Musk Deer

Wintry Siberian forest, animal desire and a halo of oud. Zoologist Musk Deer layers cardamom, calamus and rose over sambac jasmine, patchouli and cedar, then ambrette, orris, Laotian oud and Australian sandalwood. Perfumer Pascal Gaurin composed it for Zoologist Perfumes in 2020.

The Story

Brutal winter winds buffet the Siberian forest. The tall trees long for summer's return, short though it may be, but at the base of several bare trunks invisible love notes call to a would-be mate: fragrant missives left by the male musk deer. Long fangs give the buck a demonic appearance, yet they too play a role in the mating ritual, serving as weapons in the tussle with rivals for a doe's love. The dream of a mate sustains the lonely deer as it searches out scraps of lichen and moss among cold, barren roots. For centuries musk deer have been hunted to near extinction, coveted for their fragrant musk pods. Zoologist respects this majestic creature, recreating the distinctive scent through a mixture of synthetic musks and natural oud and florals. The result evokes the animal desire of a lusty musk deer amid the alluring chill of a wintry forest, all captured without a hint of menace.

How It Smells

Opening
Cardamom and calamus oil give a cool, aromatic, slightly bitter start, softened by rose.

Heart
Sambac jasmine, patchouli, Atlas cedar and labdanum build a warm, resinous floral-woody centre.

Dry Down
Ambrette and orris bring a powdery musk, resting on Laotian oud and Australian sandalwood.

Fragrance Notes

Top

• Cardamom
• Calamus Oil
• Rose

Heart

• Sambac Jasmin Absolute
• Patchouli
• Cedarwood Atlas
• Labdanum Absolute

Base

• Ambrette Absolute
• Orris Absolute
• Laos Oud
• Australia Sandalwood

Fragrance Profile

Woody · Oud · Floral · Musky · Warm Spicy