Zoologist – Koala – As an Australian perfume blogger, I’d say it’s my sworn duty to bring you my thoughts on the new Zoologist scent, Koala. It is, after all, one of my country’s most recognised native animals. The cuddly marsupial spends 20 hours a day sleeping and feasting on the leaves of eucalyptus trees.
Koala, the fragrance, is a delightful surprise. I’ve gone through my sample, and that hasn’t happened with the other Zoologist scents I’ve tried. Perhaps, it’s because this one doesn’t go down the path of the brand’s recent releases, it’s much easier on the nose. Maybe in keeping with the animals persona, it’s easy to like and approachable. Whether that will be please diehard Zoologist fans, we will have to wait and see.
Eucalyptus is the prominent note, and coupled with pine, results in an aromatic and green perfume. The honey is present, but it never becomes animalic like Bee. No doubt, it is medicinal and mentholated, but it doesn’t go overboard. The subtle use of black tea, musk, vetiver, and incense ensures I never get the impression I’m wearing Vicks VapoRub or Tiger Balm. It’s fresh, soapy, green, and comforting.
Koala’s most enjoyable aspect is the midsection. Spicy cinnamon adds a warming, cosy effect to the composition before the vetiver, musk, and oakmoss close out proceedings on an appropriately clean, calming note. It reminds me a little of the fresh, green, spicy scent from Laboratorio Olfattivo, Vetyverso. Koala never projects loudly; after a couple of hours, it becomes a skin scent, but I can still detect it after 8 hours. Perfumer, Spyros Drosopoulos has crafted a snuggle-worthy addition to the Zoologist line.
Have you tried Zoologist Koala? Do you have a favourite from the brand?
Note: I purchased my sample from Bloom Perfumery, London. Bottle image courtesy of Google.
This scent sounds gorgeous! I am curious! Wonderful review!
Thank you, Tetê. Yes, it’s certainly easy to wear. I really enjoy it. Hopefully you can try it sometime. Let me know if you do.
Sounds super, I am a little behind on the latest Zoologist releases so not tried this as yet. I like Spyros Drosopoulos’s work on Baruti, and I am intrigued even more to get my nose on this now. I will have to get to Bloom and give it a go, thankfully I will not have to travel as far as your sample did! Excellent review!
Thanks Marcus. Haha, yes my Koala sample travelled across the world to get to me. Glad it did, it’s very well done. I need to delve more into the Baruti line. Let me know what you think of Koala, when you get to Bloom.
I did in fact end up going there today and have a try out. I totally agree with what you say, fresh, soapy, green. I found some spicy sharpness developed after a while, perhaps incense I was thinking. It’s a nice one, and a very easy wearing one for the Zoologist line. Thanks for giving me the push to sample it.
That’s great Marcus. Glad you got a chance to try it. It’s an easy wear for sure. Definitely some incense and cinnamon in there too.
Love the sound of this one, Daniel, thanks to your insightful review.
Thanks very much, Rich. Hopefully you come across it, and can give it a sample.