Civet

Civet by Zoologist is an unisex extrait de parfum from 2016 in the niche price tier. It opens with bergamot, black pepper, lemon, sweet orange and tarragon, moves into carnation, frangipani, heliotrope, hyacinth, tuberose and ylang-ylang and dries down to civet, leather, coffee, labdanum, oakmoss and vanilla. Expect around 10 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.

Notes, explained

Opening

Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
Black Pepper Dry and prickly. Gives a fragrance grip and a bit of bite.
Lemon Clean, sour, instantly recognisable. Bright but burns off fast.
Sweet Orange Juicy and cheerful. The friendliest citrus there is.
Tarragon Anise-tinged and green. Adds a herbal lift to barbershop scents.

Heart

Carnation Spicy, clove-like floral. Old-school and a bit peppery.
Frangipani Creamy tropical floral. Suncream adjacent.
Heliotrope Almond, vanilla and powder. Smells like marzipan and old-fashioned makeup.
Hyacinth Cold, green, watery floral. Smells like early spring.
Tuberose Creamy, waxy and enormous. The loudest white flower.
Ylang-Ylang Banana-custard floral. Rich, tropical and slightly rubbery.

Dry-down

Civet Sharp, faecal and intense on its own. In trace amounts it makes florals glow.
Leather Smoky, dry and a bit animal. Can be a new jacket or an old saddle.
Coffee Roasted, bitter and dark. Adds edge to sweet fragrances.
Labdanum Sticky, leathery resin. Dark honey and old books.
Oakmoss Damp forest floor. Bitter, green and the backbone of every chypre.
Vanilla Sweet, creamy and warm. The most comforting note in perfumery.

Smells like this

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