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Zoologist Portuguese Man O’ War ~ new fragrance

Posted by Robin on 27 June 2025 5 Comments

Indie Canadian line Zoologist has launched Portuguese Man O' War, a new unisex woody aquatic fragrance.

Blazing sunlight glistens then fractures on the roiling surface of an angry tropical sea. A caravel bobs among the waves, its tall sail blasted by hot, salty winds. Dangling beneath the ghostly vessel, a curtain of lethal tentacles sways menacingly in the swell. The Portuguese man o’ war drifts, letting its unwitting prey approach. Up to 100 feet long, their lacy tentacles exude crippling venom with the merest touch. In an instant, the prey is paralyzed, and as its organs slowly liquify, the colony of zooids begin to feed.

While it’s wise to avoid a Portuguese man o’ war in the wild, prepare for danger and excitement when you encounter this Zoologist perfume. Crisp ginger and metallic gunpowder deliver a fiery sting to open, before casting you adrift on a wave of briny seaweed absolute, immortelle and geranium. You’ll thrill to this enticing scent where the only pain is the delicious pang of longing.

Portuguese Man O' War was developed by perfumer Antoine Lie. Additional notes include saffron, jasmine, sandalwood and tonka. 

Zoologist Portuguese Man O' War is available now at Essenza Nobile in Germany, in 60 ml Extrait de Parfum.

(quote via zoologistperfumes, additional information via essenza-nobile.de)

Possibly of interest

Zoologist Orchid Mantis ~ new fragrance
Zoologist Beaver Maple Edition ~ new fragrance
Zoologist King Cobra ~ new fragrance

Filed Under: new fragrances
Tagged With: antoine lie, zoologist

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5 Comments

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  1. Calypso says:
    27 June 2025 at 11:29 am

    Ha ha, what a funny way to (try to) make something so menacing sound enticing. And what a truly strange combination of notes.. I’m curious but not really in any hurry to buy some.

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    • Robin says:
      27 June 2025 at 3:14 pm

      Agree with all of that!

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  2. Kanuka says:
    27 June 2025 at 2:28 pm

    I’ve been stung by man o wars before ( called Blue Bottles here ) and if I was going to link the experience to a perfume I would probably consider nettle ( stinging nettle) as my first inspiration ( the worst stings feel like shingles, in my experience) but this sounds interesting, and I like Lie’s perfumes.

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    • Robin says:
      27 June 2025 at 3:18 pm

      Oh dear! I’ve seen them washed up on beaches here, but have only had jellyfish stings so far (we have a few kinds locally) and not in years, knock on wood.

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  3. ringthing says:
    27 June 2025 at 5:16 pm

    I’m usually eager to sample the latest Zoologist; even if I don’t like it, it’s interesting, but this doesn’t appeal to me at all. They lost me at “woody aquatic.”

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