Our take
What does Vetyver smell like?
Before Gentleman, Givenchy had its own vetiver. Eau de Vetyver was born in 1959 and at first sold only in the house's boutiques in Paris and New York. It came back in the 1970s as Vetyver Givenchy, vanished, then returned in a reformulated version. The perfumer's name is not known. The bergamot opening is short. Coriander follows, dry and a little dusty, and it is the element that dates the scent most. Then comes vetiver, right in the middle of everything. It smells grassy, slightly nutty and very natural. There is none of the smoke or leather found in some old vetivers. Sandalwood and cedar support it without hiding it, and a touch of oakmoss darkens the base. Compared with Guerlain's Vetiver from the same era, Givenchy's version is greener and less tobacco-like. It is also quieter, which suits anyone who wants to smell good without drawing attention.
When to wear it
An office scent for warm days, best sprayed on a clean shirt. It lasts but stays close, so three sprays are not too many.
It belongs to the Woody, Aromatic family. Vetyver is one of 40 creations by Givenchy in our encyclopedia.