The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Zagal was created by perfumer Gaël Montero for OTZ LAB. The house describes the fragrance as an invitation to meet the world with youthful curiosity and the open attention of seeing something for the first time. That idea appears in the composition too, where ripe fig offers a generous, almost fruit-forward first impression while saffron introduces a sharp thread of spice. Jasmine and rose soften that brightness without hiding it. Myrrh, sandalwood and vanilla then give the scent a steady base, turning freshness into something warmer and more enduring.
The striking part of Zagal is the contrast inside its main notes. Fig brings a rounded, juicy sweetness, while saffron works like a dry, aromatic flare. Jasmine and rose add white floral air and a rose-tinted softness. Beneath them, myrrh brings resinous depth, sandalwood lays down a smooth woody plane, and vanilla supplies a warm sweetness that refuses to stay polite. None of these notes needs to dominate. The composition becomes distinctive through their tension, like ripe fruit set beside incense and warm wood.
The evolution
Zagal begins with a lively contrast: fig's rounded fruit sweetness meets saffron's dry, gently metallic spice. The first impression is bright enough to catch attention, but not so sharp that it feels like a citrus opening. As the fragrance settles, jasmine and rose move forward, giving the middle a floral softness that keeps the fruit from becoming heavy. Myrrh adds a darker, resinous thread, while sandalwood gives the composition a smooth woody floor. Over time, vanilla becomes the lasting memory, turning the overall effect warmer, sweeter and more enveloping. The bright fruit-and-spice character gradually recedes into a close, gently textured impression where floral softness, resin and wood shape the composition's warmer mood. The scent leaves room for each element to remain distinct while blending into a coherent, enveloping whole.
Cultural impact
Zagal offers a curious, open-minded approach to fragrance, with ripe fig providing a generous fruit character and saffron adding a bright aromatic thread. Jasmine and rose bring floral softness, while myrrh, sandalwood and vanilla give the composition depth and warmth. Together, these elements create a fragrance that feels expressive and personal, inviting close attention to the way contrasting notes can share the same composition.
The House
Otz LabOTZ LAB is a niche fragrance house born in Madrid from the creative partnership between Spanish fashion label OTEYZA and Perfumes y Diseño (PyD), a company specializing in selective perfumery. Launched in March 2026, the brand translates OTEYZA's fashion sensibility into scent, drawing on Madrid's cultural and historical layers. Its debut lineup of eight fragrances reads like a map of the city and its influences, with each composition anchoring a distinct mood or memory.
The Creator
Gaël MonteroMontero has made his name mastering oriental fragrances, particularly the interplay between richness and restraint. He gravitates toward noble materials, with a particular affinity for oud, saffron, and musks.
