Habanita (1921)
by Molinard

I’ve now tried both the EDT and perfume extrait concentrations, and I still can’t make my mind up about Habanita.

Granted, this is a very rich and opulent oriental (consisting of vanilla, amber, leather, tobacco, light florals, vetiver and oakmoss), with the EDT being as potent as any respectable EDP. Unfortunately, its leans too much towards smelling old-fashioned and tends to spoil my enjoyment of it. I really do think you have to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate its qualities but (for such situations) it’s usually difficult to determine this until it’s too late.

Unlike other reviewers, I don’t have an issue with its powdery nature or with the EDT’s harsh opening nature (which I think is due to the lavender top notes). However, while there are times when I can appreciate it for what it is, there are also moments when I simply can’t – it’s just one of those Jekyll and Hyde fragrances that demands an acquired taste.

Habanita is most certainly a sophisticated and sensual scent but it often fails to completely (and consistently) captivate me to an acceptable degree – so much that I’ve long lost count of the number of times I’ve considered purchasing a bottle, only to later change my mind. There are very few fragrances that have the ability to both allure and dissuade me, in equal measure, and I’m afraid this is one of them.

It’s definitely a classic creation but its age is far too evident and, as much as I have wrestled with unconditionally admiring it, I have finally conceded defeat. However, regardless of my disappointment, I think anyone with an interest in perfumery should give Habanita a try at least once.

Thank you, Basenote folks! If you had never blogged about Habanita, I might have missed out on one of the "greats". This scent is NOTHING like I expected. I expected a heavy on the kaboodles Oriental fragrance from the 80's (not my favorite perfume era). Instead, I discovered an abruptly green opening followed by a thick jammy spiced-fruit accord. Next come the florals. Then the drydown is all vetivier & vanilla...very dry hay with just a touch of vanilla. Yes, there is amber but the final star of this show is the vetivier. I can see this as a masculine if you put it on early and go out for the drydown. Bravo!

To my nose, this is the model upon which Jaïpur pour homme has been created.
Jaïpur is spicier and habanita fruitier, but I feel they share a lot of similarities, and the same structure and feeling.
Kudos!

I received a sample of this and found myself loving this ambery vanilla scent to be very sophisticated. It lasts a very long time. To me it does not smell as masculine. It's amazing that this complex fragrance from 1921 can still feel seductive and sophisticated today. Makes me feel sexy and elegant, all at once.

A mixture of vetiver and vanilla, very ambery, very sweet and completely feminine. I have no idea what it's reminding me of, but the first sniff of this gave me a massive nostalgic headrush of butterflies-in-the-stomach, first dates, and first kisses.. I think this is the perfume equivalent of the LBD that never fails. I could go out wearing this and feel unsrtoppable.

The first ten minutes of it is a disaster. some kind of medical and resin notes which are very strong gave me a headache. Then it becomes a powdery aldehyde. I put it into a group of harsh scents i hated like dana, Bal à Versailles, (for the top) and Je Reviens by Worth (for the heart). I can find no femininity or any piece of grace in it.