Coeur De Vétiver Sacré by Karine Vinchon Spehner for L’Artisan Parfumeur 2010

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Post by Haefennasiel

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Hello there! I’m Haefennasiel (obviously not my real name – but I love J.R.R. Tolkien, and this is my elven nom de plume), and this will be my first time to officially review a perfume. But before we begin, my apologies – this is a long overdue guest review that should’ve come out months ago if only a hectic work schedule and stress on the homefront hadn’t gotten in the way.

Coeur De Vétiver Sacré by L’Artisan Parfumeur 2010

Coeur De Vetiver Sacre FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica Gives these featured accords in one line:
Bergamot, orange, black tea, pepper, ginger, coriander, saffron, dates, dried apricot, incense, osmanthus, rose, iris, vanilla, vetiver, tarragon, sandalwood, white cedar, guaiac wood, amber, tonka , labdanum, castoreum, musk

I actually requested for something quite different so I was surprised when I opened the package sent by Australian Perfume Junkies. However, things worked out for the best when I tried out my sample of L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Couer De Vétiver Sacré. My curiosity was piqued because I didn’t know what vetiver was (in the face of amateurish ignorance, research is a very handy ally). After a bit of Wikipedia-ing, I found out vetiver is related to lemongrass (locally known in our neck of the woods as “tanglad”). I became even more curious because we use this as a stuffing ingredient for roast suckling pig! Am I going to reek of pork? However, I was pleasantly and fragrantly surprised …

Coeur de Vetiver Sacre L`Artisan Parfumeur Vetiveria zizanioides WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

I kept the sample next to my keyboard as I worked, sniffing at it in between my lessons. And I was certainly glad I did because I almost immediately felt more relaxed and calm after every sniff. There was an initial pleasant dried-herb scent that was gentle and grassy. I later detected a black tea note, as well as very faint hints of dried ginger and mint. But despite all these elements, there was nothing food-ish or gourmand (much less, roast suckling pig!) about this perfume, and it’s more like a lovingly handmade potpourri.

Coeur De Vétiver Sacré by L'Artisan Parfumeur Pavel P. FlickrPhoto Stolen Pavel P.  Flickr

The sillage wasn’t very strong (probably because I only dabbed a little bit of it to make the sample last), but it stayed comfortably close to my skin. This scent invokes impressions of being in a quiet, secluded corner of a forest. It’s thickly wooded and a bit dim, but there is nothing evil or sinister here. Shafts of sunlight penetrate through the trees bathing the area in a soft, warm glow. The ground is covered with soft damp moss, making it a perfect place to rest and meditate.

Further reading: Australian Perfume Junkies and Olfactoria’s Travels
FragranceNet has $49/50ml before coupon
The Posh Peasant starts at $4/ml

H x

8 thoughts on “Coeur De Vétiver Sacré by Karine Vinchon Spehner for L’Artisan Parfumeur 2010”

  1. Hello Haefennasiel,

    I really enjoyed reading your post and learned something new about vetiver, lemon grass and, of course, perfume. I’m actually considering using vetiver to stabilize a slope on our property. I was surprised to find that it will grow (if slowly) here in the PNW. The roots systems are massive and can hold the earth in place.

    Azar xx

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    • Azar – You might also try hosta. My father did it with a steep slope area. He built a stone wall along the bottom and gradually filled the slope with smaller hosta. They hold the soil and look beautiful when blossoming. The area got half a day of sun and that was no problem.

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  2. Hello!

    I like your review because it’s simple, fun(ny), and personal. The descriptions are easy to visualize and imagine, unlike that awkward feeling when listening to a somelier. I hope to see more reviews of this kind soon!

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  4. Hello Elven One,

    I remember the first time I discovered vetiver. I love it immensely. Great to see you writing and also being willing to acknowledge that you do not know everything – none of us do but some pretend to.

    I live on an island and the crumbling cliff faces have been planted with vetiver (also called ruh khus / ) to great effect.

    Ruh khus roots are weaved into blinds in India. When it is hot the blinds are sprinkled with water and someone ‘waves’ the blinds making a cooling and fragrant home-made breeze.

    Next you may want to try Laliques’s Encre Noire and Guerlain.

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