How do you go about creating a masculine scent? Is it an abundance of woody notes all tossed together? Tobacco? Suede or leather? Perhaps it’s simply eau de sweat. In actuality, it’s vetiver; a fragrance note you’ve likely smelled dozens of times before, even if you haven’t been able to single it out. A key player in many classic men’s fragrances, vetiver boasts a complex scent profile, starting out sharp, fresh, and earthy, before drying down into warm, slightly woody, smoky notes.
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What is vetiver?
Vetiver is a fragrant essential oil extracted from the roots of a perennial tropical green grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) native to Southern India, with the name ‘vetiver’ derived from Tamil. While vetiver is still grown in India today, primary commercial cultivators of the grass (and its valuable roots) are Haiti and Indonesia.
An inimitable ingredient, the scent of vetiver can’t be synthetically replicated. While the grass itself isn’t expensive, a little doesn’t go a long way with vetiver; it can take up to 200-250kg of vetiver roots to produce a mere 1kg of vetiver essence, making it a pricy ingredient.
What does vetiver smell like?
Striking the ideal balance between verdant and earthy, vetiver has a dry, sharp, nuanced scent profile, adding fresh, earthy, woody, smoky, and sometimes leathery notes to fragrances. Its complex nature is what makes it such a coveted ingredient in many men’s scents, adding a sense of elegance and sophistication to any fragrance.
The best vetiver fragrances for men
1. Guerlain Vetiver
It’s difficult to believe Guerlain Vetiver was first bottled over half a century ago. Created in 1961, Guerlain Vetiver was instrumental in propelling the scent family to new heights, remaining a classic fragrance to this day. Starting out with a hit of clean citrus and intensified by spiciness from pepper and nutmeg, it dries down into its namesake vetiver, tobacco, and tonka bean. Balancing freshness with warmth, this truly masculine fragrance is the olfactory equivalent of a refined, pipe-smoking, nature-loving gentleman. Works well for city slickers too.
Brand: Guerlain
Scent notes: orange, bergamot, nutmeg, pepper, vetiver, tobacco, tonka bean
2. Essential Parfums Mon Vetiver
A unique take on a vetiver fragrance, Essential Parfums Mon Vetiver utilises a gin accord, pairing the subtle earthy smokiness of vetiver with freshness from juniper essence and lime. Starting out bright like a refreshing gin and tonic, it settles softly on the skin with the vetiver accentuated by notes of patchouli and cashmere wood.
Brand: Essential Parfums
Scent notes: juniper berry, lime, gin accord, lavender, gentian, Indonesian patchouli, Haitian vetiver, cashmere wood
3. Creed Original Vetiver
One of the most revered names in the fragrance world, Creed almost always hits the mark and Original Vetiver is no exception. Marking the first scent to use all three parts of the vetiver plant (root, heart, and leaves), Creed Original Vetiver is a vetiver lover’s vetiver. Utilising the entire plant makes for a lighter, fresher, more verdant fragrance than the average vetiver scent, redolent of long summer days.
Brand: Creed
Scent notes: bergamot, mandarin, bitter orange, green leaves, white pepper, coriander, pink berries, cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, amber, musk
4. Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
You can’t go wrong with a Tom Ford fragrance. Vetiver dominates this scent, with Tom Ford Grey Vetiver combining the rich, earthiness of the root with notes of citrus and spice, creating a simple yet refined scent that pairs perfectly with one of the designer’s sharp suits.
Brand: Tom Ford
Scent notes: basil, grapefruit, lemon, bergamot, nutmeg, orris root, pimento, vetiver, woods, oakmoss, amber
5. Armani Privé Vétiver D’Hiver
A beautifully fresh fragrance that’s softer than your average vetiver scent, Armani Privé Vétiver D’Hiver derives inspiration from the gardens of Winter Palace of Saint Petersburg. A bright, fresh, verdant scent, it celebrates the earthy, woody, dryness of vetiver by teaming it with citrus notes of bergamot, lemon, and mandarin, which give way to a heart of pink pepper, green cardamom, and coriander. Supported by a warm base of patchouli and vetiver, it’s simultaneously warm and inviting while being zesty and intriguing.
Brand: Armani
Scent notes: bergamot, lemon, orange, pink pepper, cardamom, coriander, vetiver, patchouli
6. Jo Malone London Vetiver & Golden Vanilla
Known for their impeccable scent duos like oud & rose and earl grey & cucumber, Jo Malone London teams vetiver with sweet golden vanilla. Drawing inspiration from the Madagascan coastline, it balances out the earthy vetiver and warm vanilla is fresh grapefruit tea, cooling cardamom, underscored by a little woodiness that blends nicely with the smoky element of vetiver.
Brand: Jo Malone London
Scent notes: cardamom, vetiver bourbon, vanilla bourbon
7. Hermès Vetiver Tonka
The creaminess of tonka bean encases warm, grassy vetiver in a delectable concoction of caramel, marzipan, vanilla, and soft tobacco notes. While still spicy and smokey, Hermès Vetiver Tonka represents a more romantic take on the scent note, thanks to its gourmand touch.
Brand: Hermès
Scent notes: hazelnut, praline, caramel, tobacco, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean
8. Lalique Encre Noire
A dirty, sexy vetiver. An undeniably masculine scent, this fragrance is the olfactory equivalent of lying on the forest floor after rainfall. But thankfully less wet. A crisp, verdant opening makes way for a cooler, more herbal vetiver, which is underscored by soft musks and woods.
Brand: Lalique
Scent notes: cypress, vetiver, cashmerean, woods, musk
9. Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician
A decidedly different take on vetiver from one of our favourite atypical fragrance houses. Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician leans into the resinous side of vetiver, accenting it with the creaminess of chestnut. Base notes of gum resin and vanilla contribute to its sweet stickiness which contrasts nicely with the traditionally fresh, sharp profile of vetiver.
Brand: Etat Libre d’Orange
Scent notes: black pepper, elemi resin, cedarwood, vetiver, opoponax, myrrh, vanilla
10. Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire
An elegant interpretation of the classic scent note, Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire exudes refined masculinity. The brightness of bergamot, pink peppercorn, and bitter orange opens up into a fresh, sharp vetiver that is laced with grounding cedarwood, sandalwood, and oakmoss. Sophisticated and reassuring.
Brand: Frederic Malle
Scent notes: bergamot, bitter orange, vetiver, pink pepper, clove, sandalwood, cedarwood, oakmoss and musk.
11. Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental
A cool, mysterious fragrance. The vetiver in Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental is more herbal than warm and fresh; it’s paired with powdery iris, dark chocolate, labdanum, guaiac wood, and sandalwood. The antithesis of the typically warm, inviting takes on the scent note, Serge Lutens Vetiver Oriental is almost aloof yet decidedly intriguing.
Brand: Serge Lutens
Scent notes: vetiver, dark chocolate, amber, oakmoss, iris, guaiac wood, sandalwood, labdanum, musk
FAQ
Vetiver is a perennial tropical grass native to Southern India, with the name derived from Tamil. Today, vetiver is commercially cultivated in India, as well as Haiti, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, West Africa, and Polynesia.
Vetiver has a complex scent profile, starting out sharp, fresh, and earthy, before drying down into warm, slightly woody, smoky notes.
Its smoky, earthy, fresh, and woody profile lends vetiver an elegantly masculine tone, making it a good fragrance choice for men. Many vetiver fragrances boast subtle and nuanced scent profiles, meaning there’s a vetiver for every type of mood and occasion.
Vetiver works well with citrus, aromatic, and woody notes. The latter in particular are often teamed with vetiver, with many vetiver fragrances using notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and blonde or cashmere woods.
Some of the best vetiver fragrances for men are Creed Original Vetiver, Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire, Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician, and Armani Privé Vétiver D’Hiver.
Words by John Deckard
