The Classic Vetevir (Guerlain) - before reformulation

[billyboy]

Help! I still have a small amount from one of my father's old bottles. (50' or 60's) Where do I go to find a Vetiver that can match it today??
The reformulation just isn't the same. I'm open to more learned suggestions than I have at present.http://www.basenotes.net/ID26121658.html

 

[Niles]

As far as I have experienced, you won't find a better Vetiver than the original. I have about a third of a bottle of a vintage formula. I've started to scan ebay for vintage bottles.

 

[StylinLA]

I think it's going to be difficult to find a match. The current Guerlain Vetiver is likely going to be the closest. Can't say for sure, but likely the original you reference was made at a time when a lot more natural materials were used- some of which have been dropped due to cost and the availability of synthetics, and some regulated away. Some scents get altered just because fragrance "sensibilities" have changed. (e.g. Chanel Antaeus).

There are a lot of other vetivers that are nice, but not having smelled the original you have, couldn't say which would be best. I find Malle's Vetiver Extrordinaire to somewhat similar to Guerlain.

 

[The Chandos]

I don't think you'll have any trouble finding any on ebay or other online sources.

For example, this is vintage simply based on the shape of the bottle, but the box tells me it's not the vintage-est version (note, this is an EdT):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guerlain-VE...=fragrance&hash=item564b913cb7#ht_1030wt_1156

Here is a new version (note the box design is the same but the bottle is very different, also both are EdT for comparison):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VETIVER-BY-...=fragrance&hash=item27b56a64a2#ht_2966wt_1214

This is more vintage than the first one. Note the box design with the gold square background for the lettering and the green box. Also note the rectangular bottle similar to the first one and the cap has the black rim around the bottom:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vetiver-Gue...=fragrance&hash=item2a21d47ea8#ht_3960wt_1214

And here is the vintage-est you can find, not the bottle has no recess on it, just a plain square/rectangular bottle (this is actually an aftershave but the bottles are the same):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VETIVER-EDC...120829190228?pt=fragrance&hash=item1c21fb2054


Now a lot of folks like the EdC best (me included) because it has more citrusy top notes but doesn't suffer the earthy-tobacco notes. They are harder to find and usually cost a little more. Guerlain stopped making an EdC at some point but here's one on Ebay, note the price and the interesting bottle design:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VETIVER-EDC...120829190228?pt=fragrance&hash=item1c21fb2054

 

[retturn2blades]

I don't think you'll have any trouble finding any on ebay or other online sources.

For example, this is vintage simply based on the shape of the bottle, but the box tells me it's not the vintage-est version (note, this is an EdT):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guerlain-VE...=fragrance&hash=item564b913cb7#ht_1030wt_1156

Here is a new version (note the box design is the same but the bottle is very different, also both are EdT for comparison):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VETIVER-BY-...=fragrance&hash=item27b56a64a2#ht_2966wt_1214

This is more vintage than the first one. Note the box design with the gold square background for the lettering and the green box. Also note the rectangular bottle similar to the first one and the cap has the black rim around the bottom:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vetiver-Gue...=fragrance&hash=item2a21d47ea8#ht_3960wt_1214

And here is the vintage-est you can find, not the bottle has no recess on it, just a plain square/rectangular bottle (this is actually an aftershave but the bottles are the same):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VETIVER-EDC...120829190228?pt=fragrance&hash=item1c21fb2054


Now a lot of folks like the EdC best (me included) because it has more citrusy top notes but doesn't suffer the earthy-tobacco notes. They are harder to find and usually cost a little more. Guerlain stopped making an EdC at some point but here's one on Ebay, note the price and the interesting bottle design:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VETIVER-EDC...120829190228?pt=fragrance&hash=item1c21fb2054

I'm always leery of buying EdT or EdC off the Bay. You think this is real vintage? What's a fair price for 1 oz?

 

[The Chandos]

I wouldn't be too alarmed. Leery of some sellers is understandable but there are many legitimate sellers on ebay. You can always send the seller a question or two to "test" them if you have any uncertainties. I think the prices for the EdC on ebay are quite high ($70 for 1 oz.) but there are some very good prices for EdT. I think $30 shipped is very reasonable but ultimately it all depends on your willingness to pay.

 

[retturn2blades]

I wouldn't be too alarmed. Leery of some sellers is understandable but there are many legitimate sellers on ebay. You can always send the seller a question or two to "test" them if you have any uncertainties. I think the prices for the EdC on ebay are quite high ($70 for 1 oz.) but there are some very good prices for EdT. I think $30 shipped is very reasonable but ultimately it all depends on your willingness to pay.

Thanks! I made an offer and it was accepted. Got a $20 discount. Still maybe high but I want to try the old stuff. I have the the current Guerlain Vetiver EdT and I like it. The EdC should be interesting.

 

[The Chandos]

Thanks! I made an offer and it was accepted. Got a $20 discount. Still maybe high but I want to try the old stuff. I have the the current Guerlain Vetiver EdT and I like it. The EdC should be interesting.

I like your style!

Looking forward to hearing your comparisons, too.

 

[joshmpdx]

I love when a thread comes together!

 

[Niles]

Thanks! I made an offer and it was accepted. Got a $20 discount. Still maybe high but I want to try the old stuff. I have the the current Guerlain Vetiver EdT and I like it. The EdC should be interesting.

Congrats on getting the bottle! Hope you enjoy it.

 

[retturn2blades]

Congrats on getting the bottle! Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks James! Report to follow...

 

[Oscroft]

For example, this is vintage simply based on the shape of the bottle, but the box tells me it's not the vintage-est version (note, this is an EdT):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guerlain-VET...ht_1030wt_1156

You can't judge just by the shape of the bottle, as the two different bottles shapes are still being used, at least in some markets - new stuff is still being sold in the "old" bottle in the UK, for example. In fact, I bought a brand new one over the counter just a month or so ago - identical in every way to that one.

 

[The Chandos]

You can't judge just by the shape of the bottle, as the two different bottles shapes are still being used, at least in some markets - new stuff is still being sold in the "old" bottle in the UK, for example. In fact, I bought a brand new one over the counter just a month or so ago - identical in every way to that one.

GASP! I had no idea. And here I thought I was well educated on the vintage Guerlains to some degree. Thanks for the heads up, that's really good to know. The OP's choice for the EdC however was a very good one, most definitely vintage, and the EdC is quite nice.

 

[The Knize]

You can't judge just by the shape of the bottle, as the two different bottles shapes are still being used, at least in some markets - new stuff is still being sold in the "old" bottle in the UK, for example. In fact, I bought a brand new one over the counter just a month or so ago - identical in every way to that one.

<as the two different bottles shapes are still being used, at least in some markets - new stuff is still being sold in the "old" bottle in the UK, for example>

In Italy, too, as far as I can tell and if I am understanding the two bottle shapes being discussed. Thought I had a stumbled on a lot of vintage edt at first. Kind of frustrating.

I agree the EDC is very nice. Actually, the "worst Guerlain vetiver I ever had was good"!

 

[retturn2blades]

I'm hoping the Guerlain vetiver I bought off Ebay is, in fact, true original formula.

 

[BRuhling]

I agree the EDC is very nice. Actually, the "worst Guerlain vetiver I ever had was good"!

Funny, this was my first Platoon Sergeant's theory on women...

 

[The Knize]

Funny, this was my first Platoon Sergeant's theory on women...

It was the folks I used to work construction with's theory on "women," too! That is why I had it in quotes. Actually, that is not fair. The guys I worked with "directly" were rather amazingly evolved guys, who would not say something like that, even in gest, and they "gested" a lot!

And for the record the worst I ever had was pretty darn bad. And I am confident that the worst the guys had who said that was truly awful!

 

[retturn2blades]

It was the folks I used to work construction with's theory on "women," too! That is why I had it in quotes. Actually, that is not fair. The guys I worked with "directly" were rather amazingly evolved guys, who would not say something like that, even in gest, and they "gested" a lot!

And for the record the worst I ever had was pretty darn bad. And I am confident that the worst the guys had who said that was truly awful!

I think the word is "jest."

 

[The Knize]

I think the word is "jest."

It sure is! I won't fix it though, because these messages would not make sense any more!

Your were a Platoon Sargent? Good to have you!

 

[retturn2blades]

It sure is! I won't fix it though, because these messages would not make sense any more!

Your were a Platoon Sargent? Good to have you!

No, Buck Sgt./Squad Leader until I got hit.