal - Agar Musk
- Jil Sander Strictly
- Jil Sander Strictly Night
- Jil Sander Strictly Fresh
- Commodity Vetiver
- Royall Lyme Bermuda Vetiver - all purpose lotion, behaves like an edc, refreshing splash, maybe a little citrus/wood too but it's pretty much just vetiver.
- Royall Lyme Bermuda Vetiver Noir
- Bourjois Masculin 2 Vetyver
- Sultan Pasha Vetiver Blanc - slightly floral, light green opening, with a nice salty/minty ambergris/vetiver dry down. Humid/rain vibes. Clean.
- Lush Inhale (oil)
- Lush Exhale (oil)
- Lush Dear John
- Lanvin Vetyver
- Azzaro Pure Vetiver
- Andree Putman Formidable Man
- Tesori d'Oriente Sandalo del Kashmir & Vetiver
- Roja Dove Elysium Parfum
- Roja Dove Elysium Parfum Cologne
- Atelier Cologne Bois Blond
- David Beckham Instinct
- Phaedon Black Vetiver
- Mad et Len Vetyver Bucolique
- Dana Vetiver
- Olfactive Studio Ombre Indigo
- Borsalino Cologne Intense
- Etro Shaal Nur
- Daniel Josier Vetiver
- Laboratorio Olfattivo Vetyverso - vetiver with strong patchouli
- Proraso Cypress and Vetiver - EDC-strength take on Encre Noire over a cashmeran-musk base accord
- Scottish Five Soaps Men's Grooming Vetiver and Sandalwood
- Korres Vetiver Root/Green Tea/Sandalwood
- Zara Raw vetiver
- Chantecaille Vetyver
- Gallimard Aventure
- Zara Vetiver Pamplemousse
- Tiziana Terenzi Draconis
- Anthropologie Vetiver Blanc
- Parterre Root of All Goodness - citrus green, with a velvety smooth english (!!) vetiver, supported hyssop and labdanum. From the info I received and read, this one is outstanding
- Hendley Untitled - vibes similar to TdC Sel de Vetiver
- L'Atelier Francais des Matieres Vetiver de Pierre - nice and citrusy despite its note list
- Acqua di Parma Colonia Futura
- Mancera Vetiver Sensuel
- Roja Dove Vetiver Parfum
- Imaginary Authors Every Storm a Serenade
- Miller Harris Veti Vert
- Montale Vetiver des Sables
- 4711 Acqua Colonia Vetyver & Bergamot
- Perry Ellis Oud Vetiver Royal Absolute
- Nasamat Haiti Vetiver Gold
- Demeter Vetiver
- Bortnikoff Vetiver Nocturne
- Jo Malone Bronze Wood & Leather - supposedly similar to Gucci Guilty Absolute and By Kilian Dark Lord
- Fiele Vetiveria
- Aubusson Salted Vetiver
- Berceuse Allegretto 7.2
- Vilhelm Dear Polly - one of the worlds most civilized vetiver scents
- Fueguia 1833 Chamber - a cold wet mineral vetiver that smells like inside a cave (chamber).
- Gentleman Givenchy Cologne - a vetiver and patchouli beauty. This one is the vetiver heavy and the parfum is more patchouli heavy.
- DSH Vetyver - very pure vetiver scent - if this is no longer on her website she will probably make one for you if you ask.
- Rook Undergrowth
- Rook Forest - both Rook have some vetiver and exceptional scents
- Shanghai Tang Jade Dragon - Very simple yet great smelling. Bergamot, Tea, Vetiver, Musk, Jasmine. In that order. The tea adds a subtle sweetness to the vetiver
- Anat Fritz Classical - vetiver coupled with lavender
- Amouage Meander - top and middle similar to MH Vetiver Insolent, and then drydowns to mostly just sandalwood
- Parle Moi de Parfum Woody Perfecto 107
- Criminal Elements Vigour (fka Vertigo)
- Parfums Karmic Hues Ushira - great zesty opening with a nice vetiver drydown
- Noble Royale Majestueux Vetiver
- Heretic Dirty Grass
- DS&Durga St Vetyver
- Montegrappa NeroUno
- Bella Bellissima Vetiver Spice
- Pierre Guillaume Jangala
- Di Ser Akanesasu
- Asaq Akabir Pour Homme
- M. Micallef The Exception No. 1
- Borsari Mirra e Anice Stellato
- Borsari Vintage 1870 (aka Vetiver)
- House of Sillage Dignified
- Clive Christian Absolute Vetiver
- Ralph Lauren Vetiver (aka Portrait of New York)
- Outremer Vetyver
- Marcel Bur Prince de Galles Sport - light/refreshing/grassy. Nothing dark or rooty here
- Thymes Vetiver Rosewood soft clean musky vetiver friendly and persistent, with a cologne feel, a bit like Chanel Eau de Cologne
- Rogue Vetifleur - strong jasmine opening on soft vetiver base. A great one according to reviews, assuming one appreciate the indolic facet of jasmine
- Hiram Green Vetiver - vetiver in all its green, woody, rooty, smoky, inky glory. In the style of MPG Route du Vetiver, with cassis swapped for ginger, the inky, pitch black element toned down, and the woody-warm side bumped up.
- Une Nuit Nomade Mr Vetiver
- Maison d'Etto Macanudo - apparently very creative
- Gendarme V
- Hugo Boss Elegant Vetiver
- Kerosene Wood Haven
- Enrico Buccella Hotel Vesuvius - Extremely dry and smoky
- Domaine Prive' Vetiver
- Lesquendieu Cuir Vetiver
- Scents of Wood Vetiver in Chestnut
- Scents of Wood Vetiver in Oak
- Jack Jack
- Hugo Boss Elegant Vetiver
- St Johns Vetiver
- St Johns West Indian Lime
- Cremo Distiller's Blend
- Solstice Scents Estate Vetiver
- Guerlain Nerolia Vetiver
- Laboratori Olfattivo Nektar
- Atelier Materi Rose Ardoise
- Saponificio Varesino Desert Vetiver
- Florascent Vetyver
- Il Profumo Vetiver di Java
- Morris Napoleon Vetiver
- Infieri Orris in Vetyver
- Perris Monte Carlo Vetiver Java
- Profumum Audace - some facets of ELdO Fat Electrician
- Frater Vetiver
- Givenchy Accord Particulier
- Zara Regal White - creamy aromatic milky coconut water over nutty vetiver


Any I haven't listed?
Please remind that I am not looking for the "best vetiver", but to make an inventory of vetivers currently available to buy in retail or easy to find on ebay (without spending ridiculous amounts). Feel free to express your opinions, but please focus on the descriptive part, and possibly compare them to other ones.

Thank you in advance! 1...2...3...gooo!


PS: special thank you to moon-fish's for his very useful thread HERE and to Mythrol for his reference thread on vetiver HERE, which helped me a lot choose my vetiver frags, and tailor this list.

 

[Brooks Otterlake]

My favorite take on vetiver is

T H I R D
W E S T
B R A N D
O L D
B O U R B O N

 

[hednic]

I don't see Vetiver D'Haiti Du The Vert by Chopard in the list

 

[hednic]

Didn't see the following either in the list unless I missed them:

Franck Boclet Vetiver
Montale Vetiver Patchouli
Vetiver Indien by Paul Emilien
Vetyver by Le Galion
Vetiver Royal Bourbon by Oriza L. Legrand
Vetiver Moloko by Ex Nihilo
Vetiver Matale by Pierre Guillaume

 

[Darjeeling]

It’s worth noting that Vettiveru has been reformulated and is now Vettiveru2: and EdT which is apparently a bit darker and heavier.

i have to disagree on Infusion de Vetiver, but one has to like that clean style of the infusion range.

Youve also got 2 Man and Vetiver 46 backwards. 2 Man is the masterpiece and Vetiver 46 is the pale imitation.

I think 2 Man came first and the the perfumer did the similar Vetiver 46 for Le Labo, which feels like one of the formulas on the way to developing 2 Man - it’s very similar but much simpler with far less progression and complexity. The only advantage of the Le Labo is that its a bit stronger.

 

[Nastka]

Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent is incredible. It's great for all occasions, and all sorts of weather, be it hot or cold, dry or humid. The scent itself is a veriver that leans to the vegetal rather than the dry spectrum. I don't get much cardamon from it (I am familiar with the scent because I cook with it), but there is a slightly chewy, balsamic undercurrent to it.

Other than that, one you haven't got on list is Bruno Acampora's Vert Vetiver. It is quite a stunner, though I only sampled the oil a couple of times. I wish someone could tell me how it compares to the EdP / Extrait. The oil is sharp, bitter, green, and very refreshing. O must wear it again soon to remind myself of the nuances. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic scent.

Oh, and Cartier's Vetiver Bleu is nice, if not really groundbreaker. It's a nice fresh take on vetiver in a cologne style format, with a certain Cartier signature running thorough it (maybe I'm mad, but I get some parallels with Declaration EdT).

 

[cacio]

Thanks for the list! I like vetiver a lot, so this is very informative for me.

Annick Goutal Cologne vetiver: clean, light, insubstantial
Fazzolari Lampblack: not thinking vetiver here. It's clean, dry smoke (ie cypriol)
Lubin Vetiver: vetiver with a bit of frankincense

cacio

 

[maksidrom]

Art of Shaving Vetiver Citron - my current favourite
Clean White Vetiver - surprisingly "unclean" and earthy
Banana Republic Linen Vetiver - very crisp and fresh, a comfortable vetiver
Gap The Natural - grassy juicy vetiver
Dsquared2 He Wood Cologne - I get more vetiver than wood
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Rain Day - opening is neroli, but drydown is a very muggy damp vetiver

 

[Andy the frenchy]

My favorite take on vetiver is

T H I R D
W E S T
B R A N D
O L D
B O U R B O N

Thanks Brooks, I saw you cited it in the past, will test asap!

 

[CapriDog]

Have you tried this, Andy?

It’s mysterious dark, spicy (clove) and bitter (orange) vetiver. Let me know if you need a sample.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

I don't see Vetiver D'Haiti Du The Vert by Chopard in the list

Didn't see the following either in the list unless I missed them:

Franck Boclet Vetiver
Montale Vetiver Patchouli
Vetiver Indien by Paul Emilien
Vetyver by Le Galion
Vetiver Royal Bourbon by Oriza L. Legrand
Vetiver Moloko by Ex Nihilo
Vetiver Matale by Pierre Guillaume

Thanks Hednic, List updated! Actually I tested Paul Emilien's and Montale's recently... I could I forget to list those?

Any thoughts on the PG and the Oriza Legrand? Worth buying after owning already 30 vetiver frags in your opinion?

 

[Andy the frenchy]

It’s worth noting that Vettiveru has been reformulated and is now Vettiveru2: and EdT which is apparently a bit darker and heavier.

i have to disagree on Infusion de Vetiver, but one has to like that clean style of the infusion range.

Youve also got 2 Man and Vetiver 46 backwards. 2 Man is the masterpiece and Vetiver 46 is the pale imitation.

I think 2 Man came first and the the perfumer did the similar Vetiver 46 for Le Labo, which feels like one of the formulas on the way to developing 2 Man - it’s very similar but much simpler with far less progression and complexity. The only advantage of the Le Labo is that its a bit stronger.

Thanks!

Vettiveru typo modified, indeed it's the "2" version I tried and listed here.
I may agree with you for the CdG 2 Man vs LLV46. That said, while the Prada Infusion is nice, it's a little overpriced given the EDC performance, just my humble opinion.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent is incredible. It's great for all occasions, and all sorts of weather, be it hot or cold, dry or humid. The scent itself is a veriver that leans to the vegetal rather than the dry spectrum. I don't get much cardamon from it (I am familiar with the scent because I cook with it), but there is a slightly chewy, balsamic undercurrent to it.

Other than that, one you haven't got on list is Bruno Acampora's Vert Vetiver. It is quite a stunner, though I only sampled the oil a couple of times. I wish someone could tell me how it compares to the EdP / Extrait. The oil is sharp, bitter, green, and very refreshing. O must wear it again soon to remind myself of the nuances. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic scent.

Oh, and Cartier's Vetiver Bleu is nice, if not really groundbreaker. It's a nice fresh take on vetiver in a cologne style format, with a certain Cartier signature running thorough it (maybe I'm mad, but I get some parallels with Declaration EdT).

Thanks Nastka! List updated with your comments.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

Thanks for the list! I like vetiver a lot, so this is very informative for me.

Annick Goutal Cologne vetiver: clean, light, insubstantial
Fazzolari Lampblack: not thinking vetiver here. It's clean, dry smoke (ie cypriol)
Lubin Vetiver: vetiver with a bit of frankincense

cacio

Thanks Cacio! I added your notes on the list.

 

[thrilledchilled]

Thanks for the list! I like vetiver a lot, so this is very informative for me.

Annick Goutal Cologne vetiver: clean, light, insubstantial
Fazzolari Lampblack: not thinking vetiver here. It's clean, dry smoke (ie cypriol)
Lubin Vetiver: vetiver with a bit of frankincense

cacio

Lampblack is an excellent Vetiver

 

[the blood on 530 27]

My Love has color of Night by Floraiku: the neutral of neutral. For me this is a reference scent.

Hemingway by Masque Milano: a metallic vetiver with rhubarb, something remind me of gunpowder, cold leather base. When Hemingway bit the metal barrel of shotgun, I wonder if this is what he smelt right after he pulled the trigger.

Onda EdP by Vero Kern: don’t know how to describe it.

 

[hednic]

Any thoughts on the PG and the Oriza Legrand? Worth buying after owning already 30 vetiver frags in your opinion?

Can't speak for others, but for me they were well worth buying.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

Have you tried this, Andy?

It’s mysterious dark, spicy (clove) and bitter (orange) vetiver. Let me know if you need a sample.

List updated!

I don't know that one, and yes, I'd love a sample! I already owe you, so let's talk by message, so you can tell me what I can send you. Thank you so much!

 

[Andy the frenchy]

Lampblack is an excellent Vetiver

It's noted, on my to test list!

 

[MegaMav]

Profumo di Firenze 1954 Terrarossa

So under the radar its unobtainium.
A floral vetiver, beautiful. Wearing it today actually.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

My Love has color of Night by Floraiku: the neutral of neutral. For me this is a reference scent.

Hemingway by Masque Milano: a metallic vetiver with rhubarb, something remind me of gunpowder, cold leather base. When Hemingway bit the metal barrel of shotgun, I wonder if this is what he smelt right after he pulled the trigger.

Onda EdP by Vero Kern: don’t know how to describe it.

Thank you for your contribution, list updated!

 

[Andy the frenchy]

Profumo di Firenze 1954 Terrarossa

So under the radar its unobtainium.
A floral vetiver, beautiful. Wearing it today actually.

I'd rather limit the list to currently sold/available fragrances. That said, thank you for this info, I will definitely try to get my hands on a small sample!

 

[freewheelingvagabond]

My thoughts on these -


Bruno Fazzolari Lampblack - more of smoke, lots of cypriol, less vetiver; vetiver more in the dry down. Novel, but does it smell good? I think it does, but I wouldn't say it smells great. Quite a memorable accord.
Bruno Fazzolari Vetiverissimo - straightforward high quality vetiver, middle of the road between freshness and darkness. Smells good. Vetiver Extraordinaire is slightly fresher. I have to say it's better quality than the current Guerlain. Doesn't smell weird/indie/artisanal, more like a 'mainstream niche', if that makes sense. Closest ballpark in terms of scent profile is Diptyque Vetyverio EdP minus the rose/florals.
Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver - Dark rooty vetiver, with a minimal hint of smoke; quite woody. I understand that it could be an 'acquired taste' but honestly it often feels flat and one-dimensional.
Czech & Speake Vetiver Vert - Bright green vetiver with an added note of bay which distinguishes it from so many other vetivers. One has to like bay (I do). Somewhat overpriced, largely because of price/concentration issues. Would love a more concentrated/higher quality version of this.
L'Occitane Eau de Vetyver - Middle of the road vetiver, a bit staid. Good, but not worth more than L'Occitane's retail price. I find Guerlain very weak, but otherwise Guerlain is much better in terms of scent profile.
Oriza L. Legrand Vetiver Royal Bourbon - 80% dark 20% light vetiver, rooty, woodsy, but with flourishes and nuances. As dark as Sycomore EdT, rootier, a bit lighter/less dense than Villoresi. 1% of the time I get a bit of a mothball note in the mid phases, but otherwise smells good to great from start to finish. Very good sillage and duration (usually vetiver fragrances don't last on me). It's different from Sycomore; it's closer to Villoresi, Route du Vetiver etc and surely the best in that style among the ones I've tried.


Note that I love vetiver, but I'm trying to reduce. As for 'straightforward' vetivers, I've settled on Sycomore EdT and a bottle of Vetiver Extraordinaire that has aged beautifully. I've come close to blind-buying Elie Saab a few times, but haven't. Don't think I will.

P.S. Racine is a beautiful nice fresh citric vetiver.

 

[mixerscent]

+1 for Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent, I tried this 2 weeks ago and was stunned. It's available on fragrancex.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

My thoughts on these -


Bruno Fazzolari Lampblack - more of smoke, lots of cypriol, less vetiver; vetiver more in the dry down. Novel, but does it smell good? I think it does, but I wouldn't say it smells great. Quite a memorable accord.
Bruno Fazzolari Vetiverissimo - straightforward high quality vetiver, middle of the road between freshness and darkness. Smells good. Vetiver Extraordinaire is slightly fresher. I have to say it's better quality than the current Guerlain. Doesn't smell weird/indie/artisanal, more like a 'mainstream niche', if that makes sense. Closest ballpark in terms of scent profile is Diptyque Vetyverio EdP minus the rose/florals.
Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver - Dark rooty vetiver, with a minimal hint of smoke; quite woody. I understand that it could be an 'acquired taste' but honestly it often feels flat and one-dimensional.
Czech & Speake Vetiver Vert - Bright green vetiver with an added note of bay which distinguishes it from so many other vetivers. One has to like bay (I do). Somewhat overpriced, largely because of price/concentration issues. Would love a more concentrated/higher quality version of this.
L'Occitane Eau de Vetyver - Middle of the road vetiver, a bit staid. Good, but not worth more than L'Occitane's retail price. I find Guerlain very weak, but otherwise Guerlain is much better in terms of scent profile.
Oriza L. Legrand Vetiver Royal Bourbon - 80% dark 20% light vetiver, rooty, woodsy, but with flourishes and nuances. As dark as Sycomore EdT, rootier, a bit lighter/less dense than Villoresi. 1% of the time I get a bit of a mothball note in the mid phases, but otherwise smells good to great from start to finish. Very good sillage and duration (usually vetiver fragrances don't last on me). It's different from Sycomore; it's closer to Villoresi, Route du Vetiver etc and surely the best in that style among the ones I've tried.


Note that I love vetiver, but I'm trying to reduce. As for 'straightforward' vetivers, I've settled on Sycomore EdT and a bottle of Vetiver Extraordinaire that has aged beautifully. I've come close to blind-buying Elie Saab a few times, but haven't. Don't think I will.

P.S. Racine is a beautiful nice fresh citric vetiver.

List edited with your notes, thank you!

As for Elie Saab Vetiver n.6, I strongly recommend it. Not the best performer, but the scent is very bright, uplifting, and given the current discounters prices, it's low risk (~$60/100ml, and you can even find 5ml mini bottles on FragNet for just $10). Some may say I'm insane, but to my nose, it shares strong similarities with the heart and base of Dior Vetiver. (A Dior SA in Paris confessed that the image of Demachy being the exclusive in-house perfumer for Dior is mostly for marketing, but that Kurkdjian and Sheldrake are often solicited... and Elie Saab's Essence line is blended by Kurkdjian... if you know what I mean...)

Edit: I don;t want to be misleading. Actually, Saab's vetiver has a powdery drydown, that Dior's does not have, and Dior's is slightly darker, leaning masculine, while Saab is one of the few unisex vetiver-forward frags. I should say that they share some vibes, more than similarities. Still, I confirm Saab's is a great grassy uplifiting vetiver, one of the few fragrances I may think of getting a back-up bottle. It's my SOTD

 

[Andy the frenchy]

+1 for Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent, I tried this 2 weeks ago and was stunned. It's available on fragrancex.

It's on my to-buy blind list since a long time. Will probably pull the trigger soon, thanks!

 

[mixerscent]

It's on my to-buy blind list since a long time. Will probably pull the trigger soon, thanks!

Nice sotd with Guerlain Homme L'Eau Boisée, I'm venturing slowly into designer.

For Elie Saab Vetiver, I've found it's a crisp vetiver for autumn, with good longevity in cooler weather. It doesn't hold up in warm weather.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

Nice sotd with Guerlain Homme L'Eau Boisée, I'm venturing slowly into designer.

For Elie Saab Vetiver, I've found it's a crisp vetiver for autumn, with good longevity in cooler weather. It doesn't hold up in warm weather.

Thanks!

True that Saab's Vetiver performs better and lasts longer in mid-seasons, compared to full Summer heat.

 

[CookBot]

This list has my head spinning. I consider myself a vetiver fan, but now I despair of ever trying them all.

Also, a +1 to Nastka's mention of Vert by Bruno Acampora. A masterful scent. (I only know the oil version.)

 

[Andy the frenchy]

This list has my head spinning. I consider myself a vetiver fan, but now I despair of ever trying them all.

I feel your pain, same here.

 

[Scarce]

Etro Vetiver

...is very good, if you like natural-smelling, but somewhat linear vetivers. But the original edc was just outstanding stuff, but I guess disappeared from the market about 10 years ago, when Etro went to edt's. A bit of a shame really, as the edc's were all better and had decent enough longevity that it didn't matter about the concentration. Alas, finding a vintage bottle nowadays is probably next to impossible, unless you happen upon one in Italy somewhere.

 

[Deuce2]

Malizia Uomo Vetyver - Green/woody. Love their deo and soap - an excellent companion to my Vetivers (Adolfo Dominguez, Guerlain, Encre Noir, EN Sport, Tom Ford).

Theres also a very good after shave from Fine Accoutrements, Fresh Vetiver. It’s in the spirit of Tom Ford, and affordable.

 

[Andy the frenchy]

Malizia Uomo Vetyver - Green/woody. Love their deo and soap - an excellent companion to my Vetivers (Adolfo Dominguez, Guerlain, Encre Noir, EN Sport, Tom Ford).

Theres also a very good after shave from Fine Accoutrements, Fresh Vetiver. It’s in the spirit of Tom Ford, and affordable.

Thanks, I updated the list with those 2!

 

[mixerscent]

Ensar Oud Khus d'Afrique, South African vetiver oil with the exact scent profile of Terre d'Hermes.

Ensar Oud Hindi Classique, Indian vetiver oil with fresh cut, deep green leafy notes. Reminiscent of vintage Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire.

 

[Darjeeling]

Thanks!

Vettiveru typo modified, indeed it's the "2" version I tried and listed here.
I may agree with you for the CdG 2 Man vs LLV46. That said, while the Prada Infusion is nice, it's a little overpriced given the EDC performance, just my humble opinion.

As is mine. Just an opinion and I expect them to differ. Great list. This thread promises to be very educational.

 

[Trauerkraut]

Bel Ami Vétiver
Dzongkha
Chamade pour Homme
Déclaration Essence
Dia Man
Kenzo Air
Kinski
L'Eau du Caporal

 

[ILikePeeps]

Oooooh, big list of vetivers. Probably a bunch of stuff I haven't tried, and I <3 vetiver.

 

[Jon Schmo]

Essential Parfums - Mon Vetiver. A modern aromatic vetiver with notes of gin (mainly juniper) and (to a lesser extent) lime. Easy to wear and like imho. Also really affordable for a niche fragrance.

 

[Trilby Lark]

Two of my favorites:

Bois d’Orage (French Lover)
Woody Perfecto

 

[crashtestbrummie]

I would probably put at the top of my list actual vetiver essential oil as it's a complex smell in its own right. I wear it on skin, or in my bath, or mixed with body lotion.

Some thoughts on a few in the OP:

Guerlain Vetiver - I find this to be pretty light and an easy reach
Guerlain Homme L'Eau Boisee - and not forgetting Homme EDP or formerly Homme Intense which has a strong vetiver presence
Lalique Encre Noire - Sheer and airy, and I think it would be seen in a different light if it came in a clear bottle. Love the review here by Victoria on Bois de Jasmin for her take on it, and then also the perspective of a lot of female perfume lovers further down the page
Lalique Encre Noire a' l'Extreme - Something rooty and brown about this to my nose. Probably my current favourite from this series.
Lalique Encre Noire Sport - Lavender adds a nice aromatic lift to the green of the original
L'Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu - a masterpiece of vetiver and incense
Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum - great fragrance in both versions but I find the dry downs to be significantly different. The 2012 version's myrrh lasts as long as the vetiver in the base, in fact it smells almost like you're wearing essential oils of both ingredients. ESP 2017 doesn't have myrrh in it.
Dior Eau Sauvage Extreme - a lovely minty lavender perfume, but no vetiver in this to my nose
Chanel Sycomore - always makes me think of an upper class version of EN with a slight gourmand twist. Would take the Lalique over this any day, personally.
LT Piver Vetiver - an old school classic very much in the same vein as the Guerlain. Well worth it, especially at the prices you can find it for these days.
Prada Infusion de Vetiver - very light and enjoyable, it has a lovely sparkle to it with the trademark Prada soapiness feel.

Then working down the list and adding a few:

Miller Harris Vetiver Insolent - others before me have summed this up well. Lovely.
Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel - aromatic and salty
Dior Fahrenheit 32 - vetiver and vanilla. Seriously underrated.
Lush Breath of God - a masterpiece. It's the combination of the perfume oils Inhale and Exhale which are both lovely in their own right, and both contain vetiver.
Lush Stayin Aliive - smoke and vetiver and frankincense over a non-sweet vanilla base. An actual powerhouse from Lush, at least in the original style bottle.
Bentley Infinite Intense - pepper and vetiver. Doesn't get much attention on here but it's an easy reach for me.
Rasasi Woody for Men - vetiver and cedar. Very enjoyable for a very reasonable price.
L'Artisan Parfumeur Dzongkha - chalky dry incense and iris with vetiver. A clear cousin of Timbuktu.