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08/23/2013
Apicius
222 Reviews
Apicius
Very helpful Review
7
Southbound!
For follow-ups of outstanding perfumes it is usually difficult to meet the expectations of those who have known and appreciated the predecessor. This is my feeling towards Annick Goutal's new Les Colognes – Vétiver.
With its salty-aquatic side the now completely discontinued Vétiver by Annick Goutal was one of the most special and remarkable vetivers one could get. I have always liked it very much.
One may conjecture the reasons to withdraw such a good fragrance – but no-one can seriously claim that vetiver is “out”. As we see by the release of Les Colognes – Vétiver.
With Vétiver from 1981 one would linger very far up north: the Scottish Hebrids, adverse sea condition, cliffs wuthering with foam, salty air and iodine hints which indeed provided a link to Islay Malt Whiskey. But now the ship went on a southbound tour - crossing the Bay of Biscay, passing the rock of Gibraltar in order to anchor where the lemons bloom.
Light and friendly is the new Vétiver and very much on the citric side. Here we meet sunny weather and high spirits, especially in the head notes. It takes a while before one almost painfully recognizes it – that very special accord which of all vetivers was only featured by Annick Goutal's. The combination of the beautiful citruses and Annick Goutal's iodine-like vetiver accord is coherent – especially in the form of a light Eau de Cologne with moderate longevity. Like ever so often it is the contradictory notes that provide the thrill and will attract buyers.
Citruses and vetiver go together well in most cases, it is a classic combination. I usually prefer that to modern puristic attempts which try to emphasise the dark side of vetiver. In the end, the usual result is nothing but rough, unbalanced and bitter fragrances. Only in the case of Annick Goutal's Vétiver it was different: no other vetiver ever succeeded in such a synthesis of green-earthy tartness, light aquatic appeal and fine elegance.
Les Colognes – Vétiver is there to provide fun, and it is able to do so. Whoever missed the old Vétiver will be pleased about the new one, and with full right. But those who have known the old one will be miffed.
With its salty-aquatic side the now completely discontinued Vétiver by Annick Goutal was one of the most special and remarkable vetivers one could get. I have always liked it very much.
One may conjecture the reasons to withdraw such a good fragrance – but no-one can seriously claim that vetiver is “out”. As we see by the release of Les Colognes – Vétiver.
With Vétiver from 1981 one would linger very far up north: the Scottish Hebrids, adverse sea condition, cliffs wuthering with foam, salty air and iodine hints which indeed provided a link to Islay Malt Whiskey. But now the ship went on a southbound tour - crossing the Bay of Biscay, passing the rock of Gibraltar in order to anchor where the lemons bloom.
Light and friendly is the new Vétiver and very much on the citric side. Here we meet sunny weather and high spirits, especially in the head notes. It takes a while before one almost painfully recognizes it – that very special accord which of all vetivers was only featured by Annick Goutal's. The combination of the beautiful citruses and Annick Goutal's iodine-like vetiver accord is coherent – especially in the form of a light Eau de Cologne with moderate longevity. Like ever so often it is the contradictory notes that provide the thrill and will attract buyers.
Citruses and vetiver go together well in most cases, it is a classic combination. I usually prefer that to modern puristic attempts which try to emphasise the dark side of vetiver. In the end, the usual result is nothing but rough, unbalanced and bitter fragrances. Only in the case of Annick Goutal's Vétiver it was different: no other vetiver ever succeeded in such a synthesis of green-earthy tartness, light aquatic appeal and fine elegance.
Les Colognes – Vétiver is there to provide fun, and it is able to do so. Whoever missed the old Vétiver will be pleased about the new one, and with full right. But those who have known the old one will be miffed.
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LouisVoyage
