Havana Reserva
Aramis (1996)

Aramis Havana Reserva (1996) is a fascinating flanker to the original Aramis Havana (1994), even if the differences between it and the original aren't great enough to really justify a purchase outside hardcore Havana lovers. The point of Havana Reserva seems to be presenting a richer, smoother, easier take on Havana; and Lauder accomplished this by bringing in perfumer Edouard Flecher to work his magic. This is a bigger deal than some may realize, as he created both Davidoff by Davidoff (1984) and Montana Parfum d'Homme (1989), the latter of which was a really big rival to Havana in the European market alongside Roger & Gallet Homme (1985), where it was mostly found. The original Havana was the last in line of the old "smoky" tobacco fragrances that were popular in the 80's, making it odd that it appeared in the mid-90's alongside more fresh or floral tobacco stuff such as Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme (1994). The mix of smoke, rum notes, and spices with the tobacco courtesy of Nathalie Feisthauer and Xavier Renard made Havana a cult classic however. Havana Reserva has a lot in common with Flecher's Montana Parfum d'Homme too, making it something of a MK II of that scent in the eyes of some. I guess considering this was the mid-90's, some people probably thought the original Havana was too loud or "old-school", and Aramis was still trying to diversify its market away from the old guys still buying bottles of the original Aramis by Estée Lauder (1965).

Aramis Havana Reserva opens with sweeter citruses than you may expect if you know the original, with tangerine and orange mixing down with the floral tobacco Flecher seems to like using, adding jasmine and coriander to the usual Havana spice and smoke mix. This has the effect of softening these spicy smokey elements a lot, furthered by a dollop of vanilla to sweeten it up. Havana Reserva therefore becomes something of a missing link between Havana and the later Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille (2007) also produced by Lauder, although way better than the Tom Ford. Reserva is more like suits at a casino playing craps than the original's blue collar dads in Hawaiian shirts playing poker in the basement with brewskis. The rum and coke has been upgraded to Manhattans in hi-ball glasses. Wear time is roughly the same, and this is no screamer of a scent, actually having less projection than regular Havana even if roughly the same sillage is present. It seems almost like Havana Reserva was made with similar performance standards as Tuscany per Uomo Forte (1994), in that it is a more "concentrated" but not more potent mix. Differences in purpose of course exist between the flanker of Aramis Tuscany per Uomo (1984) and this flanker to Aramis Havana, even if they come from the same train of thought. Best use would be for indoor cozy time during colder seasons snuggling with someone close, or where the original Havana may seem impolite with its brusque nature, and you absolutely need your fix.

Nowadays we'd just call something like Havana Reserva an eau de parfum and just be done with it (maybe Havana Parfum d'Homme is too on the nose); but these were the days when guys would turn pale if you tried sticking anything but "cologne" or "eau de toilette pour Homme" on bottles, since "p words" like "parfum" meant it was for (eww) girls. I like Reserva a lot, but seeing how limited this was back then, and how much more crazy rare it is now that its limited production has long since been ceased, I don't see a point to owning it outside of collecting. Good (older) bottles of Montana Parfum d'Homme made by Montana or Selection Beauté are going to remain cheaper than this no matter how long its been since both were out of production, so never will there come a time where this Edouard Flecher creation becomes a better value than the one its arguably based on. Still, Aramis Havana Reserva is a nice treat if you have the coin, and a kinder/gentler Havana isn't something anyone asked for, but also something a fan wouldn't turn away either. Once again, I must emphasize that the similarities between Havana and Havana Reserva far outweight any differences, so if you don't directly smell them side-by-side, you could miss the plot and be left with an expensive bottle you need to flip, especially since Havana proper was re-issued and is much easier to find. If you're a die-hard tobacco fragrance fan with a crush on Havana, then chances are you already love this, and probably own backups. Thumbs up

Aramis Havana Reserva EDT -

Released in 1996 as a “concentree” flanker to the original, this one has been long discontinued and can be tough to find. The bottles are identical, shaped as a conga drum in blue frosted glass, with the only difference being that Reserva has a silver topped cap.

Havana Reserva is definitely a different animal than the original, however the backbone and DNA are the same. The opening is much less aromatic / boozy and instead dives right into a thick, oily blend of spices over a dusty vanilla. They are both mildly sweet.

After an hour, your head will be placed squarely inside the bouquet of the humidor's chopping block as the leafy, earthy tobacco and cedar sharpen their collective axe. Your smile should be a mile wide at this point!

Reserva is an amazing composition, BUT truthfully, only dyed in the wool Aramis Havana devotees (like me) need apply. The overall differences are not going to be worth it for the casual fan of the original.

If you are interested in applying for admission as a Brother of the Leaf, then polish up your V-cutter and expect to pay north of $125 for a 100ml bottle.

4.5 stars

Aramis Havana Reserva is a more linear version of the original Havana that skips over the original's opening and goes straight into an amped-up version of the drydown.

It's nice, but not deserving of unicorn status. The original Havana offers a fuller, more satisfying journey.

Stardate 20180530:

About Havana: A great bay-rum (made from west indian bay leaves and rum) fragrance. Perfect for humid and hot summer days. The scent will keep you cool and refreshed.
Don't be fooled by the notes. It is an elegant bay-rum fragrance.

Havana Reserva is just a drier stronger Havana. DuNez finds Havana similar to Montana Parfum d'Homme. I think Reserva is much closer to Montana than original Havana is. The dry and dusty spices play more central role here (just like Montana).

For the price Reserva demands I would stay away and just buy current Havana and Montana and layer them.

More reserved tobaccoThe lemon and bergamot in the top notes are toned down, with coriander dominating the first phase. Now quite a bit of jasmine and spices follow on, with a nice and restrained tobacco setting in now; much earlier than in the original and with a drydown of cedar, vanilla and a gentle background of leather at the end. This flanker is less fresh and has a longer tobacco note appearing earlier than in the original, less summery with a more spice and wood overall. Adequate silage and projection. The longevity is about three hours on my skin. Nice in autumn.

Somehow knowing this vintage juice contains some weird toxin makes me like it even more. Smells like fallen leaves, a flannel shirt, and an unsmoked cigar. Wife doesn't love it, doesn't hate it, so I save this for those fall days when I want to feel like Paul Bunyan.