Cuir de Africano

I have tried Memo African Leather at a counter but I don't have it on hand to compare directly with Dua Cuir de Africano. As I recall, MAL was too forward with challenging opening accords and cumin stank for my liking, despite an appealing profile in the drydown. I know not everyone perceives cumin aroma compounds as comparable to oniony sweaty armpits, but I do. Many reviews of DCA mention the softer open, lacking the original's off putting qualities, so I took a chance on a well-priced bottle, my first ever Dua clone. I'm glad I did. This is one of the most unusually attractive perfumes I have tried. There is a low level underlying funk of something like raw karité, aniline tanned leather (as opposed to sweeter Italian leather), and there is perceptible cumin. But those notes that one might consider undesirable on their own compliment and balance the composition, like a dark background that allows beautiful foreground elements to stand out in contrast. It's spicy and warm, but without any ambery or gourmand effect; fruity and green but not at all juicy; sexy in a way that I have not experienced with any other fragrance. I'm not sure how I will use this scent; it may be one I reserve for at home enjoyment. Full price on the Dua Brand's website is a bit dear (though of course still far below the price per ml of MAL), but there are always coupon codes and opportunities for lucky secondary market finds like mine. Definitely one to test before committing - as I say, not as I do!

Memo African Leather starts out quite sharp and spicy; it's most potent during the process of merging with the not-so-leathery "leather," which is very masculine and also my favorite stage (only lasts ~15 min); then it stabilizes into a softer version of everything combined (citrus spicy floral woody with a touch of leather), and that's pretty much what this one smells like! So if you compare them right after spray you're not going to get the similarities, as this one goes straight to the middle and stays mostly linear.

I am comparing this with African Leather right now. This opens very differently - Cuir de Africano has no where near the spicy leathery opening & the best way of summing the comparison up has been mentioned already - this really does go to the middle notes of what African Leather eventually transforms into - which for me is when African Leather becomes more enjoyable. After 30 mins+ these two do start to become VERY similar & not only does this capture the best bit of the original, it slightly amps it up. This is very good stuff indeed. Just give it time. I must say that now I directly compare them - I really do not like the opening of this at all though - I get a slight bleach/sanitation smell which I never noticed until I finally got to directly compare them in this way - this highlights the difference in quality which is not surprising. But this picks up steam. This may be more linear but it captures the character of the Memo original, albeit without the opening and the leather note is definitely toned down throughout. This is also of less quality but this is a very lovely scent & I will happily buy this if I cannot get Memo on the cheap. I can actually see how some may actually prefer this because based on comments I get, people don't seem to like the heavy saffron/cumin/cardamom opening of African leather. I am actually not a fan of African Leathers opening either to be honest. But the opening of this is awful in direct comparison. So after that opening, believe the hype - this is close. After the 45 minute mark I am confident that people walking by would not be able to tell the difference at all. That means I am impressed with Dua already. Just sort out the opening!

this is really nice. It opens rather cleanly, then the spice kicks in. Warm, not overbearing at all. My wife said it smells very pleasant and warm. Longevity is good, I can put it on in the evening and it's still there in the morning. I had tried the Memo samples, and I decided on this as an option to the higher price of the Memo bottle. Couldn't be more satisfied. I have tried them both, side by side, and I can't smell much difference. I wouldn't say they were identical, but very, very close. In fact, I actually prefer this one to the Memo African Leather. Just my preference.