First off, I won't say a thing about A*Men Pure Havane's similarities, given that despite it is on my wishlist, I miserably never had a chance to test it yet. Insurrection II Wild by Reyane Tradition cologne fits well under the Oriental-Gourmand group according to what I feel and smell.
It opens on my skin with a mixture of Morello cherries syrup and mint-infused honey. The Morello is a variety of sour cherries that is so dark-skinned, it is almost a mahogany red, with dark red flesh and dark juice inside. Sometimes Morello cherries are so dark red that they are almost black. I know Morello cherries very well since, in Italy, we have Amarena Fabbri company, whose syrup is the heart of a company that has a great story to tell. This syrup is made from fruits pitted and then candied in the sugar and is ideal for decorations or fillings with any dessert. The tart of these fruits is present in almost all the lifetime of this scent. That's the opening.
After a while, a green sharp tobacco note emerges, but not offensively like a cigarette's smoke on the street, rather gently, with pride and elegance typical of the finest Cuban cigars. I almost get a caramel scent as well, and over time this beautiful cologne dries down to a dark tobacco, spicy, and woody combination that is exquisite. It's adorable, highly unusual, perfect for a business day, as well as a night out.
The heart goes on with a sour leathery accord blended with vanilla spice, like if you were wearing a leather jacket with pockets filled with patchouli leaves and vanilla sticks. Yeah, you are right; it isn't listed in the notes. Instead, I also detect a hint of vanilla, which provides an extra creamy and powdery smoothness. Oh, what a damn pleasant sensation! It's so full-bodied, gourmand, and woody essence of birch is wonderfully unique and bold.
I seem that, once this scent takes off, it remains in this state of bittersweet warmth forever. If you're anything like me, you can't help but continually sniff your wrist while wearing this. The dry-down is this bittersweet, raw vanilla, resinous amber, with a sharp ash accord. Not a wet, damp, dirty ash, but dry and powdery cigar ashes, a Cuban cigar! It sounds nasty, but I think it smells so good.
Despite being sweet with notes of honey, rose, vanilla, and amber, RTIW is undoubtedly masculine. It is how it differs from other tobacco vanilla scents on the market, which are sweet and frequently more feminine and "round." The herbal and green tobacco note together with the earthy and bitterness of patchouli make it more masculine. Whoa, this is the top, it fades and most of the wear is vanilla-patchouli tobacco. Just get it if you like tobacco fragrances. Instead, if this doesn't sound like your kind of thing, look elsewhere. However, if you want rich and masculine scents, then RTIW is a masterpiece of a fragrance.
Thankfully RTIW is an EDP, which has terrific sillage and longevity. Sillage is just right, it isn't overwhelming, but it is on the firm side of things. It doesn't require that many sprays to be effective, which is a relief with so many weak colognes out there. It also has outstanding longevity, and this is an all-day kind of scent for both the workweek and weekend. However, be aware that it is much more of a skin scent after 5-6 hours, but with a consistent application, it should still be noticeable. Suitable for both day and evening wear, Insurrection II Wild is an excellent choice for a signature scent, best if worn during cold weather from late Autumn thru all early Spring.
In my last words, It is so good and something that I'd wear frequently. As I said, I can't stop sniffing my wrist when wearing it!