Bel Ami Vetiver by Hermès

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.