Vetiver, The smell , the scent, the price.

StuMcB · Jan 28, 2013

Last week a scent sampled landed at my place. Brand name of 'Fat Electrician' and the scent is Vetiver. Never having tried or smelled this befor I was / am blown away by it's qualities. I've read that it's expensive stuff and a quick look around has proven this point. Average prices are here in the UK over £50.

However my eye has been caught by 2 brand names carried by Marks & spencer (upmarket dept store), Monotheme, Classic Vetiver Bourbon Pour Homme and Berdoues 1902 EDT.

Both are big bottles around 150ml and the price is 50% less than other brands. So as a start, does any one have ideas, sugestions to good yet cheaper vetiver. What to look for etc etc.

Niles · Jan 28, 2013

Guerlain and Carven were the first vetiver based fragrances and the Guerlain especially is considered a reference for all vetivers. My favourite is Guerlain's. I've heard good things about Vetiver Bourbon, but haven't tested it myself. Frederic Malle's Vetiver Extraordinaire is a fantastic vetiver, but on the expensive side.

alias · Jan 28, 2013

I haven't tried the Marks and Spencer scents so can't comment on them, but like Dennard I also like Guerlain Vetiver. The best price I've seen it selling for in the UK is at Cheapsmells.com, where 100ml sells for about £35 delivered. In the same price range I also like Encre Noire and L'Occitane Vetyver.

victorydog · Jan 28, 2013

In the UK you might have better access to Malizia Uomo Vetyver form Italy. It is a very inexpensive drugstore scent but it is better than most vetivers that are five times the price. I just purchased some for about $20 US with shipping.

tehtimmeh · Jan 28, 2013

There are several solid vetivers out there and several different interpretations of the scent. I love the stuff as well.

I highly recommend you seek out the Guerlain as it is often referred to as the benchmark vetiver. It wasn't the first vetiver created, but the first to gain widespread commercial appreciation and is a classic. It is very "middle of the road" for a vetiver and shares qualities with a lot of other vetiver scents out there. You would do well to also try some of the varying vetivers within their genres:

Clean & Soapy: Tom Ford Grey Vetiver, Creed OV, Mugler Cologne
Green & Grassy: Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire, Dior Vetiver
Dark & Smokey: Encre Noire, Chanel Sycomore
Raw & Earthy: Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver, MPG Route du Vetiver

I have heard good things about Vetiver Bourbon, but have not tried it.

The Chandos · Jan 28, 2013

I heard great things about Miller Harris Vetiver Bourbon but never heard of Monotheme Vetiver Bourbon. If you like Fat Electrician, which is a creamy kind of vetiver to me, I'd suggest trying Tom Ford Grey Vetiver or Dior Vetiver, or even MPG RdV. Keep your eyes open on the Ebay for some deals or check with the vendors here on B&B. I'm sure you should be able to find some. If you check with some of our vendors, you might be able to pick up a few sampler decants to help you try a few varieties. Good luck and enjoy!

Black Adder · Jan 28, 2013

L'Occitane has a Vetiver that I use and like, a lot. The last time I checked it was going for $50 a bottle here in the U.S. It lasts a long time, since it's pretty strong. A few spritzes and you're good to go!

Don

StuMcB · Jan 29, 2013

Guys, first thanks for the replies. I've been upto M&S today and had a sniff of both the names I mentioned. The Monotherm one is very close to the Fat Electrician on IMHO but goes into a fresh greener scent instead of dark woods, so a bottle bought of that. SWMBO said she'll gift wrap it for valentines day for me, and who said romance was dead :huh:

. Anyhow then the Berdoues 1902 . This is a heafty bottle and the scent to me is lighter, kinda like summer days but with out the citrus, a sprinkle of sandalwood (Ooooo get me, scent buff LOL). Again for the money it had to come home. For such a fresh scent it is a stayer, two hours or so and still there. Nice.

By the way tell me if its silly but I gather that an atomiser will slightly change the scent as it's applied with more airation. Or is this a myth?

And finally I've written all the mentioned names down and will check then all out when I have more time, more money. Mainly more money.

Schad · Jan 29, 2013

I don't like Vetivers but Chanel Sycomore is DAMN GOOD!

hedonist222 · Jan 30, 2013

You know what smells exactly like Fat Electrician?

I Coloniali's shaving soap cream and their After Shave Balm.

I like Fat Electrician so much. I have 2 bottles.

Aother alternative to FE is Vetiver Tonka by Hermes. But that's £200 for 100ml.

hedonist222 · Jan 30, 2013

tehtimmeh · Jan 30, 2013

Schad said:
I don't like Vetivers but Chanel Sycomore is DAMN GOOD!

Yes. Yes, it does.

Lamb Root · Jan 30, 2013

StuMcB said:
Guys, first thanks for the replies. I've been upto M&S today and had a sniff of both the names I mentioned. The Monotherm one is very close to the Fat Electrician on IMHO but goes into a fresh greener scent instead of dark woods, so a bottle bought of that. SWMBO said she'll gift wrap it for valentines day for me, and who said romance was dead . Anyhow then the Berdoues 1902 . This is a heafty bottle and the scent to me is lighter, kinda like summer days but with out the citrus, a sprinkle of sandalwood (Ooooo get me, scent buff LOL). Again for the money it had to come home. For such a fresh scent it is a stayer, two hours or so and still there. Nice.

By the way tell me if its silly but I gather that an atomiser will slightly change the scent as it's applied with more airation. Or is this a myth?

And finally I've written all the mentioned names down and will check then all out when I have more time, more money. Mainly more money.

You have a good thing going on.

StuMcB said:
Mainly more money.

Chinese proverb: Time is money. So exercising patience is recommended.

Definitely include some of Lorenzo Villoresi's legendary scents (samples will do more than fine) in your vetiver starter kit.

StuMcB · Jan 30, 2013

Guys many thnaks again. I'm a bit of a 'proper bloke' when it comes to scents. I love Brut and the lesser exepensive brands. It's just this woody vetiver scent has me intrigued. It seems as various as SWMBO conversation. So far the three I have while all different are all refreshing and smell great. The 1902 that I bough is possibly the greenist and freshest of them. Another name to record, Larenzo Villoresi.

I'm fortunate enough that M&S carry a good line of I Coloniali, but which ones are we talking about here.

http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/s...30&x=0&y=-1&page=1&sort=relevancerank&size=60

hedonist222 · Jan 30, 2013

StuMcB said:
Guys many thnaks again. I'm a bit of a 'proper bloke' when it comes to scents. I love Brut and the lesser exepensive brands. It's just this woody vetiver scent has me intrigued. It seems as various as SWMBO conversation. So far the three I have while all different are all refreshing and smell great. The 1902 that I bough is possibly the greenist and freshest of them. Another name to record, Larenzo Villoresi.

I'm fortunate enough that M&S carry a good line of I Coloniali, but which ones are we talking about here.

http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/s...30&x=0&y=-1&page=1&sort=relevancerank&size=60

these two

http://m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www...&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3

http://m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www...&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3

Grizzled Veteran · Jan 30, 2013

Try Very V from St. Charles Shave. Not that expensive at all, and long lasting. You can buy a small sample vial for a few bucks.

Niles · Jan 30, 2013

Grizzled Veteran said:
Try Very V from St. Charles Shave. Not that expensive at all, and long lasting. You can buy a small sample vial for a few bucks.

I forgot about that one. It's definitely good.

StuMcB · Jan 31, 2013

No more postage of products containing alcohol, liquids et. So AS, EDT and Cologne are now UK sales only. Not to worry guys I've got enough to be going on with.

Thanks to all.