Normally, most perfumes from Thierry Mugler's A*Men line seem to have a touch of the original A*Men in their base. Right off the bat: Pure Havanne does not follow this line, but has a completely different character.
Yes, at the beginning after spraying, A*Men is indeed very sweet. This honey tobacco note reminds me of Paco Rabanne's 1 Million Privé, which lists the note "shisha tobacco." The top note in Pure Havanne is slightly sweeter and fruitier, while Privé is a bit spicier. Still, I find the opening of both fragrances comparable. Additionally, I perceive an ethereal note for a short time that reminds me of sage. Moreover, I can also detect something cherry-like in the first 3-5 minutes, which brings to mind cherry yogurt or cherry ice cream. Really delicious with cherry pieces in it. After the cherry fades away, the tobacco becomes spicy-sweet and essentially accompanies the fragrance until the end.
After a good half hour, Pure Havanne gains a little bit of complexity, even though one must say that this fragrance pyramid is quite simply structured. Personally, I prefer it this way rather than having scents overloaded with notes that merge into an undefinable mixture. Admittedly, I can't sniff out any cocoa, but there is something earthy that could be patchouli. Subsequently, the scent remains linear, long-lasting (7-8 hours), and pleasant for the next few hours. In my opinion, the drydown is almost unisex, provided the fragrance had a bit less smokiness.
Overall, it is enjoyable to smell it again and again, the sillage is perceptible for a long time on oneself and radiates clearly outward. Pure Havanne is particularly pleasing as a casual scent in autumn and winter and is a great addition to any collection!
Chevalier 6 years ago 