Moth by Zoologist Perfumes

Like other Zoologist gems, Moth doesn’t smell like a moth, but its lair: an abandoned place where aristocratic elegance rots among dusty, expensive furniture. It’s the terrifying gray moth that fears the light, crafted from dark honey that isn’t sweet, late 19th-century vintage florals, mysterious incense, and an oud that only provides occasional grassiness. It doesn’t smell like nature, but like industrial woods from a workshop. It’s pure gothic, Tim Burton style, perfect for someone who wears striped stockings or loves steampunk and psychobilly. I liked it, but it’s so potent and decadent that I think I’ll never finish the 60 mL bottle; it’s bold, challenging, and perfectly captures that rarity.

I thought it would smell like mothballs, but upon spraying, it’s a bomb of honey, incense, and spices so sweet I almost confused it with Bee. As it dries, the sweetness drops, leaving a powdery, woody, spicy, and slightly medicinal scent—nothing like old closets. It reminds me more of a spiced vintage floral perfume or a quality incense stick being lit. It’s challenging and not for everyone, but if you know the niche world, it’s fascinating and I loved it.

I wish it smelled like official notes, because on my skin it smells like my grandmother’s clothes stored with mothballs. I had to take it out of the house because everything smelled like decant. I wore an atomizer before an event and the guy next to me kept leaning away to get distance. By 10 hours the next day, it already smelled like an older person’s sweat. It’s an artistic scent that only goth or avant-garde perfume lovers will love. The longevity and sillage are incredible, unfortunately.

It starts with a touch of talcum powder or dust (probably the iris), followed by sweet clove and cinnamon woods. Then, black pepper spices everything up, and the scent becomes realistic, like sawdust, explaining why many say it smells like an old house; for me, it’s more like a carpentry shop. As it dries, a honey note emerges that I didn’t notice at first. The dry down is fantastic: dark, smoky, and woody. I would definitely wear it.

Wow, what a beast! Moth is pure madness—quirky and incredibly intentional. It smells like spices stored in an old trunk, heavy with cloves and cinnamon that give it a dusty vibe. Then comes a medicinal oud and a honey note I’ve never encountered before, all mixed with a persistent smokiness. At first, it’s intimidating, but once it dries down, it enters vintage territory: flowers like mimosa, iris, and rose, but the king is heliotrope—that 70s perfume scent my grandma would wear. It’s elegant, mysterious, with a base of wood and camphor. Imagine a cold night in the woods, opening a closet and watching moths escape. It’s unisex, but leans more toward women. On my skin, it lasts over 12 hours; the first four hours are like walking with a ghost, and people stare. Don’t wear it in heat; it’s for fall and winter. On my clothes, it still smells of flowers and honey, probably even after washing. Fair price for what it offers. If you’re looking for something extraordinary, it’s a work of art worth every penny.

At first, it’s a beast: a medicinal scent with oud and resins that’s quite challenging, but if you stick with it, the spices (clove and nutmeg on steroids) leave you breathless. Then the iris enters with a touch of talc and camphor, softened by a hint of honey that doesn’t sweeten it. In the dry down, it returns to that incense and medicinal vibe, but now it’s balanced. It’s a fragrance that evolves very slowly, ideal for testing and enjoying, but beware: it projects like a tank and smells like a woodshop, not nature. Only for the brave seeking a niche experience; not for easy everyday wear.

Exquisite and gothic, a beautiful interpretation of a nocturnal moth. Smoky and medicinal opening from the oud, drying down to a sweet, powdery floral trail. Slightly more feminine but definitely unisex. One of my favorites from Zoologist. Scent: 10, Originality: 10, Versatility: 7.5, Season: Fall and Winter, Quality: 10, Price: 7, Sillage: 10, Longevity: 10, Design: 10. Overall Rating: 9.