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What does Habanita smell like?

Habanita by Molinard is a fragrance with a defiant history, originally designed in the 1920s to scent cigarettes and later becoming a personal perfume that carries that same smoky, rebellious spirit. Wearing it feels like stepping into a dimly lit jazz club from a bygone era; it is thick, powdery, and unapologetically bold. The opening is sharp and green, driven by galbanum and mastic, which can feel aggressive to the uninitiated. This initial "slap" of powder and herbs quickly gives way to a complex, dark heart where nutmeg and cedarwood meet a floral bouquet of rose centifolia and ylang-ylang. The true character of Habanita unfolds in its dry down, which is legendary among enthusiasts for its tenacity. It settles into a rich, leathery, and earthy base of oakmoss, vetiver, and patchouli, sweetened by a generous dose of vanilla and amber. The result is a scent that feels like "smoky stewed fruit" and vintage leather gloves. It isn't a clean or modern scent; it is resinous, woody, and slightly animalic, leaving a trail that suggests a person of strong conviction who doesn't mind a little grit with their glamour.

Details

House: Molinard
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 1988
Longevity: 9.1 / 10 · 137 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 8.5 / 10 · 137 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (67 votes), Winter (67 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (71 votes), Night Out (69 votes)
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Floral, Smoky, Leathery
Perfumer: Roure Bertrand

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

The performance of Habanita is widely regarded as exceptional, with the community noting its extreme longevity and heavy sillage that can easily fill a room if over-applied.
It is frequently compared to the smell of old-fashioned makeup bags, tobacco smoke, and vintage leather, often described as a "polarizing classic" that requires patience for the dry down.
While it is marketed for women, many enthusiasts consider it a gender-neutral or unisex fragrance due to its heavy emphasis on vetiver, leather, and smoke.
Most users recommend Habanita for cold weather, specifically fall and winter nights, as the heat of summer can make its thick powdery and balsamic notes feel overwhelming.
There is a notable consensus that while the fragrance underwent a major reformulation in 2012, the current version remains one of the most faithful and high-quality updates of a vintage scent on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Habanita suitable for office wear?+

Generally, no. Its heavy sillage and smoky, powdery profile are often seen as too intense for professional settings. Most fans suggest it for evening use, nights out, or leisure time when you want to make a statement.

How does the Eau de Toilette perform compared to other fragrances?+

Despite being an Eau de Toilette, this fragrance is renowned for lasting all day and well into the night. It performs more like a high-concentration extrait, so a light touch is recommended during application.

Does Habanita actually smell like cigarettes?+

It does not smell like an ashtray, but it does have a distinct "smoky" and leathery quality. This is a nod to its history as a cigarette flavoring, and some people perceive a lingering tobacco-like warmth because of the vetiver, oakmoss, and galbanum.

Is this a sweet fragrance?+

It has sweetness from vanilla, amber, and heliotrope, but it is not a modern gourmand. The sweetness is "dark" and resinous, balanced by heavy earthiness from patchouli and woods.

Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Classic Perfumes944 Eau de Toilette Fragrances915 Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With H213

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No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

What does Habanita smell like?

Habanita by Molinard is a fragrance with a defiant history, originally designed in the 1920s to scent cigarettes and later becoming a personal perfume that carries that same smoky, rebellious spirit. Wearing it feels like stepping into a dimly lit jazz club from a bygone era; it is thick, powdery, and unapologetically bold. The opening is sharp and green, driven by galbanum and mastic, which can feel aggressive to the uninitiated. This initial "slap" of powder and herbs quickly gives way to a complex, dark heart where nutmeg and cedarwood meet a floral bouquet of rose centifolia and ylang-ylang. The true character of Habanita unfolds in its dry down, which is legendary among enthusiasts for its tenacity. It settles into a rich, leathery, and earthy base of oakmoss, vetiver, and patchouli, sweetened by a generous dose of vanilla and amber. The result is a scent that feels like "smoky stewed fruit" and vintage leather gloves. It isn't a clean or modern scent; it is resinous, woody, and slightly animalic, leaving a trail that suggests a person of strong conviction who doesn't mind a little grit with their glamour.

Details

House: Molinard
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 1988
Longevity: 9.1 / 10 · 137 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 8.5 / 10 · 137 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (67 votes), Winter (67 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (71 votes), Night Out (69 votes)
Scent Profile: Spicy, Oriental, Floral, Smoky, Leathery
Perfumer: Roure Bertrand

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

The performance of Habanita is widely regarded as exceptional, with the community noting its extreme longevity and heavy sillage that can easily fill a room if over-applied.
It is frequently compared to the smell of old-fashioned makeup bags, tobacco smoke, and vintage leather, often described as a "polarizing classic" that requires patience for the dry down.
While it is marketed for women, many enthusiasts consider it a gender-neutral or unisex fragrance due to its heavy emphasis on vetiver, leather, and smoke.
Most users recommend Habanita for cold weather, specifically fall and winter nights, as the heat of summer can make its thick powdery and balsamic notes feel overwhelming.
There is a notable consensus that while the fragrance underwent a major reformulation in 2012, the current version remains one of the most faithful and high-quality updates of a vintage scent on the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Habanita suitable for office wear?+

Generally, no. Its heavy sillage and smoky, powdery profile are often seen as too intense for professional settings. Most fans suggest it for evening use, nights out, or leisure time when you want to make a statement.

How does the Eau de Toilette perform compared to other fragrances?+

Despite being an Eau de Toilette, this fragrance is renowned for lasting all day and well into the night. It performs more like a high-concentration extrait, so a light touch is recommended during application.

Does Habanita actually smell like cigarettes?+

It does not smell like an ashtray, but it does have a distinct "smoky" and leathery quality. This is a nod to its history as a cigarette flavoring, and some people perceive a lingering tobacco-like warmth because of the vetiver, oakmoss, and galbanum.

Is this a sweet fragrance?+

It has sweetness from vanilla, amber, and heliotrope, but it is not a modern gourmand. The sweetness is "dark" and resinous, balanced by heavy earthiness from patchouli and woods.

Has the fragrance been discontinued?+

No, Habanita remains in production. While it can sometimes be difficult to find in local department stores, it is actively sold through Molinard and specialized fragrance retailers.

What is the most challenging part of wearing Habanita?+

Many users find the opening 30 minutes to be the most difficult. The blast of galbanum and intense powder can be overwhelming, but community members advise waiting for the development when the smoother vanilla and leather notes emerge.

More in this fragrance line:Habanita — Eau De Parfum·Habanita — Eau De Toilette

Accords

Notes

TopGalbanum//Mastic//Petitgrain

HeartCedarwood//Grasse jasmine//Heliotrope//Nutmeg//Rosa centifolia//Vetiver//Ylang-ylang

BaseAmber//Musk//Oakmoss//Patchouli//Sandalwood//Vanilla

Similar Fragrances

Molinard

Habanita L'esprit

Molinard

Ambre

Eau De Parfum

Molinard

Lavande

Eau De Parfum

Molinard

Vanille Patchouli

Eau De Parfum

Molinard

Cuir

Molinard

Vanille

Eau De Parfum

Molinard

Thé Basilic

Molinard

Secret Sucré

Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Classic Perfumes944 Eau de Toilette Fragrances915 Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With H213

Where to buy Habanita

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Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.