Haitian vetiver Orpur® smells like you've just walked into a sun-warmed earth cellar after rain. There's a dry, almost smoky grassiness—imagine dried wheat stalks and root vegetables—layered with subtle earthiness and a whisper of smoke. Unlike sweeter vetivers, this one has a mineral, almost peppery quality with faint hints of leather and damp soil. It's grounding and slightly austere, the olfactory equivalent of touching cool stone.
Haiti has been cultivating vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) for centuries, and its volcanic soil produces exceptionally aromatic roots. Orpur® is a branded, standardised vetiver oil extracted from Haitian vetiver roots through steam distillation—a process perfumers prize for consistency and purity. The roots are dug, dried, then distilled to capture their complex earthy, woody compounds. Haiti's tropical climate and soil chemistry create vetiver with particularly refined, less harsh characteristics than other global sources.
Orpur® serves as a sophisticated woody anchor in fragrances, adding depth and longevity without heaviness. Perfumers use it to ground compositions, lending an earthy, slightly smoky backdrop that enhances both fresh and warm notes. Its dry character makes it ideal for masculine and unisex fragrances, offering understated elegance and mineral complexity rather than perfume's starring role.
Time-tested combinations
Contemporary compositions
Surprising harmonies