Rhinoceros by Zoologist Perfumes ( Paul Kiler )

Rum, Bergamot, Lavender. Elemi, Sage, Armoise, Conifer Needles.

Pinewood, Tobacco, Immortelle, Geranium, Agarwood, Chinese Cedar Wood.

Vetiver, Sandalwood, Amber, Smoke, Leather, Musks.

Mrs. Aromi and I could not possibly be more different when it comes to processing aromas we encounter. 99% of what I like, she naturally dislikes.....or hates outright. It's an amazing thing. Rhinoceros by Paul Kiler is a case in point. She says " It smells like a funky mens locker room", whilst I interpret it as a slightly boozy, woody leather with smoke. To drive this home. his other release called "PANDA" is one she delights herself in, yet I experience a borderline urinous accord the entire wearing. Suffice it to say I did not enjoy that one.........

Rhino however spreads out on the skin, upon application, like a well groomed and clean shaven group of football players, bursting out of the huddle and lining up at the line of scrimmage. There's energy here that is tangible. The notes are packed tightly together and then once the huddle breaks, an audible is called and the formation spreads out, giving everything more room.

There's an approximate 2-3 minute window, immediately following application, that I can detect almost every listed note. Almost as quickly, that clarity vanishes and is replaced by a heavier, denser quality and aroma. This begins the heart of Rhinoceros and it pumps the suggestion of whiskey soaked suede, pepper, moist earth and forest woods that have been permanently altered by heat and fire. From the initial, subtle smokiness, a charred leather rears its head and supplants the suede that manifested only moments earlier. These were noticeable transitions and I enjoyed trying to analyze them in real time.

Rhinoceros spends the remainder of its time, on my skin, as a smoke-infused woody leather, accented intermittently by earthy tones. The rendition of smoke here, used by Paul Kiler, once the base and drydown commence is perhaps one of the more superior and wearable ones I've come across as of late.

Sillage is average or slightly better than that, with longevity approximately 4-5 hours on my skin before turning into a skin scent for just as long. This accomplished with moderate sprays. Thumbs up from Aromi for Paul Kiler's Rhinoceros and as you would expect, a sample wear is recommend before purchase.