Route du Vétiver (1988)
by Maître Parfumeur et Gantier

Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Route du Vetiver

Its always interesting to me when I go to a party that as you approach the crowd of people there is always one voice that drifts above the crowd. As one who has a loud voice and speaks loudly, sometime this is myself I am describing. This would be in Seinfeld terms "The Loud Talker". People tend to shy away from The Loud Talker. When it comes to vetiver and the veritable party of scents out there one scent comes off as the unquestioned Loud Talker of vetiver and that is Jean Laporte's 1988 release for his Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier line, Route du Vetiver. One of the problems with the Loud Talker is the sheer volume has a habit of keeping people at arm's length and that is true of this scented Loud Talker. Route du Vetiver is the strongest vetiver I have come across. Many think of Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire to be the strongest but Route du Vetiver is a quantum leap stronger. This strength tends to make the opening overly medicinal and harsh. It has taken multiple wearings of Route du Vetiver for me to see beyond the harsh opening and appreciate the rest of what is on display.
Right out of the atomizer you are hit with an intense vetiver smell. It is so strong that it comes off harsh to my nose making the first moments of Route du Vetiver a trial to be endured, for me. The first time I wore this I couldn't get past the raw intensely root-laden beginning and just didn't give it a chance. It took the second and third time for me to realize that after the harsh notes dissipate there is a drydown worth listening to. This starts with one of the best black currant accords I've come across. I don't know whether I think that because I'm so relieved to get away from the harsh beginning but it is paired with a lighter green accord and the dark fruit plus green is just beautiful. The vetiver seems to come back but at a third of the volume along with a mix of woods in the base with sandalwood the most prominent of the woods, although there are at least three other woods in here. Route du Vetiver has above average longevity and above average sillage. Because the vetiver is so strong at the beginning I think this is a scent one would have to be careful wearing out in public for the first 30 minutes or so as the beginning is so strong. After that, once it mellows, Route du Vetiver really does become a joy to behold. Like The Loud Talker I can understand not wanting to subject oneself to the volume, but if you do choose to get close enough you might find there is something under all the volume to be discovered.

nothing really shocking or outrageous. nice, rubbery, earthy vetiver. high quality, unique, not very exciting though, stays very close to the skin. stay at home with a book type-a-frag. it would be a bit boring for a 'hot night out'. kisses, m

This is THE worst scent ever created. I love vetiver and would gladly chose death by drowning if it was in Montale's Red Vetyver or Vetiver des Sables, but this?!! Thank God I had some wet wipes in the car when I tried my sample fresh from the mail box. What does it smell like? Think really, really cheap chapstick (Berry) then envision the smell of straight rubbing alcohol. . . concentrated. That's it, nothing more and it doesn't change into anything better. I'm getting sick just thinking about it . . . .

Real work of perfumery art despite the fact that it can be hard to wear, especially in public places.

Head spinningly raw and earthy opening is absolutely captivating experience. Roots and dirt in your face !!

The most amazing thing in this fragrance is how it developes. Its stunningly complex creation as it keeps changing and changing. Extremely lively scent that lingers on skin in most mysterious ways.
After few hours the one can easily sense the luscious blackcurrant leaves while the natural, slightly damp earthiness remains.
Lots of dry woods colour this fantastic blend. Someone suggested once that this may have some agarwood in it, and although I cannot smell it, I wouldn`t say its totally impossible....Lots of precious dry woods it anyway has, I believe there is some patchouli in the mix as well.

This is a must try fragrance for everyone. Whether you like it or not is another thing, but I promise you won`t find it boring in a slightest bit.

Right from the start to end raw vetiver. Smells exactly like vetiver essential oils. Gives me a bad headache. NOT crafted well, I cannot believe that MPG will make something this worse and just carelessly crafted. It could have been much better. Perhaps they could reformulate it with sweeter vetiver extracts, then this one can be a little more enjoyable. The base is typical MPG like with that horrible vetiver lurking in the backgroung

For the people who love dirty rubbery smell of raw head-spinning vetiver, go for it after an advil or two.

Wow, so earthy and dirty! I definitely smell vetiver right away in this one, but a very rooty vetiver, not the salty, nutty version from Comme des Garcons Vettiveru or the essential oils I tried. Basically, the first impression is the damp roots of grass when they still have dirt on them. As the scent develops (10-30 minutes), a more herbal note comes out and covers up the dirt note a bit. This stage lasts a fairly long time, and seems to switch between the herbal and rooty. The part that made this seem more like vetiver to me is fading, but a very faint saltyness remains. And now, a bit of the nuttyness I expected is coming out a bit, but only a whisper. About an hour in, I also am starting to smell some wood, probably cedar. More than an hour...drydown has lost the "wet-dirt" quality. It is dry, herbal, woody, and only a bit of dry dirt. Very nice! For me, this one is worn more for the drydown.

In other words, I found the first hour or so very challenging, but the drydown is absolutely amazing.