PARIS – Puig is paying tribute to its heritage and identity with a new line of four eaux de cologne, called Colonias Absolutas Puig, developed by Jean-Claude Ellena.

Manuel Puig, vice chairman of Puig and a third-generation Puig family member, worked closely with the master perfumer on the collection.

Agua Lavanda Puig, launched in 1940, served as a springboard for this fragrance line. Its bottle, which was created by André Ricard in 1962 and nodded to traditional Balearic jars, inspired the Colonias Absolutas’ flacons.

Agua Brava, Agua Noble and Agua Lavanda Iris are reinterpretations of historical Puig creations. The original Agua Lavanda from 1940 pioneered a new fragrance family with lavender that was used in a distinctive way. Agua Brava, from 1968, is also now iconic. Agua Mediterránea is a totally new perfume concept and nods to the Mediterranean, birthplace of Puig the company and its founding family.

“The spirit of the Mediterranean – cradle of our culture, our art, of what we are – is thanks to the contribution of the different cultures, these fairies who surround us,” said Ellena.

The perfumer said he was drawn to the project after being briefed that colognes are meant to honor Antonio Puig, who began a perfume-distribution company in 1914, the foundations of Puig today.

Eau de cologne is central to this project, as it’s genderless, ageless and an intrinsic part of perfume history. Eau de cologne historically is a light scent, but for this, it has been given a twist, as an absolute, which has high concentration of perfume and is long-lasting.

“They are absolutes, because Manuel wanted the best to honor the spirit of the family,” said Ellena, who was chosen to mastermind the Absolutas Puig eaux de cologne, as he’s had a longstanding relationship with the company, family and knows well the Mediterranean and its olfactive ingredients.

The perfumer is known for creating formulas that do not have many ingredients, running countercurrent to the way most fragrances are developed today.

Agua Brava was formulated to keep its aromatic character, but is more sensual, masculine and woodier than its predecessor. Agua Lavanda Iris mixes lavender notes with iris notes, while Agua Noble’s scent centers on Andalusian leather, blending leather, bergamot, orange leaf and a hint of white musk.

For Agua Mediterránea, Ellena features a fig tree leaf note, as well as mastic tree, wild mint, cedar and citrus notes.

“Manuel’s commitment to creating the four colognes is an olfactory commitment,” said Ellena. “The man loves perfume and wants to celebrate it.”

The eaux de cologne bottles come in terracotta cases, suggesting the earth and warmth.