Vétiver Moloko
Ex Nihilo (2014)

Vetiver Moloko is a vetiver as anomie: formless, lacking purpose, "perfect for the office," a "daily driver" vetiver, soft and just indistinct enough to be the most wallpaper vetiver I've smelled. A vetiver with the soul sucked out of it and replaced with froth and vanilla. It IS vanilla, vetiver-style or rather, vetiver vanilla-style. It has a shy but not so creative personality, too milquetoast to suggest the salt of the earth and the dirt between the blades of grass, the diametric opposite of Maitre Parfumeur Route de Vetiver.

The dust on this vetiver is like that found on 21st century electronics rather than old furniture. It is unexceptional much the same way as any fragrance retailing $245 for 50ml can be today. Vetiver that plays it safe is much like patchouli that plays it safe—what's the point? Either without its earthiness is like a soufflé without butter. I am also not one to bemoan performance in a fragrance, but why on God's green earth is there a vetiver-centered fragrance that barely lasts on skin. Vetiver is one of the strongest natural fixatives. The cynicism of these luxury houses is beyond.

Love vetiver? Adore Encre Noire, but put off by its outstanding performance, depth, character and low price? Fondly remember grandma giving you a glass of milk when you got home from school?

Relax! Ex Nihilo have exactly you mind!

The fact that the nose behind this isn't even a nose, just "Givaudan", tells you a lot about the imaginative drive behind this bleugh scent. This seems so derivative and half-arsed, when you can get better performance and more decisive, authorial perfumery at 1/3rd to 1/6th of the price from Guerlain and Lalique.

Seriously, if Enre Noire is too much for you, then either spray less of it, or use the cheaper (than Ex Nihilo) Guerlain Vetiver.

On the opening I get a whiff of Iso E Super and I immediately think of Encre Noire (50% Iso E Super). It smells good but I can't bear that chemical.

This is a delightful, well-designed vetiver. It has a perfect balance between the dry, grassy vetiver and cypress notes and the softness of the milk and very slight sweetness of the vanilla. Normally I don't endorse vanilla, but it works very well here. In the early going, the creamy accord is almost like coconut milk, but that does not last long. The vetiver is very well done: earthy, grassy, root-like, with a slight smoky note in the dry-down. Wears well, has good longevity.

A rare gem. The opening is wonderful. The vetiver is present from the beginning. I'm picking up olibanum as well, although it's not in the listed notes. This fragrance is well made and wears very comfortably. Excellent longevity and sillage, but not offensive to those around you. It draws people in. This would be an excellent addition to any wardrobe. I've tried two Ex Nihilo fragrances now, this one and Amber Sky. Both are ridiculously nice, but extremely expensive. At least you're getting a beautiful experience while wearing this, which is the whole point of wearing a fragrance. I want this, but I'll have to pony up some serious dough to get it. Two thumbs up as high as possible!

HOT Damn!!! This is how you blend Vetiver!!! Who would have ever thought that vetiver and cream would be a winner(More milky than cream but you get my point). Definitely a change of pace as most vetiver scents have a fruit accord. 2 thumbs up!