Our take
What does Vetiver smell like?
In late 2010 Dior unveiled its Collection Privée, a set of ten perfumes including seven new ones. Vetiver was among them, composed by François Demachy. Vetiver makes up more than a third of the formula. The grapefruit and green opening is fresh and a little bitter. Then Haitian vetiver comes through, earthy, dry and slightly smoky. Robusta coffee gives it a round, roasted note, like the dregs of a cup. The base is woody, with a wide diffusion that many put down to Iso E Super. Guerlain's Vetiver from 1959 is the obvious benchmark. Dior's version is rawer and darker, with less tobacco and less citrus. The coffee is what makes it unique, and it lasts well into the drydown. Its weak spot is that slightly synthetic woody diffusion, which can wear thin after a few hours.
When to wear it
A daytime vetiver for the office or weekends, from autumn to spring. Two sprays are enough.
It belongs to the Woody, Aromatic family. Vetiver is one of 56 creations by Dior in our encyclopedia.
