Cuba Red by Cuba Paris

Absolute beast! It transported me back to the 70s and 80s, smelling of blond tobacco over oak moss. I can picture that golden 1975 Mercedes SL450 and all that glamour; it’s brutal. It’s not for the Crystal Generation. The longevity is what it is, but given the price I paid, I couldn’t care less.

I think I haven’t smelled the same as others. It’s a barbershop fragrance from another century, perhaps due to the moss, but with less potency. Apart from the opening, slightly alcoholic, everything is quite subdued. The tobacco is well-placed, with a bitter touch that adds realism and might scare off today’s typical wearers. I sense hidden wood beneath the tobacco, but also lavender that softens that barbershop feel. I don’t detect many spices, perhaps a hint of clove and very soft anise. The patchouli is heavily toned down. Overall, it’s fresh and clean, without becoming soapy, perfect for comfort without lasting long or projecting much. It’s a humble product that delivers great value for its price. It won’t blow your mind, but it offers a minute of uncomplicated pleasure. The box is top. Conclusion: dispensable, but if you try it, it won’t be a foolish purchase.

Seventies or Eighties vibe: fresh herbal notes at first, then settling into wood and tobacco. Ideal for men in their thirties or forties seeking something serious. The trail is intimate and longevity moderate, so reapplication is needed. Tip: apply generously in well-ventilated areas; the opening is strong but calms down within minutes.

Of the two Cuba Paris scents I own, this and the Gold, both offer moderate trail and longevity, necessitating reapplication, but they are worth it for the price. Cuba Red has a tobacco accord reminiscent of a habanos box, just as it should. It doesn’t smell suffocating; it is rich, sparkling and casual.

My second favourite from Cuba Paris, which says a lot. This house has a dry, spiced signature with tobacco as the star. This is that accord bottled as perfume: a crushed dried tobacco leaf with cloves, cumin, star anise, cinnamon and plenty of pepper. The opening is fresh/mentholated but fades quickly, leaving the described profile. The dry-down is elegant and classic thanks to its green touch and abundant dry wood. If you enjoy tobacco, give it a try; it suits all seasons, though autumn is ideal. One of the brand’s most solid proposals, good performance and fair price. For more reviews, photos and everything else, visit my Instagram and YouTube: Instagram = JL_Perfumado | YouTube = Perfúmate Con JL

The tobacco note is the most prominent, though I would have preferred less. The opening is very abrupt and doesn’t grab me, but after 15 or 20 minutes it starts to hold up. It offers good value for money, ideal for those seeking something affordable with a tobacco note; if you don’t like it, it will repel you. I wouldn’t buy it again.

Tobacco, fresh and herbal; it gives the sensation of having mint even though it doesn’t. I see it as something for a more mature audience; it is rich, masculine and classic. The longevity and sillage are average, but for the price paid, it is very good.

An eighties-style scent. It opens with herbal and mentholated patchouli, reminiscent of a neighbourhood barbershop. It’s suitable for daytime wear, for going to work (everyday use, not for formal events).

It doesn’t even work as an air freshener in the bathroom; it smells like insecticide and the aroma is extremely unpleasant.

I didn’t like it much, to be honest I expected something else. The scent doesn’t suit my skin; it stays dark and very bitter, with nothing catching my attention. Every nose is a world, so those who like it should enjoy it. The price is ridiculous.

I love it; it’s a delight whenever you enjoy woody and tobacco-based perfumes. As I love smoking, I understand that’s one of the reasons I’m so fascinated by it. It has a very masculine smell but not overly youthful. I recommend it for those over 30; it’s suitable for daily wear. It’s very economical in Ecuador, ranging around 20 dollars. The longevity and sillage are good considering the price. They say it’s similar to Burberry London, though I haven’t tried that yet. I recommend it wholeheartedly if you like strong tobacco and woody scents.

Starts with a delicious herbal patchouli, then the semi-sweet tobacco takes over. Alongside Cuba Gold (which smells similar to Le Male), it’s my favourite from the brand. The dry-down is very soft, pleasant, and has an eighties vibe; it feels refined and agreeable, without turning harsh or smelling like bath bombs like other Cubas I’ve tried. Highly recommended.

I was gifted this for Christmas and, although I forgot to bring it, I certainly didn’t expect such an exquisite scent. People compare this perfume to several others; while I can’t rule them all out, it definitely doesn’t resemble Boucheron. I agree with the previous reviewer: it’s a herbal, tobacco-laced blend with a sweetness that doesn’t cloy. I’ve fallen in love with it. I only recommend trying it: smell it, spray it, and watch how it evolves. I’d give it a 9/10 or an 8/10.

I agree with the previous comment about Shiseido Tactics. Cuba has some excellent fragrances, but this is the first I’ve encountered and my personal favourite. It has nothing to do with Boucheron or citrus colognes. In Cuba Red, I detect a potent tobacco with patchouli and herbs; an aroma with a clear eighties inspiration but executed brilliantly and addictively. It’s also dry: as the previous reviewer mentioned, it doesn’t cloy; quite the opposite. I recommend anyone who tries it to apply generously, despite its strong opening; the fragrance rewards this, stabilising on its own and lasting hours with good projection.

Ideal for older people, it holds up well and leaves a nice trail. The scent feels too old-fashioned for my taste. Be careful not to over-apply it.