ZOOLOGIST
Macaque – Yuzu Edition

2021

PERFUMER
Mackenzie Reilly

yuzu
mandarin
juniper

hinoki wood
myrrh
hydrocarboresine

frankincense absolute
oakmoss absolute
sandalwood

I remember the original 2016 edition of Macaque being one of my favorite surprises from Zoologist. It was a bit green for my taste, but a very pleasant fragrance. That version no longer exists and has been reworked into this Yuzu edition, as well as a Fuji Apple edition. Both of which sound like an upgrade for my taste.

It’s been too long for me to effectively compare it to the original. It has a similar overall vibe, but I can’t say the original comes back to me fully. Macaque – Yuzu feels perhaps sharper, but equally green and vibrant. I do remember a dampness or dewiness in the original, that I don’t really get here, which is a bonus.

Macaque – Yuzu is more straight-forward in being fresh and leans a bit towards a shampoo scent for me. I’d argue that it leans traditionally masculine quite a bit, with a cologne-like feeling.

I was about to say that it feels less earthy, but during the wear, I have to retract that statement. As mentioned, it’s less damp and therefore it’s more of a dryer earthiness versus a slightly muddy one.

All and all a pretty interesting and nice fragrance, not completely unlike the recent Cardinal in the overall vibe or audience that I picture for this fragrance.