At the edge of a wood, a man spoke to me of his love for the earth, of the magic of the seasons. Subtle odors seeped into me, detaching me from his story. The man extolled an imperceptible odor of tobacco mingling with the scents of nature, underscored by the fragrance of generous freshly turned earth.
The house of Guerlain is one of the oldest perfumeries in France. If its longevity is such, it is above all because the Guerlain brand has always been led by passionate people. At its head, several generations of Guerlains have succeeded one another, drawing inspiration from all surrounding elements to craft exceptional, avant-garde fragrances endowed with universal appeal. This is how Vétiver came about, in 1959. Today regarded as a historic fragrance, it still ranks among the most acclaimed masculine perfumes on the planet. So what accounts for such renown? Here is our review of this fragrance for men.
Olfastory’s review
Vétiver, Jean-Paul Guerlain's first creation
If Vétiver enjoys such renown, it is above all because it stands as a historical testimony. Indeed, it holds within it a part of Guerlain's heritage. When it appeared in 1959, it constituted something of a small revolution. As it happens, Vétiver was the first olfactory work by Jean-Paul Guerlain, whom many consider the house's greatest perfumer. Through this juice, the creator wanted to speak of his love for the earth, of the magic of the seasons. He was 22 years old at the time. Moreover, the 1959 Vétiver modernized an earlier fragrance, also named Vétiver, which had appeared two years before. Its main difference: a more assertive and more vivid masculinity.
Vétiver, a natural perfume for a dynamic, modern man
Beyond this historical element, Vétiver also carries a universal, entirely timeless appeal. Indeed, by drawing inspiration from nature, it speaks of an element known to everyone, regardless of generation, culture or where one is in the world. Guerlain's Vétiver is a very masculine perfume, built, as its name indicates, around vetiver root, and unfolding behind it a vivid, fresh, fleeting and spicy scent. Vétiver is intended for a dynamic, spontaneous man. Whether you are athletic or simply ambitious, this juice can only meet your expectations. Equally at ease in the city as in nature, Vétiver is a versatile fragrance that never grows tiresome to rediscover.
The composition created by Jean-Paul Guerlain
Now that the introductions have been made, allow us to tell you more about the actual composition of this perfume. Guerlain's Vétiver is a fresh essence that opens on a blend of bergamot, lemon, orange and grapefruit. Its fleeting vivacity immediately merges with a woody vetiver root, before evolving toward a very masculine, full-bodied heart. Here, tobacco leaves intertwine with spices, such as pepper, chili pepper and nutmeg. Gradually, Haitian vetiver is enriched with other woody notes of sandalwood, patchouli and tonka bean.
As for the bottle, Guerlain's Vétiver has been presented in several different vessels. Today, it borrows the bottle of Habit Rouge, a Guerlain icon, while dressing it with a green wood cap and a green label, a mark of its entirely natural character.