Dodo Jackfruit Edition

Like many here, I didn't like the original Dodo and the 2020 was average, not amazing not horrible. I actually had the sample a while back with an order and that was quite a surprise. I honestly expected it to be middling but it blew me away. This is fresh, beautiful and clean. People have been claiming Zoologist are becoming more "mainstream" but Tiger showed that Victor Wong still is very much meticulous in his vision and to me Tiger was far from mainstream (even if you did like vetiver, which is far from everyone from the get go, especially in the designer/mainstream scene). Dodo 2023 (aka jackfruit edition) is once again a further change for the profile. The perfumer from the 2020 version is also at work here and this time, the funk (more like the jungle rank, as someone who's been there trust me the jungle doesn't smell much pleasant at all!) from the 2020 is all but gone at this point. This new version is very clean, pretty much closer to a high quality fougere, driven by crisp, bright bergamot and aromatic lavender. I do smell the spices (a slight pepperiness in the opening) and the woody tones in the drydown but this is very much a fougere and if you don't like bergamot or lavender, you won't be happy here. That said, if you didn't like the previous iterations of Dodo, this is far removed from it. It's very pleasant and perfect for summer. Sure, it's more accessible when compared to other Zoologists and the animal's description is less easy to wrap your head around (this time, the smell is not of the dodo bird, more that of its surroundings). Actually, I find that this is a very good stepping stone for someone who wants to get into the brand without being hit by the harsher, more animalic perfumes. Zoologist or not, niche or not, this is a wonderful perfume!

Classic masculine powdery soapy fougere, but with a slight twist. The powder is minimal but definitely noticeable, and there is a very green soapy core that spans the life of the fragrance. The opening is a little sweet, and to my nose smells like overripe tropical fruits (i don’t know what a jackfruit smells like tbh). After that initial blast, the fruitiness quickly calms down and nearly disappears. Overall it’s just nice though, not exactly challenging, but very pleasant and uplifting. I’m not normally a fan of powdery barbershop type scents, but this is easily one of my favorites in the genre. My fiancée said it would be good to use as a pillow spray before bed, as it’s just very pleasant and calming. I got this directly from Zoologist as a free sample with a purchase, and honestly i expected to hate it, based on my reaction to the stomach-turning Dodo 2020 edition. This, thankfully, is nothing like that, and I am even considering buying a travel spray of it as my next zoologist order. A surprising love, especially considering my expectations.

My nose didn't pick up on the 'laundry detergent' scent that others are commenting on. Upon the initial spray, the scent of jackfruit is refreshing and oddly nostalgic. I will say that I come from a tropical climate, so the scent profile on this one was a lot more familiar and comforting for me. Sure, it has that clean, Lavendar note where I can see how others may mistake it for detergent. However, it's a lot more complex with that sweet, sour pineapply tint that's gently embraced by a calming lavender. Seet, milky and consoling, like I'm burning a candle on my patio while laying on a hammock. Love this! My only nitpick is that I feel it didn't last very long on me compared to Zoologist's other fragrances, which is why I wont be buying it. It could just be my skin chemistry, but there are other fragrances Zoology has made that I feel last longer with just as pleasant of a scent.

Fresh and aromatic spicy masculine Like a modern take on the classic fougere I can smell almost all the notes listed Aromatic fresh spicy opening with bergamot and pink pepper Dry down is lavender and some florals (iris, geranium, orange blossom) on the base of spicy and earthy patchouli with sandalwood Tonka and labdanum warm and sweeten up the entire blend just right Overall is very well balanced and pleasant, but more on the masculine side It is nicely blended and a safe pick especially if you're new to niche, a good "entry level" fragrance if you will The composition reminds me of going further and further into the the tropical forest and smelling different things (1st pepper and fruits, then florals and later woods, earthy notes)

Fresh, athletic, soapy, white-floral-powdery (doesn’t sound like Zoologist so far) but with a groundedness and addictive complexity you might expect from the house. I’m not the first to say it, but this is Zoologist’s version of Old Spice. Maybe that was the hidden concept: the dodo is extinct, so let’s use this animal as our opportunity to engage with a famous old (1938) fragrance? None of it quite tracks here, conceptually, but the scent itself is a quiet triumph. Versatile, understated and wearable while retaining its own character. Its dignified, unmistakable extrait presence works fine on a rainy evening - I assure you this isn’t as summery as the votes suggest. An overlooked Zoologist win.