Vetiver Ambrato (2005)
by Bois 1920

Wore this yesterday. Went on nice then initially changed to an awful sickly smell within minutes - amber. It then for me changed after about 20min to a nice and fresh scent. Changed to what for my wife (and myself) was like talc and a just out of the shower smell. I wasnt sure I liked it but it really grew on me over the afternoon. Didnt smell much Vetiver and it in some ways reminded me of Creed - ie shower fresh. The fresh scent lasted for many hours but for £100 there is perhaps less expensive ways to smell of talc!

19th June, 2011.

Vetiver Ambrato - my first Bois 1920, and a brilliant introduction to this house.

It may just be my nose, but Vetiver Ambrato smells like a very refined, vetiver-tinged Old Spice (original Shulton edition). Comparison of the Old Spice pyramid here on Basenotes and the Vetiver Ambrato pyramid elsewhere confirmed my hunch: many notes in common.

Vetiver Ambrato, a barbershop scent, is a slightly clovey (carnations?) amber fragrance laced with vetiver. Vetiver is not dominant in this frag but it is there, especially in the sillage of the first hour after application. Vetiver and galbanum temper the predominantly sweet notes of VA, and i guess this, rather than as a signature note, is the primary purpose of the vetiver.

Sillage is modest, but can fill a small room if liberally sprayed (personal guilt admitted). Longevity is surprisingly significant. Easily 8+ hours after application i still smell it wafting of my chest.

I have always loved Old Spice since childhood. Vetiver Ambrato will now be my new and more refined Old Spice.

Great frag.

28th May, 2011.

Strange enough this is to me a Guerlain Mitsuoko with a modern man in mind. Or a twin of the Armani Prive Cuir Amethyste (close enough to be hard to tell apart). I get what some term Guerlinade, which I have perceived in some of Serge Leutens popular offerings. It smells like an acutely spiced peach accord on my skin and to my nose (must be something about my skin). Eitherway, I cannot wear it, but with Vetiver Ambrato, I can pull it off. Don't want to give it a thumbs down, because it is not bad, but it is peculiar.

8th August, 2010.

A rather synthetic and cloying opening recedes swiftly into a warm and somewhat engaging drydown. There are similarities in tone to Miller Harris Noix du Tubereuese, but more muted and with less finesse.The slight almond paste sweetness ensures this remains wearable, but its contrived and cosmetic personality jars continually. One can only detect a suggestion of vetiver in the top notes, but as an ingredient, it is superfluous. A sweet and synthetic bore.

20th March, 2009.

Whatever Vetiver is in there dissolves after a fraction of a second only to be replaced by the most sickening synthetic amber that will stick on your skin for days. This is badly made and overpriced niche at its worst. I'd rather walk around in any Hugo Boss fragrance you can name. Hideous!

4th January, 2009.

Nicest of the range imo with a beautiful opening of a sweetened vetiver. I love the amber note in this fragrance, which blends really well with the green notes. I must disagree over the strength though -- I find VA to have a rather powerful sillage and liberal spraying would be quite overwhelming (for everyone). Good stuff.

17th November, 2008.