Vetiver
Woody · appears in 10 documented compositions
Smoky, rooty, grapefruit-bitter earthiness; the most 'masculine-coded' woody-root note.
Library uses
10
Dominant placement
base
Avg. longevity of hosts
9.5 h
Strongest season
Autumn
Origin & sourcing
Roots of Chrysopogon zizanioides, chiefly Haiti, Java and Reunion (Bourbon vetiver).
What matters about it
- Haiti supplies roughly half the world's vetiver oil; harvesting is manual root digging.
- Haitian vetiver is brighter and citrusy; Javanese is smokier and darker.
- Vetiver is a top-tier fixative and survives on fabric for days.
How it behaves in a formula
Across this library, Vetiver appears 0 times as a top note, 4 times in the heart and 6 times in the base. Placement is the single best predictor of what you will actually smell: top-note materials are high-volatility and gone within the hour, base-note materials are fixatives that define the final and longest phase of the wear.
Compositions containing Vetiver in this library average 9.5 hours of documented longevity, and skew toward autumn and winter wear. Treat that as a tendency of the woody family rather than a property of the material alone — dose, supporting accord and concentration all move the result.
Fragrances built with Vetiver

Guerlain
Shalimar
Amber Oriental · Women
Crafted by Jacques Guerlain in 1925 and inspired by the legendary love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Shalimar stands as one of the absolute masterpieces of amber oriental perfumery. The fragrance opens with an intense, sparkling burst of citrus dominated by crisp lemon and bergamot, which rapidly transitions into a dark, powdery, and deeply resinous heart. The core is anchored by a generous overdose of natural iris and smoky vetiver, creating an intriguing tension between cool, earthy elegance and smoldering warmth. As it settles onto the skin, Shalimar reveals its true identity through a legendary dry-down of rich, animalic vanilla, smooth leather, opoponax, and incense. Rather than a modern, linear confection, this composition demands patience and skin chemistry interaction, shifting continuously over many hours. It is an unapologetically dramatic, opulent, and historical olfactory journey designed for those who appreciate complex vintage architecture and profound depth in fragrance.

Tom Ford
Black Orchid
Amber Floral · Unisex
Developed in 2006 by fragrance house Givaudan under Tom Ford's vision, Black Orchid was conceived around the quest for a custom-grown, pitch-black flower with deep, complex narcotic properties. The opening is a daring, opulent juxtaposition of earthy black truffle, damp soil nuances, and lush dark fruits balanced by bright bergamot. At its heart lies a proprietary illusion of a deep black orchid note, layered with heavy dark spices, lotus wood, and rich florals that lean toward the gothic. The dry-down is an indulgent gourmand-resinous blend featuring dark Mexican chocolate, warm incense, heavy patchouli, and creamy vanilla. It challenges conventional gender boundaries in perfumery with its dark, brooding elegance, offering a heavy, atmospheric aura that demands confidence and cold-weather alignment.

Dior
Sauvage
Aromatic Fougere · Men
Composed by Francois Demachy in 2015, Dior Sauvage was inspired by wide-open spaces, rocky landscapes under a desert sun, and ozone-blue skies. The fragrance explodes with an intensely radiant and raw blast of juicy Calabrian bergamot paired with a sharp, crackling punch of black and pink pepper. The dynamic heart leans heavily into aromatic lavender, earthy vetiver, and a massive dose of spicy elemi resin. The foundation is dominated by an enormous quantity of ambroxan, creating a clean, mineral, slightly salty, and exceptionally persistent woody trail that grabs attention from yards away. It stands as one of the most commercially successful and widely recognized modern masculine compositions, defined by its high performance, striking contrast, and unapologetic projection.

Tom Ford
Lost Cherry
Amber Floral Gourmand · Unisex
Launched in 2018 under Tom Ford's Private Blend line, Lost Cherry explores the contrast between an innocent, luscious fruit note and a dark, decadent, liqueur-soaked underbelly. The fragrance opens with a mouth-watering burst of ripe black cherry candy infused with bitter almond and rich, boozy cherry liqueur. The heart introduces velvety plum, sweet Turkish rose, and deep jasmine sambac to elevate the fruit note into high-end perfumery. The complex dry-down features a warm, spicy bed of roasted tonka bean, rich vanilla, balsams, cinnamon, and woody notes. It delivers a playful yet seductive experience, offering a realistic, luxurious take on cherry that breaks away from juvenile fruit body sprays.

Yves Saint Laurent
Y Eau de Parfum
Aromatic Fougere · Men
Formulated by master perfumer Dominique Ropion in 2018, Y Eau de Parfum represents the drive of a modern generation of men who dare to follow their passions. The scent opens with a sharp, vibrant burst of crisp green apple, zesty ginger, and bright bergamot. The heart introduces a clean, herbal-aromatic bridge built around sage, crisp juniper berries, and fresh geranium. The dry-down features an intensely powerful, modern foundation of dark amberwood, sweet tonka bean, cedar, and resinous olibanum. Designed for high performance and exceptional crowd-pleasing appeal, it strikes an ideal balance between clean, shower-fresh brightness and rich, sweet, masculine sensuality.

Givenchy
L'Interdit Eau de Parfum
Amber Floral · Women
Created by Dominique Ropion, Anne Flipo, and Fanny Bal in 2018, this modern reimagining of Givenchy's classic 1957 fragrance is an invitation to defy convention. The scent opens with a crisp, juicy burst of pear and bergamot. The luminous floral heart features a bold overdose of white florals including tuberose, orange blossom, and jasmine sambac. The dark, contrasting base merges earthy patchouli with smooth vanilla and ambroxan, creating an unforgettable trail of elegant defiance and luminous mystery.

Tom Ford
Oud Wood
Amber Woody · Unisex
Composed by Richard Herpin in 2007, Oud Wood introduced mainstream Western luxury perfumery to the mystical, smoky depths of agarwood without overwhelming medicinal facets. The fragrance opens with an exotic, spiced fusion of exotic rosewood, cardamom, and Chinese pepper. The smoky, complex heart features rare oud wood blended with creamy sandalwood and earthy vetiver. The smooth base softens the profile with warm amber, tonka bean, and vanilla, making it one of the most wearable, refined, and universally praised wood-centric fragrances ever made.

Louis Vuitton
Meteore
Citrus Aromatic · Men
Crafted by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier in 2020, Meteore combines ultra-fresh citrus vitality with modern, sophisticated spice. The fragrance opens with an electric, luminous triad of Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian orange, and mandarin orange. The dynamic heart introduces a sharp, energetic burst of pink pepper, black pepper, and nutmeg layered over clean neroli. The long-lasting dry-down grounds the profile in clean Texas cedar, vetiver, and warm benzoin. It delivers an uplifting, executive-level freshness designed for the modern man on the move.

Le Labo
Rose 31
Woody Floral Musk · Unisex
Composed by Daphne Bugey in 2006, Rose 31 completely subverts traditional delicate rose perfumes by transforming the flower into a bold, assertive, and unisex creation. The scent opens with a provocative clash of spicy cumin and deep Grasse rose. The woody heart combines crisp cedar and earthy vetiver, resting on a dark foundation of guaiac wood, musk, and oud. It projects a smoky, confident, and deeply sophisticated urban edge.

Parfums de Marly
Herod
Amber Woody · Men
Formulated by Olivier Pescheux in 2012, Herod is a majestic, regal tobacco fragrance named after the legendary purebred stallion. The fragrance opens with a rich, inviting spice fusion of warm cinnamon and black pepper. The opulent heart introduces sweet tobacco leaves blended with smoky incense, fruity osmanthus, and labdanum. The warm, comforting dry-down wraps the wearer in a creamy blanket of rich vanilla, cedar, and musk. It is an effortlessly sophisticated and warm masculine masterwork.