To begin with, don't get frightened about the notes like grapefruit, orange, vetiver, or ambroxan... Bois the Vétiver is everything but a clone of neither Terre d'Hermès nor Sauvage Dior. Instead, the fusion of those notes creates a breathtaking vétiver crémant bouquet, a compelling adjective regularly used for sparkling wine and black chocolate, yeah it means creamy. For those who are familiar with Cuir Vétiver by Yves Rocher or Hermessence by Hermès, the vétiver note is gentle, bright, and faint, without the dark, earthy, and smoky facets, which I anyhow love in other mysterious scents. Do not expect anything like Encre Noir, the two of them are miles away.
BdV opening is dazzling thanks to a variety of uplifting and slightly luminous notes: pink grapefruit, blood orange, and crushed mint leaves. The zesty accord is neither sour nor harsh, as could be the lemon peel aroma. Instead, it is bittersweet as an orange juice freshly squeezed. Yes, the opening is clean without being citrus, with that perfect touch of aromatic. At the very first spray, it reminds me of a fresh mojito cocktail, due to the presence of the alcohol, made with orange in place of the lime... and I like it.
After a while, it turns green and floral, with delicate notes of delicate rose, leafy-sweet geranium, and creamy vétiver. Those notes are masterfully blended, and at this point, BdV is a sensual, manly smell. The vétiver is kind of like leathery, more close to a smooth suede than a rough cowhide, a brighter version of the vétiver. It carries lesser aspects of the earthiness and smokiness containing more of the herbal quality.
Then, the fragrance becomes also appealing, warm, and evocative of leather, with amber, patchouli, and musk. The musk is not rude and animal, but elegant with the effect of a warm musky accord. There are also some woods not mentioned here, white woods, I reckon, which provides a bit of alternative mild sweetness for the final hours.
BdV has 8-10 hour longevity and moderate sillage, perfect for working and leisure time. At the moment, I am wearing it in the fall season, but I'd like to give it a try in spring as well.
Ultimately, BdV is an excellent modern vétiver perfume.
-Elysium