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.

This is a real treat. Not one I reach for often, but it's a special occasion when I do. I'm sure the earlier bottles had more tobacco, with a more rough and rugged feel to the fragrance. It's had a wash and a shave since then, and is a little (although only marginally) more polite these days. It captures the imagined fragrance of Cuban nightlife admirably. Love it.

At first it seemed scary, I thought this drug is, after a while I began to feel the development of the fragrance in a light spicy sweetness of the clove, and the beauty of rum and tobacco. Great Combination. So I would rate it: Smell: 9/10 Projection: 8/10 Longevity: 7/10

For me, it smells like a Mojito VERY briefly, and then settles down to an anamalistic musk, very reminiscent of Lutens' Muscs Koublai Khan. Out of the middle notes, the only one I really get is clove.

This is straight up a well made Cuba Libre. High quality rum in a Fentimans Curiosity Cola (or other craft cola made with botanicals) and a squeeze of fresh lime. Stunning, 10/10.

I think this fragrance is really nice. I do not get the fecal note people are talking about! lol I guess it comes to the surface on different skin. Its not 88 but I do enjoy it.

Without having spent much time with the cologne version of this scent and not being a huge tobacco fan, the Eau de Parfum's note breakdown came as a pleasant surprise. It is also longer lasting and more wearable than the cologne. Right from the top, the scent comes across as quite camphorous (perhaps due to the peppermint), delicately sweetened (though nowhere near as sweet as the typical sugar-syrup designer scents of recent times) and evidently 'dirty-fresh' (that could be an effect of bergamot and the other notes). The cloves are quite prominent from quite early on, which to my nose make up the backbone of the scent. Nothing overpowering here, nor are we talking about cloves a la a 1980s dental surgery, but it provides a spicy woodiness throughout. In the heart, the cloves are joined by the bay leaf and a rose accord; this provides supporting floral-freshness rather than taking centre stage. As the scent evolves to its dry down, the woods are quite prominent, but held back by the incense which at this stage is still surprisingly camphorous, calming and meditative. The incense is hard to single-out, but it is there; just nowhere near as prominent as incense-heavy scents such as CdG, Tom Ford and Montale. This is nonetheless a positive point as the whole scent has a lot more going on. As per its name, Cuba, the scent is a celebration of the Caribbean island's heritage and culture. As a result, a tobacco note is mentioned in the literature, but this is very carefully woven in to the base. It is by no means a sickening overpowering tobacco (I'm looking at you Tom Ford!), but instead it almost plays 'hide and seek' with the incense and woods. Not necessarily a 'refreshing' scent in my books, but a long-lasting woody-spicy scent with some interesting combinations of notes. Czech & Speake, you have my attention!

Wow! I gave this to my friend ages ago. I had mixed feelings about this. It was one of my learning curve buys. I writing this after using the bath oil which presents a lot smoother and softer and more of rum, bay leaf and tobacco. I re read reviews here and I’m reminded of how people’s noses work. The Yes/No about the fecal side for example - and this is what I mean about learning curve. The fecal aspect is definitely there. I smell it but you may not. My friend doesn’t and loves it. Sometimes I don’t - sometimes I just break down the notes and I love it. I also get some people’s comments about urinals - yeah - I get that too - quite common and understandable as the boozy rum and oily green ingredients and lime will actually smell close to this naturally. I also get the Coca Cola comments. People are also wired differently both in their senses and how their brain works. Now I have over 400 perfumes (a lot more since I bought this - it was a blind buy as I love tobacco) I find I can tolerate some of the more ‘demanding’ perfumes but I’ve managed to maintain perspective and call a spade a spade. I think that as your nose experiences more, it becomes more ‘tolerant’ and hence I’ve become melancholic as I miss this scent. The reality is this is a scent I like but wouldn’t wear In public as I know some people will think - ahem - poorly of it and quite frankly they’d be quite rightly entitled to that opinion. Sample first or even two times. This is one of those rare perfumes (like Houbigants Cologne Intense - manufactured batches from a few years back that smelled like vomit to most including me) that I do not think there is a definitive opinion that is correct. I can however recommend the bath oil which does not replicate the possible negatives.

OK folks this one is really intriguing but it's absolutely doing my head in. The only possible review is a stream - of - conciousness review: Oh good Lord...Is it Cuba in that little vial or is it some kind of expensive Single Malt scotch whisky ? Ahhh no, it's Cuba. I suppose that's the rum that I see listed in the notes but it definitely feels a bit more Northern European than Carribean! Oh this feels a bit wrong with the mint coming in, like drinking a glass of fine Lagavulin whilst chewing some Spearmint Extra gum. Ah but as it dries down I am getting a pleasantly soft and powdery sandalwood-vetiver.Maybe...iris? Maybe not. No! Wait! Where's that sweetness coming from? Tonka? I dont think so...Now it's vanished! Bergamot! Hello that's nice...Gah this is so confusing...Now a bit of tobacco...more kentucky than virginian. Every time I raise my wrist I'm getting something different. Hmmm..more vetiver but it's tempered with ummm... is that bay leaf/laurel ? It's not in the notes. Now it's cedar. What happened to the Sandalwood I got earlier? That wasn't in the notes either but I would put money on it..Oh the mint has made a reappearance. Mint...just a suggestion, 'a hint of mint' I'm a poet and I don't even know it. Oh Cuba, I like you but I don't really understand you. It's like someone talking to me in a foreign language, if I pay close attention & observe the gesticulation I think I am beginning to understand you but then you throw something new at me and I lose the plot again. I am going to keep trying with you, because I think you are really something quite special, I just wish you would stand still for a few minutes and let me catch up... Oh Lord...I think I just found the lime....

I am reviewing this based off a sample, so I was surprised to see that the bottle looks like off-brand budget liqueur. I am also surprised to see remarks about a supposed "fecal note" being brandished about in the reviews - my nose picks up nothing of the sort. This fragrance reads both very green and dark, musty brown to my nose, dry tobacco and something rather camphor-like; somewhat similar to Maison Incens Tabac Licorii but the latter is saltier and less complex. I can detect every single listed note in this composition if I choose to focus on them independently, which is oddly satisfying. Having never visited Cuba, smelling this fragrance does evoke what I imagine Old Havana to be like - walking along narrow streets after dark, the rhythms of timba musicians and inviting golden lights luring you into a small pub where a giant fan is set to max speed but you would never know it existed unless you saw it, the stifling air inside being offset by natives in good spirits, sipping on rum, smoking cigars, playing chess. A caramel-skinned woman with red lips and black eyes is dancing with her partner for the evening in the middle of the room, her flowy dress and black curls creating a pleasant movement of air in your direction in the packed locale. Out of the two of them, I feel like the gentleman would certainly be the one wearing this perfume, not her. As a woman, I could see myself wearing it, but as a very Finnish person living in The Netherlands it feels like it would be false advertising for me to wear it.

Interesting. Took me two months to get used to it - at first I thought it was a horrible blind buy (I also bought the bath oil). But the bath oil had a more pleasant presentation and so I kept coming back to the bottle. AT first it had a somewhat urinic or stale sweaty presentation but I grew to ignore that and embrace the dusty lemon spice and tobacco. I find the note table here skewed wrong and comments about the strength of the mint exagerrated. To me I would describe it as a damp tea bag with lemon and a light tobacco top note. The clove, bay leaf and grass giving the body under the citrus and the Rose, Vetiver and Mint and tobacco polishing it off and giving it an old school feel somewhat ala Guerlain Habit Rouge, Eau Sauvage (it could even pass as a flanker to ES) and Floris 89 etc. Now when I wear it (mostly as a personal scent at home in the evenings) I find it pleasant to put nose to skin and pull apart the pleasant ingredients. It is however not strong and poor value for money for me so, yeah prob won't buy again...

This exquisite fragrance truly does justice to the name "Cuba". It is a very well crafted fragrance. At first application, the tobacco sent is almost pugnacious (it smells like the inside of a humidor box where luxurious Habana cigars are stored), but allow it to settle in for a few minutes and the melange of luxurious tobacco, rum and tropical flora scents will bring smiles to your face. The scent truly took me back to 2004 when I last visited la isla bonita, Cuba. I would say this "rich smelling" fragrance is more suited for a mature, refined and charming Gentleman (of Latino, Arabian or South European extract) on those special occasions, he wishes to entertain that special lady in his life. For younger males (like myself) looking for a tobacco based fragrance I'm more inclined to recommend Aramis Havana.

I can understand why some people might be offended by this cologne.but I think it's great. If you're a cigar aficionado, you know this smell. It's opening smells you put your nose up close to a moist cigar in a humidor. I'm BLOWN AWAY by how close this is and yes; it has the funk that moist tobacco carries. It's almost barnyard but not quite all the way there. It smells like coca cola spilled in a barn thereafter. But trust me, this is exactly how a fine cigar smells up close! If you're a cigar enthusiast, it doesn't get any better than this. Tobacco, aromatics, and fresh hay. The drydown is beautiful natural cola and then a smooth and very spicy finish. 🍂🍾 🔥 Scent 7.5/10 Performance 7/10

Above all is a minted-tobacco fragrance; at the start i detect mint, lime(not always); then sometimes i detect cloves(not always), sometimes franckincense and patchouli, and a rum "barrique"(woody); no sweetness, only dryness; is not a vintage fragrance. It doesn't last, is a eau de cologne, and this is the only flaw; is a fall/winter fragrance, not for the younger people. PS: i wear it today, but i felt a sense of "retrò" scent, very '60.....perhaps the tabac is a note very classic, but in a "older" and "vintage" way; however it's a scent very classy and elegant.

Before the drydown this reminds me of YSL Pour Homme, at least La Collection version that I have. Dirty citrusy mint. Citruses and mint sounds clean, but all that surrounds them makes it a little bit dirty. Drydown here is less original, but still good. Classy and mature.

Cuba starts out smelling medicinal with an antiseptic quality and dries down to a minty-floral. It's nice. I'm not gaga and it's only a skin scent on me; combine that with the high price and it's a pass for me. If price and performance were better (like No. 88 now being offered in an EDP), I think I would then buy a full bottle.

Okay so... 'Horrendous but interesting' is my appraisal. Despite wanting to try these C&S fragrances for ages now and without prior knowledge of this ones notes or reading anything about it, I'd assumed with a name like 'Cuba' it would be all about Tobacco...perhaps coffee too? but definitely some warm juice. I was correct in my assumption and like the true perfume lover I am, I except that certain unpleasant notes may be intrinsic in making a masterful composition. I scanned over the reviews here and only had to venture a couple down to see the dreaded 'F' word! Yes I too get the fecal in this and it taints my appreciation of what starts out pretty bad but in a different way. The opening is sickening boozy almost like the breath of drunk but a drunk who's trying to cover it up with mints! A twist of lime in there kinda works with the rum and mint but also makes this even louder and more odd. Really the minty accord is menthol like and adds such a strange dimension because you can tell there's going to be a strong tobacco about to develop. There's a spicy blend of bay leaf and clove in here which is not helping Cuba's cause either. When it does develop things get more intriguing still and there it is the pleasing, slightly dirty but accurate tobacco...that is for a second then...Feces! It's almost to the point you move your head away in disgust but if applied to your neck or chest not a lot you can do! Then minty tobacco comes back (which isn't even nice)...and you give it another chance then...fecal mote again. I smoke cigars on rare occasions and when choosing a particularly full bodied Cubanos they do indeed have a slightly unpleasant note to them, like an earthy manure type smell...maybe this is what C&S have tried to capture? Instead of fresh dried, countryside cowpat I get synthetic stink bomb, a smell which exceeds rather than emulates nature. I'm not a fan of C&S Cuba...whoever likes this or wants to acquire the taste good luck to you! Or if you're among the people who don't know what others are talking about when then describe this awful note...It must be great for you having a fragrance you enjoy and frustrating that people berate it to the point of smelling like shit...it must seem harsh. I'm truly sorry to be one of the detractors because these are affordable and very different, quality niche fragrances from a Uk based company but I can't abide Cuba. The drydown is much better in fairness but it's only after several hours the nastiness goes and then it's a barely recognizable warm skin scent. Lasts pretty well and as I mentioned isn't bad in the end but not for me at all, it was certainly an experience.

I needed to go out to my office this afternoon, so applied Cuba without reading any reviews of it (I never like to read any reviews or notes before testing) thinking it would be a nice, public-friendly scent. I’m now running around in circles hitting my head with my palm, wondering what on earth I was thinking. Cuba starts out with an astonishingly strong and unmistakable fecal note. Not your normal indole, not civet, but feces pure and simple. Huh? Is this supposed to evoke an open sewer festering in the hot sun? I suppose there are some in Cuba, but surely there are better things to put in a perfume that’s supposed to represent that country. There are also spices and florals; maybe there’s even the de rigeur tobacco and rum and lime and vanilla somewhere in there, but they’re so dirtied up in the muck that it’s impossible for me to find and enjoy them, and I certainly wouldn’t want to subject others to this fiasco. I am flabbergasted by all of the good reviews that this scent has gathered. Are there really people out there who are anosmic to the fecal note? Do people ignore it because they think they ought to like it? What’s up, anyway? I tried to give Cuba ample benefit of the doubt, letting it dry down, hoping the feces would go away, trying to find all of the good things that others say are in there, but the fecal note was always lurking in the background if not parading in the foreground. I eventually had to scrub with soap and water, followed by alcohol and acetone to get rid of it. I don’t very often find a perfume that’s so repulsive to me that I have to scrub, and I don’t give many unequivocally negative reviews, but this is one. I know Czech and Speake also sell plumbing fixtures, but they really need to keep the two businesses separate.

I will agree with the previous reviewer: this is one bad perfume or my sample's gone sour. Because really, the list of ingredients sound so yummy, how can the result be so off-puting? I think it's the clove that's ruining it for me, one of my least favorite notes. But the mint's prominent too, as is the cedar. There is no tonka bean I can detect and I was looking forward to its smoothness. In the end, all I can smell on my skin, and a friend's who tried it with me, is a really bad body odor. I love spicy scents, but I can't pull that off. The more is dries down, the less prominent the spices are and that somehow makes it better; more intriguing and sparkling than the initially cloying smell I got from it. Still, this is not a perfume I'm willing to go near again. Even my sample will probably go unfinished. Perhaps it's better suited for men after all.

Sampled this at a shop hoping I would like it but I definitely didn't. The tobacco didn't sit well with me, possibly because it was so front and center and I'm a former smoker. The florals also seemed a bit too heavy and the combo together made me slightly nauseated. The other two C&S frags I sniffed at the shop the same day were much better (Vetiver and Oxbridge) IMHO.

I come close to liking this, I guess particularly the tobacco and the rum, but there's something in it that strikes me as unpleasant. Perhaps the cloves.

Imagine that you're standing in between two people, one of whom is smoking tobacco, and the other is sucking on a curiously strong peppermint.

Sweet bay rum that feels as old as the bartender who should be wearing it, after a messy night and waking up face down in a dumpster

People....im going to get out of my mind.... i only smell a bad fecal note that i cant imagine i have tried on my skin !!!!!!

Like I've said before, this smells like a cigar plucked from a dead man's butt...

Czech & Speake's Cuba is the sort of scent that you are never going to get again if the current tides of civilisation and progress (read: mass culture) persist. Here is a proper 'cologne'. I refrain from using the word 'perfume' as it is quite explicit who the target audience is; and, women, if they wear this, they'd perhaps be the ones who prefer colognes over perfumes. Here is a cologne done in the best traditions of the old school, but with some nuances and flourishes that render a suave, fresh appeal rather than something dusty or dated. Cuba is a simple yet complex affair; beginning with a burst of lime and mint paired with a note of rum. The mint is underplayed and expertly handled so that the concoction smells closer to an abstract cocktail, rather than any toothpaste association. That isn't all; there is a deft touch of clove, and a very prominent note of bay. The aromatics are further shaped by a rapidly developing warm, humid note of tobacco that hints at leafy cigars, together with cedar and vetiver. I don't really get any incense from it, and it smells perfect. The development is brisk, then slowed out as the fresh-aromatic nature encounters a plot twist to reveal a warm, glowing scent. I'm not surprised that warm weather brings out the best in this scent. Luckily I don't get any note of faeces, but then, I never really had a way of life compliant with contemporary North American (specifically: Toronto) standards of sterilisation and sanitisation. Cuba exhibits discreet to average projection and moderate longevity based on an abundant application. Note that the 'cologne' strength is relevant, don't expect a powerhouse. Cuba is far removed from contemporary perfume trends in 2019, and I'm thankful for that. It's 'niche' at designer prices, at least when I bought it a couple of years back; more importantly, its style is very different. There is minimal emphasis on synthetics though I'm sure it employs quite a bit, and it reminds me of the earlier/vintage Creeds like Baie de Genievre. Cuba exhibits excellent separation of notes, is airy, and lingers on in memory space for long after it fades away from skin. If you're curious about how it relates Havana, they are largely different scents with Cuba being fresh-spicy, whereas Havana is warm-spicy; however, there is an uncanny link in the 'personalities' of the two scents, somehow they feel connected, even after accounting for the tobacco and bay/rum notes. They sort of go hand in hand, and I can say this about both: here there is style, here there is substance. This is a scent for discerning gents who understand and value respect and appreciation; wet shavers, hat wearers, and tango dancers. 4/5 (positive) Note: Review is of the EdT. I just realised I have never tried the aftershave, and now I feel stupid.

ive always wanted to have a perfume that reminds me of mafia, the cigarettes, cigars, smoke, something with leather and suits, something very masculine. so this came up in one of the best perfume shops in the town where i live. at start i LOVED the bottle color and name. when i sprayed some on my skin it smelled TOO RISKY & STRONG (the 2 main things i admire) but the kind of smell wasn't sure, i mean i said ok i'll leave it for awhile.... and after few minutes the smell turned upside down, oh MY... it smelled EXACTLY like a public restroom (bathroom) in a wide touristic cheap bazaar. i almost threw up. i gave it a try for the second time as i know that my skin chemical is rare and nothing works fine easily (like mona di orio cuir smells like fresh blood after 3 minutes on my skin) so i sprayed Cuba again but now on my clothes, after a while it turned to be the same a public restroom in a cheap bazaar. so i gave it up but honestly i would LOVE to have a cuba mafia perfume but absolutely not this one for sure. to me it's not a good one, sorry (Edit - 29-04-2014): the third time, tested it, i really liked it! it has an extreme rum and incense smell, truly it is a mafia like smell. i guess my nose has changed since sniffing brand new notes i never smelled before in other perfumes. this perfume is going to my collections yes.

What a controversial fragrance. So many complain of getting a fecal note off the top, and some claim this note pervades the scent's entire evolution. Then there are those who feel this note is not part of Cuba, and find the scent to be nice but nothing remarkable. I'm in the latter camp. Cuba does have very dark, earthy, somewhat indolic elements to its construct, but beyond the density of cigar tobacco and rum, I don't get the fecal animalic presence at all. However, this definitely doesn't smell clean or "fresh" by any measure. The mint does enliven things, and there's a healthy dose of cedar underpinning the scent. But nowhere does it enter a realm of brightness. Note separation is beautiful, and the ingredients are clearly top notch. But all things considered, I really don't get anything more than a dandified bay rum out of Cuba. It does have bay leaf and rum notes, so why this gets its premium niche billing is beyond me. If you're a huge fan of bay rum and want something to go with your aftershave, Cuba is something you should sniff. For the rest of us, I say pass.

Review for the New EDP version Imagine making a mojito and the lime and mint are in the glass and then you spray in some John Varvatos Dark Rebel, then stick your nose in. Fresh lime zest that’s not fading and makes your mouth water, fresh mint and fern to start, then after about 10 mins a green fresh tobacco appears with a little rum hiding in the background. The tobacco then changes towards a drier slightly bitter and smokey version with the rum moving forward and that lime still shouting. Obviously going to be long lasting. Very much like Aramis Havana, but fresher, brighter and smoother with a nice progression through the notes. Much denser than the original version of Cuba, I imagine it’ll be strong enough that when you iron the top your were wearing once it’s been washed, this will make an appearance again. Not a crowd pleaser, don’t blind buy it and it’s one you wear for yourself. If you wore it out in a bar, I suspect they’d have a sudden unexplained rush on for mojitos as people caught a waft of you and subconsciously couldn’t get craving out of their head.

Minty-bay rum. Cuba opens with a blast of aromatic and refreshing notes of mint, lime and bay-rum. The overall acidic and sort of balsamic effect brings to mind of Piper Nigrum and other Tiger Balm-inspired composition such as Esprit Du Tigre but where these two stay pretty linear in reproducing this effect, Cuba is joined in the middle phase by an animalic musky/rose accord that winks at classic perfumery. Simply amazing and original. The drydown is more conventonally classic with the appearance of a woody-tobacco combo that drives the fragrance towards the barbershop type of stuff. Nice concept - Well executed. Rating: 7-7.5/10

I bought this having had a sample from purchase. Honestly I hate the opening that mint is far too much smells like toothpaste. I don't really get the rum note just sone general sweetness. However when that initial blast is done the this fragrance really comes alive. It's dry sweet and crumbly just like tobacco leaf with a nice spiciness in the background. Its warm and complex I really like it. Nought a bottle and don't regret ut at all. Great for a night out but can be an acquired taste. My advice get a sample. It's old school and I'm ko spring chicken so suits me. Different and challenging. Thumbs up

Not getting this 'fecal' note either. Just got a sample of this and to me its camphor that passes quickly, followed by a brief bit of lime (mojito?) and then settling into a warm, rich tobacco with a hay like note. I suppose I can see how someone can get a fecal note from certain cigars, but the cigar in this is so tame. Overall it really does evoke memories of Old Havana for me. Not so much the camphorous part but what if settles into quickly following that.overall an interesting fragrance that keeps me trying to figure out what's in it, in a good way

My second wearing of this today and I think it's fantastic. I cannot understand the negative reviews. It's almost like a bay rum barbershop scent mixed with fresh mint and spices. The mint note is wonderful, really natural,fresh and aromatic. As it drys you get a nice mix of Cedar, Tobacco and Vetiver as well as wafts of the Bay leaf and Cloves while still smelling fresh. Beautifully blended. For me other than 88 this is one of the best from Czech and Speake. A bit pricey but really fantastic scent for me.

Hmm...I don't know really where should I start my rewiew...I'm totally shocked and impressed at the same time. It's beginning with a harsh bergamott screaming and as Doc Elly felt that fecal note, I could detect it too...unfortunately...:(I can't detect the basil and rum note. After the shocking, rank, sour fecal horror is faded away and turned into a woody, warm pleasant smell. So...I have mixed feelings about this scent, I'm not sure I want to wear this...

A woody mint in the top and I smell something else. Like tabacco from a cigar. no rum for me. And I cant smell any bergamot and lime either. it dry's down to a nice woody scent with wiffs of mint.I find it a very masculine scent but I guess a strong woman could wear it to

An opening of... Hamster bedding? Which quickly fades into a mojito, and then a burst of rich, pungent tobacco and then... Gone, with a trace of musk. All in 30 minutes. What a disappointment. I love when a perfume develops so drastically, but not so quickly!

Absolutely stunning fragrance! Strong juicy limes, cigar tobacco and rum all hit you in the face! Such a unique smell! Never get tired of this! Not one to be heavy handed with!

Confused about this one I thought It was pretty decent, I don't know where all the hate came from 8/10 lasts a while too. I still woulddnt buy it but hey, it was good.

I've tried hundreds if not thousands of fragrances and this is the only one after which I had to rush to the bathroom to scrub off.

Andy, what a wonderful story! Totally enchanting. You made me both want the fragrance and visit Cuba, too :)

There is no fecal note! Only Cohiba Behike in humidor (spanish cedar wood) + mojito. Masterpiece.

"Wonderfully poopy" isn't something I imagined I'd ever say about a fragrance.

Fecal note was probably on purpose since it was inspired by his trip to Cuba.

boozy with rum and tobacco, light in sillage, charming but rather linear!

If this smells like Cuba, There is a bad septic problem on that island.

To me, this is a very expensive Coca Cola.