V.I.T.R.I.O.L.

V.I.T.R.I.O.L takes its name from the alchemical solvent that dissolves matter, echoing Maqueda’s fascination with transformation. The 2026 launch was conceived as a ritual‑like ode to shadow and light, a coded story that invites the wearer to confront the raw edge of scent. Drawing on the house’s Italian roots and its experimental chemistry, the perfumer blended vegetal woods with animalic accords to craft a composition that feels both laboratory and shrine.

What makes the blend striking is the juxtaposition of a clean sandalwood opening with the green bite of violet leaf and lily of the valley, then plunging into a heart of rubber, civet and leather, materials rarely paired in a single perfume. The addition of bourbon vanilla and pear softens the animalic intensity, while the base of Turkish rose, strawberry and blackcurrant grounds the piece in a sweet‑tart finish that defies expectations.

The first fifteen minutes announce a woody‑green curtain: sandalwood whispers, violet leaf snaps, and lily of the valley adds a fleeting floral sigh. By the half‑hour mark the composition flips, as rubber and civet surge forward, giving the skin a sweaty, almost industrial edge, while leather and patchouli lay a dark foundation. Bourbon vanilla and pear weave a fleeting sweetness that tempers the rawness. As the scent settles into its drydown, the animalic core recedes, leaving Turkish rose to bloom over a lingering strawberry‑blackcurrant echo that clings for four to six hours, a quiet reminder of the alchemical process.

Since its 2026 launch, V.I.T.R.I.O.L has become a talking point in niche forums for its bold animalic heart and the daring inclusion of rubber. Critics praise its ability to turn an evening into an alchemical ritual, while collectors cite it as a benchmark of Maqueda’s shadow‑light narrative. Its polarising profile ensures it remains a cult favorite among those who crave a scent that feels like a secret laboratory.