Vetiver

The Scent Profile

Fragrance World's "Vetiver" opens with a tart bergamot that quickly veers into lemon cleaning fluid territory. The fleeting citrus struggles against a burgeoning floral sweetness, reminiscent of sugared rose petals left too long in a musty vase. The heart's jasmine is subdued, almost medicinal, and the labdanum adds a slightly bitter, rubbery undertone instead of the intended resinous warmth. The drydown is where the vetiver finally emerges, but it's a harsh, scratchy rendition, coupled with cedar that evokes hamster cage shavings and a synthetic amberwood that clashes with everything. It aims for sophisticated vetiver, but lands closer to a bathroom air freshener.

Performance Reality Check

Longevity is a moderate 4-5 hours, though it becomes a skin scent within the first hour. Projection is initially about an arm's length, quickly receding to intimate. I tested this during a brisk autumn walk; the wind amplified the synthetic qualities, making it slightly cloying.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

If this scent were a character, it would be a used car salesman wearing a knock-off suit, trying to pass himself off as a refined gentleman.