Ombré Leather Reserve
From $20
Penguin
Extrait de Parfum · 2024
$15
Room for several wears. Glass spray, about 20 to 30 sprays.
Ships within 2 business days. Free US shipping from $75.
Hand-filled from an original bottle into a Cabinet Noir vial, under our own label. Cabinet Noir is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Zoologist.
The composition
Penguin starts cold: an ice accord and crisp air sharpened with juniper and pink pepper, with a thread of saffron running through. As it settles, the chill eases into clean suede, musk and sandalwood, and sea moss keeps a faint salty edge.
Most fresh fragrances lean on citrus; this one takes its freshness from temperature, which makes it feel unusual without being difficult. It suits winter mornings, bright cold days and anyone who likes leather with the weight taken out.
What wearers say
- Most wearers praise how convincingly cold the opening smells, an icy, ozonic blast with juniper.
- The drydown turns to soft suede, moss and musk, and many call it one of the easier Zoologist scents to wear.
- The main complaint is a synthetic, cleaning product edge in the opening; some find the drydown close to a men's body wash.
- Longevity is mostly reported as moderate to long, while projection reports lean moderate to close and some find it weak.
- Many say it leans masculine; it is worn mostly in winter, though some reach for it on hot days to feel cooler.
Summarized by Cabinet Noir from public reviews on Fragrantica and Parfumo, checked 19 October 2026.
Compared with
- Snowy OwlZoologist
- Snowy Owl is the other cold Zoologist scent and, to many wearers, the softer and more feminine one. Penguin pairs its icy opening with juniper and suede, so it reads drier and more masculine.
- Silver Mountain WaterCreed
- Both are cool, clean fragrances. Silver Mountain Water brightens its freshness with green tea and citrus, while Penguin feels colder and settles into suede and moss.
Lot 055
The number on your vial matches the bottle it was filled from. Provenance
Shipping and returns
US ground shipping, $9 or free from $75. Ships within 2 business days. Decants are final sale; we replace or refund any that arrive damaged. Details
The notes
Opening
Top
- Antarctic Air
- Ice Accord
- Juniper Berry
Development
Heart
- Pink Pepper
- Saffron
- Ciste Absolute
Drydown
Base
- Sandalwood
- Musks
- Seamoss
- Suede
Questions about Penguin
What concentration is Zoologist Penguin?
Zoologist makes Penguin at a 20 percent concentration, which is extrait strength. It sells one full bottle size, a travel spray and samples.
Is Zoologist Penguin made for men or women?
Zoologist sells Penguin for anyone. Many wearers say it leans masculine because of its juniper and suede, though others wear it as a unisex fresh scent.
Does Zoologist Penguin contain animal products?
No. Zoologist lists the musks in Penguin as synthetic and says the fragrance uses no animal products. The ice and Antarctic air notes are accords created by the perfumer, Chiaki Nomura.
Is Penguin discontinued?
No. Zoologist still makes Penguin; it was on sale new as of October 2026.
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