La Habana
La Habana by 19-69 is aromatic, smoky and alluring, with notes of saffron, incense resinoid and Laotian oud. Based on a sailor’s reminiscence of Cuba before the revolution, La Habana pays tribute to the island’s golden musical era between the 1930s and 1950s.
From 19-69 Founder Johan Bergelin
“Known as a playground for the mafia and wealthy elite, Havana in the mid 1900s hosted many vibrant music venues like the Tropicana or the members’ guild Buena Vista Social Club. The rhythmic pulsations of Habanera, Latin Jazz and Salsa that were heard everywhere coupled with the dazzling showgirls, added to the tropical island’s allure. After the revolution in 1959 many establishments closed down and with that an era of Havana ended. The scent La Habana is inspired by my uncle who was a sailor, his narratives of Cuba.”
Notes
aldehydes, saffron, elemi, incense resinoid, vanilla absolute, caramel, ambroxan, Laotian oud, golden stone, amber balsam resinoid
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|
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I've been on a tobacco kick lately — also purchased samples of Hoja de Cuba by Berdous and Tobak by Maya Njie with this one. Personally I love La Habana and bought a full bottle of it.
To me, in the drydown this is actually an amber fragrance with tobacco as its primary complement. It's the resins and the clever combo of caramel (just a touch), tobacco and oud that make the drydown on this scent delectable without crossing into gourmand territory. Kind of has the sweet warmth of Au Coeur du Desert but with a kick of tobacco leaf and saffron that make it unique in its complexity and actually quite memorable.
Reviewed this on Fragrantica.com as well.
This fragrance is truly a unique and beautiful scent. It’s very much of a amber/spicy/mildly smokey scent and slightly animalic. For me, the initial scent is captivating, The first 2-3 hours is the best where you will want to keep smelling your wrist to be reminded of the complexity of the scent. However, it doesn’t last long. Toward the end of the day, it becomes much less potent and turns more non-descript ambery/powdery fragrance. I would say this is a drag you will need to apply at least a second time during the day to recharge the initial scent.
IMO, the best part of La Habana is it’s opening - bold, powerful and unique. It’s has a soft, ambery finish.