Carlos Viñals: Master of Emotion-Driven Perfumery

Carlos Viñals stands as one of the most respected VP Senior Perfumers at Symrise, with a career spanning nearly four decades in the fragrance industry. Born in Manhattan to Cuban parents and raised in Virginia, his path to perfumery began through an unexpected source - his father's work as a flavor chemist in the tobacco industry. The captivating aromas of maple syrup, vanilla, and caramel that his father brought home became young Carlos's first olfactory playground, teaching him to distinguish different notes from an early age.

His formal training began in 1985 with an apprenticeship at International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), where he was mentored by the legendary perfumer Carlos Benaïm. His talent was quickly recognized, with both Benaïm and renowned perfumer Bernard Chant foreseeing his potential within months of his assistantship. This early recognition proved prophetic as Viñals went on to create his first fine fragrance in 1994 for Pull&Bear.

Throughout his career, Viñals has worked with major fragrance houses including Givaudan, Takasago, and Fragrance Resources before joining Symrise in 2009. His philosophy centers on creating fragrances that bring joy and put a smile on the wearer's face. This emotional approach to perfumery has led to collaborations with prestigious brands ranging from Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs to Victoria's Secret and Dior, establishing him as a versatile creator capable of crafting both mainstream and niche compositions.

Viñals's creative portfolio showcases his ability to translate emotions into olfactory experiences. His notable works include the award-winning John Varvatos JV x NJ Silver Edition, which earned him recognition from The Fragrance Foundation in 2009 and won Fragrance of the Year in 2020. His collaboration with A.N. Other on FR/18 demonstrates his innovative spirit, where he was given complete creative freedom to craft an effervescent gin and tonic-inspired fragrance using ethically sourced ginger oil.

In the niche fragrance space, Viñals has created compelling works for Mind Games, including Gambit and Mentor. Gambit showcases his mastery of spicy compositions, opening with aromatic clove, petitgrain, and lavender, while developing through exotic mimosa absolute and warm cardamom. The fragrance demonstrates his ability to balance confidence and warmth in a single composition.

Mentor reveals another facet of his artistry - the gourmand category. This sophisticated creation celebrates contrasts, featuring salted caramel and dark plum in the opening, developing through amber coffee and blackcurrant liqueur, before settling into a luxurious base of Boya oud, sandalwood, and tonka bean. The fragrance exemplifies his philosophy of creating memorable, emotion-driven compositions that resonate with wearers on a personal level.

His creative process draws inspiration from diverse sources, including his Cuban heritage, motorcycle riding experiences, and classic rock music. This dynamic approach, combined with his technical expertise and emotional intelligence, has established Viñals as a true luminary in contemporary perfumery, continuing to shape the industry through his innovative and joyful creations.