Maximiliano Cifuentes
Maximiliano Cifuentes emerged from Santiago’s modest labs to become Chile’s most cited independent nose. After years experimenting in his kitchen, he launched Casaniche in 2010, turning a personal hobby into a boutique house that now ships worldwide. He studied chemistry at the University of Chile, where he first learned to balance volatile oils with precision. Early on, he attracted attention with Father Tobacco, a smoky tribute that earned praise for its raw honesty. Since then, he has authored more than 60 scents, each bearing his signature blend of local botanicals and classic accords. He runs a small studio in Valparaíso, where he mentors young creators and tests each batch by hand.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Maximiliano composes
He builds scents layer by layer, starting with a robust base of tobacco leaf and aged cedar, then adds a heart of dried herbs and a whisper of citrus. He prefers cold maceration to preserve nuance, and he ages each blend in glass for at least six months. He mixes natural absolutes with select synthetics to achieve depth without sacrificing authenticity. He often incorporates Chilean ingredients such as maqui berry, peumo resin, and native sage, giving his work a geographic fingerprint.
Philosophy
What drives Maximiliano
He believes a perfume should echo the place that inspired it. Growing up near the Andes, he translates the scent of pine forests, sea breezes, and market spices into bottles. He treats each formula as a conversation between memory and material, letting the raw ingredient speak before he frames it with structure. He avoids trends, preferring honest expression. He says the most rewarding moment arrives when a wearer recognizes a fragment of their own story in his work.
The houses