Vetiver Extreme (2006)
by Guerlain

This is a truly great vetiver...wonderful, actually. I love the sensuality and depth that the pepper, tarragon, nutmeg and cedar give this - along with the fresh top citrus notes of bergamot & lemon along with artemisia. The vetiver is always there - from the top to the excellent drydown. This is nice, warm and rooty vetiver. Not overtly dark like Encre Noir's version (which is a different and a wonderful fragrance as well) but, definitely darker than Guerlain's standard rendition. Note that I am speaking just of the vetiver - not the tobacco, which is noticeably absent here in Vetiver Extreme. I really like the incense and tonka bean added to the basenotes versus the tobacco - more modern, yet still rustic and very earthy. I don't want to say that this is "Extreme" - it is difference of notes and subtleties, but definitely still Guerlain's touch and the epitome of class. I have a passion for vetivers and own several and have tried a fair number (with more on my "to do" list). What I love is the richness and composition of this Guerlain bottling - personally, I think it is a 4.5/5 stars and a great scent for cooler weather - but could also shine in the spring and perhaps summer evenings at formal events. It exudes sophistication and class. My body chemistry has an affinity with this fragrance...it's like a natural expression of self - bold, confident, masculine yet refined. I can put a nice 4-5 sprays on and then refresh with a couple later in the day...this is oh so nice. It projects wonderfully and the longevity is there (about 6+ hours or so for me). I cannot possibly figure out why the negative comments against this. If any other name was on the bottle (other than Guerlain), it would be considered a strong rival (read: possibly superior) to the "Classic" itself and winning over people by the droves...I believe we sometimes smell with our eyes first and that is not fair to our noses' interpretation. That is fine - I hope that keeps the price point lower for me. ;-)

29th November, 2011.

Simply an earthier, rootier, darker and less complex version of the original Vetiver that  as already told seems featured by a sort of rubbery or better more artificially powdery final undertone in sostitution of the ambery final tobacco and woodsy silkiness of the original version. May be are pushed up the spices but the final powder is enhanced in comparison with the original better version while the beginning is far more hesperidate and harsh. A strong note of olibanum turns this out more woodsy and overcasted. The note of nutmeg is pushed up in comparison with the original version that was more airy and exotic than this latest muscular and more shadowy flanker. Not bad anyway even if this lacks the airy light of the original.

16th November, 2011.

I'm grading on a curve, here -- this isn't bad, but it's my least favorite vetiver so far (compared with Encre Noir, Sel de Vetiver, Grey Vetiver, Fat Electrician, and various other vetiver-heavy fragrances).

Vetiver Extreme starts out with the same rooty vetiver of Encre Noir, along with a blast of pepper and lemon that don't hang around for too long. It's a bit dirtier than Encre Noir, not in an animalic sense, but in the sense of smelling more like actual dirt - like vetiver roots unearthed from the damp soil under a big rock.

Unfortunately, the scent remains grassy and vegetal rather than blooming into a sweeter phase as most vetivers seem to do. The drydown is really not too different from the heart notes, though it heads in the general direction of boiled Eastern European vegetable roots. Longevity was just a few hours on my skin.

Everything I like about this fragrance is already in Encre Noir, along with other delights that don't make an appearance here. And Encre Noir is about 25% of VE's price.

17th January, 2010.

I don't think it's THAT bad............... OK, I'll admit when you see the word "extreme" you would expect an amplified version of the original. In that regard Extreme fails. And for that reason I can definitely understand the "extreme" disappointment (pun intended). To me it smells just like the regular version, just a tad bit deeper and with better longevity. It does, however, seem to stay closer to the skin than the original. I think if this was named differently or issued from a different house it wouldn't be getting as many negs. The title and what it implies seems to be getting all of the attention and not the frag. Recommended, but only if you don't already have the original.

15th January, 2010. (Last Edited: 12nd March, 2010.)

Vetiver EO smells rooty, a statement of the obvious since it is a root. The point is, Vetiver Extreme is rootier than the regular version. So, if you want the earthy feeling vetiver has, a simpler and less complexity plus added longevity in relation to the original version, this would be the right choice.

I like this earthy-rooty accord, the reason why I am granting it a thumbs up.

5th December, 2009.

Hmmm, should be called Everything Else But the Vetiver Extreme. TO me, the vetiver notes in the original is exactly the same here. Everything else, the slightly sweet base and the opening dull citrus notes are intensified. Maybe that's what happens when you make vetiver more extreme? You know what? I really dislike all these "extreme" versions. If Davidoff goes bonkers and makes Cool Water Extreme, I'll laugh.

28th October, 2008.