Ramón Monegal Umbra is modern take on vetiver. If you’re a fan of vetiver, you’ll want to try this one.
Umbra opens with bright citrus and spicy, foody black pepper that is almost anesthetizing I immediately know it’s a vetiver fragrance. The vetiver is carmalized and accented by “bright”, bitter notes. The vetiver gets sweeter with tonka but not too sweet (not as sweet as Hermès Vetiver Tonka). This vetiver still comes across as green. Umbra gets smokier and smokier with wear. The dry-down is a smoky vetiver with hints of fir needles.
I think this is an amazing fragrance for the “modern” man. I can’t get my husband to wear vetiver fragrances; I wish he’d wear this one.
Notes listed include Haitian vetiver root, tree moss, black pepper, bourbon geranium leaves, Candadian fir balsam, and tonka bean. PERFUMER – Ramon Monegal
Give Umbra a try if you like vetiver. Or if you like perfumes like Atelier Cologne Bois Blonds, Odin 01 Nomad, CdG Amazingreen, Guerlain Homme Intense and/or L’Artisan Timbuktu. Like many vetiver fragrances, Umbra is *technically* unisex. However, I perceive this perfume as more masculine.
Umbra has average projection and above average longevity. I get like 24 hours wear out of this one.
The 1.7 oz EDP of Umbra retails for $185 at Beautyhabit. Samples are also available for purchase.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Smoky masculine vetiver with a blast of black pepper. I think it’s an excellent choice for a man.
Want more reviews? Try…
Fragrantica – Member reviews
Nero Profumo – Interview with Ramón Monegal