Reviews of Vetiver (2000)
by Floris

Whether or not I like a vetiver fragrance is very much dependent on the vetiver's accompanying notes. Too bitter or sour (Goutal), salty (Lalique), or herbal (Villorosi) and it doesn't appeal to me. A few months back I went on a quest to find *the* vetiver that was right for me, and after sampling pretty much every vetiver available I decided on Floris. A pleasant vetiver is joined by mild citrus and geranium on application, as well as some light spices in the background. The strong vetiver note moves to the heart, and the vetiver itself is presented to emphasize the grassier aspects of the note (as opposed to the earthier), and the vetiver joins a very stately sandalwood-heavy woody accord. From there a woody/incense base closes out the fragrance.

Since going on my quest I've come to appreciate other vetivers - Givenchy, LezNez, and Malle, but Floris remains my go-to when I need a crisp vetiver that fits any situation, season, or mood. It's discontinued so stock up before it's gone!

Bergamot, lavender, lemon
Cinnamon, clove, coriander, geranium, vetiver
Amber, frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, cedarwood, tonka bean
This is a superb, classy scent. It is a crime that this gem is being discontinued. The opening is rich with plummy-aromatic bergamot, freshened by citrus and the merest whiff of lavender. Vetiver quickly appears, along with lovely warm spice notes. These two elements combine in a most pleasing way. The vetiver is very well done: dry, grassy-woody, typically tangy. It is not heavy and soapy as in Guerlain. Then, great wood notes appear: sandalwood and its usual friend, cedarwood. The sandalwood is very natural and enjoyable. This is a complex scent – more than simply vetiver, I’d call it a woody-spicy vetiver. It has depth and endless charms as it drys down. The vetiver and spices provide a comforting yet also invigorating tone. I like to think that the frankincense adds a subtle green note. This has my highest endorsement!

Floris Vetiver is very much like Route du Vetiver in the top and the middle levels – smoother than Route du Vetiver, but what wouldn’t be? I love the raw (yet not rude) vetiver presented here, and the cedarwood and sandalwood provide a very rich and deep support for the vetiver without interfering with the impressive indelicacy of the Floris’ vetiver note. The vetiver moves into, but doesn’t stay for the length of, the heart of the fragrance. Here we experience the spices and a little bit of geranium. Very nice… The spices are quite civilized and well behaved; they continue the rich silkiness of the opening’s background. The base is devoid of vetiver and it is very classic constructed. I was at first a little disoriented by the base because I expected the vetiver to play an important part there too. It doesn’t… it seems to disappear completely. But the base is markedly formal and exceptionally well done and appealing – I admire it, but it just doesn’t strike me as the appropriate ending for an edgy vetiver fragrance like this one. Floris Vetiver has a very nice sillage and longevity. I own five or six bottles of vetiver fragrances, and I considered, for a while, adding Floris Vetiver to my stable – it’s excellent, but, when everything is considered, it’s a bit redundant to my Route du Vetiver. Praiseworthy fragrance, though.

Floris has a smooth texture in all of its fragrances. This is a simple though dirty vetiver with that same smooth texture.

I am a fan of Floris; their range is classy and seldom, if ever at all, trendy (a word used, I might add, disparagingly).

Vetiver starts out nicely citrus'd, with the grassy vetiver pretty tame... like putting the wildman Vetiver into a bespoke tuxedo. If the scent stayed linear, I'd be happy. However, there arises a strange note... after repeated sniffing of the wrists I can only compare it to the smell of rice crispies. And thus did the tuxedo turn into a toddler's bib.

Sorry Floris, I love ya, but this one is a pass.

Absolutely astounding! I received a couple of samples and immediately this one got my attention. I would apply it and keep sniffing my arm. It's so masculine, so powerful and smells oh so divine. It's vetiver complimented by hints of spice to produce a somewhat silky effect. I kind of detect leather and tobacco in it. Whether it exists or not is something else. My nose says it does. One of the hidden gems of the industry. Probably nearly as good as Guelain's Vetiver, i'm still not sure. I prefer the citrus blast GV delivers upon spritzing. Layered together, they are perfect.

This scent is not for me - It does not mean it is bad at all.
I think you must be a Vetiver "person" and I think you will love it.
Some basenoter would call a Vetiver dirty as a compliment - well I think this one is very dirty.
This is longlasting power and this is not shy - it is a bit of an animal but it has been well bred by Floris.
For the Vetiver fans out there

laurent

My trusted valet was stunned. "I never thought I'd smell anything that even faintly resembles Route du Vetiver!", to which I replied "Me, either, but darned if they aren't similar, eh?"

[b]Vetiver by Floris EDT[/b] is a most surprising vetiver scent! I did not think I would ever experience another vetiver like Route du Vetiver, but these are in fact in the same neighborhood. Vetiver by Floris opens with the second most sharp vetiver note of all of these vetiver versions, only behind Route du Vetiver. It is braced by cedar and sandalwood and a faint hint of spice. It stays quite sharp through its evolution. The principal difference that this reviewer finds between Vetiver by Floris and Route du Vetiver is that the latter has a black current note that is lacking in the Floris, and overall it (the Floris) is a tad softer than RdV. Definitely very nice, and like the Etro in the upper crust of those I have experienced.

Wicozani

A superbly blended vetiver. It has the traditional Floris citrus house note (also found in its Original Gentlemen's Cologne and in No.89, with lots of neroli), with some woods and amber as well; the vetiver is in the mix but does not overwhelm. Unlike other vetivers, which are typically bracing, it is similar to Creed's Vetiver from 1948 (NOT its Original Vetiver) in that it is more subtle and smooth.

I have long regretted the passing of Givenchy Vetiver - it was wonderful stuff, but alas, it was discontinued. So I've been searching, and a great voyage of discovery it's been too. I have found many fine new Vetiver friends (Guerlian, Creed, Carven) but none has matched my first love. Until now.
Floris Vetiver, although not identical to Givenchy, does the job. I would even suggest that it goes about it better. You see, it doesn't faff around with citrus and green top notes which fade over time - it gets straight to the point and delivers the base, earthy Vetiver from the start. This is balanced by crisp wood notes and a hint of spice. Long lasting fragrance perfection. So good that I've just ordered another bottle. So if you like good, deep Vetiver, go for this one.
(I'll still continue to look, though. Now I wonder what that Annick Goutal is like?...)