El Cardenal Parfum

A gourmand twist on a classic cologne, El Cardenal is a fragrant postcard of sun-drenched mornings and sweet adventures.

It is an olfactory postcard from the heart of Mexico City. Inspired by a culinary journey through the vibrant capital, this unique fragrance captures the essence of a perfect morning. Imagine strolling through charming cafes, the aroma of freshly brewed Café Lechero mingling with the sweet, delicate scent of fig tarts just pulled from the oven. El Cardenal bottles this memory, adding a touch of Mexican heritage with a whisper of agave nectar, a note as endemic to Mexico as its rich culinary traditions.

Nothing here needs explaining.

Renato Lopena Jr. trained at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery in France and holds certifications as an aromatherapist, natural perfumer, olfaction trainer and perfumotherapist. Wren Atelier began in bespoke work and exclusive private line pieces, and now presents its own originals. Lopena is the first Filipino member of the International Society of Perfumer-Creators, and co-founded the Filipino Perfumers Society to educate the ones coming after.

The house is named for the elusive wren, a bird that is rare and inspiring to catch sight of, and the releases are designed to evoke a sense of wonder and originality. Each one is a narrative before it is anything else. One takes sinigang apart around its tamarind, another blends rose with beer, and four more arrive as postcards from Egypt, Mexico City, India and the Plateau Valensole.