Cuir 28 Dubai

I tried every single perfume from the City Exclusive line. The conclusion is that Cuir 28 worths the splurge the most. There are many pleasant scents from this line, but if a same bottle costs twice as much as one from the regular line, the scent must be unforgettable. Its character must be as strong as an alien. When the spritz comes out from the nozzle, there is a storyline developing in the air. This is a vegetal leather. Maybe sofa on a spacecraft smells like this. Maybe a streamlined leather bodysuit that recycles vapor into water smells like this. There is something oddly satisfying out from 28 ingredients. I typically don't wear leather fragrances but this one is an exception. If I was an oil tycoon I'll put 10 bottles of this in each of my residence.

Whew, this is a beast and I love it. I have about 1/4 of Le Labo's scents (Baie, The Noir, Santal, Rose, etc.), so when I saw Cuir I knew I had to have it - especially since 'cuir' translates to 'leather' in English. I lean toward leather, tobacco, and woody unisex scents in general, so this was an easy buy for me. That said, be very careful with this scent. It projects strongly and can overwhelm you and everyone surrounding you if you're not careful. I have the large bottle and will most likely use this bottle for the rest of my life. It's best described as a deep, intensely smokey fireside scent that's best for winter months. Grab a bottle if you can find it!

I thought I wasn't going to like this since it is a leather-based scent and it garnered negative-to-mediocre reviews on here. But it's actually very nice. Beefy, thick leather and a pleasant cord of vanilla. The vetiver, woods, and musk smooth this out. It ends up being meaty, but pleasant. I really enjoy it. Perfect for fall and winter. Perfectly acceptable for either a man or a woman to wear. Not like Knize Ten by Knize. Not even like Tom Ford Ombre Leather 2018, which smells like the inside of a car. This is much more wearable and approachable. A gem. 10/11/2019 - Got a compliment on this today from my barista.

So delightfully strong and gorgeous. Leather straps warming next to a campfire. Definitely a colder weather scent and a signature scent. Might be too potent for some but I love it!

Such an unusual leather, mimics the smell of someone's sweaty under arms!

The Middle East... a land of magic, fantasy, opulence... and very weird perfumes. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re trying to cover with these scents, but whenever a fragrance has body-odor as an opening note you should really be concerned of who’s wearing it. Now, don’t get me wrong... this is not a horrible fragrance... it’s just that it has very strange accords, specially in the opening. This is foremost a Leather fragrance... but it’s not the usual Tom Ford accord nor the softened Chanel version... it’s rather a strident and sharper note that doesn’t seem to fit in any of the existing categories... and yes, when accords have been played out that much bringing something new to the table could be considered as genius... but that’s only if the scent actually works, unfortunately, that’s not the case here... this accord is neither good nor bad, neither here nor there... it’s just strange and dirty... ...and then the Vetiver arrives... this is not a particularly great one... just dry and smoky... helping in no way whatsoever... There’s also some Musk in it, animalic and delicious... it melts together with the Vanilla enveloping the whole fragrance in a very likable aura... unfortunately, this part comes two or three hours after spraying, and to get there you have to endure the truly weird “undeclared” notes that plague the opening... Speaking about the opening... the first accord you’ll smell is the very weird leather, which is made worse by incorporating the dry and smoky vetiver... but a few minutes later be prepared to get hit by a “body-odor” accord which most likely comes from an undisclosed citrus note, probably grapefruit or bergamot... and finally you enter a cheap cannabis tea festival. For the next couple of hours you’ll find yourself witnessing a tug-o-war of scents... with the dry leather on one side and the cannabis tea on the other... this pair of scents will fight it out for two or three hours with no real winner... until finally, the leather and the cannabis decide to stop fighting and settle inside the musky/vanilla envelope... which again, is the best part... but why wait for so long to get there? why should you endure such a weird opening? If it’s leather you want, there are a million better options... or if it’s the musky/citrusy/vanilla combo you’re craving for, you can go directly to Tonka 25, also from Le Labo... either way, you can completely bypass the weird leather vs cannabis fight... unless that’s what your actually going for... And again... this is not a horrible perfume... maybe just a bit of an acquired taste... Performance wise... projection is moderate, and longevity is around 8 to 10 hours. It’s unisex, but mainly from being unable to pinpoint an exact category for its main ingredient, the leather... it’s not soft, but it’s not manly either... it’s just weird... Very strange, synthetic, dry, leather/cannabis fragrance with a musky vanillic drydown... definitely not a recommend blind buy.

Cuir 28. Where do I begin. Where *can* I begin? This scent is nothing if not an acquired taste, and its leather is from a horse of another color. It's like being hazed into a fraternity of unadulterated leather, wood, and locker room musk. Just like that saying about martinis, one spray is alright, two is too many, and three is not enough. When I first sprayed this, the air reeked of body odor. Like someone else described it, armpit odor through a leather jacket. Perplexed, scared and confused, I had to know what this could smell like on my skin. Then, I realized its primal urges and raw animal magnetism oddly worked with my skin's chemistry. Having never smelled anything like it, before or since, I purchased a small bottle. I have worn it all of three times since then. Because you shouldn't be mistaken. This is not a fragrance for the meek or the easygoing. Simultaneously musky and musty, it smells like what I'd imagine an old western might. Then, while seated at the only bar in town, you hear the splintering of wood, as this scent puts on its leather chaps and kicks down the wooden door to establish dominance before beating everyone's olfactory senses into submission. There's a time and a place to wear this scent, but it certainly isn't to work, to church or to a first date. At its most romantic, Cuir 28 smells like tanned leather hides against a crackling fire under the western sky. At its most down and dirty, it reeks of bourbon and sweaty man-on-man action in an 80s gay leather bar. I could (and have) worn this while descending into the bowels of The Eagle in NYC's Chelsea district. If you're unaffiliated with that bar or this scent, well, perhaps that's for the best. In five words or less: Tom of Finland, bottled.

Le Labo Cuir 28 Dubai is mostly refined, semi-dirty, dark leather fragrance that is among the strongest EDP members in the city exclusive line in terms of quality and power of the juice, alongside Poivre 23 London. Cuir 28 is, unsurprisingly, comprised mostly of leather. I get almost a dirty tar vibe out of it, with something slightly sweet to prevent it from getting dirty and earthy in a patchouli way. Still, I'd argue that this is far more to the dirty side than the sweet side, just not wholly committed to dirty. In that respect, it's a little less refined than Tom Ford Tuscan Leather, which I regard as more inviting. I generally don't opt for leather fragrances, but Cuir 28, (like Tuscan Leather or Coach Leatherware No. 3), is one I could wear, and wear often. Unfortunately, the cost is prohibitive at $290 per 50ml, as with the rest of the city exclusive line. I'll at least defend Cuir 28 in that it has the projection, longevity, and utility to make it more worthwhile than some of the city exclusive line, but it's still almost inaccessible at that price point, specifically when, at $70 cheaper, Tom Ford Tuscan Leather largely accomplishes the same feat. Granted, no one should quibble over price at that point--they should simply get what they want. 7 out of 10

To me, this a a smokier/leathery version of Sycomore. It also resembles Vetiver 46 and actually quite close to the Vetiver 46 shower gel, with a bunch of iso-e super or synthetic molecules for vetiver (like in Molecule 04). The opening is leather, but more of a grilled leather (if you know what I mean, but nothing like the barbeque in Patchouli 24!!) which dissipates within 30 minutes and you are back to Sycomore. I can't really comment on Sycomore EdT which was considered to be a smokier version of current EdP, perhaps they are closer in that manner? Having said that, the scent doesn't remind me of Dubai, so I didn't really get the inspiration? Get your nose on it in September when city exclusives are open for sale.

Smells like tannic leather and smoked wood. It's largely unsweetened, and there's a certain sharpness that comes from the tannic leather accord, but surprisingly I don't find it bitter or sour. If anything, there's a bit of a dryly-salty undertone to it. As it dries down, I get a bit of subtle earthiness, too—a note like soft potter's clay, smooth and dense. I find Cuir 28 a captivating combination of sharp and smooth, edgy and supple. It's a protagonist on a dark character arc. It's Need A Friend by EL VY and Eat Your Young by Hozier. It's a tree struck by lightning in the woods behind the tannery.

To me it's primarily vetiver with some dark leather. It goes on animalic, a little deep green, and a little oily smelling, and the reviewer who noted cannabis is spot on. My first thoughts on spraying were "skunk!" and "body odor!". It's pretty potent and very linear and glad I only sprayed my pinky since this is the kind of scent that would wear me out. I can appreciate it but not something I'd be comfortable wearing.

This one is a very unique scent. To me it smells like a campfire.... very smokey and masculine. After the dry down it smells like a salty, smokey, piece of leather with a hint of vanilla. And this works! IMO, this is a bit too niche as a daily wearer but a very distinct option to have in the rotation. I'd give it a 7.5/10 as the notes are not my personal favorites but it is very distinct and well made.

From initial sampling: Cuir 28 is a Dirty leather scent. The first 30-40 minutes, I feel a strong odour of fresh asphalt (fresh pavement). Not pleasant at all, unless you are into garage smells. Very strong on Iso-e super afterwards. NOT my favorite leather. NOT pleasant...especially for the price.

The dry-down is exactly like Encre Noir L'Extreme! It's not surprising given that it's made by the same perfumer. The opening notes and the early stages of this fragrance is different, however. The smokey vetiver base is apparent throughout. Still, an interesting scent that I love wearing.

Well balanced campfire accord with slight sweetness in the base. Potentially mildly challenging to some but non-offensive if sprays are kept to a minimum. Sits close to the skin and doesn’t project obnoxiously, which favors this type of scent profile

This is a very rich, deep leather scent with a smoky-vetiver note that resembles Jovoy's Incident Diplomatique or Private Label. I agree with the reviewer below me that this is a stand out from the City Exclusives line - ultimately still overpriced.

Absolute badass beauty. A cousin to Tabac 28. Whiskey over leather shoes, left out to dry down on the middle eastern heat. Bold and full of character, a great take on leather. Addictive stuff.

I like this scent, especially on dry down. It might be a bit harsh for the first couple of hours, but it dries down to a nice, unique vanilla, leathery scent.

Smells like it could be an Encre Noir flanker

I have never been to Dubai, nor have I much experience with middle eastern perfumes. I struggle with oud, deep leathers and animalic scents, so I did not have high hopes for this one. Alas, I ended up with a sample, and I have to admit that... It is fine? There is obviously a lot of leather, and the vetiver is shining through. To my nose it is almost more wood than leather here, like a very smoky woodiness. Even though the scent is strong and dominating it is also slightly sweet and the musk gives it an almost guaiac like vibe. I sniff it once and think to myself that nah, I don’t really like it, but in the next inhale I have to breathe it deep into my lungs because it is mesmerizing in a way I can’t describe. The driest of dry wood is reminding me of something, and the leather is dark and warm. I think the vibe for this is a black leather coach where someone have been smoking cigarettes after having a long walk in a deep dark damp forest. For me personally this is way too masculine, but I kind of wish I could pull it off?