Vetiver (1994)
by Lorenzo Villoresi

Ahem !!!.....You'll have to excuse me while I clear my throat from the big sniff I just took of this earthy, raw textured take on vetiver. Villoresi seems to have a penchant for raw creations and this one is no different.

Earthy is an understatement. Do I perceive toasted nuts with butter that's almost burnt topped with a woody lavender? Or am I just mad? lol.

Not a fan of quite a few releases by this House, this one has me sniffing repeatedly in spite of its crudeness......and it is crude. As a test, I sprayed Encre Noir for a side by side and the Noir pales not only in projection, but substance and balls.

If you like RUGGED scents and have a proclivity for vetiver, this will not disappoint.

Even if the full duration of Villoresi Vetiver had remained as punchy as it did at the start I’d still adore it. Out of the bottle it was raw, bitter and earthy. It’s all about vetiver, bergamot, lavender and with a distinct nuttiness and very obvious celery note. It does soften over time but still remains as bold throughout, giving off a strong and continual earthy and smoky woods aroma.

Vetiver is wild enough to make noses around stand up and pay attention. It’s never beautiful but certainly not ugly. Imbues the wearer with a sense of sophistication and masculinity.

Oh dear! Vetiver is just too raw and harsh for me.

If you're still unsure as to whether or not you like vetiver fragrances, please DO NOT consider testing this one first – it may put you off vetiver for life...

[Original submission date: 23 December 2006]

Perfect. Creme de la creme. One of the best frags on the market. The best dry-down ever. Not very long lasting though. One just can't have it all.

This is a very stark, dry vetiver with little more than a tart citrus top note by way of ornament. Villoresi's take on vetiver is straightforward - perhaps even monastic - in its simplicity. There is none of the nutty character of Givenchy's Vétyver, none of the earthy green moisture of Route du Vétiver, and none of the smoky depth that's to be found in Sycomore or Encre Noir. Villoresi's Vetiver comes closest to the almost caustic sharpness of Etro Vetiver or Vétiver Extraordinaire, but it is far less agressive a scent than either. If that leaves Villoresi's Vetiver sounding nondescript I won't apologize. There are many outstanding vetiver scents to choose from nowadays, and Villoresi's could do with more personality if it's going to compete effectively.

I haven't tried all of the vetiver fragrances out there yet.. but I've been wearing LV Vetiver for over a year now and there are days I wake up and actually crave it.

To me it's raw, totally masculine, and "fresh" without being sweet or aquatic, or too dirty and earthy. A gem.