Best Cuir by Mona di Orio Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Cuir by Mona di Orio is a leathery fragrance enriched with warm and spicy cardamom and anise seeds, layered over a rich base of castoreum and opoponax. Juniper adds a fresh, resinous touch, while the leather note forms a smooth, animalic heart. Those interested in this scent will want to focus on fragrances combining aromatic spices with a deep, natural leather accord and a hint of smoky or resinous warmth.
Stercus by Orto Parisi £155.00
- Key notes:
- anise seeds
- heliotrope
- leather
- oud
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
Stercus never lies.
A part of the essential body functioning and a natural way to fertilize the soil.
It is the secret sweetness that attracts, and the animalic side that offends.
A sign of an infinite life circle.
The smell of an end and the beginning.
Into The Wild by Maison Matine £60.00
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- cocoa
- ginger
- juniper
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
The creamy tropical lushness of frangipani and magnolia is sparkled up by crisp juniper berries. Cardamom and pepper punctuates this clean green floral with spice, while ginger adds subtle heat.
Montabaco by Ormonde Jayne £295.00
- Key notes:
- ambergris
- black tea
- cardamom
- clary sage
- iso-e-super
- juniper
- sandalwood
- tobacco
- Aromagroups:
- green
- spicy
- woody
An ornate tobacco leather with a hint of intoxicating tobacco bloom, as well as fresh leaves.
Montabaco is part of the Four Corners of the Earth collection and represents Latin America, the land where tobacco originated.
The perfumer conjures the original jungle encounters between natives and the sailor-explorers (who were totally oblivious to the magic of tobacco at that point). This is a novel interpretation of a tobacco-themed perfume, invoking lush green shadows full of parrot cries, mysterious blooms, and adventure.
The elixir is also exceptionally concentrated, at 42%. Hence the 'intensivo' in the title.
Agrani by Byermia £120.00
- Key notes:
- castoreum
- cocoa
- leather
- oud
- tobacco
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- leather
- vintage/old school
- woody
The word “agrani” in Sanskrit means a leader, a trailblazer, and this perfume embodies the life stages of a leader. The opening burst of cherry, almond and saffron symbolises the mesmerising oratory skills that rally the masses. The heart reveals the power of pipe tobacco and leather, expressing a leader’s fearless revolutionary spirit. Enveloping musk and Burmese oud summons the hope they bring during challenging times. The cacao and castoreum base evokes the lasting impact they have on the world, leaving an indelible impression. And finally, the warmth of amber echoes the rays of hope a leader ignites in future generations.
Cuir de Russie by Anna Zworykina £130.00
- Key notes:
- birch tar
- castoreum
- leather
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- vintage/old school
- woody
With natural perfumes colour may and WILL vary from batch to batch.
For example, the current batch of Cuir de Russie is not as dark in colour as the previous run because the tea extract in the new batch is decolorized. This does NOT affect the aroma/effect at all.
A classic vintage chypre by design and by make Anna's Cuir de Russie is smoky, animalic and true to the early 20th century recipe.
The story of this smoky leather perfume style starts with Russian Cossacks' cavalry entering Paris to make sure the French army definetly got back home. Parisians were very much impressed by the Siberian warriors, their uniforms trimmed with beaver fur, the smoky leather of their boots (treated with tar for waterproof effect) and had a bit of an olfactive cultural shock.
French being French, they noted the whole expereince in a perfume style called Cuir de Russie. Coco Chanel later brought this style back into the spotlight to reflect on her affair with a Russian grand duke Dmitri Pavlovich (Tsar Nicholas II’s cousin).
Starring
(these fragrant materials reanacted the Cuir de Russie story):
acacia farnesiana essential oil
lemon essential oil
bergamot essential oil
birch tar essential oil
yuzu essential oil
galbanum CO2 extract
orange blossom absolute
jasmin sambac absolute
rose de May absolute
ylang-ylang absolute
jasmin auriculatum absolute
tuberose absolute
clove absolute
castoreum tinctura
black tea absolute
cognac white essential oil
tabacco absolute
Vetiver essential oil
sandalwood CO2 extract
vanilla CO2 extract
artemisia absinthium essential oil
Vietnamese agarwood essential oil
oakmoss absolute
ambrette CO2 extract
patchouli essential oil
labdanum absolute
Vanuatu sandalwood essential oil
Please note: 15 ml and 10ml EdPs come with a spray and the 4.5 ml perfume comes in a tiny splash bottle.
Important notice:
Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).
Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.
However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.
Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.
Honey and Tar by Anna Zworykina £95.00
- Key notes:
- birch tar
- castoreum
- honey
- leather
- smoke
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- leather
- woody
A rich, smoky blend of honey, tar, vanilla and incense.
The perfumer leaves the perfume plot sketchy - to be completed by your imagination. Are you in your autumn apiary watching honey trickle into jars, smoke lingering in the air from bonfires of fallen leaves? Are you on the well-tarred deck of a merchant ship carrying huge barrels of honey? This beautiful, smoky fragrance will definitely take you somewhere.
Starring
(these fragrant materials reanacted the Honey and Tar story):
castoreum tinctura
benzoin absolute
birch tar essential oil
Himalayan cedarwood essential oil
sweet myrrh essential oil
vetiver essential oil
guayak wood
agarwood essential oil
Atlas cedarwood essential oil
jasmin sambac absolute
hops CO2
lavender absolute
patchouli essential oil
cardamom absolute
tonka bean absolute
vanilla CO2 extract
orris root CO2 extract
Vanuatu sandalwood essential oil
Royal Hawaiian sandalwood essential oil
Important notice:
Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).
Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.
However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.
Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.
Nerosa by Laboratorio Olfattivo £120.00
- Key notes:
- castoreum
- chypre
- geranium
- labdanum
- leather
- oud
- rose
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- green
- spicy
David Maruitte
“Nerosa is a perfume realized with David Maruitte in 2011, but at that time we believed that Laboratorio Olfattivo was not yet ready to launch a fragrance like this. Today instead, Nerosa can perfectly enter in our Black Collection, thanks to the depth, wealth and strength of its formula. A fragrance whose energy is noticeable and whose enveloping sillage is strong.”
Roberto Drago
Young Cossack by Anna Zworykina £95.00
- Key notes:
- castoreum
- hay
- leather
- oakmoss
- smoke
- thyme
- tobacco
- vetiver
- wormwood
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
Ты меня не бойся,
Я тебя не трону,
Ты не беспокойся.
***
An intense, smoky herbal blend that, like all of Anna's creations, will transport you to an imaginary landscape.
It's inspired by Cossacks, the soldier-farmers who live in the steppes in the south of Russia, accomplished horsemen guarding the borders since the days of Catherine the Great.
You are welcome to devise your own story, but here at Bloom, we imagine a young Cossack resting among haystacks and wild herbs, smoking his clay pipe while contemplating the starry sky. His friends are sitting by the open fire nearby. Smoke is wafting through wild thyme and wormwood.
Starring
(these fragrant materials reanacted the Young Cossack story):
galbanum CO2 extract
artemisia annia essential oil
artemisia absinthium essential oil
immortel absolute
Seville lavender abs
thyme essential oil
tarragon essential oil
davana essential oil
guayak wood essential oil.
rose de May absolute
Morrocan rose absolute
cumin CO2 extract
frankincense absolute
petitgrain essential oil
geranium leaves absolute
myrth essential oil
costus absolute
oakmoss absolute
patchouli essential oil
labdanum absolute
tabacco absolute
tonka bean absolute
agarwood essential oil
vetiver essential oil
castoreum tinctura
Important notice:
Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).
Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.
However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.
Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.
Iris Coffee by Cherigan £160.00
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- coffee
- leather
- orris (iris root)
- suede
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
Iris Coffee is a sophisticated sip of beautifully-bitter coffee with a cardamom bite. An undercurrent of jasmine lends voluptuousness, while powdery iris, tonka bean and musk steer the composition towards leather. Stimulating and comforting.
Kamel Oud by Sora Dora £170.00
- Key notes:
- animalic notes
- cade
- cardamom
- cumin
- elemi
- gaiac / guaiac wood
- leather
- oud
- saffron
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
- woody
Kamel was the friend who entrusted Sora Dora founder Antoine with the secrets of the oriental olfactory universe, embodied in this namesake perfume. Built around the clean woodiness of Laotian oud, this extrait contrasts the dirty spice of cumin with sweet raspberry and syrupy rose. Smoky and spicy, Kamel Oud will enhance your next 1001 days and 1001 nights.
About Cuir by Mona di Orio
- What makes Cuir by Mona di Orio distinctive within the leather fragrance family?
- Cuir stands out due to its balanced combination of spicy notes like cardamom and anise seeds with a rich leather accord enhanced by castoreum and opoponax. The juniper adds a fresh resinous touch, creating a complex and refined leather scent.
- How do the fragrances listed here differ from Cuir by Mona di Orio?
- While all share key notes such as leather, cardamom, or castoreum, these fragrances introduce additional elements like oud, honey, or floral accords that shift their character. Some lean more smoky, sweet, or animalic, offering variations on Cuir’s leathery spice theme.
- Can I expect the same intensity and longevity from these fragrances as from Cuir?
- Intensity and longevity vary between fragrances depending on their concentration and composition. Cuir is known for its distinctive leathery warmth and moderate longevity, but some listed alternatives may be smokier, sweeter, or fresher, affecting their wear time and projection.









