Hey, folks! I know it's been quite a while since I have done a review. It's even more ironic that my last article was on review burnout. I just didn't feel like writing for a bit and I didn't want to put out an article that I didn't put my everything into. So, I am back again, this time with a review of a vintage Guerlain Vetiver. As far as I can tell from research, this is somewhere in the early 2000s. I can't get the batch code to pop up anywhere. If anyone else can find it, then the code is 9S01.
This was sent to me by a fan of my blog. His name is Daniel Zimmerman. He didn't send this to me in hopes of a review, but I am going to do one anyway. As many of you know, Guerlain Vetiver is my favorite fragrance, so having some vintage juice is amazing. Daniel sells a bunch of hard to find and vintage fragrances over at Perfume Pawn. So, take a look at his selection if you'd like to. He carries a lot of vintage Chanel and Guerlain stuff, along with many other brands.
As I stated before, this was sent to me for free, but it wasn't sent to me for a review. Regardless, my opinions are still my own and always will be. I am not sponsored by this company and I get nothing out of reviewing this.
It's been a while, but let's get into it!
Presentation
This one is a tester, so it didn't come with a cap. The bottle has contrasting stripes on it, some are smooth and some are frosted. It's a decent design, but I do enjoy the newer version more.
The sprayer has the Guerlain symbol at the top, like most of them do. It works just fine, but it's nothing special.
Notes
I can't find any official notes listed on this, so I am just going to guess.
Lemon, Vetiver, Tobacco, Black Pepper, Oakmoss, Rosemary, Coriander, and Bergamot
The Scent
Guerlain Vetiver opens with a bit of citrus. There is most certainly lemon in there. It's not the fresh and juicy kind. It favors more on the old soapy sort. I think I can detect a slight bit of a bright bergamot note in there as well, but being that this is a vintage, the top notes might not be as strong as they were originally.
As we transition to the heart, the vetiver comes out. It's not as green and vibrant as the newer formula. This vetiver is earthy and woody. I have no doubt that there is oakmoss in here supporting that nuance as well. That signature pepper that gives vetiver it's manly kick is there as well. The coriander adds its dry spiciness in there as well.
As it dries down completely, the tobacco comes out. You aren't going to get any cherry-esque sweetness here. This is a dry and rugged tobacco. Think of cowboy tobacco and not a well-dressed man in a jazz club cigar tobacco.
There is an overlay of an aromatic herb, which I believe is rosemary. The oakmoss could be lending to that as well. That is why oakmoss was used so heavily back in earlier days. It lends itself beautifully to different notes and accentuates them. It serves as a note that helps transition as well.
Overall, this fragrance is quite dry, as expected from a more classic fragrance. It does have a soapy nuance to it, but it's not as strong as the newer formula. This is more classicly masculine than the newer one. It's basically a rich warm woody fragrance with herbal elements and a slightly soapy background.
Performance
Unlike a lot of today's fragrances, this one performs. I get around 10 hours of longevity with 3 of projection on skin. It will last several days on clothes and creates a beautiful sillage that is not too imposing or loud.
When to Wear it
You can use this fragrance year-round, but it's probably best for fall and spring. This is not a fragrance for younger guys. I would say 40+ on this one, unless you just love old school fragrances. It's very masculine and I couldn't see a woman wearing this. It can be worn casually or with a suit.
Overall Impression
This is a great fragrance and an amazing piece of history of a legendary fragrance. However, I do favor the newer formulation of it. Only by a little bit, but the newer one has more of a pop to it. This one is more linear. It's more woody than soapy like the new one.
It certainly has a charm to it though and it will be used very sparingly. This one resonates with Guerlain calling it "the fragrance of the earth" more than the new one. That vivid oakmoss and more herbal tone certainly portrays that idea very well.
I'd say it's worth getting a sample of it if you can find one cheap, if nothing else, it's a piece of history.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this one. This is my first vintage review. I will have a few more coming up as well.
Have a great day and stay safe. Remember to say something positive to someone today...You never know how much it could help. These are trying times and isolation takes a toll on people mentally. Give them a boost. It doesn't cost you anything!
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