Northern Cardinal
Northern Cardinal by Zoologist is an unisex eau de parfum from 2023 in the niche price tier. It opens with lemon, bergamot and mandarin, moves into rose, clary sage and leather and dries down to vanilla, oakmoss, musk and patchouli. Expect around 7 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Lemon Clean, sour, instantly recognisable. Bright but burns off fast.
- Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
- Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.
Heart
- Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
- Clary Sage Softer, sweeter sage with an ambery undertone. Warm and herbal.
- Leather Smoky, dry and a bit animal. Can be a new jacket or an old saddle.
Dry-down
- Vanilla Sweet, creamy and warm. The most comforting note in perfumery.
- Oakmoss Damp forest floor. Bitter, green and the backbone of every chypre.
- Musk Warm, skin-like and slightly sweet. Makes a fragrance feel like you.
- Patchouli Damp earth and dark chocolate. Either you love it or it's your least favourite note.
Smells like this
- Estée Lauder Azuree
- Ex Nihilo Rose Hubris
- Frédéric Malle Eau de Magnolia
- Parfums de Nicolaï Angelys Pear
- Xerjoff Tony Iommi Deified
- Histoires de Parfums Noir Patchouli
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