Bel Ami Vetiver

13 reseñas

Mostrando las más recientes primero.

• Lechu

  September 1, 2015

  

  Okay, this is a double challenge for my inexperienced nose. First, it’s the first review for this profile; second, there’s no olfactory pyramid or official note list on Hermès’ website or anywhere else. I hope to provide a good description to serve as a reference for others—I’ll do my best, hehe. First off, I haven’t smelled the vintage Bel Ami nor the current formula. I take that as an advantage to analyze Bel Ami Vetiver without prejudice. Second, I clarify that despite its name, it doesn’t seem centered around vetiver. The opening is citrusy, dominated by a bitter orange similar to Terre d’Hermès, but it only resembles it for a few seconds before turning resinous and slightly spicy (I think I smell coriander, maybe cardamomo). In the heart, as the spices blend with the orange, the leather emerges; these two notes dominate almost the entire journey. With the leather, I detect a slight sweet touch accompanying the dry-down, without being cloying. Tonka? The vetiver is fresh and green on my skin and in my climate, without root or smoke, more of a classic cut. For me, vetiver is a secondary artist working quietly from the base, accompanying the leather and orange, which stand out the most. I forgot to mention that from the first spray, there’s an oily, greasy sensation that’s very pleasant and might influence its good performance. Longevity exceeds 10 hours (tested in cold weather), and the sillage is heavy (but not intrusive) for the first 2 hours, then drops to moderate. Spring is approaching, and I think it can shine this season. It’s very versatile; I imagine it works great in all climates. The best part: it was a blind buy. An update is surely coming soon. My rating: 8.5/10.

• oscarsh86

  October 3, 2015

  

  Citrusy and orange opening, then the vetiver comes through. In the heart, there’s a slight floral sweetness; it doesn’t smell like the earthy, rough vetiver from Terre d’Hermès—this one feels much more pleasant. That said, I sometimes get a hint of burnt notes; I’m not sure what causes that. It feels like a slightly mature fragrance. Projection and longevity were high after several sprays: I could still smell it after more than 8 hours with a strong sillage at first.

• oscarsh86

  October 7, 2015

  

  It starts citrusy and orangey, then the vetiver becomes more noticeable. In the dry down, a floral sweetness emerges; it doesn’t smell like the earthy, rough vetiver from Terre—it feels more pleasant to me. Sometimes I detect a burnt note, not sure what it is. It seems like a slightly mature fragrance. Projection and longevity, after spraying quite a few times, were impressive: I could still smell it after more than 8 hours with a strong sillage at the beginning.

• juancar677

  November 24, 2015

  

  A flanker of the classic Bel Ami by Jean-Claude Ellena. Clearly modernized and minimalist (which makes perfect sense for such a famous French nose). Lechu’s review is spot-on, so I won’t add much: the leather and bitter orange remain the stars, supported by sweeter notes (logically) that ground the vetiver and justify its name. To me, it’s more refined and wearable than the classic Bel Ami, which I find a bit heavy. While it’s good, the notes tend to blend too much, creating a dark, hollow sensation that doesn’t feel particularly elegant or sensual. Still, I always prefer Ellena’s version: it’s more transparent and doesn’t lose its essence.

• pedjalazaro

  May 31, 2017

  

  I’m obsessed with it. It kicks off bright and citrusy with herbal notes, but quickly sweetens and settles in. The vetiver is barely noticeable; instead, it smells like coffee and tonka bean with a touch of jasmine, all wrapped in a leather scent that’s fantastic. It’s more versatile than the classic Bel Ami, and honestly, I prefer this one. Perfect for spring and autumn, day or night. Long-lasting with a moderate sillage.

• Javirulo

  May 31, 2019

  

  Smells beautiful, warmer and more intimate than the original Bel Ami. They keep the leather and florals but add vetiver and a sweet touch that ‘orientalizes’ it. The blend is perfectly balanced. For me, it has everything: it’s elegant, long-lasting, versatile, and rare. Surprisingly, it doesn’t draw much attention and stays in the background compared to other famous scents (and how good that is, like a hidden treasure). It’s a timeless fragrance that will become a classic over time. Although it’s a more modern version, I think it suits people aged 30-35, though it’s subjective. For me, it’s a masterpiece by J.C. Ellena.

• Javirulo

  June 11, 2019

  

  Beautiful scent, warmer and more accessible than the classic Bel Ami. It keeps the leather and floral notes from the original, adding vetiver and a slight sweetness that ‘orientalizes’ it. The blend works as a perfectly balanced whole. For me, this scent has it all: it’s elegant, long-lasting, versatile, and not overexposed. Curiously, despite all these virtues, Bel Ami Vetiver doesn’t draw much attention; it stays in the background compared to other more popular products (and I hope it stays that way for a long time, like a hidden treasure). It’s a timeless scent that will become a classic with time. For me, it’s a masterpiece by J.C. Ellena, aimed at people starting from 30-35 years old, although assigning perfumes by age is subjective and debatable.

• Boyfrag26

  November 17, 2022

  

  Elegant, sophisticated, and comfortable. It references the original Bel Ami directly, with that soft, distinctive leather that I don’t find in other fragrances, managing to be striking without being aggressive. Moderate projection but excellent longevity, making you feel lightly scented yet noticeable for many hours. A truly elegant, classic, and timeless perfume!

• santoscalero

  October 7, 2024

  

  Caught me off guard, and what a surprise. Smelling this, I wonder why I was wasting time with Rabanne, YSL, or Armani. Sure, they smell great and everyone likes them, but this is on another level. LEATHER, VETIVER, AMBER, and a thousand nuances. A story unfolds here, and I only have 100ml left to finish it. It’s complex. On the Hermès website, they call it a chypre, but for me, it starts that way, yet 90% of its longevity feels more amber or oriental. Surprisingly, it’s an EDT. Nowadays, they’re selling us fantasy with extreme EDP concentrations to convince us we’re getting more quality, but this ‘simple’ Bel Ami Vetiver EDT hits you right in the face. Let’s not fool ourselves; concentration isn’t a guarantee of anything. To sum up, I won’t spoil it. Try it if you can: it’s a hidden gem, it clears your nose of all the trendy stuff, and don’t miss a work by Jean-Claude Ellena, who never disappoints (well, even the best master can have an off day, but not in this case).

• santoscalero

  October 8, 2024

  

  It fell into my hands unexpectedly, and what a surprise. Upon smelling it, I asked myself what I’m wasting time with Rabanne, YSL, Armani… Yes, they smell good and everyone likes them, but this is another level. LEATHER, VETIVER, AMBER, and a thousand nuances. A story is told here, and I only have 100ml left to finish because it’s so complex. The website says it’s chypre, but for me, only at the beginning; 90% of the duration feels more amber or oriental. Surprisingly, it’s an EDT. Now we create fantasy with EDP, EDP Extreme to convince the customer that it has more quality, but this ‘simple’ EDT of Bel Ami Vetiver hits your skin and brings you down to earth. Let’s not fool ourselves with concentrations. I won’t spoil it, try it and decide. My recommendation: try it if you can, it’s a hidden gem, it clears your nose of trends, and don’t miss a work by Jean-Claude Ellena, who never disappoints.

• svazquez7

  May 8, 2025

  

  This flanker might just be the best Hermès fragrance I’ve tried so far. An elegant aromatic composition featuring sweet, herbal leather. The leather is light, nothing abrasive, and towards the end, the vetiver really shines with a rich touch. It didn’t show up like this in winter, but now it’s surprised me. If this is what the flanker is like, I can’t imagine the original. I bought it in winter and it didn’t perform well; my bottles are from 2021 and since it was discontinued, I decided to buy another. Its performance didn’t favor me back then, but in summer/spring in Baja California, it behaves very well. It seems like a ‘light version’ and I honestly love it. I recommend it for warm temperatures, that’s where it truly shines. A smart blind buy.

• svazquez7

  May 20, 2025

  

  This flanker might just be the best fragrance from Hermès I’ve smelled so far. It’s an unusual yet elegant aromatic composition featuring sweet, herbal leather. The leather is light, nothing abrasive or wild, and towards the end, the vetiver really shines with a rich touch. I didn’t notice it when I first wore it in winter, but now I’m genuinely surprised. If this is what the flanker is like, I can’t imagine what the original will be like. I bought it in winter and it didn’t perform well; my bottles are from 2021, and considering its discontinuation, I decided to buy another. Its performance wasn’t great in the cold. Now that it’s summer or spring in Baja California, it performs very well and you can really tell; it seems like a sort of ‘light version,’ and I honestly love it. I recommend it for warm temperatures because that’s where it truly shines. Blind buy, correct choice.

• Mijauju

  July 17, 2025

  

  Cycling through sun-drenched irrigation ditches at noon, with a leather notebook open and a cup of black tea with dried orange peels. I’ve had this since 2023 and now I get it: it wasn’t made for the stress of before. This scent doesn’t shout or invade; it feels deliberate. Bel Ami Vetiver is a virtuous friend, perfect for those quiet days when you’re happy with little and value the experience. In perfumery, it’s art and craft.