Havana Vanille (Vanille Absolument)

Havana Vanille (Vanille Absolument) is a deeply complex and polarizing vanilla fragrance that unfolds like a smoky, boozy journey through a tropical aging room, where vanilla pods ferment alongside dried fruits and tobacco leaves. It is characterized by its initial bold, boozy rum and sharp green herbal notes, which can feel overwhelming or even unpleasant to some, evoking comparisons to raw vanilla extract, wet leather, or even metallic or medicinal tones. Over time, the fragrance mellows into a warm, dry, woody vanilla with subtle sweet dried fruit and tobacco accents—more earthy than gourmand, more nuanced than sweet. The vanilla here is not cloying or sugary; instead, it feels authentic and botanical, resonating like the real bean’s raw, slightly bitter essence. It’s surprisingly long-lasting and refreshingly unisex, yet remains intimate rather than loud. While some perceive it as a velvety, creamy vanilla gourmand reminiscent of ice cream or rum-soaked pralines, others encounter a moldy, slightly spicy, or even leathery quality that feels distinct and challenging. The scent is experienced differently depending on skin chemistry, with some finding it deeply aromatic and sensual, others rejecting it as too strange or synthetic.