Reviews of Vetiver (1961)
by Guerlain

I have probably worn this too often and grown a little bored of it. A great inoffensive workhorse scent. I believe this was my first vetiver scent, and getting to know it, allowed me to appreciate other less mainstream offerings like the briny Sel de Vetiver and the dry and dark Encre Noire. Still worthy of a place in my wardrobe.

An award winning fragrance with many positive reviews. You can't possibly go wrong with this one, right? WRONG. This is a 'TRY BEFORE YOU BUY'. A nasty fecal note that refuses to budge after 2 hours sent me looking for some rubbing alcohol. I will probably try this again some time in the future. Just not over the next year or two.

I've my decant of it for close to a year now. Every time I select it as my SotD, I'm a little excited because I think that THIS will be the day that Guerlain Vetiver (new formulation) finally clicks for me. Alas, it has never happened. Which is odd because I like vetiver, and I like citrus.

The dealbreakers for me are the nutmeg note and the strong tobacco note. I already knew that I didn't like these notes when I decided to give this scent a try, but I thought that since they're basically supporting notes in the generally terrific cast, I could deal with it. But no, the suffocating tobacco and noxious nutmeg hijack the accords and ruin the whole thing for me. It's like watching an amazing movie in a theater and knowing that it's an amsolute masterwork, but the sound is slightly off and there projector is making a big blotch in the corner of the screen. You just can't appreciate it anymore.

If you like vetiver but are not fond of the heavier notes that Vetiver makes use of, I suggest something like CdG's Vettiveru, Malle's Vetiver Extraordinaire, or Creed's Original Vetiver. These are "brighter" rentitions of this theme, and work much better on me.

All that said, I can't give this a thumbs down. The evolution is too perfect, the balance of the notes too impressive, the sillage just right. No, I don't like it for myself, but it is certainly a noteworthy blend.

June 2009:

Guerlain’s classic Vetiver introduces itself with a very wet, round citrus accord. It takes some time before the citrus is underpinned by a relatively mellow vetiver note. Later in the course of its development it also reveals a touch of smoke and some crisp green notes that extend the life of the opening citrus accord.

The fragrance cruises along in vetiver-citrus mode for a long time, and I find its uncomplicated structure brisk and refreshing. Guierlain Vetiver is a classical fragrance in the true sense of the word. Like an ionic temple or a Mozart concerto, it exhibits perfect balance, with no extraneous elements to distract from its essential form. If you’re looking for the aggressively earthy, stark, potent vetiver of Route du Vétiver, Vétiver Extraordinaire, or Etro’s Vetiver, you won’t find it here. But if you want a comfortable, civilized approach to the vetiver root, this is it.

August 2009:

I have an odd relationship with Guerlain's Vetiver. I keep thinking that I ought to like it much, much more than I do. With tobacco, nutmeg, coriander and neroli gracing its star note, this stuff should be catnip for me. An yet - it never strikes as much more than "OK."

Why is that? Could it be that I've become accustomed to bolder, more aggressive vetivers, like Encre Noire or Route du Vétiver? No, that can't be it, since I find the more polite and civilized Sycomore and Givenchy Vetyver far more compelling than the Guerlain. Whatever keeps me from loving Guerlain Vetiver dearly lies with the scent itself. As I wear it and study it, I notice a few things:

First, it's very linear on me once the vetiver and cedar emerge.

Second, it's very, very shy on my skin. After fifteen minutes of wear I always have to search for it with my nose to make sure it's still there.

Third, and most disappointing, is that the vetiver and cedar heart smells oddly hollow and emaciated to me, as if the flesh on the accord has been whittled away by some erosive force, and only the skeleton remains.

I still want to like it, but I can't actually find all that much in it to like.

I have been wearing Guerlain Vetiver (GV) for over an year now, and its strange that I haven't reviewed it yet. It's probably because I have been enjoying this fragrance so much that whenever I put it on, it imposes on me a feeling of calm, its earthy yet tranquil vetiver note intoxicating in its expert realization in this manly potion.

Wearing GV is like having a knowledgeable and friendly tutor help you accomplish a task which absolutely has to be done. In this case, the task would be to familiarize oneself with the vetiver note, a note which many find too pungent and ghastly for their taste. GV makes the note apparent from the very beginning - BUT, like a good tutor/teacher, it eases you in by flanking the note with crisp citrus notes. The top construction eases you in - from there, GV evolves to a more rich and heavy base of tobacco and vetiver. During intense summers, the tobacco note may become more pronounced and might even be offputting to some - to be fair, in the reformulated Vetiver the tobacco note is a bit synthetic. I find that if applied evenly using no more than 3 sprays, the notes flow better. Longevity and sillage are near perfect.

GV is ultimately one of the easier introductions to vetiver. Some may prefer Creed's Original Vetiver (an excellent offering itself), but it comes at a price...no, I am not talking about the less intense vetiver note, I was hinting at the $195 price tag. If you are willing to venture out of Original Vetiver's protective cocoon, GV will be an excellent choice. Its easy on the wallet, and a top tier fragrance to boot. Citrus, grassy, with a base of tobacco. JP Guerlain created this when he was 22 years of age .. a hell of an accomplishment that. Be a man, take the plunge.

Rating: 8.25/10

a pretty dynamic, harsh/gritty vetiver n tobacco combo presented in a very true form... for reference, Lubins Le Vetiver smells a lot like this one. however, this is not my type of scent...maybe itll grow on me in time...but for now, ill pass.

Instant blind purchase regret. I figured it's such a classic, how could I go wrong? Smelled like burned rubber on my skin out of the bottle, drying down into an astringent "RAID" bug repellent odor -- as others on this forum have suggested -- that just never developed further. Long-lasting, I will say that! I tried a few times to get used to it, figuring that, as with other scents, it's an acquired taste. Sad to say, I never acquired it. Thumbs down.

At first I wasn't a big fan of the opening, but it has grown me. The dry down smells fantastic, possibly one of the best things I have ever smelled. The scent really evolves on my skin and the silage is good, a little goes a long way for me. It lasts for hours, 6 hours easily, and I can still faintly smell it even after I wake up the next day. Unfortunately, as much as I enjoy it, my wife simply just tolerates it. None the less, it is my personal favorite so far.

There are plenty of reviews here that will do this more justice than mine. But if you're still reading, why not find out what I think?

This fragrance is a jack of all trades. It's refined and gentlemanly, yet casual and fun. It's summer, and winter. It just molds to you.
Do you wear a three piece suit while overlooking the fiction stacks at an old library?
Vetiver
Do you write the scores for video games?
Vetiver.
Do you cruise for chicks in a Trans Am with the T-tops off?
Vetiver
Do you pass the Grey Popoun in a car worth more than most people's houses?
Vetiver.

All of the harsh edges of vetiver have been smoothed out; you cannot go wrong here.

it was my go-to for a year or so when it was first (re-)released, before being demoted by my now ex-girlfriend, who didn't much care for it. after trying to get back into it, i found it still evokes a rich freshness, if somewhat harsh at times, especially on hotter days (perhaps a bit synthetic, as some have noted). when the mood strikes, this still makes me very happy. though i should note, i have yet to receive a compliment from a girl on this one. and though i hate to say it, that's largely the point, no?

At first, I really didn’t think much of this – a very soft vetiver, citrus and tobacco scent with a soapy drydown. However, I’m finding that I’m appreciating it more as I get older (or is it more to do with my sense of smell becoming more sophisticated?). Its longevity was, initially, disappointing but I’ve found it to improve both with consecutive wears and in warmer weather.

I still wouldn’t consider this to be the best vetiver scent on the market (for me, the title belongs to Malle’s Vétiver Extraordinaire). However, the fact that it’s transcended time without ever being considered outdated, makes Guerlain’s Vetiver a true perfume classic.

An excellent office scent for the warmer months.

[Original submission date: 25 May 2008]

One of my very few criticisms of Basenotes reviews is that there seems to be more than a few people who seem to go out of their way to pan every fragrance that features an accord they despise. Seems a little counterproductive to wage a private War on Vetiver, or Coffee or ISO E Super or whatever in the review section.

If you do like Vetiver, look no further than GV. I find the vetiver accords in both Racine and in Givenchy Vetiver reissue marginally better articulated, but GV has hands down my favorite drydown in all of perfumery, managing to actually deliver what the marketers 99% of contemporary masculines can only promise--a precise "balance of sensuality and freshness."

I'll keep it short and sweet:
The one and only. A sin to wear it to work, unless you love your job. This one is freedom personified. Uplifting and cheerful. My favorite of all the vetivers.

This one took a few tries before I came to appreciate the scent of vetiver and to distinguish the other notes. At first all I got was soap. A few weeks later I tried it again, and the citrus and cedar arrived. The next time I wore this, it all came together. A very dry fragrance that I wear anytime, anywhere. Another scent that for the money makes some niche scents look positively overpriced.

Starts with citrusy opening than harmonizes through the lemon with the vetiver notes. The vertical smoky, incense-like line always present is introduced to the citrus by neroli. It starts with nutmeg towards cedar, sage, myrrh slowly augments the tobacco notes which, transfer the fragrance from bitter and spicy vetiver to bittersweet one.

It seems the way to enjoy the fragrance is not to expect some vigorous follow up after the crispy opening. It is calmness that defines the smell. Green leaf, soil and sweetness of decay. Lemon-vetiver combination adds a soapy edge to this countryside experience.

The only con, in my opinion, Guerlain's Vetiver might not appeal to nostrils made of fiberglass mounted on some heuristically analytic component dismissing the scent for its geriatric quality.

Strongly recommended to people not afraid of occasional dirt under their finger nails.

Guerlain Vetiver EDT, 2000 version

Distanced. Cold. Down to earth. Emotion-less.

Descgribing Guerlain Vetiver* I'd be a liar if I said I love it - I am as distanced to it as discanced is this scent. Though I can't imagine any other fragrance for daytime and office wear. Calms me down, makes me feel serious and damn self-confident.
I have just one concern: longevity.

Number one of my three/five Guerlain-second-skins (1. Vetiver/Coriolan - daytime, spring/summer, 2. Habit Rouge - fall, 3. Heritage/Mitsouko - special events.)

* Instead of Guerlain Vetiver this frag should be called Eau de Tabac, Hesperides et un peu de Vetiver - but it would sell as good as now, wouldn't it.

I have held back on reviewing Vetiver for a while now because I have gone through various emotions regarding the fragrance. I tested it and liked it, the fresh opening reminding me of cut grass on a summers day or clean linen hanging on a line. Then I began to get a little confused and doubtful about the drydown. I didn't think the drydown was unpleasant, I just questioned whether other people that might detect this fragrance on me would actually think I smelt nice. It was the tobacco and pepper notes. The thing was, if ever I put some on my wrist I kept wanting to smell it and did enjoy it. I was perhaps a little self conscious of what others would think. Having worn it a few times now though, I really don't care as I enjoy the fragrance immensely, and find that it gets better over time as it develops on my skin, and the 'guerlinade' of the tonka bean note becomes detectable. I would definitely recommend this fragrance and find myself wearing it a great deal. Thanks again to basenotes - I probably wouldn't have tried it otherwise!

** This review is for the Vintage EDC **

Current formulation Vetiver EDT was one of the first fragrances I tried after discovering Basenotes. Not liking what I sniffed, I immediately dismissed it as smelly old man. Then my Guerlain craze and I was determined to try everything Guerlain. I don't know what happened, but when I tried it again I really, really liked it! So when a bottle of vintage EDC came up I decided to give it a try.

The fragrance opens with very nice and natural smelling top notes of citrus. I spilled some on my hands while decanting into an atomiser and it just smelled exactly like bergamot and lemon. Didn't quite pick up on the neroli though. The topnotes make way for the vetiver and tobacco, first fresh from the pepper then darker. Sadly, I don't get much wood although there's supposed to be cedar in. All the way through the fragrance there is a very green feeling which I attribute to the tonka bean.

Two things strike me about this version when compared to the current EDT. First off, it is somehow wetter and sweeter than the current version which is drier. This one also smells less of vetiver and more of moist tobacco. It's not better, just different. The other thing that strikes me is that seven hours into the fragrance I can still smell it on my skin which I think is incredible given that it's an EDC!

Vetiver, be it vintage or current, EDC or EDT, is an incredibly versatile scent which basically just works in any situation. The only thing is that the wearer has to somehow be adult enough to wear it since it's not suitable for adolescents.

I appreciate the blend of scents but this smells like something you would clean with.

If this one could talk and you like vetiver it would say Im ya huckleberry! This is good and there is no doubt about it seems to be a favorite of most I like this as well so count me in Guerlain impressed with them!

My fragrance journey began only a few months ago but in this short time I've sampled quite a few -- everything at Sephora plus about 25 well-regarded classics and niche frags. I've found very few that I really like and initially I was inclined to dismiss GV as too old fashioned/old man but I could also appreciate something special about its zesty greenness so I've been retrying it every few days. Well, today there was just enough left in my sample vial for one more wearing and I'm happy to announce that I was finally able to thoroughly enjoy the experience. The timing is perfect because it's just starting to get warm here in Wisconsin. Looking forward to a GV summer!

I was very excited to try out this scent. Sadly, it smells like a high school mathematics teacher.

decillisjl I see what you mean. I have a spray sample of this I got from the perfumedcourt and was very excited to try it because of all the wear it gets around here. When I put it on my skin it smelled like a citronella candle. I don't know I guess it's just my skin chemistry that doesn't agree with it making it rather pungent and not very pleasant. Not bad just not for me obviously.

A classic, but only for office use.

I like everything about this product (the bottle, color juice and history) but the scent.

I loved the scent right out of the bottle but, after dry down, it was……I can’t put my finger on it other to say that it “bothered me”. I am so disappointed.

oh how excited i was when a fellow bner shipped this to me... oh how disappointed i was after wearing it to a full day at work... i really love the vetiver out of the bottle, but there's something "off" with this on my skin... no i mean like off the bug repellant... wow rereading the scent profile just made me figure out why i don't love this... CORIANDER... i ran a mexican restaurant for five years and one of the best parts of the day was making salsa... the pungent yet fresh aroma of crushed cilantro always left a smile on my face, but cilantro on my skin is absolutely wretched... this is the reason that i was never able to really enjoy live jazz... it's so sad that something i love smelling so much in its natural form makes me so nauseated in its perfume form... oh well this will be another bottle up for swap... neutral rating because it is a very well made fragrance and i can see how it is so popular, but i will never be able to wear it

I really, really wanted to like this. The reviews were so good, and I made the mistake of buying without sampling. To me, it smells like the cement dentists mix up before they pack a tooth. Oh well, live and learn.

Dusty lemon grassy smell. I don't like Guerlain Vetiver, because it's not fresh to me, it's dusty-fresh.

You can have the same vibe from Mugler Cologne, that is maybe a tad more synthetic smelling, but at least it's contemporary, which is not something I can say for Guerlain Vetiver.

Nice fragrance!
But... no sillage and bad longevity.
Is it the reformulation?

Too confrontational and unforgiving. I'd like to think of myself as a nice person. This doesn't say "nice".

For awhile very popular with some friends of mine. Many times I have been close to purchasing a bottle for myself but somehow I always pull back at the last moment (once because my wife dissed it as “a grandmother smell”.) Let’s say it’s a fragrance I admire but that just doesn’t fit me (I'm a Héritage man myself.) The tobacco note is the guilty party I think; suppressing like the smell of decaying plants (a bit like the lagoon they once used in the ad for the fragrance.) A classic nonetheless.

Gaak. Smells to me like the vile antibacterial liquid in a hospital bathroom soap dispenser, with a heavy dose of RAID to improve the smell. Or to put it another way, like the aggregate odor of cleansers and insect sprays under a kitchen sink.

Given the fulsome praise heaped on this cologne over the years from otherwise highly reputable sources, I have given Guerlain's Vetiver every opportunity. I have tried it on numerous occasions, and inevitably it is dominated by ghastly powdery tones - the 'old lady' scent if you know what I mean. The result is unmanly while not even being womanly, either. On top are some high-pitched lime tones. All in all I have to say thanks, but no thanks. For some great green juice, try Sisley's Eau de Campagne instead.

Great looking botttle , feels good in ther hand , spraying citrus and then a nice dry down but i found it too light and after a few hours hard to smell , I sprayed twice on my arm and twice on my neck and kept sniffing my arm and just didnt get that wow factor that I have from other frags. Must be my skin type just doesnt shine for me, I am sure with the right skin type its great but sadly not for me

Warm but fresh...I am a woman, but this is my preferred work scent. Not everyday for work, but on days when I need to feel super crisp and professional. Something about its crisp outdoorsy feel also makes me want to wear it for a fall hike and picnic. Great stuff on a woman or a man!

Fresh spinach sauteed with a bit of olive oil and lemon over an open fire. Clean and earthy at the same time. I like it. I am a bit surprised there's not more disagreement over this one given its, what I perceive to be, unique character. At around $50, I will buy.

Very Citrusy. Nice smell to wear after a morning shower. It's very refreshing. Good to wear anytime.

Clean, soapy/spicy scent that smells great for the price. Longevity is rather high, but starts to fade around 2 hours. A good night-out scent.
I really want to love this scent, but it doesn't mix well with my skin (most green scents do, though). It leaves a "playdough" note when mixing with my skin.

Nonetheless, a thumbs up scent. This is THE definition of a man's scent. If only I could wear it!

Recommended, but sample first. I'm lucky I did.

Unfortunaltely a one-dimensional GREEN, GREEN, totally GREEN !!!
It is hard to believe that Vetiver acctually has top, middle and base notes
because you only get an impression of one which again is green.
That I'd find very poor even if it was a cheap scent not mentioning a frangrance coming from the house of Guerlain.

I really like green and that one ( and only ) part that Vetiver has reminds me a bit of Gucci Nobile but it simply isn't enough!!!

Once you have experienced the distinctive "Guerlinade", the in-house olfactive signmark of Guerlain, you really want to feel it again and again. A lost world come into mind, the myth-of-the-man in the XX century at its very sunrise. We have to precise that Guerlain perfumes apart of more recent ones, are very conservative, well suited for the cultural French Emperor of last decades. They are out of the fragrances you usually find in a boutique, so at the beginning you are literally astonished, then you can love it. Guerlain Vetiver gives the subtle impression to leave you alone: it's vey, very cold, adn it responds to nordic, clean tastes, so fdifferent from the italian ones, more fashion orientedand in general, warmer. I wouldn't be surprised discovering Vetiver of Guerlain is mostly sold in continental, north Europe. It's uppermostly clean. The idea of perfume behind is terrible or marvellous. Coming now to the vetiver vibrations, since I like more dirty, mouldy and resonant vetivers, I prefer the vetiver from Guccy Envy. Probably at Guerlain were aimed to purify vetiver from earthy sentors, leaving only the smoky-ones. If the Guerlinade base has something of burlesque, excessive, between caricatural or extremely classy (not an easy, first sight love perfume), the vetiver stands -for me- too much delayed over other scents.

At first this classic not seduces me too much...but the drydown...magic combination of vetiver, cedar and peppery notes where the tobacco one is simple sublime. A weareable and fascinating masculine fragance, traditional french school, A must have.

Guerlain Vetiver. Easily one of the top five male scents of all time, even after it's infamous reformulations. But I swear that the day Guerlain decides to relaunch it in its former glory, I will throw away all my other colognes and wear only this till the end of my days.

Clean, fresh, citrusy, this will always be a favorite. I love the soapy (in a good way) fresh out of a shower feeling.

Absolutely fantastic! It is very difficult for me to describe the smell for lack of terminologies. It is clean, subdued, classy, no sweetness, pleasant, fresh, ... I didn't imagine such fragrance can exist!


Two thubms UP!

A recent 're-discovery' (after having an unpleasant time with the Aftershave version previously).

Nothing makes me want to sniff my wrist so much as GV currently seems to.

The initial bone-dry Citrus blast, woody middle notes and that Earthy drydown, with a noticable tobacco - a dried tobacco leaf - pipe tobacco even - note. But it is not overpowering. At least not in the EDT (2000 formulation)
There is a powdery, almost talc-ish note that lasts throughout.
if you are sensitive to that note, it will be noticible, and I'd guess if you are not fond of that dry, but still sweet aspect, then it may not be of your liking. I love it.

Currently my 'new' everyday Fragrance.
Its all been said before - not much i can add. Just wanted to give it a thumbs up.

I did however have a bottle of the Aftershave previously. Oh dear..
The tobacco note seemed more prominent, and dried to a dreadful stale Body Odor stink on my skin at least..
was vert pungent for an Aftershave also. It may actually be to someones taste as an alternative. its definitely different. But not for me.

So my thumbs up (two if I could) goes to the GV EDT

I give guerlain's classic vetiver, the post-oakmoss-gate reformulated version, a thumbs-up, because it deserves it. Guerlain's vetiver is a very pleasant, well-balanced vetiver fragrance. But, perhaps as a psychological reaction to its overwhelming popularity, I don't get much from it. The earthiness of the vetiver is toned down, and the citrus notes are turned up, and I feel like it's trying too hard to please, to be unobjectionable and friendly, for my tastes.

Very sharp scent. Fresh at first but this goes away quickly. May not be well liked for those used to the new boring generic colognes. Develops nicely with good sillage and longevity. I think I will have to buy a full bottle.

What I love about Vetiver is that it contradicts itself.
It opens with a crisp, clean and green citrus, then as it develops, is a wonderfully dirty, earthy, spiced vetiver. No musk - excellent.

Highly Sophisticated
Much ahead of its time
long lasting
to witness the drydown in the evening you need to spray on yourself the previous night,such a long scent

I wear this as business cologne - it somehow gives me a feeling of authority. I think that's because so many modern fragrances are sweet and cloying on the dry drown and either make the wearer appear metrosexual or like they have just emerged from the locker room.

The sharpness of this vetiver coupled with its spicey tobacco give this a clean cut sillage that doesn't resort to vanilla to make it palletable. In a world of McDonalds, Pepsi, KFC and Pizza Hut etc this EDT gives you a sugar free scent experience with sophistication and style without being dumbed down for the younger nose.

An air freshener for the soul. This is an adorable fragrance from the first sighting of the bottle to the brisk dry down that follows. In a few seconds I was transported to a woody glade surrounded by nymphs and elves gamboling playfully in the morning dew.....sorry.

Seriously, this is simply beautiful, a sublime creation that belongs in everyones collection. Wearing this in the summer will lift your spirits and freshen your outlook in an instant.It has decent sillage, longevity and is very sophisticated. I cannot commend this highly enough.

Interesting fragrance, so calm, so fluid. Remembers an afternoon with warm breeze, chess and apple tea. Yes, I found it, it remembers my grandmother. Sincerely, it feels like something my grandma could use. Not bad, but nothing manly.

One of the best fragrances ever. Real classy, real for men.

Multiple personalities in this French classic: a crisp and bright fragrance that dries down to a woody, earthy vetiver and from there to a tobacco-rich, spicy goodness. (Whew! Talk about a ride!)

I do not care for the recent Guerlain re-formulation -- it lacks the "teeth" of the original and is, IMHO, a pale reflection of the same. Sadly, the vintage Guerlain is getting harder to find all the time, and more expensive. Nevertheless, I try to always keep a bottle of the original, vintage version in my collection. Always.

That is a good vetiver fragrance. Though i prefer Creed Vetiver. It smells much fresher.

I'm still something of a novice, though I do have a functional nose. Two words for this on my skin: Bug spray! Honestly, I half expected DEET to be on the ingredients list. This scent has a lot of admirers, so perhaps it's something particular to my skin, but please try before you buy.

Guerlain Vetiver shootout

Left Arm: Vintage Guerlain Vetiver EDC
Right Arm: Guerlain Vetiver EDT

I applied 2 good sprays of each. At first, they seemed equally strong, but the EDC had no detectable citrus, rather, it had a sort of burned sugar and caramel note at the top, and the vetiver was immediately apparent--dry, rooty and nutty. The EDT was a bright citrus blast, sweeter than I remembered the last time I wore it. To my nose, the lemon is the most prominent, but it is very well tempered by the other citrus notes so that it doesn't come off as an edible lemon or household cleaner. The citrus lasts for quite a while and is very pleasant. These are the main differences for the first 20-30 minutes--they basically smell like different fragrances, the EDC edging more into the vetiver while the sweet citrus develops in the EDT.

There is a point where they begin to intersect--the EDC vetiver note develops slowly, and the brulee note fades. Likewise, the EDT loses the citrus brightness and sweetness to reveal the drier grassy, dirty vegetal notes of the vetiver. When the top notes in both are gone, they smell identical to me in strength, sillage and quality of the vetiver. Vetiver in general is quite long lasting. I got some of the essential oil on my hands last week, and couldn't wash it off for more than one day, despite repeated hand washing, lotion applications and a shower. So, my expectation for any fragrance which has vetiver in it (if it is natural) is that the vetiver will last long and develop from the nutty, sweet, syrupy start to a dry, woody, smoky finish (if the vetiver is of similar origin). The two Guerlains behave pretty much in this way, except that the EDT is turning out to be longer lasting. It has been about 5 hours since I applied the two. The drydown of the EDC is barely there, except for a salty, slightly sweet and soapy scent. The EDT is still grassy, rooty, smoky and woody, except that it has faded quite a bit. In today's wearing of the EDT, I am not getting the extreme soapyness I had from the first time, but the spicy pepper is definitely there.

My impression of the EDC is that it is more about vetiver than anything else. The vetiver comes out right away, and dominates the fragrance throughout the development. The EDT has more distinct stages--citrus to vetiver to spicy/soapy. I suspect the shorter longevity of the EDC is due to its lower concentration. Of the two, I am not sure which one I prefer, but I think the EDC is more versatile. Plus, I get to enjoy the yummy parts of the vetiver with none of the bitter drydown that I sometimes get from the EDT.

Unchanged formula? Whatever. I used to wear this in the late 90's when it was good. The lovely lady at the Guerlain counter swore blind that the formula was the same. It isn't. More lemon up top and a watered down vetiver throughout. In a word, "modernised". Shame.

I was a bit hesitant to post a review on such a talked about scent.

I sampled it on a card and of course didnt like it.

Last week I sprayed some on my skin and got some in an atomizer to take home to try.

I was floored with everything that happened from the topnotes to the base on my skin. This is something that belongs on every man's wardrobe, regardless of age. It's probably one of the most perfectly balanced frags ive ever tried.

Vetiver is one of the notes I am so picky about, most of the time because I'm so wary of its bitter edge juxtaposed to its green citric and earthy qualities, how a nose can play these qualities up or down, usually for my case, playing it down. Other notes, like patchouli, a "sweaty" variety of cedar, and sharp cumin are also notes that can break my attention from the rest of a fragrance composition, and I'm totally put off by the scent--no second chances most of the time. I'm not saying that I won't wear scents with these notes in it, but I'm just picky in the way how it plays its part in the whole composition.

I've smelled Guerlain's Vetiver before, and I was hit left and right by notes that just made me think that this composition was brash and unrefined, starting with its blast of citrus right to its bitter edge that seemed to smell frankly of rubber as many have mentioned.

Trial upon trial, it never seemed to catch my attention, I seemed to fixate in my mind that it smelled brash to me and very un-Guerlain like IMO.

After some years of simply detesting this scent, bored out of my mind smelling newer creations of late, I've resorted to appreciating and re-appreciating classic fragrances. I think I've reached some sort of level in scent preference, and in this instance, trying Vetiver became a whole new vision and appreciation of this scent! Instead of fixating on notes that seemed to jut out at me, I started noticing the other nuances in this scent. Now that I've found peace in Vetiver I'm noticing its deeper, spicy and resinous qualities. No longer too sharp green and grassy, I'm finding it smelling sensual, refined, bold yet reserved at the same time. The tobacco is not the green variety to my nose, but more the spicy aspect of the dried variety, probably because of the pepper and nutmeg. Simply ingenious the way it's blended into the composition.

I didn't purchase a bottle right away, but when I went home and kept taking whiffs of it, I became obsessed. I kept thinking of its scent for a whole week before giving in and purchased a bottle. Funny how the mind can keep an olfactory memory exactly like the way it smelled sniffing it for real. So real that I was obsessed about it all week!

I had plans of waiting to purchase it online for cheaper, but I just couldn't wait any longer. It had to be mine. I'd be in pure ecstasy if Guerlain comes out with a version with even deeper qualities to it. But with the way this scent was composed, it's hard to create a winner better than this original.

I still can't understand why I love this scent so much now, but this definitely has set another benchmark in my understanding of perfumery.

Some saying that is very classic and is true.
But is one of the best "vetiver" that you can find in a normal cosmetic store with a normal price.
Ist calm and rellassing frangance. Nice for hot days.
Spraying a lot in your shirt and you will be very fresh all day.
Try also the shower gel is also very nice.
The version "Extreme" is completly differente and i dont liked.

I like Guerlain's Vetiver. In fact, I like it a lot. I don't love it, however.

I simply don't experience the same complex development on my skin that so many others have reported here. Yes, I get the citrus and pepper top notes, accompanied by the prominent "soapy" vetiver scent. After 15 minutes or so, the soapiness subsides and the citrus is joined by a spiciness which I find difficult to describe. It's not rich and sultry, more lifting and aromatic the way a Thai green curry is lighter than similarly spicy Indian curries. Not that Vetiver smells of curry, though! Perhaps it's the notes reminiscent of lemongrass that made me think of that simile. At this point, however, Vetiver stalls and I don't experience any of the rich earthy notes that I had been looking forward to when I bought it. That's a shame, because I think that added complexity would have elevated this fragrance to the level of an all-time favourite.

Perhaps the lack of development is a skin chemistry thing. Or perhaps it's a climate thing. I understand Vetiver was originally developed for the Central American market and, although I've not yet been fortunate enough to visit that part of the world, I think it's pretty reasonable to state that it is significantly warmer than chilly Scotland!

As it stands, Vetiver is still easily head and shoulders above the boring citrus and ozone clones that clog up the fragrance shelves of British pharmacists and department stores. I might not love it yet, but this could be a slow burning romance and I'll certainly enjoy getting to Vetiver better as I work my way through that chunky green bottle.

I can understand that some people may not like vetiver. I've got to say though, as far as I am concerned, it adds a tremendous amount of "freshness" to a fragrance and is a good counterpoint to any sweet notes. It's a sweet-sour kind of thing. I love this stuff. I sniff myself over and over during the day when I wear it.

Longevity is very good for me.
You can't complain too much about the price either.

A wonderful fragrance. It seems a bit astringent when first applied, but it mellows down to a very agreeable and refined masculine fragrance. I can never imagine this being a unisex scent, there is not a feminine note in it. It lasts on the skin a long time.

This is the most elegant vetiver I have ever tried. It is bright, crisp, almost astringent compared to the earthy, smoky varieties offered elsewhere. (Guerlain must use this vetiver in a host of its fragrances, floating in the background.) The topnotes contain lemon and pepper, the middle is remniscent of frankincense in its dustiness, and I believe there may be some aromatic cedar in the formula. It is an open, clean, dry, meditative aroma. This vetiver is mellow and smells deliciously like a cellar full of wine barrels filled with a fine, dry, white wine.

Elegant, urbane and mesmerizing. Although the bottle design has changed since I last owned it (back in the early 70's), the fragrance is to my untrained nose, the same.

Well I'll admit it, I've never tried this fragrance before and I'm almost as old as it is!

In the search for a new scent recently I gave it a go at a local Department store and was very disappointed. A hotch-potch of scents that seemed way too overpowering but when I returned to work the response from colleagues was very positive. This scent takes time to work its magic! I went straight back and bought a bottle and it's been in constant use since.

A very sophisticated, clean and long-lasting fragrance that suits me to a tee. To think I wasted all that time on weak summery fragrances until now. As old as it is, this is a fragrance that stands out from the crowd.

I'm new to this forum and it will take time for me to learn all the terminology and subtleties of what makes a good fragrance. At this early stage in my development all I can say is that this is a real winner.

A citrusy, Cologne-type opening soon yields to a rich, spicy vetiver. I love vetiver, so what's not to like? This is my favorite masculine from Guerlain, bar none. I love it on my skin, but I also love spraying a little on my bed linens before going to sleep--it's guarantee to give me sweet dreams. If it still smells this good after all of the reformulations supposedly ruined it, it really must have been some kinda fantastic back in the day.

This is my first review here at basenotes and, of course, I must review my favorite scent, Guerlain Vetiver. I use other scents at times, but mostly I reach for my Vetiver bottles. Clean, crisp, fresh, like having a bottle full of happiness, it makes me want to walk to our grassy meadow and lie down naked under the sun. Or the moon. Which I would, but there are bugs! I absolutely adore this scent. Thank you, Jean Paul.

I had very high hopes for this scent after what I had been hearing about it, but I was greatly disappointed. This smell simply did not fit my demographic. This fragrance smelled like a hospital waiting room mixed with soap you might find in a nursing home. I didn't get any of the fresh, green (forest-like, I was hoping) scents the smell has been touting. This "classic" is not for anything between the ages of 18-35 unless you are hitting on 50+ year-old cougars who may enjoy this sort of smell.

I sampled this in a comsmetics store, and I really liked it.
It is sporty and elegant, reminiscent to me of the summer time because of so many summers spent in Quebec in the company of cedar hedges and pine trees.

It, unfortunately, smells too old for me. This isn't because of any intrinsic old-man quality of the fragrance. Indeed, it smells very fresh and sporty. The problem is that my generations' fathers wore scents like Vetiver.
And it's awfully hard to find something sexy when it reminds you of your father.

Another criticism I have of Vetiver is that, at least for me, it is a little too reminiscent of other fragrances that one can get for cheaper. The opening is unfortunately a lot like the cheap English Leather, with the middle notes and base notes a little too much like the original Polo by Ralph Lauren. In fact, when I came home from the store, my left arm still smelling quite strongly of Vetiver,
my father remarked that, if I had wanted to get Polo, he would gladly have parted with his old bottle.

About 35 years ago (when I was a VERY young boy mind you), I was given a little miniature bottle of Guerlain Vetiver along with a couple minis of some other scents which I can't remember. I loved Vetiver and wore it often. I'm pretty sure I was the only kid my age wearing cologne at that time, but I drained that bottle. I had pretty much forgotten about this one until fairly recently. I have heard that our memories of smells are fairly accurate, and to my nose this one smells identical to the one I had all those years ago. I read of how horrible the current incarnation of Vetiver is since all the reformulations, but I still love it as much as I did when I was a kid. It's a classic spicy, woody, citrus, tobacco scent that works for me in all times and in all situations. I hope I'm never without it!

Even if you hate it in the beginning, Vetiver tends to win you over in time.

There is no self-respecting man enjoying fragrances who has not tested this bold statement from Guerlain. It is inevitable. It is such a powerhouse fragrance, such a name, such an establishment, even if one hates the scent, he must respect what it stands for: Vetiver is a scent created for the perfect gentleman, and a perfect gentleman is the man who wear it with confidence.

It is a mystery to me, because some days, it smells really wet, but other times, it smells really dry. Very very Green, Vetiver is what is is named after: vetiver note on every aspect of the scent from top to bottom, but enriched with different notes at the different stages of it life on your skin. It is decidedly green, and slightly dirty even, but really really fresh. I feel like this scent alone inspired many other summer-y fresh scents like the Issey Miyake line, because it is a very bold ode to every green note possible. The other thing I must say though: within all its rawness, it is a very delicate, transparent, and elegant scent.

Opening is nutmeg, bergamot, neroli and lemon, orange, coriander and tobacco. It is decadent, and slightly sharp. Call me crazy, but there is a very soap-y feeling to this opening to my nose, I don't know why. It can be slightly nauseating in the beginning: all that green with all that Vitamin C, but that phase passes rather fast. Orris root, vetiver, sage grass, pepper and sandalwood at the core of the scent makes it very green and very bold. Now, this is the part that causes debate- if you'll like it, you'll love it, if you cannot stand it, then you will never touch this scent again. The carnation note evens the greenness of the scent a bit, but still, it smells very natural, pastoral even.

The most legendary part of Vetiver is its drydown though: the smooth transition from all that foliage to civet, tonka bean, moss, leather, amber, and myrrh is done exceptionally well. Vetiver actually smells ambery to me within all its greenness, that is why there is a clash of warm and cool I feel. It is a unique experience, because still to this day, I am still rediscovering more about this scent I love, and cannot complete my journey with it. For instance, everybody keeps saying that this is a perfect scent for daywear during summer, but i feel like it works best on me during winters at night. Under the summer sun, it becomes too much; suffocating even. But with cooler temperatures, it is simply a force radiating charisma.

I really like Vetiver, but it can never be a blind-buy. Try it once, and see how it will work for you. I feel like Vetiver knows no age or race. It is particularly masculine and very very elegant.

Way to green !!! It really has nothing special IMO, just herbs invading your senses. It reminds me of Chanel pour Monsieur, another uber-green fragrance that follows a recipe that has been proved to be safe. Apparently, people love this kind of fragrances, so why change anything? Don't take any chances, don't try anything new, don't come up with something original... I don't like this approach. I rate this as neutral simply out of respect for Guerlain and because of the history behind this fragrance.

Soapy dirt with a splash of bug spray: try before you buy.

On the basis of the excellent reviews here on basenotes I ordered a bottle of Vetiver without first having tried it. When the bottle arrived I pulled off the cap excitedly and sprayed. After thirty seconds of citrus it settled down to soapy dirt with a splash of bug spray. My first thought was that there must be something wrong with my bottle, so I went and found a sample locally, but the outcome was the same. On my skin this fragrance goes horribly wrong and there is no development or dry down to speak of.

vetiver is not in the flora of the country i live so have never handled a piece of vetiever and smelled it. So when i first sniffed guerlain vetiver i thought vetiver is green with bergamot and coriander aroma. Really i cannot go any further with it. Cedar and tobacco is very faint (would be better with more of them) and coriander is very cloying (would be better with less) throughout the first hours. That makes it plentiful. My husband who pours perfume over his had could not finish his first bottle of vetiver for the last three years.

How can I not love this scent? Despite the rumours about having changes and worsened along the years, for me it's one of the most classic, inoffensive and gentlemanly scents still available today. Besides the discreet, but persistent lasting power of 12+ hours on my skin (altough after about 12 it becomes a very dim, yet not vapid presence, it's just that i'm marginally aware of it, even after so many hours after application). What i love about this one is the clean, crispy warmth, the exquiste impression of effortless distinct and the fact that it developes into something containing much more than Vetyver- it takes quite a while to discover what is beneath the initial earthy and resinous blast of vetyver, but after that, the finesse up to the point of imperceptibilty of aromatic notes (altough "green, very different from vetyver, the spice and even a slight leatehry touch, which can neither be described as the dark, macho, gothic leather found in some scents, nor the vapid, teenie suede note found in others, it's rather an uncomon tobacco-leather mixture, including the most complex and uncommon association this note can trigger, come to life). I think it's admirable that a fragrance from 1961 is not only still available today, but also upholds very conservative standards of quality seldomly to be found in contemporary fragrance orld. Almost an oldtimer style trip into the depths of the (unfortunately) increasingly inaccessible of true Parisian chic. Hence, this one can be called- along very few other classics- one of the last scents of the golden age of French perfume,which, inspite of being a flawless masterpiece, a luxurious reflection of couture, of both exclusively elegant and highly intellectual salons, has managed to avoid the trappings, complications and restrictiveness of niche marketing- it's not afraid to show that it's "just" a designer fragrance, however finely crafted by one of these few famous designer houses which managed to avoid the hype, the overblown frenzy created around the niche frags lately, counterbalacing them with
a simple, puristic reputation, a gurantee for outsyanding and countiously upkept quality, for sheer, undissmulated, but almost axiomatic, almost dogmatic quintessence of unquestionable elegance, that particular mood of French stylishness, which can be natural, sensual, bohemian, without failing one single second to be effortlessly mannered, elitist, high-class and high-culture at the same time. For this reason, i guess that GV and a very few other other equally cleant-cut close contemporaries from other traditional designer houeses, bear a name and a myth equal to an unlimited, always upkept promise and guarantee of good taste, somtetimes even putting some overrated, but much more moody, unpredictable and less sustainable niche houses in inferiority (and remember, this comes from a hardline fan of niche frags)- compared to these, GV is a more sober, apaprently more simple, but much more safe, inoffensive and discreet way to smell like niche and even beyond, for the cost and the implications opf a designer scent.

A truly classic, earthy, 'cut grass' fragrance, very serene, warm yet fresh. A worth having fragrance!

Enough has been said about this scent's topnotes, middle notes and basenotes. So I'm going to take a different approach and write about what Vétiver reminds me of.
After putting it on, my mind slowly travels back in time and fond memories of one afternoon on my honeymoon just a couple of years ago reemerge.
...I'm sitting in the backyard of our ancient house in Sicily. It has just stopped raining after a long period of drought.
The sun, slowly but powerfully reappears and you can see the water evaporate on the hot asphalt just outside our garden. Meanwhile in the garden, scarce Sicilian nature takes its beautiful course.The water trickles away slowly leaving behind a quiet, sizzling noise. Consequently the plants in our garden are breathing a sigh of relief, soaking in everything the now harsh sun doesn't take them away. Looking closely you can truly see the yellowish grass and the lemon and orange trees becoming revitalized. As the sun becomes ever more vigorous, causing the remaining water covering the plants to evaporate at an ever faster rate, a tranquil wind gently carries away the newly released scents....

I wanted to love this as the bottle is beautiful and I still haven't found a vetiver that suits me but I was disappointed. The vetiver smells so old on me, almost acrid. The opening is ok but once the fresh notes disappear, I'm left with a middle that smells almost mouldy. Not for me.

warning. guerlain vetiver is very addictive!
it makes me want to sniff it again and again and again.
this is a very manly juice, unique and pronounced.
a bright scent with a bit of an edge. something that is original, fresh and very sexy.

it is imaginative too,
it makes me think of a mighty forest in the summer, you smell the woods, the moss and the earth; it's refreshing and rich, it's dirty and deep.
walking through, there's rays of sunlight piercing through the giant trees. the sound of silence, the trees waving in the breeze, and the birds singing. the atmosfere so full and rich!
being there alters your spirits. this is what i get from this scent.

plus, it's so well orchestrated!
it is truly one. and not flat and boring, like many juices that find a place on the shelves.
someone said it smells OLD? not in a million years.
actually i think it's very fashionable.

sometimes you really like a scent, but .. very nice while it lasts, but you know you won't get another bottle when it's finished!
then, there are the few that would break your heart when they are gone.

yes. i love this scent.

classic.

Vetiver, tobacco, coriander, cedar. These are the main notes in this classic of Guerlain's golden age of men's fragrances. The best way to wear this is in black tie. Wing collar, cuff links and shirt studs, an impeccable pocket silk. Then the aroma can develop to its full glory, in the surroundings where it feels most at home. This really is an elegant scent, whenever and wherever you wear it.

I respect this legend so much that I am standing while I am writing this review…
First citrus, then vetiver and tobacco. Very simple, very beautiful.
Vetiver is probably the most natural scent I know. Sometimes, when I wear Vetiver and when I’m alone in my office (I don’t want someone to think that I’m a crank) I close my eyes and imagine that I’m laying in a meadow and I feel the sunshine on my face, smell of the grass and worm earth under my hands.
If Vetiver is a synonym for natural, its antonym could be Cool Water or 212 Men or Echo…

I live in a pathetic little country, which shall remain nameless here. Well, the country is so small that Guerlain Vetiver was taken off the shelves shortly after the relaunched 2000 version, apparently due to poor sales. Another blow to quality and another victory for hyped designer scents and provinsialism.

The good thing is I can have this one for my self. And a very good thing it is.

GV has one of the crispiest citrus openings I have experienced, it wakes you up and gets you ready for a challenging day. The coriander can be a little over the top, and comes off as somewhat synthetic, especially if you overapply on the same spot, but it's just a passing odd note. From the invigorating top notes it moves on to the heart of the scent which is a synthesis of pepper and tobacco, wherein the scent turns from crisp to warm. From here the intensity fades slowly, and again the scent takes a new direction, into a discreet, green vetiver that stays with you for the rest of the day.

The diversity and progression of the fragrance, while retaining its harmony and deliciousness through every phase, is amazing. The ingredients have the right masculine connotations. All in all, GV has class in abundance, and it will gladly lend you some.

It's a timeless masterpiece, that transcends any discussion about old fashioned/modern regarding fragrance. Certainly I can't detect any old fashion-ness in GV, despite what some think in this forum. But it is very different from contemporary trends in fragrance. And thank you for that!

Blasphemy!That is what some might say of my review but at this time I really can't say I like this. I like tobacco and pepper but I just couldn't get with this. The minute I tried this on my skin I was taken aback by very pesticide/flea dip smell that was overpowering. After an hour or so, that same strength and scent stayed with me. It really didn't remind me of a summer scent but of an old man fall scent. I will revisit this but I was highly disappointed. Definitely something I'm glad I didn't go blind into.

Does true vetiver smell soapy? Well, this does and it's been heralded as the best vetiver scent. It actually is very good. I like the tobacco and pepper notes in this. Very classy and great for a signature/personal fragrance. I recommend trying before buying, though.

When I first got this fragrance, I was somewhat surprised with what it actually smelled like to me. I felt a little put off by what smelled like "Afta" after shave. But, I've heard so many good things about this one that I thought I'd give it a while and not dismiss just yet. I tried it again a couple days later when it was nice and hot outside and boy did this fragrance take off.\

The opening was sharp and citrusy which lingered for about 15 minutes. This top note faded into what I can best describe as green and spicy. This I would assume would be the vetiver with a hint of cedar as well as the pepper and capiscum in the base.

In general I have longevity problems with most fragrances...but not with this one. I put it on at 8AM and it was still going strong around 3PM. By the time I was going to bed, it had not completely faded away and was still very distiguishable....of course it was close to my skin.

This one definitely grew on my quick. I quickly dismissed my original impression of this fragrance and realized that even though it slightly smelled like "Afta," the other notes dominated this. And to someone who has never smelled "Afta" or other cheap aftershaves, they would make no association with anything like it....or the stereotypical "old man smell."

This is a must have for anyone's collection. Great for hot days and I'm sure I'll still be wearing it well into the winter months.

I am still trying to like it, but the longer I use it the less I am fascinated with that smell. The opening is amazing, the first five minutes I think: thats it!...but the vetiver scent turns pretty fast into a soapy, slightly greasy smell -still mixed with the fresh vetiver main note, but by far not as pleasant as the start off. It is too sharp and,in my opinion lacks a harmonius composition.
It is a perfume which impresses when you walk by it, but the longer you have to do with it the more it starts to annoy me( and my family). I had high expectations due to the high ranking of the Guerlain Vetiver-and I admit it is still better than most of the perfumes out there, but I didn´t fall in love with that one.

Its THAT good. I'm into sweet and heavy and this is not sweet at all. I don't even know why I like it. It's one of the few frags that lives up to the hype. It lasted 3 days on my wrist and most of it was an addictive tobacco note. Yes I bought the big bottle and I have not regretted it since. Thank you for this beauty JP.

Nice fragance for people who love classical ways. This product is maybe simple: Vetiver. Nothing else....Thats it.
Quality 100%. I recommended for people of 30 years old and up. Ideal for summer time, fresh, soapy. Very confortable.
I feel VERY confident when I use it.

Initially invigorating very fresh top notes, but for me the tobbacco note on the drydown is just a bit too remeniscent of full ashtrays. Monsieur Rochas is far more subtle when i need an air of dignified maturity that better suits my increasing years.

I bought this classic powerhouse based on what I learned on Basenotes. It's an interesting and long lasting scent. While I don't find the greenish topnotes very alluring, the drydown to a veritable flower garden is quite amazing. I don't wear it often, but I enjoy the fragrance when I do.

One of my favorites. Classic scent.

The second Guerlain fragrance in my collection, the frist being Habit Rouge.

I bought this as a gift set which came with a 100ml Shower Gel, 125ml EDT and a rather nice Wash Bag. I bought it blind on the basis of the reviews here and I have to say, thanks everyone!

My first Vetiver fragrance was by L'Artisan Parfumeur. As such it turned me off big time. I found it heavy, bitter and cloying. The Guerlain take however is nothing short of delightful.

Yes, it is soapy and clean and I like that. Now, without wanting to risk being slated I have to say I am reminded of YSL Kouros Cologne Sport. That particular fragrance has been well and truly panned in the reviews on this site. The Guerlain is similar to my nose but with all the Heritage (apologies for the pun) that Guerlain represents.

It's interesting to me how a single note can be interpreted in so many different ways. This fragrance couldn't be further from the L'Artisan Vetiver in that, for me at least, its wearable and enjoyable!

I find Habit Rouge to be perfectly delightful but without the wow factor of so many current fragrances. When I spray it on it makes me feel comfortable for some reason. It is not something however I feel able to wear everyday. Vetiver is that everyday fragrance that I'm looking for. Its clean, slightly sporty tones keep my arm going to my nose to smell more. Its something I can wear without fear of offending but without making too bold a statement. Yes, understated but self assured this is.

What a joy for me and solid evidence of the whole purpose and value of the Basenotes Review forum.

I recently bought this classic fragrance. It was a blind buy based on the list of notes combined in this extroordinary fragrance. Guerlain's Vetiver is different to all my other fragrances. It is complex and changes from fresh, green, citrussy top notes to earthy vetiver, leather, and tobacco as well powdery and soapy notes on the dry down when to me it smells less like "old man" but more like baby powder - sort of lavenderish. Still, it does not smell soft or flat but strong and lasting with character. Even my fiancee likes the fragrance, although she usually does not like earthy fragrances, especially patchouli. Because of the contrast between the top and the base notes, this fragrance is very interesting and unique. But I can perfectly imagine that this frangrance does not work on everybody. If Goutal's Duell suits you well, this fragrance might be the perfect choice for you.

My favourite along with Nantucket Briar...

Jean-Paul Guerlain was the first (and last) family member to create several fragrances for men, and Vetiver was his first masculine creation. Ever since the company's great cologne period, Guerlain hadn't created another men's fragrance except Mouchoir de Monsieur and Jicky. Vetiver filled this gap. In fact, Vetiver was first created for Mexico, one of the biggest consumers of Guerlain's 'Vetiver extract', but in 1958, Carven's vetiver scent became a threatening presence on the market, and director Jean-Pierre Guerlain wanted it modernized. It became a job for his 22 year old nephew Jean-Paul, who let himself be inspired by 'the smell of a gardener' - tobacco and earth. It was launched in 1959, and its spicy earthy-freshness deriving from the Indian vetiver grass root proved to be an instant success. The fragrance is from the outset dominated by a distinctive, slightly bitter nutmeg note that is considered uniquely delightful by fans, a bit harsh and 'medicinal' by some others, but the scent rounds itself upon wearing and ends in a surprising, sweet tobacco note. Although Guerlain maintains that the composition of Vetiver has not been changed during the years, most Vetiver-lovers are convinced that it has been made brighter, fresher and less 'earthy' in the current edition. It's still up for debate, though, if the oldest edition's earthiness and darkness is only due to ageing of the fragrant juice. In 2000, Vetiver was launched with a modern bottle, juice color, packaging and advertising, and it's still a favorite among many men. Recently, several modern variations on the Vetiver-theme has been launched, like the spiced up Vetiver Extrêmewith added vetiver root, tarragon, licorice and smoky frankincense, and the more tender and flowery Vetiver pour Elle.

Initially I thought "insect repellent". Then it occurred to me that I'm not being fair so on subsequent application I tried to understand the fragrance. The opening is fresh but not sweet or aquatic (good). The dry-down ... "insect repellent".

I'm still a bit new to the world of fragrance and this is my first review, so bear with me. Passed by the Guerlain section of Dillards and saw Vetiver and just HAD to try it after all I've heard from all the bn-ers. I got a spritz on the wrist and the moment I put it up to my nose to inhale I was transported back to my childhood. "THIS IS BABY COLOGNE" I told the SA, she just looked at me with a confused expression. (My mom used to get baby cologne from Spain, actually had a similar experience when I smelled "agua de sevilla" in Seville, Spain a few years back). This frag. was a trip down memory lane, going to buy a bottle soon!

Superbly formulated classic for today yeaterday on anyday still beats all these newer fragrances into the ground.

Elegant vetiver, but a little too much on the masculine side for me. However, a definite classic.

I was initally enthralled by this one. I went back and smelled it again later, sprayed it on a scent stick and kept it for a while. I've decided that it smells like an old man. The scent of tobacco is almost overwhelming==reminded me of a tobacco drying shed in Virginia. Or of my old boss' office.

I first tried this a madrid airport and thought it was a bit differnt to most other "chin whiff".
I think that it is one of the better vetivers and the after shave Gel is really nice too.

Excellent. Just grass, lemon, and a little vanilla. Inoffensive and classy. Perfect for the office.

What a disappointment. I figured Guerlain is a big time house, therefore the juice should big time. Not to my nose...until I saw it was over 40 years old!!! SO, thumbs up it is.
Smells shy green...no boldness whatsoever, possibly the nicet green. It is also quite dry to the nose like Champagne is to the mouth. Is it a classic? yes, but not a must have.

Guerlain's "Vetiver" is definitely in my top ten. The first two or three times I wore it I was not quite sure what to think. Now it's one of the fragrances I like best (together with Chanel's "Pour Monsieur"). "Vetiver" is a great scent for the office, but it works just as well for a night out on the town. Works in the winter just like in the summer. When the weather it hot it brings out different aspects of the fragrance. A very masculine fragrance. Great vetiver, love the tobacco note too. The fragrance was launched 46 years ago yet it stands tall among today's fragrances. A must have!

I've compared this with Creed and Lanvin and I own Dunhill Original and Blend 30.
This lasts longer than Creed (what doesn't)compared to which it is drier and creamier. It is much more restrained than Lanvin but I lean to the Lanvin as it is brighter and cleaner. There is just a hint of good, earthy,sexy earth here though. I like it but the Lanvin is half the price...

At first reminds me of what my grandfather might've worn. Only if my gramps was much, much cooler. Evokes and old barbershop. Soapy/clean and green. Most say it's a warm-weather fragrance, but I find it great year round. Def. day time, however. An adult scent, for sure.

I got this after reading the mostly positive reviews although it was a blind buy. I must admit that initially I found it to smell like something a more "mature" individual. After letting it dry down though, I really enjoyed it. A definite warm weather scent though.

(New Version)
Wow, very impressed.
The hot spice and sweet spice, and green roots blend so well together it smells like a single scent.
Like the better cousin to cloves.
And just enough citrus and sweetness, not too much.
My favorite of all the Vetiver colognes by a wide Margin.

Love this stuff. Highly recc'd. Fast drydown, and it seems to get better and better afterwards.

Big time scent here by this legendary design house. I love this stuff, the best guerlain out there. The best vetiver out there. Complex, sophisticated, classic, perfect. In my top 7 of all time.

Bought a bottle (EDT) 3 weeks ago having read reviews and sampled on a card. My first thoughts were "If I put it on eBay now should get a good price", it just seemed too overpowering, my wife hated it, "Too soapy" is all she could smell.

Was going to give up and sell it on eBay but decided to keep trying and cut back on the spraying. Now I "mist" 2-3 light presses (2 neck, one to wrists), I find myself really liking it. Sillage is good, and it lasts all day. My wife still doesn't care for it but I find it pleasant and calming.

As an ex smoker (6 months) I have taken up fragrance as a hobby and use it for my own pleasure and aromatherapy rather than for how I smell to others. Guerlain Vetiver is an example of a fragrance which treated in moderation hits all the right notes but which in excess can smell truly awful.

I am a very recent convert to the wonders of the bottled scent, and the gorgeous green Guerlain was my very first purchase. Apparently I take well to the Vetiver, because I love this stuff... And the hotter it gets outside, the more I love it. L-O-V-E it.

Emperor. Clothes. Not wearing any.
Now that we have that settled, let's talk about Vetiver: a fragrance exuding high notes reminiscent of Raid. I'm sorry, folks--I spent quite a bit on this bottle of juice, alas, the liquid is destined to become the most expensive fire-ant killer in history. Or someone will offer to take it off my hands. Please. Granted, it may just be allergies. Or it may truly be as hideous an odor as I've ever encountered.

This is such an amazing fragrance. I am a late-comer to this classic, but I'm so glad I tried it. Vetiver is a note that I had to take some time to learn to appreciate. This stuff is so sophisticated and able to go anywhere you want. Great stuff!

Tried this the other day...what a disappointment that was! Top notes are very unpleasant, IMHO of course. Almost sickening. Om the drydown, it smells exactly like a bar of Sunlight soap. Quite pleasant actually, but nothing to get excited about! Be careful, try this before you buy: the beautiful bottle, the Guerlain reputation, and loads of positive reviews can be too much of a temptation...

A genuine classic which definitely still has a place in any guy's wardrobe. Fresh, invigorating and citrusy turning to a peppery, very masculine, base. If you are tired of smelling the latest slightly sweet, fruity, powdery, etc., etc. designer fragrence, return to this classic scent from one of the worlds great houses. To paraphrase another poster, be a man -- get a bottle!

THE BEST GUERLAIN SCENT IN MY OPINION.
PERFECT FOR A HOT SUNNY DAY.LONG LASTING.LOVELY COMBINATION BETWEEN THE VETIVER NOTE AND THE TOBACCO ONE WICH IS BETTER REVEALED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS HIGH.

Some years ago, when buying a fragrance, I got a lot of fragrance samples. Among these samples were 2 Vetiver sprays. I had tried it once and didn't like it, it smelled rather old. When a friend of my wife needed some fragrance for the week, because he broke his bottle, I gave him the Vetiver ones as I didn't like it. Maybe it was a matter of skin or image, as he worked in a bank, wearing classical grey suits, white shirts and stripped ties, but the Vetiver worked fine on him.

Top notes are citric, not in a lemon style, just like an old style cologne. There's a note of coriander I couldn't smell as an individual one, just as a green note that avoids the top notes becoming a so much citric blend. Next middle notes are green, mainly vetiver notes arises, while citric top notes tones down. The base notes are bitter, with something spicy like pepper, maybe also nutmeg, and a note like leather (or tobacco).

Works fine as a office fragrance, also for daytime, but don't know if it should work for evening events. Suitable for all seasons, but for classical style men, over 30 years old.

I have just bought this one. It is a very naturell smelling scent. The bottle is one of the most beautiful ones that I have seen. I really appriciate this one. Especially the wonderful tobacco drydown. As always I do think it could be a little stronger. I recommend it anyway. It is a good scent.
benb

I see why people like it; it's sort of an archetype fragrance -- classic, old school fresh and green, what people who aren't into fragrances might think of when trying to imagine a "classic". Alas, my opinion is biased as I compare it to other vetivers (MPG's Route de Vetiver is my favorite, Creed's new one is next) that I tried before really giving Guerlain's classic version a serious go. In comparison, this one is very light and stays extremely close to the skin on me. It's green and somewhat organic, but not as good as I had expected. 3 out of 5 stars.

the formula was obviously modified
but what made this fragrance so unique is still perceptible in an attenuated way...even with this change Vetiver remains IMO the greatest masculine fragrance I've ever smelled; a rough unsweet fragrance, perfect in any situation, complex and rich...the fragrance that I'll wear all life long

A classic and timeless fragrance which is just not for everyone and I'm one of the ones it is not for. I gave it a try, used it for three full days and REALLY wanted to like it but just could not. I expect it is worth a try but as with any fragrance with a strong personality, you really need to try before you buy.

Another classic scent, a go to for the summer. I didnt much care for VG at first and gave a vintage bottle away. Sometime later I gave it another shot and it clicked. The new version smells lighter and tamer to me, less longevity as well, still nice. My preference runs to the classic version which is full bodied but still warm weather wear.

This is one of the first men's fragrances I ever encountered, although the name of the elderly relative who wore it seems to escape me now. I started visiting Basenotes the same year this first won "Best Fragrance" and I bought a bottle. The 2000 version is not as good imho as the original, and smells more like a cross between chewing tobacco and a citronella candle; not my style. That said, it did inspire some very good vetiver-based fragrances, such as Frederic Malle's Vetiver Extraordinaire and Creed's Original Vetiver. For me, this is very much a summer fragrance, and was one of the few scents I took with me to serve overseas in a hot climate (the others were GIT and D&G pour homme); Guerlain makes great stuff, but this one is very much an acquired taste.

This was a blind buy for me, and an unfortunate one. While I can certainly detect many of the classic elements which have made this such a popular selection, this fragrance was overwhelmingly strong and smelled too much of soap to my tastes. A couple of my office workers commented that I smelled "old". This certainly isn't for everyone, though I understand where the attraction would lie for the properly inclined.

I let Vetitvers by Guerlin, Creed & Jo Malone dry down on my skin and bake in the sun and dry in salt sweat. If I'm outside all day then it's reasonable. Only Guerlin's captivated me. There wasn't anything pretty in there, maybe even dirty? Not interested in getting compliments, but I do feel that confidence that was alluded to below. It's a standard for me now.

I have read many posts on basenotes and vetiver was a reoccoring theme. i went out to try it. i drove an hour and a half to a bloomingdales and tried it out.
i first sprayed the card. I kept smelling the card nad after a while thought this one is wrist worthy. At first, it is citrusy. I was looking for soapy. I didn;t really get that, but vetiver quickly lost the citrus smell and i could smell the vetiver (faintly) and spices. Maybe the coriander, perhaps the nutmeg.
in the end it leaves a spicy-clean smell on my skin. i don't have any fragrances that do that. I bought a bottle online ( much cheaper that bloomingdales) and i have worn it for about a week. i haven't received any compliments yet, but i like the originaliy of the smell and i think it will do just fine in my fragrance rotation.
unfortunately, it doe not last long on my skin (to me), but if i wash my hands, or rewet the fragrance in some way, it pops back to life.

It may be a very classical scent but Vetiver of guerlain is too much vetiver-too green, too intense,too strong-and within the time it becomes worse, and on some people it stinks like an old soap-be careful and take a sample home and test it-you may feel comfortable with it but try it first in very small doses-Vetiver of guerlain is very harsh and too spicy.The opening still may be nice but the drydown is somehow hard, nerving and you want to get rid immediately of this scent.
To my opinion a perfume, a good perfume should be around you like a wind breeze-you feel the scent,you smell the scent -well balanced ingredients, nicely put togehter and composed and the perfume should accompany you but silently-Vetiver is loud and nerving and always infront of you and never around you....if you love vetiver try carven( see above)or annick goutal-definitely better balanced and finer....

Can't believe this one gets so many bad reviews. While it's a very different sort of smelling fragrance from what I grew up thinking a "cologne" was, the clean and soothing vetiver is carried on nice cool green notes of citrus, lime in particular (to my nose). I don't get much cedar out of this - but the drydown of tobacco and spicy peppers is probably my favorite thing about it. No surprise that it's another classic from Guerlain - along with Heritage and Habit Rouge have what I consider the "holy trinity" of fragrance. What does surprise me is how many compliments I get wearing this fragrance.

I bought what must have been a tester of the original Guerlain Vetiver EDT about 10 years ago. The bottle has the rectangular green sticker on the front, and clear stickers on the sides detailing the fragrance: Vetiver, Spices, Woody. This is the first good fragrance I bought, and I've loved it, so this note is more of a sentimental one than objectively critical. It seems to be a very simple, well made fragrance - it's definitely got a huge vetiver aroma, but it's made juicy with lime and spicy with cedar. It's a warm scent, without a lot of unnecessary things to get in the way of the high quality ingredients. It has good sillage and longevity on my skin, usually lasting 6-8 hours. The interesting part about this is the drydown - a lesser fragrance would feel the need to have all sorts of powdery/sweet notes on the bottom of this, but not Vetiver - it remains spicy and green, with the lime topnote going away over half an hour to reveal beautiful vetiver and cedar. It's a great manly fragrance, one that inspires confidence whenever I wear it.

After all the hype, the reviews, the talks on the forum, I finally had my whiff of the legendary Vetiver at the duty free in Birmingham airport. “OH MY GOD what the hell is this!?” It smells like a mix between rotting corpses and settles down to a very strong ‘rubber’ smell, the sort that makes you go dizzy when you open up an inflatable lilo for the first time, or anything else made of rubber you would inflate (toys etc.). I kept smelling it on my arm all the way to my Turkey hotel, trying to put my finger on the last time I had smelt something this bad, was it in the kitchen or the pool, but I realised when I got out my new lilo
UGH! Can’t believe it and I’m one whos abandoned the modern Eternity style fragrances for more macho alternatives. Avoid, its toxic.

it's a nice office wear scent,imo OV is much better.

Vetiver and I go back a long way. I enjoy wearing it in cold weather, as it is a very warm, peppery scent that is refreshing at the same time. I began buying it for my man, and of course, I steal his whenever I am wool-shirt casual. It smells SO good on him, it is manly, sensual, sexy, (refined and rugged at the same time) Nice sillage... it floats off the skin.
Try it in weather when you are craving warmth. If you try this on a sweltering summer night, you may not care for it at all.
The coriander and tobacco notes work some kind of magic together ... very manly, ( but I like it too. )

Think I must be missing something! Bought this frag on the back of great reviews and a love of Habit Rouge...but it just doesn't do it for me! The citrus is too harsh and 'spiky' somehow. Ah well, can't win 'em all.

The American Heritage® Dictionary definition of "silage" is: "Fodder prepared by storing and fermenting green forage plants in a silo." Too much of this note for me in this edgy version, having a sharp or biting quality. Carven Vetiver is smoother and lighter, Royall Lyme's Royall Vetiver is far nicer and more rounded, albeit not as multi-dimensional. Can't see this as a summer fragrance, IMO -- it's too hot. I do wear it in winter, however.

I agree with a previous reviewer's comment that this is not a "modern" fragrance and should be judged in that context. This is an extremely masculine fragrance that has a strong, spicy, and earthy base that remains potent for hours and hours. It's such a unique scent, that I save it for special evenings out on the town. One thing to keep in mind, I've had my bottle for a few years, and the juice seems to "sour" after a few years.

The smell of rummaging around granny's underwear drawer - I did it, so I know. Now, I like a skanky scent as much as the next guy (ummm...probably more) but this one simply doesn't cut it for me: a fox wearing too much stage make-up or the scent wafting up from the casket of the monkey Nora Desmond's burying in Sunset Boulevard. ewww.

An ideal summer fragrance, can't wait to try it in the winter too.

As others have said, particularly great on really hot, humid days. The citrus fades fast (not exactly news), but the vetiver/tobacco/cedar accord soldiers on and on and onward still in fine fashion.

A very natural smell with great sillage whose greatest asset apart from its actual smell is its aggression - the vetiver possesses a real edge particularly within the first hour or so in combo w/the citrus. Sharper than a sushi chef's knife, this stuff can cut through a fog of synthetic freshness unlike anything I've yet tried. Synthetic freshness has its place as well, but with this in the same room on the right person there is no competition:-)

Never had the pleasure of trying the original, but somehow I'm not too depressed as there are so many other vetivers I hope to try soon. Starting with such a classic may have boosted my expectations a bit though - rest assured I will find out.

A new essential edition to my wardrobe. May it remain in production for all time.

This is a phenomonal composition. The balance is perfect. It is not a modern perfume though, and this needs to be remembered when assessing it.

I have taken a long time to make my assessment on this though, as there are some notes in here which smell quite synthetic to me.

However, I just wore it for a week solid while on holiday and observed that when worn outside, it smells really natural; the silage reminds me of summer vegetation.

So my conclusion is this: from close up and indoors it smells good but there is a synthetic edge to it which puts me off slightly. Outdoors and from a distance it smells utterly natural and amazing. The "fresh" note especially seems to take on a natural character, it reminds me of the herb lemon balm.

The vetiver is earthy and masculine and the tobacco rich drydown is very good.

My only other reservation is that it endures too well. It seems shower proof to the extent that I can't change my fragrance on a day when I wear this and sometimes it persists after a night and a morning shower.

Overall it is a classic and i recommend it as a purchase.

Vetiver, nutmeg and tobacco-- a beautiful melody of earthy smells that in this composition are fresh and subtly masculine. A classic beauty.

I tried Vetiver as a purchase from the duty-free shop just before a vacation. Honestly, I had to leave it in the hotel. To me, it reminded me most of the elephant house at the Baltimore Zoo. Not a good thing.

Possibly the most tenacious fragance I own. The only scent to be there in the morning after a full day before.

A strikingly organic, pure, ethereal creation from the early days of men's fragrances. The vast majority of men in 1961 did not wear eau de toilette. Drugstore aftershave, like Old Spice or Aqua Velva, was the acceptable scent for a man. Even underarm deodorant was uncommon. Kennedy was in the White House, the Beatles were at the Cavern Club, and the world was not yet ready for sissy-smelling men. In that context, Guerlain Vetiver had to be beyond reproach.

Try this pioneering groundbreaker. It is fresh, delightful, natural, and beautiful. And different.

Vetiver was known in ancient times as the oil of tranquility. Ahhh...

Best saved for sweltering hot days(70F+ is sweltering), this is the freshest vetiver with an excellent balance of it's ingredients. On the colder days, the smell of vetiver grass is all you may notice, and vetiver is an acquired taste of smell. The hot days are limited to a couple months up here, so my big inexpensive bottle will probably last a few years. Though if I moved south, then it would certainly dissipate much quicker... as I'd be a vetiver junky.

An invigorating blend of earthy tones and citrus headiness.
Lasts forever and smells great from all the way through it's life-cycle.

The earthy and irrepressible individuality of Vetiver is here smoothened and rendered irresistibly wearable in an exhibition of genius.
Robustly nonconformist, yet exquisitely refined and tasteful, this classically fashionable scent is one of those rarest of rare creatures: a Masterpiece.

To me, fewer things smell worse. Dirt, grass, and chewing tobacco.

Hello all, my first review here although I visit reguraly this site for 2 years and have tried many fragrances based on what I read here. one of them was Vetiver. After reading so many good reviews I tried it on a duty-free airport shop and I liked it a lot... I don't know what the original smelt like, but this one is very good. I excpected it to be more crisp, but I think its great anyway! Its longlasting and its drydown brings out the tobacco, which as a non smoker I dont mind at all...

I usually wear it at work, although it can be easily worn on evening-formal occasions...

I absolutely love this unique fragrance. It was my first purchase when I became a member here -- in fact, I purchased it blind and have no regrets at all. It is greater in warmer temps as the vetiver opens up more and makes it more fresh smelling. In the cooler temps, it's more smokey with the tobacco note. I prefer wearing it in the warmer temps. But, I honestly envision heaven to smell like this frag - fresh, earthy and organic. I often times even wear it to bed. GV is a winner that sits really well on my skin giving me awesome longevity - more than any other fragrance and never cloying. Being it is so unique, I would suggest testing first. I got lucky buying it blind. There's nothing at the local mall/department store IMO that smells like this very fine fragrance.

probably a great scent on some. for me it had wonderful top notes that quickly mellowed to the smell of a good chewing tobacco.

Guerlain makes the best vetiver. It's not a loud smell at all, very unobtrusive. Surprisingly complicated scent with many nuances. Vetiver, cedar, tobacco, nutmeg, pepper, and lemon are all prominent notes, while the others can be picked out with a little effort. The notes combine very softly and harmoniously with each other and never at any point mix akwardly. Dry down is great. Could last a little longer but really that's nitpicking just apply a little more and your fine...

A real classic and one of Guerlain's finest men's fragrances. The tobacco and cedar are quite distinctive and really grab me. The pepper is very sharp, and incredibly masculine. This lasts all day on my skin, it stands out in a sea of samey fragrances, and the bottle ( not to mention the color of the juice itself ) is beautiful.

The nicest Vetiver Fragrance of all! Really great!
I love it. The reactions of other people are quite complex... some people hate it, and say that it is terrible! Mothballs and things like that!!! But there are also people who fall instantly in love with that Fragrance... Well I LOVE IT!

Absolutely, definitely, assuredly, NOT for me. I wore this three times, and each time I actually felt nausea setting in. One night, I kept sniffing my wrist in an attempt to find at least one pleasant note... The result was a queasy stomach and a headache. I didn't find anything fresh about it, but my wife stated it just smelled like a nasty soap. She said it was nothing special, and even struck her as gross. I have a strong sense of smell, and this one was just way too offensive for me. I was disappointed, because I enjoy green scents as I am an outdoorsman/ naturalist, and based on other reviews here, I thought that I was going to love this one. I guess that yet again, I go against the majority vote. This fragrance is to me, what Kryptonite is to Superman. Result: F-

A rootsy, earthy vetiver with a citrus breath of a topnote which mellows to soft, comfortable grasses. Glorious - my favourite vetiver.

Oh yeah, thats a mans cologne!!! Fresh, citrus, vetiver, yummy hmmm....Still classic though, has a great personality, nothing like most of the new scents which often smell like they want to satisfy everyones taste. It has its own style so some will like it and some won't. Guerlain was very clever to relaunch it instead of discontinueing it like so many others do. They believed in their product and did very well. I would say that this is a scent for men above 30 though. Some of the views also suggested that girls could and do wear it too for fun. I must say, I like that idea!

Superb scent from the rush of lemon with tobacco,
to the earthy dry down. Then I get a curious sweetness not constant or strong just very mild,comes and goes, did`nt think I would take to the earthy smell but love it.Very glad I got this one

I really wanted to like this because it's a classic and it's Guerlain, but I'm just not too wild about citrus or vetiver scents. It starts off pretty decent with a fresh green note but the drydown ruins it for me. It develops into a dry and earthy vetiver note that lacks the sweetness that I crave in frags. It's a benchmark vetiver scent, but it's not for me.

Spiky, sharp, varied and refreshing. A great spring and summer addition to any fragrance wardrobe, even if you don't like vetiver.

[insert moan of delight] What a soft, foggy, sweet, tasteful, comforting scent. There's something satisfying about a scent that's so complete, like a correct mathematical formula, with a self-evident, satisfying integrity. (And the color is beautiful, and so is the bottle!)

It is my first aroma Vetiver I it has got in relaunched versions.. After I could find earlier version of this aroma and have been pleasantly surprised as it has appeared more interesting though I shall not hide the new version to me too has liked, but it very rectilinear one-sided, in it is not present that softness and dimensions . Sparkling, the bergamot, is a little tobacco, hints of spices and at last wonderful Vetiver all it very much does not get to new aroma. Great Guerlain have gone on a simple way and have changed this wonderful aroma.

I know it's not a niche, but this is my favorite vetiver. I love how the tobacco and vetiver blend to give a rich, earthy accord that borders on gothic, not something I expected.

It's so delicious a fragrance that when I run out of my own bottle, I borrow my boyfriend's. Has much more substance than Dior's "Eau Savage."I love the way it changes on your skin every few seconds. It heats up when you're flushed & you can really smells the woods & spice, then it cools off in the shade and you get the bergamot, citrus & herbs. A great fragrance for either sex, and expecially delightful to wear on a hot summer day.

Excellent scent. Sharp, bright, yet earthy and natural. All-purpose. A must have. I usually have difficulty with the scents lasting on my dry skin, but Vetiver, as well as every other Guerlain I’ve used, provides a more than adequate staying power.

classic it is , i like most of guerlain line and vetiver is one of my fav , try vetiver frozen for summer its fresher and younger

Allow me to weigh in on the controversy regarding the change in formula. Did Guerlain change the formula? Of course they did! The newer one has more citrus, and the notes have been technicolored. Now, the pepper, tobacco and cedar explode off the skin, whereas the older formula is a smoother blend. But the new one is nevertheless great. Complex, bracing and constantly developing (my father, who is no connoisseur, told me that GV keeps changing on his skin throughout the day), JP Guerlain's great masterpiece continues to entice. Notice to Guerlain: bring back the original as "Vetiver Classic" and most fans of this fragrance would own both!

Never been a vetiver fan and this rendition is no exception. Still I really appreciate this classic blend, just not on my own skin. Green, grassy and lemony opening, maybe a hint of coconut as well? It progresses through the typical vetiver, slightly bitter and soilish - this is the part I can't stand. But the tobacco/tonka base significantly mellows it out leaving a very nice finish. Not for me but I won't diss it either, it's just too darn classic. Would put it next to Eau Sauvage in terms of timeless appeal.

Guerlains Vetiver is a classic. A beautiful fragrance. It’s really too bad it was reformulated recently. The new formulation makes Guerlain Vetiver seem like Guerlains Citrus with a hint of Vetiver. Vetiver is a nice gentlemanly fragrance. The citrus isn’t quite as sparkling or fresh as it is on many other Vetiver interpretations like Racine and VE. It’s a classic staple that most people should own or have at least tried.

Took a risk with this one and bought it over the internet based on curiousity. I'm glad I did, because I love this one. It's simple, fresh and feels like I can wear it anytime of day, for any season. Also, great to wear to work. I live in the Pacific Northwest, and this really seems to be an "appropriate" fragrance for the area. Very green.

Greatest thing since sliced bread. Two thumbs up.

I like the guerlain vetiver,blast of lemon and woods out of the bottle,the quality is good and lasts a long time,the drydown reminds me of laundry detergent,smells just like it,cant remember which one,think it was when I was overseas.

I enjoy Guerlain's Vetiver, but have not had the luck to try the original version. Well, they say ignornace is bliss, and I do like the current rendition. Vetiver is my go-to work, meeting, business fragrance. Vetiver is not casual but not formal, it makes an impression without being obtuse. Like many scents it begins citrusy, and quickly becomes green, earthy and dry. I like Vetiver the most in hot weather-- it seems to become even dirtier and woodier.

man, this is the stuff. i call it pimp juice because whenever I wear it all the ladies go mad! anyone who says different is lying

Juergen said it all. Vetiver and also Habit Rouge are no longer exclusive scents. They made them cheap.

I love the old one, the new one is too light in my opinion

Noble,elegant , and just downright gooood,this is some awesome smelling juice .Many compliments when i wear this one.

What a Scent! When I sprayed it, I felt an explosion of Lemon/Bergamot!! Then, after a while, it turned to something woody and dry! Wonderfull! I think the base notes similar to Paco Rabanne ones (without the sweet), another great fragrance!

Kicks "A" is all I gotta say...........

Before discovering the civilized world of men's parfum I bought a bottle of vetiver essential oil and poured it into a bottle of Polo Crest just to get MORE vetiver ... I won't be doing that again. Guerlain is great !!!

Vetiver by Guerlain is a fragrance that I am very off and on with. Some days I think it is a nice fragrance to have around for a hot summer day, and other days it smells old fashioned and very musty. It is a fairly strange combination of sharp citrus notes, neroli
flower and strong vetiver with a little pepper, tobacco and cedarwood. It smells very grassy and earthy, I can imagine it being an outdoorsman's signature fragrance. I think of it as being more casual than formal, but it could work for both. If you crave vetiver, there are more than a few other vetiver based fragrances that are much better.

What a clean green scent this is! Uplifting even in winter. Starts out sharp and then settles down to a gentle background woody/tobacco. Oh and BOY does it last on me!!

Deeply impressed with this scnet - as always Guerlain has produced a classic that remains in history. It reminds me of freshly cut grass, mixed with the wonderful scent of decaying coniferous trees and earth - it makes me travel to the deepest parts of a forest - and I just love them.

Think of those hot summer nights on the town, crowded parties with beautiful women and passionate, sexy, cuban rhythms: that's what Vetiver is all about. It's macho, it's stylish, and it will never fail the proof of elegance. The original Vetiver is an absolute classic; the current version features a new bottle (bring back the old one, please!) and a slightly softened top note, all in an attempt to attract a younger audience. It still does the magic, though.

Vetiver by Guerlain is a fantastically fresh Cologne, that has a home on every distinguished shelf. I cannot explain just how fresh and soothing this smells when you squirt it on. It lifts the spirit without fail, and it mixes well to settle into a warm, fresh and soothing scent. Its done me well on occassions when I've worn it for dinners out, and a quick trip to the flicks. Keeps your mind focused and people seem to come in close to get a whiff - weird but true. Give it a try at the counter, you'll be amazed.

My absolutely favuorite because of a special tone of a bit dried freshly cut grass and light tobacco undertones accompanying the vetiver. I think it's far more love-it-or-hate-it spoken about than worn. Very formal daytime summer green-woody fragrance. Very calm and sedative.

The cleanest of the clean. I wasn't a vetiver fan, but this fragrance won me over. Its classic freshness never fails to uplift me. The harmonization of citrus, wood, vetiver and tobacco is magical. Guerlain Vetiver is at the top of my Can't Go Wrong list!

Fantastic! Need say no more!

I finally got this one and i am really glad i did!It is evolving quite nicely on me!I love it and has now become one of my top 5! When i initially tried it last week i was not overly impressed but thanks to your numerous posts on this fabulous scent i gave it another chance and will never regret it!