Vetiver des Sables
by Montale

This is a slightly minty, aquatic fragrance with very little vetiver. It really failed to overwhelm me in any way, even though it smelt quite pleasant. I was hoping to get more vetiver out of this but it never happened.

I’m quite surprised that no-one has mentioned how similar the drydown is to Geir.

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[Original submission date: 12 January 2007]

I'm getting really anxious, Montale is going to bankrupt me. This is stunning. Fresh, resinous, herbally drying down (far into the drydown) to a lovely sandalwood/musk base that is rich and hypnotic. Somewhat fresh and aquatic like Fougeres Marine, but only marginally. Sillage is moderate and lasting power is great. I think this could be worn equally well by a man or a woman. Must possess!! 10 thumbs wayyyyyy up!!

Call me crazy but is this what you get when you mix Cool Water (or Montale's Marine Fourgeres) and Terre d'Hermes (or Montale's Red Vetyver) with a raw vetiver ingredient? It's aromatic like Cool Water's fougere but has that bitter orange peel feel like Terre d' Hermes. Dies after a while and doesn't feel like it evolved at all. Didn't leave me out to hang dry nor did it make me giddy to wear it again. Meh,

I kind of like the way Vetiver des Sables opens: and that would be, unlike any other vetiver fragrance I've experienced. In just a few short moments, though, my smile turns upside down. The vetiver quickly loses any semblance of the note I've come to know (and love) and becomes buried in a sharp, bright, somewhat shrill metallic fragrance that dries down to a light herbal aquatic. Having said that, I can see how this could be appealing to some vetiver lovers, or perhaps a Montale that would appeal to Bond No. 9 or Creed Millesimme aficionados, but it is just too sharp for my nose. Obviously, some of this shrillness subsides and Vetiver des Sables takes on a comfortable, casual summertime air, but for some reason I find it somewhat disagreeable and more than somewhat derivative. It's successful as a light, summery, grassy/seaside masculine, but I suppose my disappointment stems from the fact that I was expecting something darker and earthier from Montale. So I guess I'm more to blame than Pierre Montale.

opens with a burst of Iodine based oinment which i didnt like a bit..it has that athlete rub ointment kinda feel...smoothens out after 45 minutes with some mild hints on vetiver, i dont get an woody notes atall..i would be curious to know everyones thought on this. this one didnt impress a bit.

I have a hard time getting to like Vetivers. I agree with Trebor's analysis, though I have not smelled Geir. I did not get the earthiness of many vetivers. However, this is an easy scent to wear, and one that, while many may not prefer it, I can not see anyone actually disliking it. It may disappoint, sure, but it is nicely done, a different take if you will. This is like Aromatic Limes, in that I do not get the vetiver. Minty, yes, and maybe light spicy.