Vetiver de Java
by Il Profumo

I completely subscribe what the great Foetidus had to comment; this is a classy civilized musky Vetiver with no traces of final earthiness and rawness, coming from a brand that i love (Patchouli Noir, Imprinting, Chocolat, Aria di mare, Ambre d'or etc). It reminds a bit the soaring smoothness of the Guerlain one and some creations by Parfums de Nicolai, Baladin in primis, because of its smell of forest (cypress, birch, oakmoss etc). This one is indeed traditional and exotic in an airy way because of the combination of grassy lavender-cypress, may be a touch of aldehydes  and a vetiver coming from far lands. The traditional beat is expressed by the citrus-lavender-herbal starting that is a reminiscence of some classics. The rawness is moderated and lasts the time necessary to get in the gorgeous and dreamy heart that enhances whiffs of forest because of the combination of birch and cypress with the masculine touch of rose-patchouli. The rose is masterly combined with the breeze of forest, the patchouli and vetiver in order to exude a dreamy masculine smell of far lands. Passing time the scent warms up and acquires stableness due to oakmoss and woods. This fragrance is perfect for a daring and confident kind of man with a traditional type of taste and its projection is great.

2nd June, 2011.

Yes, definitely a civilized vetiver – greenish lavender and a lightwood vetiver with the additional gentle green of cypress – all these green notes are presented with tasteful sillage and adequate longevity. The oak moss is smooth and retiring and I can’t smell the gaïac wood.

A gentleman’s fragrance: there’s nothing raw, nothing annoying, nothing visceral: It’s masculine and precise.

Good show, old man…

21st October, 2009.

No, this will not win a prize for fragrance innovation. But if you want a perfectly crafted green-floral-woody masculine with "gentlemen's sillage" and excellent longevity, then Vetiver de Java (the osmo-parfum version) is for you. Vetiver, as noted in the other reviews, stands for green woody herbacity here more than for the actual smell of the grass, for which I'd suggest Villoresi's brilliant creation or Givenchy's profound Vetyver. Il Profumo's offering is indeed a classic men's scent. arlecchino describes it very well, though I get no sourness, just a very green powdery lavender-bergamot note in the top and find the floral aspect to be quite pronounced - but perfectly set in a ring of strong herbs and woods. That long-lasting interplay is what I love about this fragrance. It may seem to fade at times, but always comes back wafting pleasantly, easily throughout an entire working day. Persistent, unobtrusive and classic, with an Italian vibe, this is a perfect office scent - but it's so good it really deserves a very fine Canali or Corneliani suit, plush carpeting and mahogany furnishings.

1st October, 2009.

If you are looking for a vetiver powerhouse out of the gate, then Vetiver de Java is not for you. The opening is elegant and herbal; doesn’t really project much, quite close to the skin. With time, the vetiver emerges. Again, it stays close to the skin. A slight rose note emerges on top of the vetiver and this is my favorite part. Then it all fades away. My primary problem with Vetiver de Java is how close it stays to the skin. It smells nice. I just wish it gave a bolder projection.

29th August, 2009.

After an hour you can find on your skin the true scent, and it's wonderful. Very deep, luxurios, enchanting..like others eaux de IL PROFUMO, the longer you wait, the better the perfum fix on your skin. I agree, you recognize the in-house note of IL PROFUMO..

6th February, 2009.

Forget the name of this one, it’s much more than vetiver. This is a first class lavender-green Chypre created by Silvana Casoli and dedicated to “an elegant man, sure of himself, bold and daring, yet who knows how to appreciate the magical pleasure of fine literature in front of a fireplace, burning and freeing suggestive and seductive aromas of the forest.” (from website)

The opening is a very sharp green lavender together with bergamot, very high pitched and pure, slightly sour and herbal. This is my least favorite part of the experience, but after a minute of two everything settles down and a really beautiful herbal/forest scent emerges and joins the lavender. This is the heart, and it’s composed of birch, cypress, vetiver, rose, and patchouli. Smelling the heart of the fragrance, it really smells like those notes combined, but with a savory complex herbal feeling that I’m guessing is the oakmoss working it’s magic (evernia prunastri is used). I do get the rose if I concentrate on it, but it is very tame and integrated, a piece of the overall puzzle and lending a tanginess. This stage of the fragrance thankfully lasts a very long time, through the workday if I apply in the morning. The base (around dinner time) is gentle, woodsy, and warm; to me it seems like there is sandalwood in the basenotes, but again, maybe just the oakmoss.

Vetiver de Java, to me, is a perfectly balanced take on an herbal chypre that doesn’t overtake me and I can wear very easily. Love it!

23rd October, 2008. (Last Edited: 7th November, 2009.)