Cuir Cuba Intense

The aniseed-liquorice accord crashes forward immediately, sweet and slightly licorice-leaning, shot through with lemon brightness and a cool mint that tingles at the back of the nose. It's almost candy-like in its initial sweetness, reminiscent of fennel seeds or pastis, with zero leather visible yet—purely spiced, herbal, and strangely appetising.

The spice settles into something greener and more refined as lavender, sage, and coriander emerge from beneath. Magnolia blooms through the middle with creamy, almost soapy softness, whilst geranium adds a subtle rosy-green undertone; the florals here are controlled, never overwhelming, and they dialogue beautifully with the persistent aniseed rather than contradicting it. Tobacco absolute begins its subtle arrival, warm and slightly sweet rather than smoky.

The fragrance becomes increasingly woody and earthy, with cedar providing structure and hay-patchouli creating a dried, almost herbarium-like base. The tobacco absolute lingers as a warm, slightly sweet whisper rather than a dominant force, and the leather accord (finally prominent) sits comfortably alongside the hay and cedar without attempting dominance. What remains is intimate and powdery—more library shelf than leather jacket.