Fragrance comparison

Java Wood vs Vétiver

Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.

Updated 14 Nov 2026 155 ratings analysed

Java Wood

Première Note

3.4654 votes

Rank #43,297 Soft SpicyFresh Spicy

Full profile Similar & dupes

47%scent match

Some overlap

5 wins

Vétiver

Molinard

3.83101 votes

Rank #17,072 AromaticCitrus

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Vétiver takes 5 of 7 categories.

Java Wood
Choose it for a soft spicy and fresh spicy character. Wins on sillage & projection and versatility. Best in fall, daytime wear.
Vétiver
Choose it for a aromatic and citrus character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring.

Java Wood2/7

Vétiver5/7

Ratings & consensus: Vétiver
Community sentiment: Vétiver
Longevity: Vétiver
Sillage & projection: Java Wood
Value for money: Vétiver
Versatility: Java Wood
Note pyramid (duration): Not scored
Fragranxe ranking: Vétiver

Head-to-head breakdown

Every category side by side, with the winner called out.

Fragrance

Java WoodPremière Note

VétiverMolinard

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.46/ 5 · 54 votes

Have 51%Had 9%Want 40%

3.83/ 5 · 101 votes

Have 35%Had 9%Want 56%

Category winnerVétiverRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

17%Love

44%Like

11%Ok

24%Dislike

4%Hate

54 votes

27%Love

43%Like

19%Ok

11%Dislike

1%Hate

101 votes

Category winnerVétiverMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity59

〰 Sillage57

♥ Love / hate62

⏱ Longevity61

〰 Sillage49

♥ Love / hate71

Category winners

LongevityVétiver

SillageJava Wood

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value50

¤ Price value59

Category winnerVétiverBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

soft spicy100%

fresh spicy92%

anis84%

aromatic77%

woody69%

earthy61%

aromatic100%

citrus92%

woody84%

earthy77%

iris69%

fresh spicy61%

Scent match47%Some overlap · both aromatic, fresh spicy and woody

Note pyramid (duration)

Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = shared

Top15-30 mins

Star AniseSichuan PepperBergamot

Heart2-3 hrs

TobaccoCuminViolet Leaf

Base5-7 hrs

Haitian VetiverJava vetiver oilLicorice

Top

Blood OrangeGrapefruitBergamot

Heart

IrisAmberLavenderViolet Leaf

Base

Haitian VetiverJava vetiver oil

InformationalShared notesBergamot, Violet Leaf, Haitian Vetiver and Java vetiver oil. Durations are only published for Java Wood, so this is not scored.

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring63

Summer50

Fall100

Winter63

Day100

Night85

Spring100

Summer0

Fall0

Winter86

Day–

Night–

Category winnerJava WoodMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men50

Unisex36

Women14

Men44

Unisex44

Women11

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#43,297

PerfumerMelanie Leroux

Launched—

Reviews0

Overall rank#17,072

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews12

Category winnerVétiverHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

Première Note Java Wood is an earthy, dry spice fragrance built around woody roots and herbal heat. The opening snaps with tart bergamot, tingling Sichuan pepper, and bitter star anise. It feels sharp. Soon, dried tobacco leaves and warm cumin bring a dusty, aromatic grit to the midsection. A foundation of dark Haitia…

Reviews →

Molinard Vétiver opens with a crisp burst of tart grapefruit, bitter blood orange, and bright bergamot that feels like slicing fresh citrus on a sunny morning. As the sharp juiciness settles, a smooth heart of earthy violet leaf, clean lavender, and powdery iris emerges, softening the blend without making it heavy. Th…

Reviews →

InformationalRead bothTaste is personal

How we score: ratings blend public fragrance ratings with Fragranxe member votes; longevity, sillage, value and sentiment are community vote scores, and season bars are relative to each fragrance's strongest season. Categories with too little data are shown but not scored. The scent match weighs accord overlap (60%) and shared notes (40%). More in the FAQ.

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Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, Java Wood or Vétiver?

Vétiver takes 5 of 7 categories. Java Wood is rated 3.46/5 from 54 votes; Vétiver is rated 3.83/5 from 101 votes. Choose Java Wood for a soft spicy and fresh spicy character. Wins on sillage & projection and versatility. Best in fall, daytime wear. Choose Vétiver for a aromatic and citrus character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring.

Which lasts longer, Java Wood or Vétiver?

They last about the same: Vétiver 61/100, Java Wood 59/100 for longevity in community votes.

Which projects more, Java Wood or Vétiver?

Java Wood projects furthest (Java Wood 57/100, Vétiver 49/100), based on community performance votes.

Do Java Wood and Vétiver smell similar?

Some overlap: a 47% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share aromatic, fresh spicy and woody accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Violet Leaf, Haitian Vetiver and Java vetiver oil.

Is Java Wood or Vétiver better for summer or winter?

For summer, Java Wood is the stronger pick. For winter, Vétiver is the stronger pick. Java Wood suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in Java Wood and Vétiver?

Java Wood has top notes of Star Anise, Sichuan Pepper and Bergamot, heart notes of Tobacco, Cumin and Violet Leaf, a base of Haitian Vetiver, Java vetiver oil and Licorice. Vétiver has top notes of Blood Orange, Grapefruit and Bergamot, heart notes of Iris, Amber, Lavender and Violet Leaf, a base of Haitian Vetiver and Java vetiver oil.