ZOOLOGIST
PENGUIN

2024

PERFUMER
Chiaka Nomura

antartic air
ice accord
juniper

pink pepper
saffron
cistus absolute

sandalwood
musks
sea moss
suede

‘Emperors they may be, but when a massive cyclone unleashes its merciless austral winds, the colony of penguins bow to its power. It’s from such extremes that the male penguin must guard his precious bundle. Passed tenderly from mother to father, the egg is their shared purpose. She embarks on a perilous odyssey to the sea for food. He begins his own monotonous march, packed tightly in a circle of trudging penguins. So intent is he on protecting his egg that even the dazzling aurora australis against a lonely night sky escapes his notice. Zoologist Penguin opens with saffron caught upon a salty blast of crisp Antartic air. Against the cool desolation, anticipation glimmers as lively aroms of pink pepper and sea moss swirl over musks suede and sandalwood. Brace yourself for a vibrant scent that is always invigorating, a reminder of nature’s harsh reality in a welcome blast.’ – Zoologist

After sort of reviving my love and enthusiasm for Zoologist with the excellent Orchid Mantis, I was curious to get my nose on Penguin. Fun fact; penguins used to be my favorite animals throughout my entire childhood.

As far as the scent matching the concept; Penguin nails it. As far as this being a nice scent to wear; personally, it’s a hard no for me. But that’s okay; I think that’s what Zoologist used to do and should continue doing (as long as the business side allows it of course).

I mostly smell slightly pissy, cleaning-product citrus with a sharp freshness from juniper. The texture in particular reminds me of (probably heavily influenced by the idea of penguins) something akin to snow; it’s powdery, crisp, cool, but not clean. There is a slight dirtiness here.

As it dries down, it becomes almost a full-on suede scent on my skin. I wouldn’t say I get an aquatic feeling from this, but there is this cool edge to it, that in combination with the leathery facets, definitely could conjure up images of penguin skin, snow and that slightly musty, earthy and aquatic air you get when you visit a penguin enclosure at a zoo.

That being said, I couldn’t see myself enjoying this fragrance any further, besides this sampling expedition.