The Best Vetiver Fragrances: An Expert Guide
The Best Vetiver Fragrances
In order to understand the best vetiver fragrances we need to understand what is vetiver. Vetiver is a long tropical grass that is native to India, but today it is cultivated all around the world. The essential oil is extracted from the roots of the plant to produce perfumes. The root system of vetiver is finely structured and very strong, growing downward 7 to 13 feet deep. In addition to use in the cosmetics industry, the plant and roots have many other applications including stabilizing soil and protecting against erosion, pest repellent, animal feed and is used as a flavoring agent for foods and beverages.
Vetiver is a major ingredient in men’s fragrances but is estimated to be present in about 40% of women’s fragrances as well. Carven produced the first vetiver fragrance in 1957. Two years later, Guerlain Vetiver was introduced and is still popular today.
Vetiver oil is all natural and cannot be replicated synthetically. The vetiver fragrance is earthy, warm and smoky with a hint of leather. Its timeless sophistication makes it one of the most popular ingredients in colognes today. Vetiver increases the longevity of a fragrance and blends perfectly with citrusy materials. If you are interested in our cologne buying guide, click here.
The Best Vetiver Fragrances For Men
Here are some of the best vetiver fragrances for men
The Best Vetiver Fragrances For Men
If you’re on the hunt for the best vetiver fragrances for men, start with these top picks:
Acqua Di Parma – Note Di Colonia II
Acqua Di Parma is the thinking man’s perfumer with a well-deserved reputation for putting artistry into fragrance making. The Italian brand’s Note Di Colonia II blends vetiver with sandalwood and musk alongside fresher notes such as orange and grapefruit to give a deep and intense yet woody and uplifting finish with no one note overpowering the next. Plus, in terms of staying power, it’s potent without being overbearing.
Serge Lutens – Vetiver Oriental
In Serge Lutens’ Vetiver Oriental, is an amber woody vetiver fragrance for men as well as women. Created in 2004 by Christopher Sheldrake, the fragrance contains only high-quality components.
Top notes: herbal green juices, iris, woodsy notes
Middle notes: vetiver root, guaiac wood, and chocolate
Base notes: musk, amber, sandalwood and labdanum
Diptyque Vetyverio
This vetiver fragrance has a variety of different notes, combining citrus for freshness with the earthiness of vetiver. Diptyque Vetyverio blends the essence of two different vetiver plants, an earthy aroma from Indonesia and a musk from Haiti, creating a unique scent that’s both masculine and relaxing.
Top notes: mandarin, grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, ylang-ylang.
Middle notes: Turkish rose, geranium, vetiver, carrot seed, nutmeg, apricot.
Base notes: clove cedar, musk
Tom Ford – Grey Vetiver
Grey Vetiver comes with a reputation to uphold., The vetiver fragrance is the dominant note with spice and citrus balancing things out. Grey Vetiver is sophisticated, suave, yet simple. It’s the perfect scent for the classic debonair man.
Top notes: basil, grapefruit, lemon and bergamot
Middle notes: nutmeg, orris root and pimento
Base notes: vetiver, woody notes, oakmoss and amber
Guerlain Vetiver
Guerlain’s 1959 vetiver was not the first vetiver fragrance, but it’s the one which is most famous. After an initial hit of citrus, this fragrance offers up peppery spiciness before settling on the vetiver note. It’s the original balance of freshness and warmth and it remains popular today.
Top notes: orange, bergamot, lemon
Heart notes: pepper, nutmeg
Base notes: vetiver, tobacco, tonka bean
Terre D’Hermes
Terre d’Hermes produced this spicy and woodsy scent which balances it’s earthy layer with peppery notes. Hermes Terre d’Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver has become a contemporary classic. Vetiver fragrance.
Top notes: bergamot, grapefruit
Heart notes: geranium, vetiver, sichuan pepper
Base notes: amberwood
Roja Parfums – Vetiver Pour Homme
Proving that our continental neighbours don’t have a monopoly on fine fragrance, British perfumer Roja Dove has created a home-grown vetiver-based scent that rivals the skill utilised in marquee-name fragrances. Vetiver Pour Homme is dry and smokily warm and resists the urge to restrain vetiver’s distinct scent, instead complementing it with a supporting cast of floral, citrus and spicy notes. Best of British. Buy Now
Creed – Original Vetiver
Creed Original Vetiver is infused with leaves, root and heart of vetiver grass, making it a lighter, fresher and more energizing scent than other vetiver fragrances.
Top notes: bergamot, bitter orange, mandarin, vetiver leaves
Heart notes: white pepper, coriander, pink pepper
Base notes: sandalwood, vetiver, ambergris, Tonkin musk