Back to the Roots by Vilhelm Parfumerie bottle
Vilhelm Parfumerie

Back to the Roots

3.7/5 · 153 votes Unisex 2023
Main accords
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Fragrance notes

Top notes
Heart notes
Base notes

Character

Longevity3.1/5
Sillage2.5/5
Day78
Night43
Spring100
Fall89
Summer62
Winter41
Our take

Galbanum and angelica hit first, sharp and green, like snapping a fresh twig in a damp forest. Petitgrain adds a bitter citrus edge, while ambrette softens it with a fuzzy, almost nutty warmth. That opening feels more herbal than optimistic, a return to earth rather than a flight into flowers. The heart brings orris root’s cool, powdery elegance, counterbalanced by white tea’s clean transparency and a faint ginger tingle. Violet peeks through, but it’s shy, more of a dusty whisper than a bloom. As it dries down, driftwood and sandalwood create a smooth, slightly smoky base, anchored by a clean musk that keeps everything skin-close.

The overall character is that of a freshly turned garden bed after rain, damp soil and crushed stems, with a quiet woody backbone. It feels natural and restrained, more niche in its refusal to pander, but that restraint comes at a cost. Longevity barely brushes three hours, and sillage is a polite whisper, practically nonexistent after the first hour. For the price, that’s a bitter pill. This is a fragrance for someone who values subtlety over presence, who wants to smell clean and grounded without announcing themselves. Skip it if you crave projection, sweetness, or any sense of drama.

Wear it on a cool spring morning or a mild autumn evening, ideally when you’re alone with a book or walking in the woods. It suits the introvert, the minimalist, the person who gardens on weekends. But with performance this meek, even they might find themselves reaching to reapply before the day is done.

Smells similar

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