Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe — cheaper alternatives

Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba: released in 1998, citrus, sweet and honey, about 8h on skin, projection 8/10, sillage 5/10. The alternatives below are matched to that profile.

What's a good Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe?

The closest Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe we found is Phaedon Tabac Rouge — 85% match, about $55 (estimate) versus about $140 for a 100 ml bottle.

The five closest scent matches — the best Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupes we found, ranked by opening & dry-down similarity:

How the 5 picks compare on match, price and performance. Prices are estimates for a 100 ml bottle, not live retailer prices; * size not listed, so assumed to be 100 ml.
#AlternativeScent matchEst. price (100 ml)Longevity vs Santa Maria Novella Acqua di CubaProjection
1Phaedon Tabac Rouge85%about $55* (−61%)8h vs 8h6/10
24160 Tuesdays The Dark Heart of Old Havana83%about $90 (−36%)6h vs 8h6/10
3Molinard Habanita La Cologne77%about $50 (−64%)7h vs 8h5/10
4Lush What Would Love Do75%about $45 (−68%)6h vs 8h5/10
54711 Acqua Colonia Plum & Honey77%about $25 (−82%)4h vs 8h3/10
  1. Phaedon Tabac Rouge — 85% scent match

    This fragrance captures the warm, honeyed tobacco essence found in Acqua di Cuba, offering a similarly rich and comforting aromatic profile.

    It shares its honey, sweet and fresh spicy accords with Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba, lasts about 8h against 8h and carries 1,372 community ratings.

  2. 4160 Tuesdays The Dark Heart of Old Havana — 83% scent match

    Directly reminiscent of the atmosphere of Havana, this scent mirrors the tobacco and spice interplay found in Acqua di Cuba.

    It shares its sweet, tobacco and citrus accords with Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba, lasts about 6h against 8h and carries 285 community ratings.

  3. Molinard Habanita La Cologne — 77% scent match

    A fresher, more citrus-heavy take on the Habanita DNA that aligns well with the aromatic citrus opening of the reference.

    It shares its citrus, fresh spicy and aromatic accords with Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba, opens on Bergamot too, lasts about 7h against 8h and carries 446 community ratings.

  4. 4711 Acqua Colonia Plum & Honey — 77% scent match

    Focuses on the sweet honeyed facets of the reference, providing a lighter, more citrus-forward interpretation of the same aromatic family.

    It shares its sweet, honey and floral accords with Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba, lasts about 4h against 8h and carries 54 community ratings.

  5. Lush What Would Love Do — 75% scent match — discontinued

    Offers a warm, resinous, and slightly spicy sweetness that evokes the honeyed tobacco heart of the reference in a more accessible format.

    It shares its citrus, aromatic and sweet accords with Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba, lasts about 6h against 8h and carries 496 community ratings. It is listed as discontinued, so availability varies.

Which Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe is cheapest?

4711 Acqua Colonia Plum & Honey, at about $25 for 100 ml (estimate) — around 80% less than Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba.

Which Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe lasts longest?

Phaedon Tabac Rouge, at about 8h on skin, against about 8h for Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba.

Which Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe is closest to the original?

Phaedon Tabac Rouge, at 85% overall scent match across the opening and the dry-down.

How much does a Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe save?

At 4 sprays a day — about 146 ml a year — Phaedon Tabac Rouge saves you about $125 a year against Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba. Assumes 100 ml bottles on both sides; prices are estimates.

Across 2,358 originals, the median designer bottle is $120 and its closest match $30 — the Dupe Report 2026.

Will a Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba dupe last a full day?

On an 8-hour day, none of the 5 last a full 8 hours. Phaedon Tabac Rouge comes closest at 7.5h, so it needs one re-spray to cover the day.

Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Cuba notes, performance and price

Related dupe lists

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Updated 2026-08-30.