Havana Vanille (Vanille Absolument)

Oh, how I wanted to adore this! Newly named "Vanille Absolument " - for some unknown reason - this vanilla is far from refined like the description wants you to believe. While I am intrigued by it, I just cannot put myself together to love it like I love Bois1920 La Vanigla, or Il Profumo Vanille Bourbon........ On me it starts sexy, with a boozy spicy rum, with hints of vanilla. This is the best phase on my skin and I would have preferred it to remain like this. But it doesn't last long enough. The fragrance changes... the tonka takes over the spicy rum, and there is a definite dirtiness here.... it's dusty and yes, as someone else mentioned, a little moldy... humid and woody... reminds me of those shacks made of rotting wood that have roofs made from banana leaves... people who are poor by our western standards, who didn't have a shower in ages except in ocean water perhaps... and their skin and hair smell.... they elude a certain simple happiness... that smells like this perfume! After this, another change... between the wet wood, tonka and mold there is fairly strong hint of...condensed milk? And tobacco leaves, green.... nothing like the tobacco in Tea for Two which is dry, cured, smoky... Finally everything softens... more vanilla comes at the end, and a little pleasant sweetness. Vanille Absolument is a true woody vanilla on my skin; not too spicy, not too strong, zero fruits, and surely not gourmand at all. There a weirdness in the middle phase that makes it a difficult love for me... Silage is mellow, lasting power quite good . Nevertheless it's addictive without being exactly beautiful. It's appealing and raw. Even though I am not enamoured with it, I cannot stop smelling it. Goes inside your system without the jitters of new love.

I have two bottles of this: one labeled as the original Havana Vanille, and one with the newer Vanille Absolument title. Although they are very similar, they are certainly distinct. The original feels more nuanced, and I get more rum, resin, and spice. The newer version is more vanilla-leaning and less boozy. Both are rich, woody, spicy vanillas with a deep, exotic feel. As someone with many vanilla perfumes, it is my favorite of all time. I have little to add to what has already been written on the notes, but I will say that no other parfum fetches me more compliments, dates, and attention than this fragrance. If vanillas and woods smell good on you, get ready to attract people when you wear this out. It meshes so well with my body chemistry that multiple men have said they thought I somehow just smelled like this. It's not that men couldn't pull off a fragrance like this, in fact I'm sure I'd enjoy it on a man, but I don't find that it smells masculine on me at all. In my opinion it's more or less neutral, but with the strong vanilla body, it bears no resemblance to what is marketed as typical men's fragrances and so I think could be read as feminine.

I've never been a vanilla fan in fragrance, so why did I sample this one? Because I thought if I'd ever like a vanilla fragrance, it would be one from L'Artisan - and I was right. I tend to more earthy-green fragrances, and generally avoid anything gourmand, but I've always loved the fermented, funky note of vanilla bean pods which is what I get here, enriched with tonka and tobacco (tobacco leaf, if you've ever smelled it drying in a tobacco barn - like the best fall day, but not as dark or earthy as processed tobacco), and supported by just enough wood and resin to reinforce the fact this is vanilla as a botanical ingredient vs. a food. The base notes you might think would make this very masculine - and it is easily worn by men, but in fact on skin it blends seamlessly and the the lack of musks and restrained use of the woods keeps the focus on the vanilla pod and keeps it from veering too far into conventional masculine territory. I bought a large bottle, and it's probably the best, most easy-to-wear cold weather scent I own. Very versatile, so works really well as a signature fragrance. Familiar and not 'challenging', but not routine.

Havana Vanille starts with some kind of cleaness and sweetness (in a perculiar way, it makes me think about tuberose, of course they smell different, but similar in the way they project clean, sharp and sweet aura) and mixed with spicy cinammon + vanilla combo. Soon it smells like a comfy local cafe in the winter to me. It smells of nice sweet foody spicy, a little bit sensual, totally intoxicating in an innocent, comforting way. I suddenly got the image of Tai Chai Latte, a slice of raisin toast and me, sitting at the table and enjoying a book. The dry down is something I would die for. It is sensual, sweet and truely intoxicating. I can smell something creamy and sweet like vanilla (I guess that's the resin + woodsy notes), and really great musk (the musk smell sweet, sexy, great quality and so real, it reminds me a lot of Musc by Bruno Acampora). The sillage is shorter than most of my other perfume, it lasts a good 3.5-4 hours, and then even though I can still smell it, it doesn't have any projection. It's like a shy trace of vanilla icecream, left really close to my skin for another 3 hours. A must try!

I wish this was still called Havana Vanille because I definitely smell the dry tobacco. Not only do I detect each and every note, but I detect them in the exact order shown in the perfume pyramid above, and it all blends together very effectively. The end result is a sweet vanilla with an herbal persona. It's only in the very end of the drydown that it smells like vanilla extract; up until that point it contains a note that resembles a vibrant green moss or maybe freshly crushed plant leaves. This green note lingers for hours. It's probably the second most unisex vanilla I've ever smelled, after the infamous Tobacco Vanille, which I sometimes find too dark and harsh. I always have a difficult time imagining vanilla on a man, but this fragrance might actually work. I personally don't think it smells like vanilla ice cream or think that it's gourmand, but at the same time I can easily see how it might come up that way on others, depending on chemistry. The projection and longevity are perfect--I can smell it on myself all day, but another person would only notice it if they gave me a hug.

I love vanilla....and am a little surprised by all the negative comments by those who also say they like vanilla. True, this isn't the vanilla sweetened with sugar most are used to....but I'd say it probably comes closer to the real bean. I've taken up baking recently...and know that there isn't a single sweet thing made in the oven that doesn't have a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract thrown in the ingredients. I decided to spend the extra money and buy a good vanilla extract, one soaked in good rum, with Madagascar beans...and NO other additives (many real vanilla extracts add corn syrup). Well, this perfume reminds me of that expensive vanilla extract. The vanilla most people are familiar with is the one that has already had many things added and done to it. People are not used to the more raw version. I like this perfume, but it takes a moment to get used to. And as it dries down on the skin, it softens up a bit. So intriguing how subjective scent is...how 2 different noses can smell the same thing and yet perceive that scent so differently! :)

This is a VERY boozy Vanilla. I actually get the Rum note as much if not more than the Vanilla at the opening at least. Very Boozy! Which is great. The Vanilla is always there like a light vail of warmth. In the mid, the Boozy (rum) tones down, and the Tobaccoy-leathery vibe comes up. This part of the fragrance is great. Slight spices, but nothing notible. Not cinnamon spice, more of a Clove type of spice, but not too noticable - I had to REALLY look for it. The drydown is heavenly. Very smooth transparent vanilla base that gives off a cigar (tobacco) vibe, Which I really like. L'Artisan changed the name from Havana Vanille to Vanille Absolument, but I actually think the first name is more suiting. I definitely get a cigar/pipe tobacco vibe from this rum & vanilla fragrance. I've even had people tell me I smell like Swisher Sweets, haha. Since I like the smell of a Boozy Vanilla, and fragrances that have a cigar/tobacco vibe.. I am loving this Absolument Vanille fragrance.

Vanille Absolument (formerly known as Havana Vanille) is a gorgeous, creamy-sweet dream that made me exclaim at first sniff 'It smells just like vanilla ice cream!". And up to this date, I haven't come up with a much better comparison to illustrate it, except maybe a tasty dessert my grandmother used to make called Oeufs a la Neige (Eggs in Snow) - a heavenly delight with custard cream. It's luscious, fluffy and milky and it has a kind of silkiness that sets it apart from all other vanilla perfumes I've tested before (which, truth be told, are more or less alike). The composition is a beautiful blend of vanilla, rum and dried fruits, rounded off with benzoin and tonka bean and a just a touch of orange and vetiver to make it seem easier and lighter. I couldn't however detect much tobacco in the notes - this is not a tobacco perfume. It's a mouthwatering milky gourmand that stays sweet and savory without ever falling on the cloying side. It's yummy!

I have the 'Vanille Absolument' named bottle of this beauty, which is much more rich in the smell of dreamy vanilla. This isn't the smell of vanilla in cake, ice cream, scented candles, body creams or other over sweet gourmand perfumes. No, this here is the smell of the actual fresh pods of the vanilla beans, complete with the odd chemical plastic/ musty booze sort of note that you get with the real pods. It dances around with this slightly acrid hint at the start and then dries down to a more cosy vanilla bean warmth, like you get upon cooking with vanilla. It stays very real and not synthetic on its amber base that's infused with some rum and dried sticky fruits. Heavenly if you like real vanilla, or hell if you detest it. My partner loathes the smell and hates it, whilst I huff my wrists and daydream away.

You need to be in a certain mental state to wear it, honestly. I had the best salsa night of my life wearing this, feeling so luxurious - because honestly, one spritz is plenty. Here's why: Smoky, boozy vanilla and narcissus open the show. it's a bit off-putting at first, you think it would be too strong, even masculine... but as it mellows on the skin, it softens. The narcissus turns from plastic to flower, the vanilla comes in as the richest, finest vanilla extract on the market. There's a powdery note that starts evolving and growing at the core, about half an hour into wearing it. With time, it becomes very femme. However, this is not a girly scent in any way. Don't buy this expecting something pink and fluffy. No. It's Rum, Narcissus, Smoky vanilla... real grown-up juice. One spritz is enough.

One of L'Artisan's best creations since the wheel and sliced bread, I know those are big words but that's just my opinion. There is something about boozy fragrances mixed with vanilla and or amber that just gets my banana peeling lol. This is one of the first niche and first L'Artisan I smelled years back and I was really taken back on how horrendous I thought this was based on the opening, but things change and so do people and now I'm proud to say that I have this as one of my all time favorites. If I could change this I would, I'd add a true tobacco leaf dipped the syrup note to the mix to really get the ball rolling but then again why tamper with something that's not broke?

Nice take on vanilla , a vanilla pod, rum, leather tobacco scent. One of the more masculine smelling vanilla perfumes out there. Quite realistic, natural and rich. I like it a lot!!! Great for winter and cold days ! Update, quite enjoying this , it softens into a very beautiful softer scent after half an hour. So even if you are not a fan of the leathery, tabaco smell in the first minutes, don't be discouraged , it's pretty impressive. Like real vanilla extract... Or open up a vanilla bean and smell it directly , black pure vanilla ,this is similar. Oh and the real juice is yellow, dark brownish yellow and not white like on this picture..

I love vanilla fragrances and this is one of the better one's in my collection. On my skin it almost smells like a block of plain Cadbury chocolate with the addition of tobacco and some dried fruit and then afterwards a coating of vanilla and a hit of rum layer themselves on top of the chocolate. It's perfect for the colder months but in the summer it's intoxicating and very sexy..it almost becomes overpowering but in the most euphoric and interesting way. If you like dry, boozey, chocolatey vanilla fragrances then i highly recommend giving this a sniff. The only thing that would make it better is if the lasting power was better.

this is the work of genius, the most inneresting and groovalicious vanilla-centered frag i have (& have plenty!) duchaufour is a master of 'weightlessness' in perfumery, and to achieve this with traditionally heavy notes - vanilla, tobacco, rum, imortelle(!) is really inspired. this remarkable balance also makes it quite seasonally versatile, giving you sweeter options in summer. chalk up another 5-star scent to duchaufour :) (this is a review of my older havana vanille, which apart from the name is much darker than the photo above. i'm led to believe they are the 'same' (i've not tried new-label juice) but i have my doubts....)

It's been a few months since I began sampling like a crazy fool and this is still my favourite thing. To me it smells like thick, luxurious vanilla ice cream, the home made kind with bits of real vanilla in there. It isn't very sweet, just enough, with a little salt to make it rich. Sprinkled on top are a selection of dreamy dry spices that waft around it, further enticing you. Then, just for pigs sake, a little root beer in the bottom of the bowl. Even though you said 'no', you know you love it...

Yesterday I was in Ulta and decided to try some of the new Burberry Goddess. It's beautiful, but it is essentially a bourbon vanilla scent, and it made me start craving Vanille Absolument. I got home and got my bottle out and doused myself in it -- and WOW, I have always loved it, but it absolutely hit the spot. Heavenly! On me it's just vanilla with an edge from the other notes. I'm grateful that I was able to get a 100 ml just as it was getting discontinued and that I've hung on to it.

Once again L'Artisan and Bertrand Duchaufour show us that perfumer still can make Perfumes. Havana Vanille starts creamy, almost buttery vanilla that gets support from fresh tobacco. I used to have Vanilla pipe tobacco and I enjoyed it's smell- it remains my best loved tobacco ever. Love that part. Later composition sweetens and it feels like a moderate drop of rum added. Not boozy or sickly at all. I recommend to try this one. Also will add that it lasts. It really does ^^

Fragrance created in 2009 by Bertrand Duchaufour for L'Artisan Parfumeur. Liqueur, opulent, kaleidoscopic fragrance that contains the magical and wonderful Caribbean notes. Authentic sensory journey of great charisma, highly emotional fragrance, which revives the vibrant Cuban night life on the skin, an explosion: warm, sweet, erotic, frenetic, gourmand, intense, liqueur, smoky with great character. Fragrance with an enveloping and lasting Sillage.

By all accounts I should be in love with this soft but curvaceous powdery spicy fruity vanilla but the liquer note is just not agreeing with me. I don't hate this but something about the whole composition reminds of like a wooden cigar box that has been sitting in an old persons bedroom for many years. After a short time the liquer softens and the vanilla sweetens and it's less powdery- I like it right now but not enough to buy a bottle.

...Havana vanille is warm, smokey and humid, creamy and rich and also powdery...It is vanilla and dried fruits saturated in aged rum exhaling gentle puffs of tobacco...it is very grown up sweetness, lively, but mature and nostalgic somehow...it is bursting with colors burned and mellowed in the years of scorching sun - terracotta, deep orange, crimson, dark yellow, emerald green...hot blooded and beautiful...