New Fragrance Review: Zoologist Perfumes Beaver + Welcome to Victor Wong’s Wild Kingdom Draw

victor wong zoologist perfumes

Victor Wong of Zoologist Perfumes Photo Victor Wong in Hong Kong

Zoologist Perfumes was started by Canadian Victor Wong, who hails from Toronto in 2013, following a stay in Quebec at a hotel where the smell of their complimentary soap and shampoo led him to start investigating and sampling perfume as a serious avocation.  Soon, he was sampling all of the perfumes listed in Luca Turin’s book, Perfumes A-Z,  following numerous  fragrance blogs, (including ours of course), Basenotes and Facebook perfumista groups to learn as much as he could about olfaction and scent.   His day job designing video games allowed him to save enough money to create his own line of perfumes, and he  partnered with two perfumers; the award winning California perfumer Paul Kiler of PK Perfumes and Chris Bartlett, from the U.K who is the nose behind fragrances under his own brand Pell Wall (and private labels too).  Zoologist Perfumes take its inspiration from the animal kingdom, offering fragrances that highlight the whimsical and natural connections between the wild kingdom and the scented world.

2 zoologist perfumes beaver rhino panda cafleurebon

Zoologist Panda, Rhinoceros and Beaver Eau de Parfums fantastic labels are illustrated by Daisy Chan

They have created in their initial trio of animal-themed perfumes, Rhinoceros (enormous rum and tobacco offering) and Panda (a reedy and bright bamboo and green tea scent). But I have been on a mission.  Zoologist Perfumes has done the impossible.   Finally I have found a “skanky” fragrance I can enjoy without cringing.  Zoologist’s Beaver perfume is a warm, slightly acrid and thoroughly pleasant scent.  One that I began to imagine my inner child might smell like.

Beaver opens with a sour, impossible-to-miss castoreum note that in any other circumstance would end the exploration for me entirely.  But see – Chris Bartlett is crafty.  He married this overpowering note to linden blossom, and the effect is instant bliss. The combination of the light, slightly floral and sweet linden with the underlying glandular funk of castoreum turns this fragrance into a warm, inviting and approachable perfume.  Listed in the top notes is also a “fresh air” accord, which aerates the other top notes and lightly frames the inherent complimentary qualities between the floral and animalic aspects.

cafleurebon beaver perfume chris bartlett cafleurebon

Zoologist Beaver Perfume Digitalized by MC

The effect is stunningly paternal somehow – I more than once had the urge to cradle this scent like a newborn.  The linden and castoreum accord creates a homey and warm skin feel that is irresistible.  You almost want to pinch this perfume’s cheeks and make a damn fool of yourself.    This newborn baby vibe is heightened by an expertly restrained cedar and soft, almost powdery vanilla layer (I instantly visualized a cedar crib and fresh baby powder, and then went back to babbling at this perfume and asking it silly questions:  “Who’s a sweet and cuddly skanky animalic scent?  You are!  That’s right!”)  There’s a hidden joy, a bubbling baby’s joy reaching out to the wearer through this scent that will instantly bring a smile to your face.

Beaver is also as soft and quiet as a sleeping child in that cedar crib.  It stays very close to the skin and its power derives from the interplay between sweetness and light (fresh air accord, linden and amber), and the dusky acrid notes (iris, animal musks, castoreum, ash and smoke accords).  This is not a loud perfume by any stretch.   But for fans of skin scents, even bready or doughy scents, you will find something in Beaver to enjoy.   I have never been a fan of anything animalic in perfumes, but I always knew that one day I’d find one that could change my mind, and allow me to appreciate their intimate and up-close qualities.  Beaver is that perfume, and my inner child is happily playing with his new toy and reaching up with perspiring and pudgy hands to show me how wonderfully redolent it is.

Notes: linden blossom, fresh air, musk, light citrus, castoreum, iris, vanilla, smoke, undergrowth, animal musks, ash, cedar, amber

Steve Johnson, Senior Contributor

Editor’s Note: I love Victor’s Blog. If you are a ÇaFleureBon reader, you know a bit about Paul Kiler, but to learn more read an Interview with Paul here. I am new to Chris Bartlett  who has an extensive line and enjoyed reading  an interview with Chris here

Disclosure I received my samples from Victor Wong of Zoologist Perfumes

samples zoologist perfumes

Thanks to Zoologist Perfumes we have a worldwide draw for a  deluxe sample set of Panda, Rhinoceros and Beaver for one reader worldwide. To be eligible please leave a comment on what you enjoyed about this review, where you live and which of the fragrances might appeal to you the most. Draw closes December  10, 2014

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

If you would like your comment to count twice please like Zoologist Perfumes on Facebook

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

− 5 = 4

31 comments

  • I enjoy the baby in the crib comparison when describing Beaver. I’m sure I would like the Panda for the bamboo, and look forward to trying that one also. 🙂 USA

  • I also cringe at some of the more animalic fragrances I’ve tried. But linden with a “fresh air” accord? That sounds delightful. And I love those dapper gentleman-animals on the bottles!

  • I love the idea of you wanting to cradle this scent! I also don’t know what castoreum smells like – but am very curious. Thanks for the draw!

  • “soft and quiet as a sleeping child” that did it for me. I am very intrigued by this series of perfumes, especially the Beaver. I do not know what castoreum smells like but would like to.
    What a great write up!
    Thank you. Bab, USA

  • fazal cheema says:

    I have been a longtime follower of Victor’s facebook posts..he has very entertaining style and always comes up with the most interesting stories…i could not help but admire the sketches he has employed on the bottles..i have indeed heard a lot about beaver as a skanky fragrance but I am also biased towards Panda which is arguably one of my fav if not most favorite animals..thanks for the draw/.i am in the US

  • Great concept. Tobacco,amber,leather…Rhino sounds perfect!
    I’m in the U.S. Thank you very much.

  • A delightfully written article! Sounds like a “fall into me” scent. Would live to experience Beaver. I live in South Africa

  • Interesting concept, another surprising background (of the owner)…
    I did discover PK Pefumes thanks to CaFleuBon… so, very curious to sample the new scent of P. Killer made for this brand. Rum and tobacco?! Then, Rhinoceros is for me!!!!!
    I’m from France. Thanks for the draw!

  • I like the baby-analogy. I like Castoreum, so I think I would like Beaver. I am in Germany. Thanks!

  • Interesting theme of the ‘inner child’. I’ve also heard some really great things about Rhinoceros. I’m in the US, thanks for the draw!

  • I enjoyed the description of this fragrance, which has made me want to try it all the more. The Beaver is the fragrance I’m sure would appeal to me most. USA

  • I laughed out loud at Steve’s inner monologue of a father talking to and pinching the cheeks of a baby. He put solid imagery in my head of what Beaver smells like. I think that or Panda might be my favorites by the note listings, but I think I’ll end up liking all 3. Thanks for the giveaway! Wishing Victor all the success in the world, he is a sweetheart. :). I live in the US.

  • I thought the description of Beaver was hilarious, and since I really like linden anyway, the combo sounds great. I would probably want to pinch its cheeks too!

  • I’ve never smelled castoreum so I’m curious about that, especially after reading the review. Of the three I’d probably like Panda the most as I’ve got a soft spot for bamboo (and a few of the other notes too). I’m in Sweden

  • julesinrose says:

    Don’t include me in the draw, because I have a sample set. I know Victor Wong and Peter Klier from online perfume groups and can’t say enough lovely things about them. So far, I’ve only tried Beaver. I found it a revelation, pushing me out of my normal perfume comfort zone (woods, incense, orientals). It has a bracing quality that reminds me of the air on a super cold day, especially by the water. The animalic quality is more like the smell of my cat (whom I adore), clean fur. Nothing dirty here at all. And though it seems subtle, it is tenacious. I applied some in the morning, got many compliments at a Christmas party in the late afternoon (“you smell good!”) from people who never comment. The next morning, I could still smell it on my skin. Congrats to Victor, Paul, and Chris, and it’s good to see the review here.

  • You had me at “sour, impossible-to-miss castoreum note ….” Beaver sounds very interesting and would be quite an experiment to try out and see who I can scare away or attract into my personsl space. I’m in the US. cannot wait to smell these. Ive akways enjoyed your perfume descriptions on FFF. I wish you much success. Ive never smelled anything from Pell Wall. I need to get my nose on more of his stuff. Congrats on the new launch Victor! I also liked your Brand’s facebook page.

  • I liked the way the juxtaposition of Linden blossom and castoreum is described in Beaver, and that would probably be the scent that would appeal to me most.
    I’m in the EU ty

  • Hi, the line “instant bliss” makes me want to try Beaver. I have heard a little feedback on this line, all good. I am amazed at the continuous list of new perfumers there are out there. Congratulations to Victor for following his passion! USA

  • i love linden, in my mother tongue it it the root for the name of the 7th month of the year 🙂 and i’m extremely curious about the juxtaposition of linden and castoreum. so Beaver appeals the most. I’m in the EU

  • I enjoyed the part in the where Beaver is described as a perfume that makes one to want to pinch it in it’s cheeks and ask silly questions like “who’s a sweet and cuddly skanky animalic scent?” The visualization made me laugh while reading this part of the review.
    I live in EU and Beaver appeals to me for sure.

  • I enjoyed the description of the fragrances and the monologue had with the perfume. I would love to try a linden fragrance like Beaver.
    I live in the EU.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    This was a very enjoyable review to read. I have to experience Beaver and its “newborn baby vibe”. I live in the US and all of the fragrances sound appealing – Beaver, though, is a must-try.

  • Rhino sounds awesome, I love the concept of the brand, but the think I like the most is the use of linden blossom with castoreum, it’s a very interesting mix, I want to try!
    I’m from Spain (EU)

    Thank you for the draw!

  • Victor is an enchanting story-teller, and I guess that he, Paul Kiler and Chris Bartlett did a great job with the Zoologist perfumes. I suppose that Panda would be my fave from the trio since I am a green tea junkie, and I am always fascinated from this note in perfumes (which are never in fashion, and thus somehow neglected).
    Thanks for the chance! I am in Bulgaria (EU).

  • Wow, as an animal lover, these really appeal to me! So cute! Thank you for the reviews and draw. It isn’t so common to see someone from the tech industry branch out into fragrance, so I think that’s really cool. My favorite part of the review, and why I think Beaver would be the favorite, is:
    “The linden and castoreum accord creates a homey and warm skin feel that is irresistible. You almost want to pinch this perfume’s cheeks and make a damn fool of yourself. ”

    usa

  • Do not be fooled by the description above. I tried Beaver, best described as vile and obnoxious. It smells like sewer water than you tried to wash off or mask with perfumed soap. Quite honestly if someone was wearing this in the office I would ask them to leave

  • Rhinocerous is OK but over powering. Again if anyone in the office has sensitivities to perfume you would send them to hospital. Not everyone is going to enjoy your smell

  • Panda is probably the least offensive, it smells like fresh cut grass – OK if you like that sort of thing