Moth

Moth by Zoologist: dark, powdery fragrance

When developing Moth, perfumer Tomoo Inaba drew inspiration from the mysterious nocturnal world of moths and their fatal attraction to light. The fragrance portrays a moth emerging under the cover of darkness, guided through the night before being irresistibly drawn toward a dangerous flame. Zoologist presents this idea through a rich, gothic composition in which dark spices, powdery flowers, woods and smoke gradually unfold around a warm honeyed core. The result is atmospheric and unsettling, balancing delicate floral softness with the suggestion of burning wood, dust and smouldering resins.

 

Olfactory Notes

Upon the first spray, an intense mixture of Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Nutmeg and Saffron creates a hot, dry and densely spiced opening. Lemon provides a brief flash of brightness, but the overall impression remains dark and dramatic, resembling spices warming beside a flickering flame.

As the fragrance develops, Heliotrope, Iris and Mimosa introduce a soft, dusty powderiness. Rose, Jasmine and Muguet form a muted floral bouquet, sweetened by the honeyed elements rising from the base. Rather than smelling fresh or luminous, the flowers feel aged, shadowy and slightly faded, reinforcing the fragrance’s gothic atmosphere.

Finally, Moth settles into an exceptionally rich foundation of Honey, Resins, Guaiac Wood, Nagarmotha, Oud, Patchouli and Vetiver. Smoke runs throughout the drydown, while Musk and synthetic Ambergris add warmth and texture. The woody, earthy and resinous materials create the impression of scorched timber, incense and ashes lingering after the flame has disappeared.

 

Olfactory notes: Warm Spicy, Woody, Powdery, Smoky, Floral, Honeyed, Amber, Earthy

Fragrance Family: Floral Woody Musk

Top notes: Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Cumin, Lemon, Nutmeg, Saffron
Heart notes: Heliotrope, Iris, Jasmine, Mimosa, Muguet, Rose
Base notes: Ambergris, Honey, Resins, Guaiac Wood, Musk, Nagarmotha, Oud, Patchouli, Smoke, Vetiver

• Concentration: Extrait de Parfum
  
• Made in Canada
  
• Parfumeur: Tomoo Inaba
  
• Year of Launch: 2018

If you're wondering about how long Moth Zoologist will last, Fragrantica reviews indicate that its performance varies between wearers. Individual users report approximately 6 hours at the lower end, while others describe 10 to more than 12 hours of wear. These figures are personal experiences rather than guaranteed performance, as longevity depends on skin, climate and application.

Ingredients: Alcohol Denat., Fragrance (Parfum), Water (Aqua), Acetyl Cedrene, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil, Pinene, Cedrus Atlantica Oil/Extract, Limonene, Eugenia Caryophyllus Oil, Beta-Caryophyllene, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, Coumarin, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citronellol, Evernia Prunastri Extract, Geraniol, Eugenol, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Geranyl Acetate, Alpha-Terpinene, Benzyl Cinnamate, Eugenyl Acetate, 3-Propylidenephthalide, Benzyl Alcohol, Camphor, Isoeugenol, FD&C Green No. 3, D&C Red No. 17, D&C Yellow No. 11.