Birmane by Van Cleef & Arpels
Women 1999
Description
Birmane by Van Cleef & Arpels is a woody oriental fragrance for women. Launched in 1999, this composition was created by perfumer Richard Herpin. Upon release, Birmane unfolds a vibrant blend of pineapple, Brazilian rosewood, bergamot and lemon. The heart reveals floral elegance with heliotrope, orchid and rose, while the base settles on a warm, enveloping accord of tonka bean,…
Show moreQuick summary
When to wear it (votes)
Key notes
-
Top
pineapple
-
Heart
heliotrope
-
Base
tonka bean
Community
530 votes
- Positive 85%
- Negative 12%
- Neutral 3.0%
The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.
In the collection
Leading answer I own it
1,488 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Like it
530 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Autumn
403 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Day
244 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Birmane
Birmane by Van Cleef & Arpels is a woody oriental fragrance for women. Launched in 1999, this composition was created by perfumer Richard Herpin. Upon release, Birmane unfolds a vibrant blend of pineapple, Brazilian rosewood, bergamot and lemon. The heart reveals floral elegance with heliotrope, orchid and rose, while the base settles on a warm, enveloping accord of tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla and musk.
Fruits, vegetables and nuts Woods and mosses Flowers Spices
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
More from Van Cleef & Arpels
More from Richard Herpin
How it wears
Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.
Longevity
Leading answer Long-lasting
139 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Moderate
175 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally feminine
47 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Fair price
36 votes
You may also like
Community reviews
4 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
I picked it up online, as usual, because it’s not easy to find and I was keen to try it given the good reviews. What a find! At first, it’s all citrus and pineapple, but then it evolves into a delicate floral note that I adore and reminds me a lot of Cerutti 1881. Very happy to have it. 😊
Birmane, my love for the past five years (I have an EDT from 1999). It begins with a harmonious duo of rosewood and pineapple, with a touch of bergamot and something citrusy (it doesn’t smell like lemon to me). Then it turns floral (heliotrope and orchid) without losing its fruity edge. About three hours later, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla take over. Longevity is excellent: it lasts over 12 hours, though it clings to the skin. A refined, elegant, and composed perfume with an indefinable mystery.
Oh my goodness, what a sophisticated and refined perfume! Birmane is a luxury not because of the price, but due to its unquestionable quality. The notes come across naturally, almost as if you were tasting them; I feel like I’m biting into that juicy, sweet pineapple which is, for me, the star. It opens with a sweet pineapple balanced by the citrus, and within five minutes the elegant rosewood is detectable, accompanied by a heliotrope and an orchid that is among the best I’ve tried. It then becomes creamy and floral, framed by pure vanilla, tonka bean, and musk, with the sandalwood barely appearing at the end. It is a lust for the nose, a jewel that could go unnoticed in today’s niche scene. It brings me nostalgia and a desire for the artistic creations of the 80s and 90s to return. If it had a face, it would be Katharine Hepburn; if music, Yanni’s Aria. A 10 for me, what a pity it has been discontinued.
What I detect most in Birmane is the pineapple and the tonka bean. Here, the pineapple is not acidic or sparkly, but syrupy, sweet, and soft. The floral notes are gentle, and together with the wood and musk, they create an almost comforting scent. That is why, despite the pineapple and citrus, I don’t think it’s ideal for summer; it’s better enjoyed in autumn. Birmane is close to the skin, with good longevity, and although it came out in 1999, to me it seems to have the spirit of perfumes from the early 90s.