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,…
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When to wear it (votes)
Key notes
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Top
pineapple
-
Heart
heliotrope
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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
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Community reviews
4 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
Got it online, as usual, because it’s hard to find and I was dying to try it after reading the great reviews. What a find! At first, it’s a blast of citrus and pineapple, but then it evolves into a delicate floral touch that I absolutely love—it reminds me a lot of Cerutti 1881. So happy to have it. 😊
Birmane, my love for the past five years (I have an EDT from 1999). It starts with a harmonious duo of rose absolute and pineapple, with a touch of bergamot and some citrus (I don’t get lemon on mine). Then it turns floral (heliotrope and orchid) without losing that fruity vibe. About three hours in, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla take over. Longevity is excellent: over 12 hours, though it stays close to the skin. A refined, elegant, and calm fragrance with an indefinable mystery.
Oh my god, what a sophisticated and refined perfume! Birmane is a luxury not because of the price, but because of its undeniable quality. The notes feel natural, almost as if you’re tasting them; I feel like I’m biting into that juicy, sweet pineapple, which is the star for me. It opens with a sweet pineapple balanced by citrus, and within five minutes, the elegant rose absolute kicks in, accompanied by heliotrope and an orchid that’s among the best I’ve ever smelled. It becomes creamy and floral, framed by pure vanilla, tonka bean, and musk, with sandalwood barely showing up at the end. It’s an olfactory indulgence, a gem that could easily go unnoticed in today’s niche scene. It brings me nostalgia and a longing for the artistic creations of the 80s and 90s to return. If it had a face, it would be Katharine Hepburn; if it were music, it would be Yanni’s Aria. A 10 for me, what a shame it’s discontinued.
What I detect most in Birmane is the pineapple and tonka bean. Here, the pineapple isn’t acidic or sharp, but syrupy, sweet, and soft. The floral notes are gentle, and together with the wood and musk, they create an almost comforting scent. That’s why, despite the pineapple and citrus, I don’t think it’s ideal for summer; it’s better enjoyed in autumn. Birmane is skin-close with good longevity, and although it came out in 1999, to me it feels like it has the spirit of early 90s perfumes.