Vetiver 1959 Eau de Toilette

Vetiver (Eau de Toilette) by Guerlain
Bottle Design:
Robert Granai
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7.8 / 10 1210 Ratings
A popular perfume by Guerlain for men, released in 1959. The scent is green-spicy. It is still in production.
Pronunciation
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Main accords

Green
Spicy
Woody
Fresh
Citrus

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
BergamotBergamot LemonLemon OrangeOrange
Heart Notes Heart Notes
NutmegNutmeg PepperPepper
Base Notes Base Notes
VetiverVetiver TobaccoTobacco Tonka beanTonka bean

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.81210 Ratings
Longevity
7.5991 Ratings
Sillage
7.0966 Ratings
Bottle
7.5945 Ratings
Value for money
7.9426 Ratings
Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 07/13/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
Vetiver (Lotion Après-Rasage) by Guerlain
Vetiver Lotion Après-Rasage
Vetiver Extreme by Guerlain
Vetiver Extreme
Vétiver (Eau de Cologne) by Guerlain
Vétiver Eau de Cologne
Vetiver Sport / Vetiver Eau Glacée by Guerlain
Vetiver Sport
Vetiver Parfum by Guerlain
Vetiver Parfum
Grey Vetiver (Eau de Parfum) by Tom Ford
Grey Vetiver Eau de Parfum

Reviews

55 in-depth fragrance descriptions
jtd

484 Reviews
jtd
jtd
Very helpful Review 7  
Vetiver Abstraction
[Note: The Vetiver referred to below is the horizontal(ish) striped frosted glass bottle. The ‘90s’ bottle. ]

Guerlain avoided the Vetiver Trap and chose to make the vetiver root conform to perfumery, not vice versa. Vetiver is a demanding note, and some of the producers of vetiver perfumes of the past 20 years have elected to make it the heart and soul of their perfumes. While there are so many obvious angles of vetiver to emphasize (woody, rootlike, oily, smoky, earthen) they are so imposing that using vetiver in any sufficient quantity in a composition pushes everything else out of its way. A byproduct of the primacy of a note is the same conceptual problem as the solifor in perfumery: why create a representation of vetiver in a perfume when we could wear vetiver essential oil itself?

To focus on a tobacco note seems an obvious way to fall into this trap and wind up with a musty, earthy density. But Guerlain’s Vetiver uses a tart grapefruity bergamot along with licorice and what (I swear to god) seems like aldehydes to make the tobacco bloom, giving Vetiver an effervescent upper register. The real trick is that from the top through the basenotes Vetiver has a dry gin-like almost hissy pervasiveness that is far more durable that this range of notes typically is. The cool quality doesn’t actually feel mentholated or camphorous, but rather sheer and glassy, suggesting that it is cool to the touch.

Coolness seems to have become pronounced over the various reformulations. I know that many are saddened by reformulation. I seem to remember the Guerlain Vetiver a French friend wore in the late 80s and early 90s focused more on the dense, oily vetiver note itself. I know the lightening of a fragrance as a result of reformulation is generally panned, but this cooler, more gin-like Vetiver 1) gives me a wonderful sense of sang-froid in my warm climate and, 2) lifts the register of the tobacco note, making it effectively floral. The lightening doesn’t have to do with dilution, but an increased emphasis on the tenor range of notes.

Prettier than it was, and still pitch-perfect, I find the current Vetiver de Guerlain more appealing than ever, and exceptionally successful in its manipulation of a difficult botanical note. The current Vetiver, more than earlier versions, uses its eponymous note in the same manner that Chanel No 5 makes a floral perfume with jasmine: it makes a balanced abstraction that smells of vetiver but does not smell like vetiver.

(I’ve been wearing reformulated Guerlain Vetiver in the old-is-new-again rectangular bottle with the silver cap. My overview of it is that it’s nicely made, smells more like the ‘original’ and smells more like vetiver root but less like tobacco and aldehydes. I prefer my ‘90s’ Vetiver for its abstraction, but I might be in the minority. My only strike against the new is that it fades rather quickly, something I don’t remember any previous version doing.)
0 Comments
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
10
Scent
HugoMontez

80 Reviews
HugoMontez
HugoMontez
Very helpful Review 7  
Soapy Vetiver
There are 3 different categories of Vetiver based scents. The dry-earthy category, the more recent gourmand category and the classical soapy one. This is an example of the old style. I one of the best vetivers around. A true mark in fragrance history.
My review is based on my current bottle, which is the square frosted one. I had some decants of the current version in the HR style bottle with green cap and it's definitely watered down, lasts only 5h and more is slightly more fresh, with less tobacco.
It's a very linear scent. Basically starts with vetiver, bergamot and dry tobacco and it ends like that, just with less bergamot.
A great office scent, classy, refined, masculine, timeless.
If you want a versatile masculine vetiver, search no more.
This one lasts all day (12h+) and has a good bubble around you. Doesn't project like a monster though. It's more around you.
A masterpiece that everyone should have.
5/5
2 Comments
7.5
Bottle
5
Sillage
2.5
Longevity
7
Scent
Insense

25 Reviews
Insense
Insense
Helpful Review 5  
What type of man do you want to be? (Guerlain Vetiver vs. Habit Rouge)
Today I will digress in two male mythical Guerlain: Habit Rouge and Vetiver, opposing each other.

Guerlain Vetiver:
The classic masculine, where the vetiver note has become a benchmark for men. For use with suit and tie, at any meeting. Classy, but also a lot of sobriety.
For me, however, it is a bit dated (yes, I'm the counter current of those who consider this more modern than Habit Rouge, being this one outdated upon many reviewers): I prefer more modern vetivers, when that note, one of my favorites, is blended with a touch of profanity as in L`Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu, example of exoticism; or wherein the distinction is even more marked as in Chanel Sycomore, the unsurpassed distinction. Or is it the sandalwood that matches the vetiver so smoothly?
But my reference is Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire, vetiver at its higher level, linking to my taste on oriental and inspiring my next short review on Habit Rouge below.
I am so sorry, Guerlain, you inspired many, and will have to watch now the beauty of youth from distance.

Unless…

Guerlain Habit Rouge Eau de Toilette:
This is the opposite of the previous one: said to be the first male oriental in 1965! Or, as I think, was it the first androgynous? It does not matter, because it has it all for those who always feel good in their skin, whether at work or at play, such as a father or as a romantic lover (ok, he may be all at the same time, ok?). And both based on the cutaway aristocrat as the rocker playing his electric guitar jumping on stage ... If you are more for well-defined identities, it will not be for you.
The touch of vanilla in the drydown is wonderful, someone considered the male Shalimar. I do not agree completely: it is less powdery and is drier (a more pronounced and animalic leather accord?). It is a unique scent and I do not know any other as complex, contradictory and inexhaustible. Guerlain wanted men the opportunity to wear Guerlinade, and they succeeded auspiciously.

A modern replacement?
I'll think a bit more about it. You see, I prefer this against Vetiver; I changed. A few years ago I thought otherwise.

My dear Guerlain, you need not anymore to feel envious. You became a forever young vamp. But you'll have to walk alone.

(Also published for Habit Rouge)
1 Comment
8
Pricing
7
Bottle
6
Sillage
8
Longevity
8.5
Scent
Nutiborskoku

3 Reviews
Nutiborskoku
Nutiborskoku
Helpful Review 5  
Grassy burst to herbal comfort
Guerlain's Vetiver holds a special place in my fragrance collection. It's the scent that I've owned the longest, and I'm still not bored by it, a testament to it's enduring appeal.

The opening is quite bold, a burst of greenness that evokes freshly cut grass but also a bit of hay. The carnation adds a spicy touch, reminiscent of clove. After the drydown, the grassy notes remain, but they soften, transitioning into a calming herbal scent with a hint of citrus.

The longevity on my skin is quite good, lasting a good 6 hours. The sillage is okay, nothing spectacular.

Vetiver is a masterclass in balance. It's bold yet sophisticated, refreshing yet comforting.
0 Comments
Richet752

14 Reviews
Richet752
Richet752
Helpful Review 4  
Classy and refined
Guerlain Vetiver Is a beautiful scent. It opens a citrusy and grassy vetiver, and it becomes an aromatic grassy experience as it dries down. If you do not love vetiver, you will not love this scent, unless of course, it becomes your gateway to the note. It is an easier path to love than, say Encre Noire Extreme, which demands more tolerance for the boundaries of vetiver than does the Guerlain.

Whether we like it or not, scents evoke personas. This one is mature. It is an olive-complected man with a sharpened pencil in one hand, lost in his thoughts and his writing. His other hand scratches his short-trimmed graying beard.

A mature man wears this easily. It would take a confident younger man to wear this and let his persona define the scent. I hope that more young men will do so.

As I said, this is a beautiful scent.
0 Comments
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Statements

30 short views on the fragrance
HugoMontezHugoMontez 5 years ago
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
10
Scent
Timeless masculine. A citrus blast in the opening, a green vetiver and a touch of tobacco in the drydown. 5/5
0 Comments
ElysiumElysium 7 years ago
10
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
10
Scent
One of the most root, smoky, elegant, and classy interpretation of the wondrous and versatile vetiver. Flawless on a calescent summer night!
1 Comment
JoaoMartinsJoaoMartins 6 years ago
7
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
8.5
Scent
This baby right here put Grey Vetiver outside of my fragrance game. Absolute masterpiece. Clean, classy and charming with a creamy base.
0 Comments
BertolucciKBertolucciK 4 years ago
7
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
8
Scent
Vetiver with the classic Guerlain touch. The scent is green, spicy, earthy, with a fresh citrusy opening and a slightly woody base.
0 Comments
Shafkat82Shafkat82 4 years ago
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
7
Longevity
8.5
Scent
Its like signature scent type, if you are 35+ . For mature nose and if you like manly perfume . Excellent for office environment.
0 Comments
GRGGRG 2 years ago
guerlain vetiver is Mr. vetiver with a capital V. Vintage formulations are great. fresh, sparkling. it is a marvel for the sense of smell
0 Comments
AgegshdhdAgegshdhd 2 years ago
it would be hard to find someone who doesn't like this. distinct and interesting, but still appealing to all. timeless & always modern
1 Comment
MrHonestMrHonest 2 years ago
8
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
9.5
Scent
At its heart, a superb woody and ashy vetiver; yet utterly smooth, soapy and refined. Leans mature, but it's damn near perfect. A reference.
1 Comment
ChicoRoch1ChicoRoch1 3 years ago
9
Bottle
7
Sillage
10
Longevity
8.5
Scent
Vintage classic by the one and only Guerlain
0 Comments
ZleoZleo 3 years ago
9
Bottle
7
Sillage
8
Longevity
10
Scent
This is a staple for vetiver lovers.
Very classical, fresh and powdery scent with a little spices.
0 Comments
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