Cuba Cologne

Cuba by Czech and Speake - The secret lovechild of Potion DSQUARED2 and Virgin Island Bay Rum by Pinaud Clubman. It doesn't have the longevity or complexity of Potion, it doesn't have the inexpensive hit of rum and cloves found in the Pinaud bottle, but it's a fine fragrance none the less. The opening is all about the bergamot lime and rum, pure sweet freshness. Then the cloves and bay leaf come through. A beautiful warm spiciness held together by a something I can't place. I know that something is the mint but it's not a regular peppermint, so I'm not smelling it as such. It's definitely got the warm coca cola vibe. Over the next couple of hours the warm smell softens a little more with a light floral tobacco and the unmistakeable amber tonka bean scent. The frankincense and woody cedar stops it from becoming too soft and keeps a light sharpness. Longevity is only moderate. After 4 or 5 hours it's pretty much faded away. Sillage is moderate with a small amount on the neck. All in all another 'I Love It' for the house of Czech & Speake.

I've been hand wringing for a while trying to decide if I wanted to purchase this one because of all the "fecal" note comments that have been made. Getting a sample of Cuba has proven difficult, so I finally bit the bullet and ordered a bottle. I'm relieved to report that there is no fecal note on my skin at all, and I'm slightly annoyed that I waited so long to enjoy this excellent fragrance. If those who think this smells like fecal actually excrete something that smells like this fragrance does, then by "Grabthar's Hammer, what a blessing!" Seriously, this smells no more like excrement than neroli does to my nose. Cuba is very complex and there are some notes that are almost competing, but that I feel work wonderfully well, almost like a musical composition that is pushing the boundaries of dissonance but doesn't quite go off the rails and ends up being more interesting becoming a favorite in time. Cuba has been a pleasant surprise. Another that I'm enjoying so much from Czech & Speake!

As a fragrance that approaches a tobacco theme, Cuba is unique by design, highlighting a spicy camphor, bay leaf, clove and mint to elevate the feel of its tobacco core. For those who can't divorce themselves from the association of medicine or that of the dentist chair may want to steer clear. I haven't any issue with that, and revel in the rush of such aromatics. They are all especially pleasing here with the added quenching squeeze of lime. The tobacco itself is like a dry, somewhat greenish cigar tobacco leaf, like the wafting of its aroma from an apothecary jar in a tobacconist shop. This is accompanied by a warm bay rum effect in the heart. The earthier, somewhat more animalic facets reveal themselves further into its dry down, but the effect is never smoggy or dense; it's a handsome vivaciousness. What remains in its last stages is an frankincense-cedar skin scent with whispers of spice. Cuba is simply gorgeous.

The top is mostly a bllast of fresh mint, supported by aromatics and a hint of sweetness (rum, supposedly?), somewhat reminding me of Lalique Ombre Noir (which also starts with a spicy mint supported by a dry myrrh). Shortly after, a mix of cloves and bay rum (aka pimento berries) kicks in giving a great impression of dry cigar tobacco leaves, quite close to MH Feuilles de Tabac, at that stage. In the base, I get mostly an animalic musk with a very subtle non-sweet honey, reminding me of SL Muscs Koublai Khan (like others have underlined before me), but also - more remotely - of Guerlain Lui (because of the cloves/musk combo and the hint of sweetness). I smelt this one in the early stages of my fragrance journey, and always desired a bottle. I now have one, and can tell without hesitation that this is possibly the most beautiful dry tobacco fragrance I got to smell in my life. Masterpiece.

On the faecal note: An insight that I'd like to offer is this: A few years ago I got my hands on a Cuban cigar. I smelt it...expecting a delightful scent...and I recoiled; I was convinced it smell like faeces. Through and through - a quality Cuban. Smelt like s***. I was shocked and disappointed. A year on from that, I smell the same cigar, and the smell is different, appealing and not revolting. Cuba, for me seemed to capture elements of this pleasant cigar smell. I think the fact that others mention a faecal note is perhaps only a testament to achieving the scent's aims. To smell reminiscent of cigars. Perhaps those who cannot appreciate it, simply haven't developed their noses in that direction. It's an acquired taste. Personally, from my samples, I'd love to have this fragrance.