Koala

if you google what the definition of the "Proust effect" is, you will be presented with the following, "The Proust effect, also known as the Proust phenomenon or Proustian memory, refers to the phenomenon where a sensory experience, particularly a smell, can trigger a vivid and involuntary recall of a past event, often accompanied by strong emotions". This fragrance is exactly that, I remember the first time I encountered zoologist on my fragrance journey, in Philly, months ago; I didn't expect to fall in love with this fragrance based off the notes, but I did, and it was instant. I'm rather young (17 on august 13th) so I don't have extensive memories of the 2000s or even early 2010s, so I'll try my best to retell this memory for Fragrantica, and smell koala while typing this to get myself closer to it. 2012, middle of the jersey summer, AC on full blast, fans on the porch, hoodies past 9pm. It was my first summer living in the house I spent most of my life growing up in, and my mother made 4 year old me a dish of cut up watermelon (among other things but I can't exactly recall what they are). I've always been very attentive of smells I've come across throughout my childhood, and the moment i laid my nose on koala, I was instantly transported back to this. The smell of sitting outside, drinking tea with too much honey (on account of being 4 years old), the Fleetwood Mac Rumors LP playing on the ipod speaker we always kept on the porch, a slight breeze, and the shade from the beating sun. This fragrance made it apparent in my mind for the first time that things like the "Proust effect" are even possible through fragrance, and that perfumery is an art form. Since the first time I smelled koala, I've purchased 2 2ml samples (which are both nearly empty) and recently a full bottle, I waited to write this review until I had enough time to process how my brain perceived it, this fragrance even inspired me to start self teaching perfumery and hopefully create Proust effects of my own. This is (as of now, and hopefully the far foreseeable future) the greatest fragrance that has ever been created, no exaggeration, no sponsors. Thank you so much to Spyros Drosopoulos, the mastermind who constructed this fragrance in the first place, and especially to Victor Wong, the man who made it all possible. If you haven't gotten your nose on this fragrance yet, PLEASE (and i can not stress this enough), PLEASE do so. This is art. Performance is amazing on my skin, 10-12 hours easy, beautifully blended fresh eucalyptus and menthol with honey, tea and the vibe of sitting under a tree in the summertime, strong presence in the air, amazing bottle, amazing price. 11/10 P.S this fragrance really made me realize how much I love koalas :)

Koala is the newest release from the house of Zoologist and is exclusive to the webstore, not available through the boutiques that carry the rest of the line. The subtitle “Eucalyptus Sunshine” seems especially appropriate, as the fragrance is bright and fresh with a playful use of eucalyptus but I’m pleased that it does not go overboard on the eucalyptus, a note that I find overpowering at times and sometimes a bit more evocative of room fragrances than personal fragrances. In Koala, the eucalyptus is part of an ensemble that also includes “menthol honey gumdrops,” a note that acknowledges some of the sweetness but also the vague minty menthol, which pairs well with the eucalyptus, along with florals (mimosa, geranium), black tea, vetiver, spices, woods, musk, and most notably, oakmoss. It comes off almost like a modern take on a fougere with menthol/eucalyptus but not lavender, slightly reminiscent of Sharkskin by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz / DSH Perfumes, a limited edition from the Heirloom collection, though Sharkskin is brighter, more citric, and more aldehydic, whereas Koala is greener and woodier with the eucalyptus. Koala performs quite well and is priced at $165 for 60ml, in line with Zoologist’s standard pricing. In addition to Bee, I’m inclined to buy a bottle of Koala. 8 out of 10

I love the deep incense (not the burning kind) which is slightly sweet. The menthol and pine are very forward. If I spray on my extremities, the animalic (does make you think of koala fur) and quite masculine side is too prominent, so I spray it under my shirt and it is actually perfect, like a warm hug, but sort of refreshing at the same time. Moderate sillage which lasts a while. I could still smell it faintly on my skin a full 12 hours laters, but the first 6-8 hours are the best. This is like an *elevated* and deepened classic men's after shave kind of fragrance kind of like Eau de Minthe is, but I like this better. I'm in an LDR, so I find this scent very cozy/comforting. I am not even sure if this would be a good scent for my partner, but it kind of gives the feeling of a hug of a masculine person and helps with loneliness as I find with a lot of incense frags.

Man, I'm in trouble. I ordered one of those sampler sets from Zoologist in order to try a bunch and pick a favorite, and so far I like all of them a lot! It hardly seems possible to me that every one I try I seem to like better than the last, but here we are. Today it's Koala, which at first thrilled me with its very minty, refreshing opening notes. I can't think of any other fragrance I own that has that minty note. Putting any of these fragrances is on is such much fun, because as the opening notes dissipate they start to smell so different, and finally you get even more changes in the dry-down. I've had Koala on for about four hours now, and it's evolved to spicy and woody, with just a hint of that freshness. Honestly, I love it, and not in small part because it kind of reminds me of Old Spice! This is the kind of fragrance I love smelling on a man or myself!

I recently stoped at scent bar in ny an picked up a sample tried it on skin an was impressed.I immediately picked up the eucalyptus but perfectly balanced with the Black tea,musk toning it down lovely,so self soothing an has the ingredients of incense rose which brings this koala to be blended to perfection. This is perfume is art to me my first from zoologists.I love the feel this gives me through out the day whiffs here & there I even managed to get 2 compliments today.Ms Klass stepped into the room an said someone smells really good pulling her mask down, Mr Hydralene said during passing in the hallway what is that cologne your wearing today I like it, an this is only the 2nd day wearing it after purchasing a full bottle.I just cant stop smelling my wrist it's that good 👍 I'm glad I have this in my collection on this frag journey.