Vanille Havane Extrait Absolu

Summarizing Vanille Havane Extrait Absolu is really very simple: it is the Vanille Havane EdP but more! What do I mean by more? There are some traits specific to the extrait that are not traits of the EdP. For one, the EdP is a very strong performer in terms of projection, sillage, and longevity, but the extrait performs in the classic extrait manner. It's projection is slow, but it is tenacious, its sillage is relatively minor, and it's longevity is notably greater than that of the EdP, which is no slouch, by going a full day and longer depending upon conditions. In terms of notes and to the “more” of my assessment, the phrase "less is more" is apt because, to my nose anyway, Les Indemodables have stripped down Vanille Havane to its core essences and dialed back the sweetness. It's still a touch sweet, but considerably less so than the EdP. The core essences highlighted in the extrait are the earthy, bitter, nutty, and unctuous facets. The opening of the extrait is very similar to the EdP with its dried fruit and rum booziness, but the dried fruit aspect has been toned down a lot. Instead, the caramelly charred-oak barrel note of a black colored cane rum is given full reign in the opening. It is a properly boozy, and almost bitter woody caramel, without any alcohol heat. Silky, refined, and luxurious. The remainder of the perfume maintains the monodimensional and linear nature of the EdP, but the tobacco, cocoa, and leather notes of the EdP are generally muted if not completely subtracted from the extrait in some aspects. The vanilla is omnipresent and omnipotent, and is largely the same in the EdP except that - somehow, mind-bogglingly - it is even darker, deeper, and richer than the vanilla of the EdP. The earthiness has gone from black top soil to the lightless voids of space, the aromatic spice is an even darker shade of brown, the oily unctuous quality is no longer slick but sticky slick. I was immediately sold on the EdP from the first wearing, one of very, very few vanilla forward perfumes I love. The extrait is some respects is better; the rum and vanilla here are truly intoxicating and magnetic. The extrait in some respects isn’t as good; with so many notes, like the tobacco, cocoa, and leather muted and/or subtracted from it, the breadth isn’t as expansive or impressive, but the depth of the vanilla is still there. Those that found the EdP too sweet or “on top of them” will definitely think more highly of the extrait. It’s beautiful work, and certainly full bottle worthy, but less might not always be more.

This is essentially the same fragrance as the EDP but with notable differences in texture and projection. VHEA opens similarly to the original, but with less sweetness and a more prominent dusty cocoa powder/butter accord. While the tobacco note remains the same, warm/bready/slightly licorice-like, it feels more subdued here as the chocolatey vanillic notes take center stage. The Extrait Absolu also sits much closer to the skin compared to the EDP, making it more of an intimate, personal scent. Longevity is excellent btw, about 8 hours later, this became a skin scent but it was very much detectable still. Family members also commented on it and said it smells great - one even noted it has something of an apple sangria nuance, which they loved. The oil applied beautifully on my skin, leaving no residue nor irritation, and the roller application was surprisingly pleasant. While I would have preferred an attar format, the roller is functional ig 🤔 Overall, this is a delicious warm, dusty vanilla with rich woody, boozy, and buttery cocoa notes. It’s softer, creamier, and more rounded than the EDP, less extroverted but equally captivating and enjoyable. I'ld wear the EDP out and the Extrait Absolu at home for example. For the occasional discounted price of 70€, this is undeniably one of the best, if not the best, vanilla fragrances on the market for a budget below 100€, even considering the 10ml size.

Vanille Havane EDP one of my favorites ...fabulous tobacco scent with the notes of chocolate and vanilla. Lasts a long time too. but the Extrait = WOW. the same fragrance but it is soo strong! and SOOO GOOD! The Extrait does seem to get to that lovely creamy cocoa vanilla faster than the EDP does, and it is very very very potent! I have barely touched the roller to my skin, on one small spot, less than 0.5 cm, and it has created an immense scent cloud. Down side - roller ball application. ugh. It is less than ideal. As use of a roller ball will ruin the perfume over time as you roll it across skin you are also rolling bacteria and dead skin cells, oils, sweat, or any other particulate debris (that lives on everyones skin) back into the perfume. Les Indemoable website does list this has the same scent profile as the original. Fragrantica missed that little tid bit of info in only listing 3 notes of Cocoa, and Vanilla twice. "On the skin, it reveals a more creamy, powdery olfactive profile, emphasizing the overdose of vanilla absolute, vanilla infusion, and the ultrasonic cocoa extract. While keeping the essence of the initial fragrance"

I've had the EDP for a while and it is one of my favorite winter scents. So after seeing the reviews of the Extrait, I had to try it. Glad I did. It certainly has the signature of the original but, as others have said, it's both more intense and also more intimate. To me, the EDP -- if anything -- overprojected. I had to dial down my sprays with it or else it simply was too much sillage. Since my goal in wearing a perfume isn't necessarily to force myself on others, but to enjoy it myself and allows others to perhaps sense me, I much prefer the Extrait. This is not to say that the Extrait isn't strong stuff because it is very very strong and intense (it is), it's just that it's not (in my opinion) almost obnoxiously present. It is much more a "me" scent -- a fine boozy, tobacco over vanilla. And its duration is incredible on me. Lasts and lasts all day into the next. Given its strength (on me, at least), this roller bottle will long outlast its shelf-life. A small amount goes a long way.

This is such an addicting smell, it is one of the most real vanilla scents I’ve ever smelled, real vanilla is very expensive in perfumery. It’s boozy, rich, and multifaceted, I feel like there is incense in here as well. This stuff is eternal long lasting, but it’s does sit close to the skin, which I’m fine with. Now, the question is... do I blind buy the EDP version, will it be similar enough... some of the comments I’ve been seeing say this extract smells better but doesn’t project like the EDP, I’ve seen more people say they prefer the smell of this over the other:: I’m sure it’s similar enough but at $240 I may just be patient and wait on a sample. Either way, this stuff is bad ass and I highly recommend if you look at perfume as art.