Red Vetyver
by Montale

Like others have said, this does smell very, very similar to Terre D’Hermes. In my mind, that’s a good thing though. Although I’m sure both RV and TdH smell pretty different next to each other, they would probably smell the same to an unsuspecting nose.

The main difference between the two is that Red Vetyver replaces the orange of TdH with grapefruit, and seems to take it easier on the synthetics. RV is better IMO, since it seems to have less of that synthetic dirt/mineral note + Iso E Super combination that annoys me in TdH.


I’m pretty sure this was released after TdH, meaning it’s not very original (and a pretty blatant copy of TdH!), however I do like it better than TdH. Seeing as how this an improvement and not a cheap rip-off (like Unforgivable by Sean Jean making a sh*tty version of Creed’s Millisime Imperial), I feel compelled to give this an unbiased rating, regardless of copyright infringement.

8/10

I, too, feel this is a much much richer version of Terre d'Hermes with a really strong but not too grassy vetiver base. Very linear and very potent to boot. I've been giving the Montale line a fair shake but most don't seem to impress me. It seems like the perfumes are trying too hard to be unique but seem like posers with an attitude. That said, it doesn't mean I don't like this. I feel that it's a good, niche alternative to other bitter orange peel and earthy vetiver accord fragrances.

I loved this scent the 1st time I wore it. Liked its spices, but they are not like Piper Nigrum, or Rose Poivree. Rather, this is more gentle, and warm as Foetidus said. No mint, but maybe pink peppers. Then the second time I wore it, I was expecting a sillage monster and did not get that. I was wanting it to be this loud, show stopper, better-make-sure-I-don't-use-more-than-two-sprays scent like Black Aoud. But the more I wear it, the more I get back to the wowness of the 1st wearing. Don't really know why that is, but it is. I like to spray this on my arms as well as the crook of my neck, just right near the shoulder blades. This scent really does linger and last, though it does not project like Aoud Limes or Black Aoud or Rose Petals. But it is stronger than a regular Eau de Toilette. How do I know? Well, at lunch, after wearing it for five hours, I passed within 4 feet of a lady heading in the opposite direction. When she was ten feet past me, and we were just walking past each other, she shouted out that wow, I smelled good. This was in an office building. So its sillage is more than what your nose may think. It has a different sort of spiciness to it, not like the heavy spices in some scents that are black pepper, or cloves, or something assaultive. Now, I am not a vetiver lover, so this Haitian vetiver must be a different sort than that in Guerlains, or Floris. The scent works for me, and is versatile. You can wear it with a suit, but it is not authoritative. You can wear it with shorts and a polo shirt to that backyard patio party, but it is not whimsical. I wore this as a sample in August heat in Memphis, Tn, and it wore well, and it wears well so far into the fall (middle October)

I'm afraid I can't get onto the Red Vetyver love train. This scent has gotten a lot of positive buzz on the Basenotes discussion boards, but after two full days' wearings I find it disappointingly thin, harsh, and hollow. It's as if there's some critical missing element between the sharp red pepper and the dry woody vetiver that leaves the structure barren, abrasive, and impoverished. Not one of my favorites from Montale, and not one of my favorite vetivers.

Red Vetyver: jeez..is this hot or what..the image that i had after wearing this was that of a man in flames. is it the pepper? gosh this has all the hot spices one can think of..quite unbearable for me. and im talking two dabs from a vial. two sprays and i would run towards my freezer...it stays intense for almost 2-3 hours before relaxing a bit to earthy vetiver and patchouli base....however, couple of wears into this, and i'm kinda growing into likin it. i can imagine how people staying in colder places would find comfort in such "warm", "spicy" vetiver based scent.

btw, this is an denser version of Terre D Hermes and i dont like TdH either...maybe pepper done this way is just not my type...

From the very first sniff, I really loved this one.

Why? Because it smells like a cross between Ormonde Jayne’s Isfarkand pour Homme (in terms of the sharp citrus, pepper and vetiver combo) and Hermes' Vetiver Tonka (in terms of the richness and depth of the Haitian vetiver used). Its sillage and longevity are initially deceptive – the scent seems quite soft at first but is just as potent as, say, Black Aoud. However, I could easily smell traces of Red Vetyver on my coat days later.

Where Vetiver Tonka was too soft on my skin (before turning) and Isfarkand pour Homme’s (rather weak) drydown had too much emphasis on cedar, Red Vetyver combines their strengths while successfully satisfying to the core. It really is an impressive creation that I hope never to grow tired of. In addition, it’s slightly cheaper than the other two to acquire.

Red Vetyver is now among my top three favourite non-aoud releases by Montale (with Blue Amber and Sweet Oriental Dream being the other two). Also, due to the fullness of the Haitian vetiver, this can easily be worn all year round.

Absolutely stunning!