Havana Rain

Havana Rain has one of the most beautifully swoon- inducing openings I've experienced. Orange, pineapple, mint, milk, coffee. A few sprays in the morning on a warmish day in warmish rain and - I'm not exaggerating - my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. If the perfumer wanted us to walk in the streets of Havana in morning freshness after a rain, the smell of orange trees swirling around us, and of cafés serving sweet coffee with milk and a sprig of mint, he's succeeded profoundly. I tell you, friends, for a few minutes, I was there. This was my first blind buy, and I've not one regret. After those first morning notes burn off, the rest of the day is enwrapped in warm, hazelnut coffee, then hazelnut liqueur with a touch of cocoa, backed by warm musk and sandalwood emerging later in the drydown. I can't even make the excuse that I'm not a gourmands person - I'm not, but after this, I may change my mind. What I am is a former baker and pastry cook, and none of these notes feel synthetic to me. This is clearly extrait concentration, and the longevity here, especially on non-exposed skin, is all-day. The scent rubbing on my arms against sleeves was gone rather soon, but on clothing, it could possibly persist forever (we'll find out). The sillage is strong but not so strong that anyone mentioned it, which is fine by me, as I don't apply to get compliments but for my own edification. I was glad that there was not a reliance on oud here, as this house has reputation for using it in almost everything. I think that it would have dominated too many other good smells. Absolutely beautiful stuff.

Delicious fragrance that is like a "flanker" of the limited edition Havana 500 belonging to the Taino collection (Daniel Jossier) and that Renier (in my opinion) improved and incorporated into the "Rain" collection, which is more accessible. The expression "Asere que bola" has been an expression of informal and street greeting like "what's up" or "what's going on" so Havana Rain 'Asere que bola' is another tribute from the artist to his native Cuba and the expressions of neighborhood. This composition begins with a very marked note of fresh mint almost "aniseed" that transitions to coffee with milk (typical Cuban breakfast before the communist disaster). This is part of the DNA of Havana 500 since the three notes repeat but this composition is more loaded with notes, and as it evolves, a bright and juicy pineapple appears that contributes its fruity part to the composition that also has a honeyed, alcoholic touch and with a pinch of chocolate, a total delight that has its gourmand point, which is somewhat fresh, a creamy sandalwood is joined with ambery vanilla traces, I see it perfectly wearable all year round although it will shine more in transitional seasons such as spring and autumn. In short, a delicious fragrance that moves a little away from the animal notes and those ouds that are so recurrent in the house.

This is my second sample from the house. My first, Guanabo, was a disappointment. This is at the opposite end. This is fabulous. From start to finish it is well rounded. Beautiful start bursting with pineapple and mint. Then the boozy coffee mix hits. Finally a nice woody and patchouli drydown. It would normally not be something I would reach for often. Yet, I can appreciate it. If someone wants to gift me a bottle, I promise to wear it. 😁 Versatile and unisex. A tad gourmand but not enough to shy away from it if you avoid those types. Abry_81 below provided a great summary. The more I kept checking on it, the more I enjoyed the base notes. Really fantastic.

This is one of my favorites from the whole collection. The nuttiness is so unique, but yet so reminiscent of personal memories, a boozy gourmand with soft metallic nuances. It encapsulates everything one might suggest by saying "you can find me at the bar", from a cappuccino to a hot chocolate on a rainy day or a rum and coke on the rocks. It's that special.

Opens with a pina colada like smell which gets richer by the second. Smells like a hazelnut dipped in chocolate towards the dry down. Very long lasting and maitains a good scent bubble with good projection off of clothes as well. 9/10 on the uniqueness scale.