Havana Gold

Starts with salty black liquorice and lightly spiced cinnamon and an unlit cigar... but it’s not sweet. It’s Deep and expensive like the Scandinavian liquorice that you hunt down and the tropical cigars you buy in the Cuban marketplace. Slowly it starts to grow into a smoking tobacco leaves scent and you feel instant luxury from the drop of Benzoin. After 2hrs it settles into mainly Leather and tonka but the joy of deep top notes never really disappears. It’s never too sweet but also never dirty. It’s clean, comforting and rich. It makes you feel like you’ve walked into a red-light smoky jazz bar with the most beautiful humans lurking in the flicking landscape. This is a powerhouse fragrance for the confident man and woman. Leans more masculine. Full Bottle worthy. Will last a lifetime as a little goes a long way.

For me, this fragrance reveals itself in the most beautiful way in cooler weather. The opening slightly reminds me of Kilian Smoking Hot with a subtle touch of Initio Paragon. Spicy, a little smoky and intriguing. As it develops, the scent turns softer and more enveloping. A refined leather note comes forward, smooth and elegant rather than harsh. It blends beautifully with moist tobacco, which adds a mysterious and cozy character. In the drydown warm benzoin wraps everything together, bringing gentle sweetness and smoothness to the composition. Overall, the fragrance feels harmonious, balancing spiciness, tobacco dampness and comforting warmth. It comes across as stylish, deep, and atmospheric - especially enjoyable in colder weather 🧣

Much much better than I expected it to be. DVN have a theme of deep rich perfumes which are unbelievably beautiful yes. But can be a little cloying sometimes This has that rich thread running through it but not cloying in any way. Addictive. Spicy. It’s a perfume that makes you feel dressed up. You’d want to wear your favourite black silky outfit and spray this all over, it’s lux. Don’t let the notes put you off, this is very unisex too. Spray on skin. This immediately goes on my wish list once I’ve used my sample up. This is one of the DVN line that I truly believe it’s worth every penny.

Havana Gold opens with warm tobacco, suede, and a touch of anise and licorice. The tobacco feels rich and full, carrying a soft sweetness that is smooth and intoxicating. There’s warmth, a hint of nostalgia, and a quiet confidence in how it wears. It isn’t daring, loud, groundbreaking, but deeply comforting and beautifully composed. Dries Van Noten captures that golden, lived-in feeling with ease. 💌 Samples available at Nectar Atelier.

Crazy. Usually when things smell this good you have to be atleast three fingers deep into some hard liqeur. I see reviews claiming its a let down, and this scent is as much of a let down as heroïne is, in the sense that now you know you will never find anything better, and that there is a maximum on what good smells like. Its way to expensive, and you will never find this at discounters, but who needs two kindneys right?