Acqua di Cuba 
Santa Maria Novella (1998)

Glory be, Acqua di Cuba is larger than life. From its pithy, golden-hued citrus fanfare to it's tobacco-infused honey and clary sage absolute heart, this is bright yet sensuous, utterly intoxicating, and a powerhouse for the books. A saturated fullness envelops the wearer but never is so heavy as to suffocate—Acqua di Cuba is more a seduction. Come here, lover boy.....hey lover boy....

While it is a more recent release from old world wonderland that is Santa Maria Novella, there is still that signature classicism that enchants me. I am almost motivated to take it to the next level and reach for some moustache wax, carry a pocket watch, and don a tweed suit with riding boots. That would be something, as I stare at my worn henley and lived-in Banana Republic slacks. I think my fragrances will eventually transform me into a dandy one day.

Anyhow, Acqua di Cuba is dandy, beguiling even. The dry down has this cinnamic quality replacing the quenched qualities earlier in the development, with facets of aged, oxidized tobacco leaves in all their rawness fading into the scene, distant and wistful, like a faded memory you cling onto with all your heart, as you (and perhaps your lover) nuzzle into your skin.

This, people, is what we really call a stunner.

Santa Maria Novella "Acqua di Cuba" -

Opens with a very pleasant semi-sweet honey that blends quickly into a flower blossom accord. Not overly sweet or too flowery at all. The tobacco is of the moist variety where you get a humidor effect, no ash or smoke to be found here.

Acqua di Cuba is strong and subtle all at once and as the user you may not realize how it is being perceived by others. In the air, the tobacco aura around you will carry the scent more prominently than when you just bury your nose into your wrist. Definitely a trait of a well made fragrance.

3 stars.

An exquisite composition. The effect of Acqua di Cuba is undeniably gorgeous; its central cigars-in-a-humidor accord, laced with cinnamon, seems to drift in on a breeze that also carries with it the aroma of distant flowers.

But this is certainly one for the tobacco lovers and no others need apply. Tobacco is my favorite note and even I find this a bit challenging because it's so enveloping. Acqua di Cuba sticks around for quite a while and it projects like gangbusters, even if it isn't particularly dense or heavy.

One of the best tobacco focused fragrances I have tried. Some powder, semi sweet, moist cigar tobacco with no other competing main notes (Musk, Fruit, Liquor) to distract from this lovely scent. Full bottle worthy for sure if you like tobacco. Update - I used my 10ml sample and went to boutique and purchased a bottle last month , I think it's been reformulated sadly, I still recognize the scent but it's been way toned down and dosen't have the longevity or strength that I noticed before. KInda sad to report this.

Gorgeous powdery floral honey - a burst of dry tobacco leaf at first, quickly leading to that honey, festooned with acacia and mimosa blossoms, a wisp of white florals, a pinch of SMN's signature clove, and a burst of powdery benzoin. The combination is wonderful, a perfect mix.

Given time, it all melds together to smell like pleasant honey-scented soap with a pinch of almond and suede, which is still quite nice, but a bit of a letdown after the truly glorious first 45 minutes or so. But all in all, this very much deserves a thumbs up.