Help pick Vetiver frag

[persianprince]

I've been into this hobby for roughly 2 years now and have acquired a pretty nice collection and honestly haven't purchased a bottle in a few months now and don't really feel the need to get anything. The one void in my collection would be a vetiver based scent. At first i was not a fan at all, and honestly i'm still learning to appreciate it, so what i'm looking for is the following:

* Modern take on Vetiver - nothing too dated smelling, i want somethign modern/chic if possible

* Good longevity/projection - I'm no longer want to purchase frags that don't perform well, so this is a must.

* I know this is hit or miss with people, but want a vetiver that is well received by others. I know vetiver isn't really the best compliment getter, but I'd like to hear which ones have worked well when it comes to compliments.

[petruccijc]

Chanel Sycomore

[starshipvelcro]

Pick up Dior's Vetiver while you can, it's a very nice simple take on it, but very nicely done. No rough edges, nice citrus burst, and it lasts quite a bit.

[roman_nik]

Take a look at Diptique Vetyverio. Easy to digest vetiver. For me it opened the flood gates to Sycomore, Guerlain Vetiver, Creed Original Vetiver and others, basically got me interested in the note.

Alternatively take a look at Mugler Cologne. Vetiver based but for me it's too soapy.

[ingsoc48]

I'm a big fan of vetiver, I think these are the most accessible and well received:

Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford - Its a very modern, fresh take on vetiver, Vetiver meets expensive soap.
Encre Noir - Two different regions of vetiver laid on top of each other. Dark and dense, i get a woods after a monsoon rain vibe from it.
Vetiver Extraordinaire by F. Malle / Tere D' Hermes by Hermes - They both do a orange / vetiver combo, Hermes is more rustic, while Malle is a well polished version.

[cacio]

+1 Sycomore. Very long lasting on me, and elegant with a touch of woods and smoke.

cacio

[Mrnybluesman]

+1 on Dior Vetiver....very nice modern take on Vetiver..well made scent.

[persianprince]

I'm really interested in Sycomore and vetiver extradinaire... anyone willing to trade off a sample with me?

[secondfloor]

I went on a similar quest recently, and it depends on whether you prefer a dark smokey earthy vetiver or a greener citrusy vetiver. Sycomore and Encre Noire are the best examples of the former. They are also much closer to real vetiver oil which smells like the breath of a handsome 30-something guy drinking Laphroaig.

Smokey scents unfortunately give me a headache so I lean more towards the lighter greener side. My absolute favourite is Vetiver Extraordinaire by Frederic Malle. It's a green grassy vetiver, but not lush "fig grove" green, it's very stark and restrained. Dior Vetiver is also fantastic, however these are both extremely expensive.

Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford is more reasonably priced and also very nice. It's more citrusy, but without losing the suave restraint of vetiver, it is very refined and wearable. Probably my recommendation to someone who's budget doesn't stretch to VE. I sometimes find it a bit shrill though.

I also recommend Comme des Garcons Vetiverru in their cologne range - it is obviously very citrusy, but is a very good price and really pleasant.

Also have a sniff of Molecule 03 which is comprised entirely of the "fractional rectification" of vetiver - vetiveryl acetate. It's helpful to smell the pure ingredient which many vetiver fragrances build upon. It's also very wearable, modern and easy to appreciate (however perfumistas turn their nose up slightly as it is just one ingredient). It lasts a long time and obviously doesn't change at all. Surprisingly I find it quite citrusy and light.

You shouldn't have a problem with longevity with any of these - vetiver is pretty persistent, clearly the woody, dark, smokey, earthy ones last longer than the fresh citrusy green ones.

To be honest no one has ever complimented me on a vetiver scent, but it's a scent worn by men who don't need compliments! It's ultra-masculine - strong and silent, commanding respect! (at least this is what I like to think as I spray it on in the morning :-D)

[Duke Hunt]

My favorites are:

Sycomore and Encre Noire.

[elbenja]

Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver

[Fabio Luisi]

Chanel Sycomore
Guerlain Vetiver pour Femme
Lalique Encre noir (weak longevity)
Serge Lutens Vetyver Oriental
Classic: Carven Vetiver

don't: Creed Vetyver (not a vetyver)

[hednic]

Carlo Corinto Vetyver

[persianprince]

I have a feelign sycomore is going to be the one that does it for me...If anyoen is willing to trade a sample please contact me.

[justiceanthony]

Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford....great lasting power.

[>BOOMER<]

Vetiver Tonka by Hermessence
Vetyverio by Diptyque
Sycomore by Chanel
Encre Noire by Lalique
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
Guerlain Vetiver
Vetyver Givenchy
Vettiveru by CDG

[CaliDude]

Fresh citrusy vetiver:
Creed Original Vetiver

Smoky Vetiver:
Chanel Sycomore

[noirdrakkar]

sycomore is the best vetiver scent that i smelled.

[protector]

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, which I do admire a lot, should really have been named Grey Orris. The emphasis is as much (if not more) on Orris as on Vetiver.

A very easy-to-wear vetiver is Brooks Brothers New York Gentlemen. It somehow does not get a lot of hype here, but is close to the Tom Ford in overall style, but has what I'd call a more "text-book" vetiver note than the TF. I like its understated refinement.

[rbaker]

Creed Vetiver 1948, L'Occitanie Verveine, Chanek

[heperd]

Chanel Sycomore

yes

[rbaker]

Creed Vetiver 1948, Chanel Sycomore, L'Occitanie Verveine, Guerlain Vetiver,

[Slayerized]

Spring: Guerlain: Vetiver

Summer: Adolfo Dominguez: Vetiver Hombre or Guerlain: Vetiver Sport

Fall: Givenchy: Vetyver, Guerlain: Vetiver Extreme or MPG: Racine

Winter: Lorenzo Villoresi: Vetiver or Lalique: Encre Noire

[mr. reasonable]

From dark to light (sort of)

Sycomore (Chanel)
Vetiver Extraordinaire (Malle)
Sel a Vetiver (The Different Company)
Vetiver (Dior)
Vetiver pour Elle (Guerlain)

Odd one out: Vetiver Tonka (Hermes) - slightly gourmand twist with the Tonka, but good at what it does.

[Alvus]

Terre D'Hermes.

[mrcologneguy]

Sycomore - yes indeed. Also try Roger & Gallet Vetyver. It's an inexpensive, light vetiver. Vetiver on training wheels, you might say. I am quite fond of it.

[dougczar]

Creed Original Vetiver
by Kilian Cruel Intentions
Guerlain Vetiver
Terre d'Hermes
Bois du Portugal
Chanel Sycomore

[FullCollapse]

I think the BEST vetivers are the OLDEST ones. My favs are vintage Eau de Vetyver by Givenchy, vintage Guerlain Vetiver, and a modern one: Encre Noir. All amazing

[tristan1973]

Sel de Vetiver The Different Company
Grey Vetiver Tom Ford

[drseid]

Terre d'Hermes certainly fits what you are looking for performance-wise and is incredible smelling but I guess I never considered it a vetiver dominant fragrance (even though it contains it).

Probably from more vetiver dominant fragrances either Vetiver Extraordinaire or Sycomore are what you are looking for.

[alfarom]

Modern, elegant and long lasting...

Vetiver Extraordinaire
Sycomore
Turtle Vetiver Front

[starshipvelcro]

Modern, elegant and long lasting...

Vetiver Extraordinaire
Sycomore
Turtle Vetiver Front

don't tease him with Turtle Vetiver Front, it can't be had easily anymore

[persianprince]

I have a some Sycomore coming my way!! I'm very excited to give this a try, also may have some vetiver extradinaire as well..these seem to be the 2 most popular ones i keep hearing about. As i mentioned i'm not big vetiver fan so i'm curious to see if these may be a bit too much for me to handle. I defintely want a veitiver scent to wear on occasion but has to be a wearable one that isn't too much for a rookie to handle Sycomore sounds very promising.

[rum]

For summer, definitely Terre d' Hermes, although there is more going on than just vetiver.

I also think Sycomore is a superb fragrance, especially for the colder months, although for some readers it works well in the summer for them too.

[persianprince]

i keep reading mixed reviews as far as Sycomore being best for colder weather. I hope its not true since i live in Florida and its hot/humid as hell out here!

[cacio]

I find Sycomore perfect for DC's heat, and I use it a lot in the summer. To my nose, the dominant note is vetiver, which is intrinsically fresh. But others seem to detect more the woods and the smoke.

cacio

[rollzst]

Fresh citrusy vetiver:
Creed Original Vetiver

Smoky Vetiver:
Chanel Sycomore

+1, these two are at the pinnacle of vetivers imo

- - - Updated - - -

I find Sycomore perfect for DC's heat, and I use it a lot in the summer. To my nose, the dominant note is vetiver, which is intrinsically fresh. But others seem to detect more the woods and the smoke.

cacio

i find sycamore too cloying in the heat, i stick to only using it in the autumn and winter

[thebeck]

Underworld by Soivohle

http://soivohle.com/soivohle.absolutes.html

[hobbes22]

Modern, elegant and long lasting...

Vetiver Extraordinaire
Sycomore
Turtle Vetiver Front

These would be my picks too, although Sycomore goes a little sour on my skin so I had to trade my bottle away. I might also add Sel de Vetiver to this list. Still need to try so many others...

don't tease him with Turtle Vetiver Front, it can't be had easily anymore

I'm not sure if I'm happy or disappointed that I have three bottles between my brother and I. I'm glad I have some, but I regret not buying more.

[persianprince]

Well i received samples and i could not wait to give them a try, so i applied a small spray of VE on one hand and Sycomore on the other...Off the first intial 5minutes, i would say VE is more my style, but way to early to tell. I'll keep you all posted.

[blackened]

* Modern take on Vetiver - nothing too dated smelling, i want somethign modern/chic if possible

* Good longevity/projection - I'm no longer want to purchase frags that don't perform well, so this is a must.

it seems like you´re talking about Fat Electrician.

[persianprince]

quick update, its pretty clear that Sycomore is much heavier scent than VE and i can see it lasting much longer. I could be jumping the gun here, but VE seems to wear light, almost a transparent/airy type of feel to it. I love both so far, awesome suggestions guys

[PalmBeach]

i keep reading mixed reviews as far as Sycomore being best for colder weather. I hope its not true since i live in Florida and its hot/humid as hell out here!

I'm wearing it today and find no problem with our humidity. My other favorite that works well down here is Sel de Vetiver from the Different Company.

[Beftus]

Eau Sauvage Parfum, short citrus opening, lovely myrrh and vetiver drydown.

[persianprince]

I'm wearing it today and find no problem with our humidity. My other favorite that works well down here is Sel de Vetiver from the Different Company.

Thats good to get some feedback from a Floridian. Curious, what type of feedback have you had from others with Sycomore?

[djron91]

I myself am not a fan of Vetyver.. but there are two that interest me.

For a modern, cleaner take - Tom Ford Grey Vetiver.

If you are a fan of MFK Absolue Pour le Soir and want a vetyver with the same kind of intense, battery acid strength - try Von Eusersdorff Vetiver.

[persianprince]

I'm really speechless...I LOVE both of these so much that i can see how both are worthy of having in the wardrobe. I'm new to vetiver and as I mentioned I'm not the biggest fan but i wanted to add one to my collection and these two are fantastic!

Having so many bottles of completely different styles (amounge,creed, le labos,ect.) i'm tryign to figure out ifi will really wear a vetiver scent often, since i have so many other ones i know that smell good. Maybe its worth buying one of these and a decant of another....but i will say this, i can totally see how these are power type of scents, feel like you own the place wearing these...

[cacio]

I live in DC, which is pretty hot in the summer too, and in heat days I keep reaching for vetivers. There's nothing as fresh and long lasting; they're simply perfect for heat days (in fact, the first famous vetiver, Guerlain, was originally designed for the Mexican market). So I think you're going to wear them much more often than you think, and both are worth having.

cacio

[persianprince]

I live in DC, which is pretty hot in the summer too, and in heat days I keep reaching for vetivers. There's nothing as fresh and long lasting; they're simply perfect for heat days (in fact, the first famous vetiver, Guerlain, was originally designed for the Mexican market). So I think you're going to wear them much more often than you think, and both are worth having.

cacio

Yes, I think you may be right...now i just need to decide on which one to purchase first. I'm leaning towards VE, i just need to give it a full wearing and confirm that the longevity/projection are there

- - - Updated - - -

Sycomore definitely appears to be longer lasting...VE toned down to some what of a skiN scent after a few hours.

Still need to give each a full wearing to decide.. both are phenomenal

[hedonist222]

Vetiver Bourbon - very damp, earthy and dank smelling.
Vetiver Extraordinaire - rooty and sharp.
Vetiver Fatal - nutty uplifting vetiver
Esprit du Roi - vetiver for the vetiver-lover-in-denial
Sycomore - smoky vetiver
Vetiver by Guerlain - a classic

[danny1967]

sycomore
vetiver extraordinaire
dior vetiver

[Sparky]

Yep @persianprince - you have picked two beauties! Sycomore is the only vetiver scent I have received compliments on - and more than once!

[hreple]

Fat Electrician - a "semi-modern" vetiver (according to ELO themselves).

I love it - check out a sample. It's vetiver weirdness!

[json]

Chopard Vetiver.

[KSG]

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver

[Fabio Luisi]

Carven Vetyver, but the original formula, not the new one (which is to avoid, watery and it lasts for 15 minutes)

[Teach13]

I have not cared for any vetiver-heavy frag I've tried...except Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver. Not only do I like that one, but I like it enough to put it on my Buy list. It's not at the top or anything, but it's there.

[engar]

Fresh citrusy vetiver:
Creed Original Vetiver

Smoky Vetiver:
Chanel Sycomore

+1!!!

[Pedro78]

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver - misses out the smoky elements that others have and instead offers an initial whack of citrus and a hint of spice but does not downplay the star of the show - the vetiver. It's very addictive. I love it, but feel that it's not a casual fragrance, by that I mean it's too sophisticated for jeans and t-shirt. I love it.
A more relaxed everyday vetiver is Kenzo Homme Woody; maybe not principally a vetiver - and I'll no doubt be taken to task over this - but there is vetiver in the drydown.

[southerngardens]

Guerlain Vetiver Extreme is a long lasting attention getter. It opens with a nice crisp citrus note and morphs into an exciting vetiver note and being "extreme" it won't fail you in longevity or sillage. The price is reasonable too.