Cubalibre by Mallo

Another ambergris? 🧐 Spanish house brings us ‘Cubalibre’, this limited edition (paying homage to the cocktail) reveals itself at the start with a base of genuine, slightly salty ambergris, where Coca-Cola and rum add an effervescent and playful texture without falling into gourmand territory. The ambergris smells aged, a sign that time has been invested and it’s paying off, but in a positive way. Very linear, with great performance, unisex, and versatile. On the first sniff, it didn’t blow my head away, but it did draw a smile because I knew I’d found a great ambergris perfume. With all due respect, what Atlantic Ambergris and Creme de la Creme (by Areej le Doré) couldn’t do, Cubalibre can. What a great perfume. Here, the ambergris isn’t drowned out or covered; it has all the protagonism, very balanced. It has the right fizz, the correct level of salt without being too marine and very little alcohol. Nothing animal, sweaty, or sharp. It’s a simple, relaxed, and high-quality perfume (28% concentration with Norwegian ambergris). It’s not formal or pretentious, but rather relaxed and versatile like a Silver Mountain Water by Creed, though the scent and quality are in a different league. I’m just comparing them for ease and versatility. 210€ for 30ml in very limited bottles (already hard to find) and 15 bottles of 200ml for $1,000, which are still available. Is it worth it? Yes. Normal niche prices, but the quality and execution are extraordinary. 9/10

This is the most approachable fragrance I’ve tried from Mallo and one of my favorites; it might just be the best entry point into niche perfumery for those not yet accustomed to it. You can tell every ingredient is of high quality, blended to create a rich result. The ambergris really stands out, sublime: the Coca-Cola smells spiced and fruity, closing with a salty touch. It’s an amberado, dirty, and salty scent, like sipping a Cuba Libre on a seaside terrace. Since it’s a limited edition, I hope you still have the chance to try it.