Tumbao - Cuba

For me this fragrance opens masculine. But when it dries down I think it becomes more unisex, even I like it more and I prefer it on the dry down; maybe because of the tobacco note, but at the same time this note makes it a very generic fragrance, it is something that I am used to smell, nothing original. Although, as I said, I liked it when it dried down.

My journey with Fiilit continue! :) Now we have Cuba Tumbao. What a beautiful pyramid! It sounds amazing, isn't it? But let's see if the juice matches the expectations. On my skin, Cuba Tumbao doesn't have much common with the listed notes. I'm sorry, but that's my experience. I can separate two main phases - the opening + the next 2 hours and the second moment - the deep drydown. The opening of Cuba Tumbao is the worst part - very natural, but almost pungent with lot of dry citruses, with super earthy dry vetiver. This fresh and citrus start is not good on my skin. Yes, it is natural, yes it is green and uplifting, but it's so tight and dusty, super masculine and mature. I'm feeling very old with Cuba Tumbao at the first 1-2 hours. It's far from anything modern and trendy. Also, after 30 minutes, I feel hot dry spices as well. At that stage, I think only the hard fans of Terre D'Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver will appreciate it. The second part is the best part. After 2-3 hours, things are very different on my skin. Now we have the amazing aromatic tobacco notes, the smooth rose, the rounded warm amber.... this is completely new scent. At that stage I feel it more close to Cartier Declaration d'Un Soir. Very nice gentlemen and classy aromatic-spicy scent. The interesting thing - at that nice and deep drydown, I feel very appealing note of smoky benzoin. I know it's not listed, but I think it's there. As a conclusion - I can't say I'm amazed by Cuba Tumbao, but it's a nice mature and elegant scent. Not fit at all in my style, but it sounds natural and I'm sure people with mature taste of dry and elegant spicy fragrances will appreciate it.

Tumbao strikes me as a Manly Fragrance! I don't detect any of the citrus notes listed at any time. For me, when I first spray on Tumbao, I'm hit with strong pepper, which fades out early after the initial shock. For the rest of the time, Tumbao is vetiver, vetiver, vetiver! This perfume definitely smooths out, becoming much fuller and richer after the first hour or so. The tobacco notes (like pipe tobacco) start coming out and becoming more prominent. A little rum as well, though I don't detect that much of it. Overall, Tumbao is a hearty scent. My mental image is of eighteenth century sailing ships, though not specifically of Cuba. Very bracing for autumn or winter, and unlikely to offend, especially after it's had time to mellow.