Vétiver Carven 2008

Now, during the autumn season, I am testing various versions from different manufacturers to see how the theme of vetiver is interpreted. There are variants ranging from spicy to woody, from spherical-citrusy to floral. Vetiver is a welcome guest for me. Including the one from Carven. It was on offer at TK-MAXX some time ago, 125 ml for 19.90 euros. According to the bottle, it is definitely the 2008 version. Carven's "Vetiver" has a bright green, almost citrusy opening that reminds one of a trip to lush meadows, even herbaceous, with many shades of green. Slowly, a scent note emerges that brings to mind a spice stall at a weekly market, freshly ground nutmeg and other spices greet you. Not a bombastic wave of spices that overwhelms the nose, but fine and somehow cultivated. A delicate hint while still full of aroma. Much later, but still attributable to the heart of the fragrance, the defining role of its namesake comes into play. VETIVER. The impression is as follows: The vetiver is not one-dimensional, but in terms of scent, it operates on at least two levels. Once quite earthy-aromatic, but light brown, then wood-toned and strong, almost like fresh bark mulch (it smells sooo "deliciously" woody). Could this scent impression arise from the use of different vetiver varieties? I can say for my nose that Carven's "Vetiver" does not have a distinct "base," as all the scent notes transition almost imperceptibly into one another, but none push the other away; rather, they enrich each other. With all its vetiver qualities and spiciness, it is a "friendly oddball." Not as sonorous and soft as the vetiver from Guerlain, but also not as dark and "inky" as "Encre Noir" from Lalique. Carven's interpretation is distinctive and, in my view, well executed.