Aguamadera is an amalgamation of two words in Spanish: agua for water, and madera for wood, thus Aguamadera meaning “waterwood”. This name makes sense when you consider that this is a scent based on the scent of agave, a tough succulent native to Mexico whose hard, spiky leaves give us both agave syrup and mezcal.
The mezcal theme is fully explored in Aguamadera, with a lime note up top that’s so tart it almost draws saliva from the mouth. There’s a hit of salt with an outdoorsy freshness that recalls a gust of sea air. All this might be written off as just another riff on a summer freshie were it not for the incredible woody notes that form the ballast of the scent – guaiac wood gives the scent the smokey agave spirit of mezcal, and cedarwood a nuance of sweat-lodge coziness that lends enormous charm and warmth. The woods are more creamy than dry or radiant, which works exceptionally well against the spikier salt and citrus notes. If you’re in the market for a tangy, citrusy fragrance with a natural, non-abrasive woody drydown that goes on forever, then Aguamadera should be on your radar.
