Reviews of Vétiver (1981)
by Annick Goutal

Rather a nice Javanese vetiver note, with all the round sweetness that entails, some nice backnose citrus and a rather odd salty aquatic undertone. This "seaweed" accord seems to me to be made from a combination of salty iodine and an ozonic note. The ozonic/vetiver is a strange combination which Vetiver Extrodinaire by Malle has realised rather better with its monstrous vetiver note and supporting cast including a much more subdued ozonic, though the vetiver here is more wearable in a conventional sense.

Quite compelling in a strange way but I can't help feeling it would have been better if the sea had been avoided altogether and the lovely sweet/savoury Vetiver allowed to shine unaccompanied.

Absolutely wonderful smell way ahead of its time. Smells amazingly timeless and original. Iodine note is absolutely delicious and it makes the vetiver mouthwateringly salty in structure. Intoxicating stuff for an hour.

I would buy a bottle in a heartbeat if it would last longer plus the drydown wouldn`t turn so awful on my skin. (Sadly I find the drydown very sharp and unbalanced)

This is an earthy, smoky vetiver combined with spice (clove, bay?). The spice disappears quickly and the vetiver itself is gone after two hours. So although it is quite nice, I have to give it a neutral vote, because of its poor longetivity.

The iodine notes are harsh. Very salty and to me, dated. Smells like something my grandfather might wear.

Annick Goutal's [b]Vetiver EDT[/b] is nice enough, though quite simple and fleeting. It opens with a reasonably strong, smoky, salty character with a hint of spices; no citrus is apparent. Unfortunately, it disappears on my skin within 3 hours after a linear, unimpressive drydown. A brief description of the notes per Sephora.com: Java Vetiver, Rare Wood, Burmese Spices, and Sea Salt Aroma. I much prefer my Guerlain Vetiver, which lasts twice as long and presents a beautiful, evolving drydown.

Wicozani