Havana
Aramis (1994)

Thankfully Havana still remains a lovely back n' forth of dry and cool, of spicy and warm, of old world gallantry and new world balance that undoubtedly gets the heels kickin' and captures the sultry charm of Caribbean-Latin sensuality and gentlemanly demeanor in a bottle. Basically, a seasoned green tobacco inflection dipped in bay rum, herbs, caraway and dry woods that steers in the burley wheelhouse of Roger & Gallet Open, Jacomo de Jacomo, Montana parfum and D.R. Harris Sandalwood... Ahh, grace indeed!

This was a blind buy. It smells like an old man to me. It's not gross - it just smells like something more appropriate for a man in his 60s or 70s than his late 30s. I'll hide it in the bathroom and test it again in a few years when I find it and remember I own it.

When it finally dries down to tobacco and woods, it is soft and pleasant enough, but it takes about a day of "where are my bifocals" to get there.

April 2024 Update:
So, I was reading this review and thought "that's exactly how I felt when I bought this." Then I looked at the name and saw it was my review.

Well, let me tell you, there are two colognes that I blind bought and dismissed as old man scents that are now established in my rotation:
This, and Cartier - Roadster.

Blind buy (dunno if Roadster is still available - I'm starting to learn than many of the best ones get changed or discontinued). You'll keep going back to the well, and eventually realize you love them.

Improved rating from neutral to thumbs up. I'm 40.

Oh Havana, how I love to lavish in your godly sillage and savor each waft. The caraway and artemisia in the opening is bold, brash, and unapologetic, it is a burst of unrelenting sunshine and dirty herbs and I can't get enough.

The dry down of tobacco, cinnamon and carnation is a warm, sultry paradise on my chest, arms, and neck. I really should get back up bottles of this in case it is mercilessly discontinued. Because it just THAT good. God, what a nose orgasm Havana is.

This shares the same impeccable DNA as Aramis 900, Devin, JHL, Tuscany (even though they were composed by different noses)... They are all masterpieces, and I cannot be convinced otherwise.

The scare that Estée Lauder was shutting the Aramis works down in toto prompted me to score some classic Aramis and Devin. Havana by Aramis crossed my radar screen along the way, and as a Lauder devotee in general and an Aramis aficionado, I HAD to give Havana a try.

I love it!

Havana is complex and tells an interesting story as it passes from sweet, citrusy top notes through spicier heart notes and dries down into the masculine, exotic blend of tobacco, patchouli, various woods, and tonka bean. Every step of the journey is worthwhile and evokes the spirit of old Havana - awaking in a classic hotel, breakfast and robust coffee on the balcony or in the courtyard, a stroll through the streets and along the waterfront, drinks later in an airy bar, and finally a wonderful cigar at sunset. Hemingway would be proud.

Havana by Aramis is a winning formula.

Havana is a herbal spicy bay rum tobacco scent with a lot of spicy notes. After the cacophonous opening that singes the nostrils, Havana settles into a tobacco accord that's not far removed from vintage Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme that came out in the same year. Havana tones down the amber to go full throttle with its spiced tobacco accord which is dense, green, almost bitter with noticeable clove oil, pimento, and a hint of leather. The late dry down of Havana is softer and sexier, when the sharp edges become a bit blurred to reveal a warmth and smoothness with hints of tonka and resins.

Havana successfully reimagines the brisk, tonic-like profile of aftershaves in perfume form, much to the delight of wet shavers and others. Havana is bold, brash and uncompromising throughout much of its development, and surprisingly reveals a refined sensuality in the base. This is best enjoyed in warm weather with a lavish application –– laid back and immensely satisfying.


4/5

Havana is the first scent I loved so much that I purchased a back up. It's currently such a great deal as part of the 'Gentlemen's Collection' that I couldn't resist considering it's held in the $20 range from the major online discounters. Don't judge this masterpiece based on the opening, which is kind of a mess. There are a lot of notes listed but the middle bay rum that rides through till the base of tobacco and woodiness may be the most prominent notes. I was thinking that having a 'bay rum' fragrance in my collection would be a good idea and this totally covers that and more. In the long run this could sneak into my top 10. As long as the price holds(I don't think it will) it is a blind buy as I guarantee there are plenty of basenote-ers that will take it, me included. BTW, this is not one of those scents to wear once, freak out over the opening and post a trash review. Get to know this fragrance and fall in love. Viva Havana! Thumbs up!