Description:
Vetiver oil is steam-distilled from the fibrous rootlets of a tall perennial grass native to India, but now cultivated in tropical regions including Haiti, Réunion, Java, and the Caribbean. Prized since antiquity for its grounding aroma and fixative qualities, vetiver offers a wide olfactory range depending on origin and aging. Freshly distilled vetiver may exhibit a cool, damp, earthy scent—sometimes likened to raw potato—whereas aged vetiver deepens into smoother, woody, smoky, and resinous nuances.
Uses in Perfumery:
Used as a base note and natural fixative, vetiver lends depth and longevity to a composition. It is essential in chypre, fougère, oriental, and woody accords. Its complexity also makes it suitable for soliflore interpretations and gender-neutral fragrances.
Regions:
India, Haiti, Indonesia (Java), Réunion, Caribbean
Extraction Method:
Steam distillation from washed, dried, and chopped rootlets
Unique Characteristics:
Vetiver’s aroma profile varies greatly by terroir and treatment. Haitian vetiver is smoother and more refined; Javanese vetiver is smokier and more tenacious. Often referred to as the “oil of tranquillity,” vetiver is grounding, stabilizing, and emotionally soothing.
Arctander Tag (paraphrased):
"Heavy, woody-earthy oil of great tenacity, with a sweet, balsamic-ambergris-like undertone. One of the most important fixatives of perfumery."
