SvenScent

I blindly bought an opened bottle of the fragrance from our souk. It was an old batch from 2019, which is supposed to be more potent and also different from the newer ones, as I could see from the comments of some members here.

When I first just held the spray under my nose, I thought, hm, kind of "Layton Exclusif | Parfums de Marly" like. And after I had sprayed the fragrance on, it really was like that for me: there were very, very strong Layton Exclusif vibes; this mix of irrepressible spice and wood with a hint of fruitiness in the background. It's just that all of this seems a lot more rounded in the Exclusif.
However, this is quickly overlaid by another familiar scent in Kalan, "Oud for Greatness | Initio". Even though it is not listed, I perceive saffron and also this somewhat pungent synthetics of OfG. Once this has subsided somewhat, a third companion joins in: "Baccarat Rouge 540 (Eau de Parfum) | Maison Francis Kurkdjian". This then ultimately dominates the drydown with its warmth of ambergris and woods. In my opinion, this is where the fragrance is at its most beautiful.

Conclusion: overall quite complex, not very innovative and all a bit badly blended...

I have to admit that I had serious reservations before I sprayed Haltane on for the first time, because I had already tested or owned "Oud for Greatness | Initio" and several of its dupes such as "Bade'e Al Oud - Oud for Glory | Lattafa / لطافة" or "Supremacy in Oud | Afnan Perfumes". Although I found their DNA quite interesting, their pungent and sometimes very synthetic character always bothered me. And I was aware that Haltane should resemble them.

I was quickly relieved, however, because the Haltane is much more rounded than the previously tested ones. It has more spice at the beginning, a wonderful praline twist and, above all, the woody oud note with the leather nuances in the base is elegant and cuddly and one of the best things I have smelled in the drydown. The saffron, which often has a somewhat pungent character for me, is much better embedded here.
However, there is also a small downer that needs to be mentioned here: The oud note becomes slightly cheesy at some point in the last third of the fragrance. For me, this is tolerable, for others it may be off-putting...

I, for one, have found my interpretation of Oud for Greatness with Haltane!

The fragrance opens more like a youthful clubbing fragrance, fresh citrus and sweet. I thought therefore with me, what is the hype? This is now truly nothing special...

But after a short time, the fragrance gains immense depth. Becomes smoky, resinous, tart and masculine. Club Black is often reduced here to its vanilla note. But that is not fair to him in my eyes, he is significantly more complex. In fact, I find that the vanilla and its sweetness is at times relegated to the background, while smoke, wood, resin and a more oriental spiciness dominate. But in the base it always donates a residual sweetness and warmth.

For me, a thoroughly successful designer, which is absolutely worth the money (quite cheap to have)!

A joint with cinnamon in front of the nose, a glass of currant juice with a piece of lemon against the dry mouth and besides 'n cookie.

Different, ingenious and highly addictive!

The whole thing kredenzt in probably the most beautiful bottle in my collection and equipped with good durability.

The opening of the Absolute is actually identical to that of Men Intense, very spicy, smoky and you even think something of the booze to guess, which distinguishes the Intense, although clearly, significantly lower. This impression lasts, however, only for maybe ten minutes, before the Absolute drifts in a completely different direction and mutates into a pure woody scent.

The woody note is initially still very heavy and slightly incense. Cedar clearly dominates in this phase, underpinned by sandalwood. Over time, the fragrance becomes lighter, almost transparent and the actual fragrance comes to light. Henceforth, one wears an airy woody scent. This is probably what is called papyrus in the notes here. I've only held papyrus in my hands once before and it was from the Middle Ages, but you can imagine the smell. Then towards the end there is some amber mixed in before the scent gently fades out. Oud I do not perceive.

Overall, quite a convincing affair, especially if you like wood. What the fragrance lacks a little, is power. The durability is still quite okay - but already that could be a little better -, the sillage, however, is rather poor. Not for nothing are woods yes mostly part of the base, when the perfume is mostly long since only skin close to be perceived and hardly radiates.