something I rarely get in the woods
So, today we talk about Vetiver. Well, not any vetiver, but rather the pepper, orris, lily of the valley with lots of woods, that I mentioned a while ago and that sits now, slightly modified, in a 30ml glass bottle to mature. Woods here translates into vetiver. Vetiver for me is woody, woody and more woody, with a touch green and smoke, warmth and modesty.
Now, some of you may have read similar lines on this blog before: One reason why working with naturals is fun: Naturals like vetiver are complex fragrances in themselves. Depending on what you choose to go with them, they appear in different light. I am not sure about creating a vetiver experience with something pinkish marshmellow-sugargum-sweet-fruity, though. Well, I guess cacao absolute with peach-vanilla-strawberry-maltol might work. Vetiver is robust. And docile. Again…within limits.
In Vero’s vetiver scent ONDA, discussed here on this blog a while ago, vetiver is earthy and hot. In my trial, I tried to juxtaposition the woods in vetiver with black pepper, lily of the valley and orris. The latest mod: There is a touch clary sage in the head, quite some lilac in the heart, complementing lily of the valley, orris (ahhhh!), tons of vetiver (bourbon quality and vetiverol) with some frankincense, myrrh, patchouli, and a dry cedarwood accord. All mixed and now standing at room temperature in the dark, maturing.
Impatient mixer that I am, a little bit of a dilution (at 15%) found its way on a paper strip and on my hand yesterday. 5 min later my office neighbour asked what it was, because it smelled…”so different compared to your others”. The W.-factor, later in the evening, forced to interrupt the cycling in France holiday dreaming on www, went like “oh…good.” This is his standard answer version 1c. Must be translated into: “Yeah, yeah… no perfume discussions now, will appreciate it later. For the time being: It is wearable”
Later, W. sitting in front of another screen with moving pictures, his standard answer version 1c was modified to “this is new. This is unlike your others. I would wear this. This is good.”
Trust me: This is a nice answer! After maturation, I will have to decide about the pepper, though. Until then: Smiling behind the woods.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Andy, I have one word for ya:
DROOOOOOOOOOOOL!
June 26th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Ooooh….vetiver and LILAC? I have been hunting for just something like that! Will you be sad to see it go when it’s finished, or relieved?
June 26th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Hello, Andy. Vetiver can be tricky for me. It can be too sharp or dry for my taste. But what you’re doing with it is intriguing: lilac, orris, myrrh, frankincense. I’m there! “I would wear this,” to quote the W.-factor.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Yes, Maria, Vetiver can be quite tricky indeed, to wear it and to make it! But the W.-factor is always right, so let’s hope for best.
Dear Abigail, the Lilac is a note on the side. Let’s wait and see how things turn out after maturation… And
Arhianrad, Thaaaaaaanks!
June 26th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Dear Andy,
I love Vetiver, did you ever tried it with Benzoin? It makes it softer sweeter. But of course you can go many directions with vetiver. I wonder why you choose Vetiverol to go with the vetiver and not Vetiveryl Acetate. I do have Vetiveryl Acetate but don’t have Vetiverol, what is the difference between them, you think I should try it?
June 27th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Andy,
vetiver is such a pungent essential oil that it takes a masterful hand to render it restrained and really smooth. And yet it’s one of my favourite basenotes.
I think mixing it with florals like orris and lilac notes (indeed what do you use for that rendition in particular?) is a lovely idea and frankincense would be eminently suitable as well.
Looking forward to what you come up with!
I’m also interested (as Jenny is) in the difference between Vetiverol and Vetiveryl acetate. Thanks!
June 27th, 2007 at 11:41 am
I enjoy the idea of many takes on vetiver…
I had the opportunity to smell Vero’s and went insane for it. TRULY.
Floral vetiver would be lovely; we see so much in the way of other combinations [in particular- citrus, spice, other woods, rose, vanilla, patchouli].
Count me in….
June 27th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Dear Chayaruchama
there can’t be enough vetivers, can there? Vero’s is a totally different take and it is soooo deep and brave!
I am glad you love it and will tell her, if she hasn’t read your comment anyway. Hugs to you!
June 27th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Dear Jenny , dear Helg
let me muse on vetiver, vetiverol and vetiverylacetat tomorrow or friday at the latest…. this is indeed an interesting topic to follow.
The lilac side line (complementing lily of the valley) is just a side line, featuring lyral, salicylates, cinnamic alcohol and ylang….it is kind of interwoven with the lily of the valley, but it lasts and balances the vetiver….
Greetings to you and I’ll talk soon about vetiver-(x)