Question:
I've really been enjoying CdG's Vettiveru lately, but because it is an EDC, the lasting power is less than impressive, and so I'm hesitant to purchase a large bottle.
After reading the reviews, I've come to the conclusion that Vettiveru is one of the "real" smelling vetivers...the others being Malle's Vetiver Extraordinaire, MPG's Route du Vetiver, and Santa Maria Novella's Vetiver.

Which of these a) lasts well and b) has the most pleasant, refreshing, and "pure" take on vetiver, a la Vettiveru? Other suggestions are welcome as well.
ps. I searched the community already, and other vetiver threads are helpful but do not specifically address the above questions.
Thanks!

Answer:
I can't say which one is the most pure of the vetiver scents. I've never
smelled the actual plant. I will say, though, that Vetiver Extraordinaire
does live up to its name. It has a strong earthy feel, combined with
an ozonic accord that fits the fragrance very well. It is superb.
Those who have smelled it claim that Route du Vetiver is the strongest,
most straight-ahead vetiver out there. That's probably your best bet
for pure vetiver, but don't neglect Vetiver Extraordinaire. I do also
think that Etro Vetiver is very good, but it is in Eau de Cologne strength.
VE lasts all day on me.

Answer:
I can't comment on the others but Vetiver Extraordinare sees 8-10 hours on my skin.

Answer:
It totally depends what you're looking for. If you want a fresher, more citrusy vetiver than Vetivveru is a great call. MPG Racine is another good choice for a citrusy vetiver. If you want a more earthy vetiver than the Malle can't be beat. I haven't tried RdV, but it sounds pretty intense. For some reason every Santa Maria Novella scent that I've tried (7 or 8 of them) has progressed in a dissatisfactory manner on my skin. Could be me, could be the perfumes. In any case, their Vetiver was no exception.

Answer:
Based on recommendations from men I always trusted I am still trying to obtain (at least sample) Adolfo Dominguez' Vetiver Hombre (Madrid design house). According to some reviews it might be similar to Malle's VE. In his review of VH, Castorpollux' compares it with Guerlain's Vetiver (I am talking of their old and new versions which I own). That seems to justify another vetiver in ones wardrobe.
Malle's VE lasts well on me and is my current best! Yet another one, Sel du Vetiver by TDC doesn't last long at all (it's top in other respects but I only judge from a sample)! Unfortunately, I cannot also refer to Vettiveru as I do not know it.

Answer:
Go to the health store and buy vetiver essential oil. It's relatively cheap. Then you can determine for yourself what 'pure' vetiver smells like.
(Didn't I post this just the other day?)
Of the three you inquire about, I'm only familiar with Malle's Vetiver Extraordinaire. In that case, the lighter notes are very pronounced and the earthy tones are there but less accentuated. It's the closest of the ones I've encountered (the others being Guerlain and Le Labo, I don't count walking past A&F as really encountering Fierce).

Answer:
Now would be good time to track down a bottle of L'Artisan Vetiver, as it has recently been discontinued (try calling The Perfume House in Portland, Oregon). It is another in the category you describe.
I have L'A, VE and SMN, and I've been told by someone who may know only SMN that it smelled very much like what she remembered fresh vetiver smelling like in somewhere like Indonesia. SMN is a very austere, dry fragrance that I don't think of as being like anything else out there.
L'A and VE are closer to each other than either is to SMN. Both smell very "natural", and I think L'A has a bit more wood also a whiff of galangal. I think of these two as more mellow and "centered" than the somewhat jarring SMN. All three have excellent longevity with an interesting tendency to wax and wane, and VE is probably the most tenacious.
Forced to choose just one from the three I own, I would pick the L'Artisan, which really is a masterpiece. I'd say you can't go wrong with the L'Artisan or the Malle, but would definitely be wise to sample SMN or RdV before committing, as both of those seem like potential acquired tastes.

Answer:
Originally Posted by trumpet_guy I can't say which one is the most pure of the vetiver scents. I've never
smelled the actual plant. I will say, though, that Vetiver Extraordinaire
does live up to its name. It has a strong earthy feel, combined with
an ozonic accord that fits the fragrance very well. It is superb. Describe "ozonic". Usually when I hear this term, "synthetic" comes to mind. But I can't imagine that something of such quality would be synthetic.
By "pure" I did not necessarily mean the one that smells the most like the plant, but the one that smells the most refreshing and, i suppose, green.

Answer:
Reading this thread prompted me to do an experiment. I put some vetiver essential oil on my hand, then sprayed Erto Vetiver EDC, Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver EDT and Roccobarocco Vetiver on my arms for comparison. I didn't bother trying my other vetivers - Guerlains, Carven, Azzaro Pure vetiver, Lanvin, Racine and Malazia Uomo - as I knew that they weren't that close to the raw form.
After a bit of sniffing I came to the conclusion that,
Roccobarocco Vetiver is the closest to the real thing (but I recollect someone saying it's discontinued),
Etro Vetiver is second closest (shame it's an EDC), and
Lorenzo Villoresi Vetiver was a little behind Etro and came third (but it has the best staying power).
If you want something green, then Guerlain's should be considered. If you want it green and very loud (though somewhat less vetivery), then Azzaro Pure vetiver ought be considered.
I don't know why ozonic should suggest synthetic - lightning strikes in the area is my most common way of smelling ozone - and that's pretty natural.
I have smelled the SMN and Malle ones, but can't say that I felt compelled to get them.
Renato

Answer:
Livejazz,

I'm not familiar with the ones you mentioned, but what about Lutens Vetiver Oriental - this is a very beautiful Vetiver scent! Radix suggested the essential oil to get an idea what the real thing is all about, but if one does that, it can easily be diluted down to maybe 1%, and it's still strong!
There is also a very nice one called Vetyver by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz that is very natural and real.