WHAT I SMELL:  T. Habanero opens with a discordant spiced shoe leather that’s covered in dung.  It’s thick, fecal and a huge slap in the face.  I am hoping that the fragrance veers away from this bomb of a cow patty and thankfully after a few minutes it does.  That was the strangest opening that I have come across in a long time!  Thankfully after around 5 minutes a lightly woody and nutty cardamom comes to the forefront.  It’s peppered and it brings the perfume from heavy to a lighter range, lifting the perfume out of the initial depths.  But even though this helps to make the perfume lighter there is a darker and dangerous edge to the scent.  The oud, smoke and a dirty leather make this feel like a perfume that you should wear to a back room poker game.  There is nothing feminine about T. Habanero…it’s all man.  After around 20 minutes, the perfume hits its’ sweet spot when it gets to its dry, woody, smoky and slightly nutty conclusion that seems to rise off of the skin like the smoke at the end of a lit cigar.

From the Rania J. website:

Tobacco Habanero is a spicy, dark & fresh black Tobacco with the Rhythm of Cuban nights… A dance on the hot and mysterious notes which combine grace and love of life. High energy and deep emotions.

Top note : Pink & Black pepper, Cardamom
Middle Note  : Black tobacco
Base Note :  Sandalwood, Agarwood/Oud, Incense, Myrrh, Leather

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A back room poker game full of smoke, sweat and grit.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE T. HABANERO:  funky, dry, manly

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT T. HABANERO:  Parfumistans blogg

BOTTOM LINE:  The fecal opening was an eye opener if there ever was one and I’m not sure that spritzing on some funk is how I want to start off a wearing of perfume.  But the fragrance settles down to a nice and easily wearable woody perfume that would work for a man who likes his fragrances less unisex and more manly without being overly butch.

• Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent: Woody Spicy
• Nose:  Rania Jouaneh
• Classification: Leans masculine
• Expense: $149 for 50 ml Eau de Parfum

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique & Apothecary