Rhizome 03 Rhizome 2019

Contrary to what you might find written on the bottle of Rhizome 03, this scent really isn't much about the spicy air of a lemon tree garden. It isn't even that much about citrus, either. This is one of those fragrances that emulates the smell of grass or hay, with a twist, of course.

This means vetiver and friends! Here, it's a lot of basil and just a hint of lingering citrus supporting grassy and slightly woody vetiver. But what's interesting is how smoky and ashy Rhizome 03 can get, especially between the opening and the full dry-down. I suspect this has something to do with clove and patchouli in combination with citrus, or perhaps it's due to the type of vetiver used; though it does get even smokier than some lightly-smoked vetivers like Terre Eau Intense Vetiver, which carries a similar vibe.

But this one eventually settles to a very naturalistic, slighty dry grass with heaps of basil sprouting between the blades. There's no additional sparkle here to force your attention. And the unmistakable ashy feeling doesn't really subside; but don't be mistaken, this is still very much a fresh type of fragrance! Just not the sparkly, overinflated type of freshness that runs rampant, no - this is green and calm. Almost too calm, perhaps, and I do wish this was slightly more potent, but it's not weak either.

In other words, if you're a vetiver lover seeking its grassier facets, or a green type of fragrance lover, or maybe you just find the idea of smelling like an ashy grassland covered in sprouting basil appealing - Rhizome 03 is your bottle.