Cuirs by Carner Barcelona

Cuirs is an absolute bombshell that caught me off guard. It’s super well-balanced: despite having body and featuring woods, spices, and leather, it’s powerful yet delicate and easy to wear. At first, it smells very woody with a sweet, resinous touch. To my nose, what stands out most is the sandalwood and labdanum blended with tonka bean and patchouli, all wrapped in a lead leather note that’s surprisingly friendly. You can detect the oud and saffron, but they’re more subtle. It’s totally unisex, though I think men will gravitate toward it more. Best for cool or mild days. It’s versatile, but not for very casual settings. The projection and sillage are moderate, lasting about 6-7 hours on skin. I absolutely loved it; it’s one of my favorites from the house.

Spray it twice and you’ll notice Cuirs isn’t flat leather; it has a quiet, dark depth. Nothing superficial, though it reminds me a lot of Black Afgano, almost a twin, but drier and with a sweet touch. It starts sweet and resinous, perhaps more contained than Nasomatto, which is brutal right out of the bottle. The cannabis note is more modest; the saffron and cumin blend into a very soft base. It costs a third of the Gualtieri one, is very portable, has good longevity and projection. But Black definitely wins on intensity and power. If you’re looking for a more domesticated, wearable, and affordable BA, this is your chance, though I’ll stick with the Italian one: deep, strong, hypnotic, and psychedelic. (Thanks, Sejano 77)

After trying it, what convinced me most is its versatility: it tames difficult notes like leather and oud without them being intrusive or staying too close to the skin. The result is a perfect balance for work, going out, or a romantic date, as long as it’s not above 25 degrees. You can tell it’s a fragrance of light leather and oud, subtle but noticeable if you get close. In my judgment, it leans more toward the masculine side. The longevity is what you’d expect from a niche: it lasts about 12 hours.