Vétiver Vert (2011)
by Czech & Speake

Vetiver Vert (Green Vetiver) is actually not that green as the title may suggest. It opens with a citric zesty accord of bergamot, tangerine, citrus, on a sweetish base of vanillic sandalwood, with initially just a hint of vetiver hiding behind a vague dusty woody feel. Cloves and sugary-balsamic dry resins (galbanum, I guess) complete the base. Once the fresh head notes evaporate, which occurs quite quickly, the vetiver note reveals itself: classic, but lacking a bit in "substance" and depth. This does not mean it smells bad, just a bit flabby – at least it smells somehow woody and rooty, not that rubbery, waxy, unrealistic and plastic vetiver à la Encre Noire which looks so trendy these days. Plus, the vetiver note does not manage to "resist" for not long, soon ending up buried under spices (they are not listed but I smell something like cloves or eugenol) and more "generic" woody notes in the drydown. So basically Vetiver Vert is like one of those parties with VIP guests which show up for 10 minutes, sign a couple of autographs and go away. To give you an approximate comparison, the citrus-vetiver axe makes Vetiver Vert ideally close to scents like Racine by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier (although Racine is uncomparably better to all extents). Sadly the vetiver family "suffers" from the presence of biblical marvels like Guerlain and Etro, which make basically almost all others smell inferior... However just to make clear, as I said Vetiver Vert is not bad, just a bit dull and with a (too much) weak presence of vetiver; decent, but unworthy the price in my opinion.

5,5/10

20^th July, 2014

meh

This could almost be a a good vetiver, It is certainly green and a decent smell, but but I find it a bit of a downer to be honest - something about it is unfriendly and stand-offish. Also it didn't last that long on me

Pros: it is a green strident vetiver
Cons: sillage is short"

23^rd July, 2013

I think C&S have missed a trick with this one, they could do with a decent vetiver in their line-up and sadly this isn't it. It is well-named, for it does smell 'green' thanks to the galbanum; the best part for me is the first 30 minutes when the citrus and bergamot are strong; after that it is all downhill, with a lacklustre, messy base of timid vetiver and rasping, incongruous woody/balsamic notes. Sillage and longevity are both poor. A shame.

10^th November, 2012

I do not know if I really like it or not. The vetyver is stifled by other woody, smoke and incense notes; the mix is not bad anyway, but a little bit cloying; if you're looking for a real vetyver fragrance, don't search it here.

14^th October, 2012

I'm neutral on this. It is not a bad scent, not significantly problematic in any way. My reservations are two-fold: it is not as green as a scent called "Vert" should be, and I find the balsamic note to be a bit too sweet and heavy for my taste.
All the layers appear at the outset, a surprising development. Smoke from the vetiver, balsamic notes from the dusky laurel and galbanum, and sweet notes from the sandalwood show themselves, along with the citrus.
Things sort themselves out after this overture. The citrus retreats, and a dusky bay leaf note remains. This is quite good. The scent gets a bit heavier and sweeter, and takes on a balsamic quality. At times, the scent has the character of an old metal ashtray, with its smoky and metallic notes. As the balsamic note settles, a grassier note emerges from the vetiver. This is really a freshly-cut sort of grass, and it too is pleasant. The drydown is sweet and woody, from the sandalwood.
Thus, I like some of the notes but not all, and the rich heaviness of the balsamic style doesn't quite suit me. But, as I said, it is a good scent and some will like it.

28^th July, 2012

I am disappointed with this offering from C&S as I had been looking forward to it for some time -- launch date was delayed. I was expecting something exciting or at least a little different, but it follows a well worn route. Unforgivably, the citrus opening has a 'lemon pledge' vibe to it . The galbanum and vetiver note round things off and to be fair the drydown is pretty good, but lacks projection. V V is a perfectly pleasant scent but feels flat and lifeless, which is a surprise from C&S.

PS. How did they get into perfumes in the first place? I suppose there is a tenuous link between bathrooms and scents.

31^st May, 2012