"I had already smelled various qualities of vetiver – vetiver from Haiti, bourbon vetiver – with strong and intense notes, but they seemed too clean, too transparent, too monotonous. One day, I discovered a vetiver from the island of Java, which is less commonly used in perfumery, but which fascinated me. It was sharp, smoky and burnt, but at the same time surprisingly floral with green and spicy nuances. It wasn't love at first sight, but ultimately I was won over by a certain arrogance in its intensity.‘ – Gian Luca Perris
Vetiver is a tropical plant native to India and Indonesia. The name vetiver is derived from the Tamil word ’vettiveru". The special feature of this species is its root system, which has a large number of particularly strong roots. The roots grow vertically to a depth of up to five metres (16 feet). For this reason, vetiver from Java was used not only in perfumery but also in road construction. It was planted along roadsides to prevent soil erosion. There are many species of vetiver. The most valuable are vetiver from Haiti, Bourbon vetiver from the island of Réunion and vetiver from Java. Depending on the type of territory in which the vetiver grows and the amount of sunlight it receives, each species has different olfactory facets. It is precisely the richness of nuances and the complexity of its scent that have always fascinated master perfumers.
The essential oil of Java vetiver is also extracted by steam distillation from the roots, which are grown, cut and dried in the sun. Harvesting is done by hand, from December to September. The distillation process takes more than 24 hours. On average, 150 kilos (330 Ib) of dried roots yield one kilo of essential oil. Java vetiver oil has a distinctive scent that can be described as woody, earthy, smoky and burnt, with floral, green and spicy facets.
With vetiver from Java, Perris Monte Carlo guarantees outstanding quality to define the sillage of this exclusive olfactory creation. Vetiver Java is a unique interpretation of vetiver essence. A fresh opening of Calabrian bergamot, grapefruit and Timur pepper quickly gives way to the woody heart of Vetiver Java – unusually accompanied by the floral accents of geranium absolute. Notes of amber and musk ensure a warm and intense finish. A bold and charismatic perfume.
Perris Monte Carlo – Black Collection
A tribute to unique, natural ingredients. Created through extensive research into some of the most exceptional raw materials available worldwide.
