Wild Vetiver by Creed: The Freshness of a Garden Party
Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule
Creed's Wild Vetiver is not the vetiver fragrance its name suggests. Rather than focusing on the earthy, dry freshness of the note, the new release pairs it with rose and blackcurrant, resulting in a composition that feels surprisingly floral, modern, and easy to wear.
Images: Instagram / @kristinakii.scents
Created by perfumer Nicolas Bonneville, Wild Vetiver was introduced earlier this year. It offers a fresh take on Creed's vetiver style.
The fragrance opens with bergamot and sparkly pink pepper. The first impression is fresh and green, but not in a sharp citrus way. Instead, it feels dewy and light, almost like walking bare foot in the morning while the grass is still wet.
Soon, the heart of the fragrance starts to appear. Rose and blackcurrant become the main focus. The blackcurrant is juicy and slightly sweet, while the rose feels young and fresh rather than old-fashioned. This combination is the center of the fragrance, while the vetiver stays in the corner of the stage, and only appears more prominently in the base.
The drydown still carries the sweetness of the florals, yet it brings some dry woodiness too, with the notes of cedarwood, amberwood, and long awaited vetiver. It adds structure and depth, however, without becoming too dry, earthy or dominant. In fact, people expecting a classic vetiver fragrance may be surprised by how little attention the note demands throughout the wearing experience.
The comparison with Creed Original Vetiver is unavoidable. While both fragrances are built around the same ingredient, they smell quite different. Original Vetiver puts more emphasis on the note itself, resulting in a fresher, greener fragrance. Wild Vetiver is softer, more floral, and sweeter. To my nose, it also leans more unisex and even slightly feminine compared to Original Vetiver.
Performance is also a strong point here. During testing, Wild Vetiver easily lasted more than eight hours on skin, even in warm weather. Projection is also impressive. After just two sprays, the scent quickly filled the room around me, something that is not always common with fresh fragrances.
What I enjoy most about Wild Vetiver is the atmosphere it creates. It feels elegant but easy to wear. There is something about the mix of greenery, rose, and blackcurrant that invites you to an English garden party. At the same time, it works just as well for a summer dinner, a rooftop gathering, or simply a warm evening in the city.
Wild Vetiver may disappoint those looking for a traditional vetiver fragrance. However, for anyone who enjoys fresh floral compositions with strong performance and a modern feel, it is one of the more interesting releases from Creed in recent years. Ironically, the fact that vetiver never becomes the main character is exactly what makes Wild Vetiver so enjoyable to me.