Vetiver Fatal (Atelier Cologne)

[Beranium Chotato]

I stopped by the boutique last week, and they had two new scents, Vetiver Fatal and Rose Anonyme. They both contain an "oud accord," meaning they do not use oud oil but recreate the intense woodiness of oud from other ingredients. The rose/oud combination smelled very familiar in terms of composition; the vetiver/oud was a bit more striking. The most notable thing however was that these do not seem to use the same base as other in the AC line, and I mention this because almost without exception everything from Atelier Cologne dries down to something that smells very synthetic/chemically. I don't think it's that they use bad ingredeints; I think there is just something in their house base that strikes my nose as really off--kind of how I would imagine the smell of trying to iron a piece of wood. Thankfully, this note is either basent or hidden in these two scents.

Vetiver Fatal in particular really caught my fancy. The SA said they used a new extraction technique that had turned the industry on its head. I couldn't help but laugh a little. But I must say the vetiver is intense, deep, and very focused. It is stripped of all its rooty qualities and what remains are the grassier and aquatic qualities. The vetiver component in fact reminds me a lot of Sel de Vetiver (which used multiple extraction techniques, including a molecular distillation that isolated a single component of the vetiver). In the case of Vetiver Fatal, however, the vetiver is anchored to the intense autumnal woodiness of the "oud accord."

I wore it on my hand for a couple hours and found it to be very satisfying. I am a sucker for a vetiver with a lot of depth, and this one definitely has it to spare. The composition won't knock you off your feet for its originality (it's definitely in the same neighborhood as Sycomore), but it might outdo some of its predecessors on the basis of its quality materials. Other listed notes are bergamot, lemon, bigarade, orange blossom, violet leaves, black plum, and cedar.

Here's my stunning photo

Update: there is a big juicy blood orange note that lasts well through the first hour that I completely missed the first time I smelled this. It's funny how you can miss things when you're trying so hard to focus on one thing (in this case, the vetiver).



I was moved enough that I plan to head back there today for the small bottle.

[mikeperez23]

I also stumbled onto this scent on the Luckyscent website last week and the first thing I wondered was why I hadn't heard any information on it here on Basenotes.

Sounds great. Sure wish it was cheaper though...

Would you compare it at all to the fantastic vetiver/oud combination in the BN9 Swarovski Oud that you and I love?

[MonkeyBars]

Would you compare it at all to the fantastic vetiver/oud combination in the BN9 Swarovski Oud that you and I love?

That was my first thought too, but actually I got hardly any oud in either of these, so I found no relation between Vetiver Fatal and Harrods Oud.

What I was suprised by was the rich spice-rose accord in Rose Anonyme. Very deep and satisfying.

I need to try Vetiver Fatal on skin I think -- I didn't really "get" it on paper.

[PalmBeach]

So if you already have Sycamore, would you think it would be redundant to have Vetiver Fatal as well?

[Beranium Chotato]

I also stumbled onto this scent on the Luckyscent website last week and the first thing I wondered was why I hadn't heard any information on it here on Basenotes.

Sounds great. Sure wish it was cheaper though...

Would you compare it at all to the fantastic vetiver/oud combination in the BN9 Swarovski Oud that you and I love?

VF is vetiver-dominant, even more so than Sycomore. It has very little in common with BN9HOSCLECS in which vetiver plays a very small supporting role. It also feels more "3d" than the BN9, which sits rather flatly on my skin (which is not a criticism--that's part of its charm). In comparison to Sycomore, which to my nose has a rather grand architecture, Vetiver Fatal is more simplistic/minimal.

So if you already have Sycamore, would you think it would be redundant to have Vetiver Fatal as well?

I think it depends on how much you love vetiver. I find the vetiver of VF to be much better than Sycomore, but I think Sycomore is a more interesting composition. For a vetiver lover, I don't think it's redundant. If you're not a big fan, they might compete for the same place in a wardrobe.

[>BOOMER<]

hmmm...the Vetiver Fatal sounds excellent.

[alfarom]

BN9HOSCLECS

LOL

I guess I'm almost done with straight forward vetivers. There are botloads out there (tones of which are extremely high-quality stuff) now I'm antiously waiting for the next level...

I will surely give it a chance when I'll find it on a shelf but it really sounds like every niche firm now need a straight forward vetiver in their range...

[MonkeyBars]

I didn't find Fatal reminded me of Sycomore at all.

[Beranium Chotato]

I didn't find Fatal reminded me of Sycomore at all.

I have neither on hand to compare, so I'm not going off of much. I love vetiver, and it would not occur to me ever that one would be a substitute for the other. I was just thinking that if I weren't so into vetiver, I'm not sure I'd want two compositions pairing it with wood. They are very different, both in terms of the vetiver's character, their structure, and the accompanying wood.

The vetiver of Sycomore is thinner and more diaphanous. In VF, it's very meaty and three dimensional. I remember Sycomore having a dramatic structure: an abyss of smoke, a forest of blond wood, and vetiver in the ether above. VF is much swampier and earth-bound. And the wood note (or "oud accord" as they call it) is far darker and more intense than the light wood note of Sycomore.

[PalmBeach]

I think it depends on how much you love vetiver. I find the vetiver of VF to be much better than Sycomore, but I think Sycomore is a more interesting composition. For a vetiver lover, I don't think it's redundant. If you're not a big fan, they might compete for the same place in a wardrobe.

I really like vetiver. Sounds like this needs to go on the try list.

- - - Updated - - -

I also stumbled onto this scent on the Luckyscent website last week and the first thing I wondered was why I hadn't heard any information on it here on Basenotes.

Checked out Luckyscent. Couldn't seem to find it.

[hednic]

Both sound great and plan on adding these two to the rest of their line which I have in my collection. Thanks for this info.

[hedonist222]

The more the vetiver the merrier

[danny1967]

i've read about this a couple of days ago on 'nowsmellthis' and i thought straight away "I HAVE TO get my hands on vetiver fatal', sounds so right up my alley.

http://www.nstperfume.com/2012/08/02...ew-fragrances/

[Beranium Chotato]

Two comments.

1) I did something terrible.
2) It's so funny how, when you're looking for one particular thing, you can miss something else entirely. Threre is a big, juicy bigarade in Vetiver Fatal that I totally missed the first time. It's the size of a small truck, and I completely missed it on first smell. So odd.

Here's the terrible thing:

[mikeperez23]

Two comments.

1) I did something terrible.

Tsk, tsk.

...Checked out Luckyscent. Couldn't seem to find it.

Here it is: http://www.luckyscent.com/shop/secti...ver_Fatal.html

[Scentologist]

I need to sample this. Is it a fresh composition?

[MonkeyBars]

Is it a fresh composition?

Well it was just released. For all we know it was composed in the 19th century

[PalmBeach]

Tsk, tsk.




Here it is: http://www.luckyscent.com/shop/secti...ver_Fatal.html

Mike, thanks.

[hedonist222]

Brian, being a cologne. What is longevity and projection like?
How many sprays do you spray?

I'm very interested but the cologne aspect is off putting. I have enough 'weak - need constant top ups' perfume bottles in my desk drawer at work.

[Beranium Chotato]

The idea behind the Atelier Cologne line is that they take cologne-style scents and sell them in EDP concentration. Longevity and projection are not really an issue. It's a matter of whether you like these citrusy type compositions.

[Osi1s]

Just got the lucky scent email with this one, so the thread was good timing the VF sounds quite interesting

[hedonist222]

The idea behind the Atelier Cologne line is that they take cologne-style scents and sell them in EDP concentration. Longevity and projection are not really an issue. It's a matter of whether you like these citrusy type compositions.

In my case, genre is not an issue. I am only adverse to intense white-flower based perfumes and A*Men. Everything else is fair game. I do like citrusy perfumes. And I am very fond of Vetiver.

I wish they'd reconsider their name. If its EDP concentration then calling yourself cologne, even to make a statement, is an of putting misnomer.

What's projection like?

Just got the lucky scent email with this one, so the thread was good timing the VF sounds quite interesting

I think I'm going to pounce on it.

- - - Updated - - -

From Atelier a cologne:

What is a Cologne Absolue?

Three-hundred years ago, the original cologne was born from a blend of citrus oils of lemon, orange, tangerine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit and Néroli. It offered a revolutionary alternative to the heavy scents of the times and inspired a new way to wear personal fragrance. In modern times, fragrances are often categorized by both their scent construction (cologne, floral, chypre...) and the concentration of oils (cologne, perfume, eau de parfum...). The term cologne can apply to both the construction and the oil concentration. Sylvie and Christophe shared an inherent love for the citrusy cologne construction, but their focus became the creation of the ideal combination of oils for each scent that was both long-lasting and balanced. In turn their collection demanded a new classicfication of scent, the Cologne Absolue.

[PalmBeach]

I just pounced on the deal. Large bottle of Vetiver, free bottle of Rose. Free shipping as well. Couldn't say no to this deal.

[MonkeyBars]

I just pounced on the deal. Large bottle of Vetiver, free bottle of Rose. Free shipping as well. Couldn't say no to this deal.

wow that is a good deal

[danny1967]

I just pounced on the deal. Large bottle of Vetiver, free bottle of Rose. Free shipping as well. Couldn't say no to this deal.

where from?

[Kron]

From Luckyscent, Its says in the newsletter:

Recieve a complimentary 30ml Atelier Cologne of your choice with any 200ml Atelier Cologne purchase. Please specify your preferred 30 scent at checkout.

[danny1967]

From Luckyscent, Its says in the newsletter:

thank you!!

[starshipvelcro]

That is a great deal...but man 200ml is a lot...

[PalmBeach]

That is a great deal...but man 200ml is a lot...

Sure is, but just think, years from now, you will have what will be considered the Vintage version, instead of the dreaded reformulated version.

[starshipvelcro]

Yes...but years from now I'll probably still have some of my 30ml left.