Aether Arts Perfume Mezcal & Masa by Amber Jobin

When two time Art and Olfaction award-winning perfumer Amber Jobin of Aether Arts Perfume (2014 and 2022), recently offered to send me a sample of her latest fragrant oeuvre Mezcal & Masa, I was thrilled. Never mind that I adore mezcal, and that it’s my favorite way to enjoy a good, smoky margarita (I like it in an unconventional Bloody Mary, too) – but I also happen to be enthralled by anything Mesoamerican.

courtesy of Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Her perfume immediately conjured the Boston Museum of Fine Art’s spectacular (permanent) Ancient Americas galleries – a perfect accompaniment to my fragrance review. I secretly suspected that if Amber were with me on those museum visits, she would have felt the same: the fierce, raw beauty of South American artifacts possess a sacred quality which often toys with a playful aspect. It’s delightful, and Aether Arts Perfume Mezcal & Masa is delightful. Win-win.

Amber Jobin, courtesy of the perfumer

As is often the case, Amber’s fertile imagination moves to the beat of its own drum – a quality which I cherish, as she is a true visionary and iconoclast. I deeply appreciate that she isn’t trend-driven, either; it is becoming increasingly rare to come across a perfumer who shares this mindset, as the market is continually glutted with new brands (and let’s be honest: if you create perfume, you do want to sell it) and well-known noses who seem to be keeping abreast of the public’s latest penchants.

Collage courtesy of the perfumer

Aether Arts Perfume Mezcal & Masa celebrates many facets inherent in ancient South American culture, and our perfumer has chosen to create multiple accords in order to harness its spirit. Mezcal, that smoky and seductive potion – relies upon the agave plant, which is

native to the arid terroirs in the Americas, especially in Mexico and further south in Central and South America (including Colombia and Venezuela). Its delectable booziness is the result of both a roasting and subsequent fermentation process. Mexcal’s aromatic companion here is a roasted corn accord – and anyone who has ever grilled corn on the cob harbors fond memories of the sweet char which contributes vanillic, caramelised, and even breadlike tones. These key notes are garnished with a pineapple sage accord of Amber’s devising – yet another nod to native vegetation, as this perennial member of the mint family is indigenous to Mexico, and is also utilized as an edible (both leaf and flower) traditional medicine for anxiety and high blood pressure. The sweet fruitiness of the pineapple sage doesn’t overstay its welcome as fragrant adjuvant; the accord is subtle, an insinuation. However the perfumer has chosen to evoke a saltiness, one senses its presence: not unlike the salted rim of a choice margarita, it only adds to this perfume’s allure.

A word about mezcal: the name translates as ‘baked agave’. Fermented agave drink existed before Spanish colonization and was known as pulque, a viscous wine (often described as sour and yeasty) which had existed for centuries. Mezcal is the direct result of the merging of pre-Columbian indigenous fermentation traditions with Asian distillation techniques brought over from the Philippines. Mezcal production was first documented in the early 1600s – by which time the native vino de coco (coconut wine) had been prohibited, as it competed with Spanish exports.

 

Collage courtesy of the perfumer

Amber Jobin further solidifies Mezcal & Masa’s authenticity by grounding the savory, smoky booziness of top and heart notes with an incense/woody base constructed of truly South American materials: appropriately (and effectively) choosing the precious components of copal, palo santo, guaiacwood and cabreuva wood. It should be noted that cabreuva is an extraordinary essential oil which possesses a balsamic character, accented with hints of anise and mimosa – ever so delicate, but tenacious nonetheless. A judicious touch of vetiver and intimation of sultry suede complete the image of ancient lands rich with agricultural and cultural offerings.

Amber’s note to Ida

I had to smile when I read the note Amber sent me. She needn’t have been concerned about my not liking the salty corn or mezcal one whit: I think it’s as genuine, charming, and unique as the perfumer herself. I hope that you too will choose to sample Mezcal & Masa – if only as a palate cleanser which refreshes you and asks you to consider fragrance in a whole new light.

Notes: salt accord, pineapple sage accord, roasted corn accord, smoky mezcal accord, South American incense accord (copal and palo santo), South American wood accord (guaiacwood and cabreuva), vetiver, soft suede

Sample kindly provided by the perfumer – many thanks! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

Aether Art Perfume Mezcal & Masa

Thanks to the generosity of Amber Jobin of Aether Arts Perfume we have a draw for a 2 ml roll-on of Aether Arts Perfume Mezcal & Masa for one registered ÇaFleureBon reader USA (or with a USA address). Please leave a comment about what appeals to you about Mezcal & Masa based on Ida’s review. Draw closes 8/30/2025

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ARTISAN PERFUMERS and buy directly from their site.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @idameister @aetherartsperfume

This is our Privacy Policy.

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page. Please “like” ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed, or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume