Agua Brava, from Antonio Puig was released in 1968. The perfumer behind this creation is Marcel Carles and Rosendo Mateu. It has the top notes of Bergamot, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, and Sage, middle notes of Bay Leaf, Carnation, Cloves, Pine Tree, and Thyme, and base notes of Leather, Musk, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Sandalwood, and Vetiver.
The negative reviews are actually the ones that drew me the most to wanting to blind buy this. “Smells like you cooked a big Italian meal and then went walking in the woods”, “it’s great if you want to smell like a 50 year old priest”, dude that sounds different and fascinating. I don’t know of anything else that smells remotely like this. It’s got notes that include bay leaf, and it’s super inexpensive. My wife loves it on me. It feels very old fashioned and distinct in an international way. This is a working man’s scent. A firm handshake, direct eye contact, a soft sonorous voice, calloused hands, a word of encouragement, dependably calm and collected. If Aqua Brava was a man, he would be all of these. I would sacrifice half or more of my fragrance wardrobe for an edt version of this. I’ve smelled hand sanitizer with better longevity. PUIG!!! GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT!!! Note: I have almost 20 different scents I have to choose from and THIS is the ONLY one my wife rates a 10/10.