Exploring New Scents #8 | Zoologist: Musk Deer
Top Notes: Cardamom, Calamus Oil, Rose
Heart Notes: Sambac Jasmin Absolute, Patchouli, Cedarwood Atlas, Labdanum Absolute
Base Notes: Ambrette Absolute, Orris Absolute, Laos Oud, Australia Sandalwood
I know deer very well, having visited the mountains often to visit my grandparents. I've also had my run ins with deer, cars and huge drop offs. Luckily, everyone survived in the end. So when I think of deer , I envision fast, graceful creatures skittishly escaping whatever stimuli has caused their concern.
Reading the description of Musk Deer from Zoologist, I realized that this wasn't your average deer, but one from Siberia which has been pushed almost to extinction due to its musk properties. Zoologist does not use these products luckily, but there will be musk!
The initial blast of Musk Deer is very strong! So strong that the notes were a bit lost in the mish mash of the powerful scent. But wait it out and you will be greeted with a strong does of Cardamom, Jasmin, patchouli and cedar. This scent initially is no joke in it's power, much like a young buck running from the woods onto the road making you swerve before he gracefully disappears into the woods on the other side of the street. Strong, powerful and unexpected.
After five minutes, the fragrance mellows a bit with the Orris and sandalwood making an appearance with a slight whiff of animal. Still, the Cardamom, Cedarwood and Patchouli were still going strong with a touch of Jasmin and iris.
After an hour, the animalistic scent takes a back seat leaving a wearable musk over Cardamom, patchouli and cedar.
This is a very heavy scent which surprised me. I don't get visions of Musk Deer but rather Camel. This fragrance is more Camel than Camel was. Camel was just frankincense and barnyard for me. This has the components I was looking for when applying Camel. It's spicy and floral with a hint of muskiness.
it also reminds me of when I was a teenager and went through my crystals stage and frequented the mystic shops in search of new crystal jewelry and skin oils for my signature scent. A pungent dark vanilla with a mix of tobacco. I found this at the mall, thus ending my mystic days.
After 4-5 hours all the was left was Patcouli and jasmine. I do think that this is one of the strong scents of the Zoologist creations that I have tried thus far, but I didn't really get deer from this creature, rather the vision of winter which it captured well.
Imagine the longest day of the year in a remote cold area in the world which rarely sees man. The heavy winter air enshrouds the scenery in it's cold, dark embrace much like a being wrapped in a heavy blanket of darkness and isolation. It's pure winter or a dark mystic shop. It's a nice scent, but not necessarily that unique.
Still, I would give this one a 6/10. Its nice enough, but not one that I would most likely add to my shelf. Also, I do think it leans a little more masculine, but in the end, wear what you like. This may be a new scent for your collection as I do think it's a safe buy.