Best Squid by Zoologist Perfumes Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Squid by Zoologist Perfumes is an aromatic aquatic scent combining smoky incense, spicy pink pepper, and warm benzoin with marine notes of sea salt and animalic ambergris. Its distinctive blend balances freshness and depth through amyl salicylate’s floral nuance and the inky marine accord. Those drawn to Squid’s contrast between clean musk and resinous opoponax will find similar elements in fragrances emphasising incense, pink pepper, and ambergris, with varying degrees of sweetness, smokiness, and powdery softness.
Squid by Zoologist £200.00
- Key notes:
- benzoin
- incense
- musk
- pink pepper
- Aromagroups:
- marine
- unconventional
This deep and dark aquatic perfume takes you from the salty warmth of beach pebbles straight into the whispering waves, and eventually down to the inky fathoms inhabited by giant squids. Feel the caress of tentacles of incense — initially menacing, ultimately comforting.
Vanille Mafonja by Reserve en Afrique 1934 £150.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- incense
- myrrh
- pink pepper
- sea salt
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- spicy
- woody
This fragrance is a tribute to the beauty of Madagascan vanilla — one of the finest vanillas in the world. Mafonja means “intense” (as in power or strength) in Malagasy.
It opens with a breath of fleur de sel, evoking salt-kissed skin. A soft heat follows, as cinnamon, pink pepper (Mauritius), and nutmeg wrap the senses in warmth. Ylang-ylang (Comoros) lends a creamy, luminous floral note. As the scent deepens, a darker story unfolds: resinous myrrh (Somalia) and olibanum (Somalia) melt into dark amber.
Réserve en Afrique eaux de parfum feature responsibly sourced naturals, and are free from parabens, phthalates, UV filters and colorants. Their natural alcohol base is derived from beetroots, and they are a PETA-listed vegan & cruelty-free brand.
303 Marbre Rouge (Red Marble) by Bon Parfumeur £175.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- benzoin
- chilli
- incense
- pink pepper
- tolu balm
- vetiver
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
The fusion of the Taj Mahal's cold marble and its surrounding garden. Marbre Rouge brings the flowers inside the palace walls. Initially spicy, the fragrance warms up around cardamom before revealing its ylang-ylang heart. The amber notes of benzoin and Tolu balsam leave intensely sensual scents on the skin.
Perfumer: Sidonie Lancesseur
Ambre Gris by Perris Monte Carlo £160.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- ambergris
- benzoin
- incense
- powdery notes
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- marine
- woody
This perfume is part of Perris 'perfume gold' collection celebrating staple vintage materials and the formula is a true recreation of sweet the salty/vanillic haze of ambergris with that alluring radiating volume only ambergris would have.
Outopia by Mendittorosa £260.00
- Key notes:
- frankincense
- incense
- opoponax
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- spicy
- woody
A place that is eternally cherished in the heart — its memory, the feeling. It may be hidden or obscured, but never erased. In this place, the wind carries myrrh, earth welcomes rain, and fire doesn’t burn but transforms. Outopia marries the ancient oils of myrrh, frankincense and opoponax with modern aromachemicals: the marine/anise of Naxolide and the woody/amber of Maderal. Cool, earthy, smouldering.
Perfumer: Cristiano Canali
Berbera by Nissaba £150.00
- Key notes:
- black pepper
- elemi
- incense
- myrrh
- pink pepper
- smoke
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
The finest gum extracts from Somaliland — frankincense, myrrh and opoponax — combine in this resinous and sophisticated scent. Berbera is a powerful woody amber suitable for layering, as is common in the Middle East, as well as a standalone manifesto. Opoponax brings nuances of leather and old wood, myrrh swirls in a cola note, and frankincense soars high and dry. A charred-around-the-edges fragrance to uplift your soul and deepen your mystique.
Glow by Akro £190.00
- Key notes:
- incense
- pink pepper
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
“Glow” is what you do in the heat of that party, smack bang in the middle of the action, center of attention, all heads turned your way. Your secret weapon? This spicy, leathery amber, equal parts confident and comforting. Enigmatic incense rubs shoulders with sensual benzoin, smoothed with vanilla. Go with Glow to lure the most exciting people into your orbit.
Grande Ile by Nissaba £150.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- cloves
- incense
- patchouli
- pink pepper
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
Grande Ile blends the bounty of Madagascar — vanilla, pink pepper berries and black pepper — into a sensual and comforting spicy amber. This award-winning scent blends a warm ambery accord with clove, caramel nuances and a rich woody bouquet. Contrasting notes of dry cedar, creamy vanilla, and resinous touches create depth and intrigue. Grande Ile’s enveloping trail unfolds gently on the skin, revealing evolving facets throughout the day. Depending on who you ask, this intriguing beauty moirés between Oriental lilies, a vanilla sauna, and a smoky souk.
Parfum 1 by Fugazzi £205.00
- Key notes:
- cedarwood
- davana
- frankincense
- incense
- mandarin
- pink pepper
- sandalwood
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
- woody
Parfum 1 is where Fugazzi began, inspired by founder Bram Niessink’s trip to Egypt and the discovery of ancient perfume oils. Parfum 1 is a bold blend of bright and dark fruits, made mysterious by patchouli and cedarwood. The fresh top notes of citrus and blackcurrant are insinuating, gracefully riding a woody wave of sandalwood and musk. The effect is leathery, with a faint kiss of apple pie.
St. Paul's by Exaltatum £130.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- bergamot
- frankincense
- incense
- labdanum
- orange blossom
- pink pepper
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- leather
- vintage/old school
- woody
The floriental baroquesque parfum St. Paul's embodies an adoration and admiration to the spectacular era of Baroque. This style in architecture, music, art, sculpture demonstrates exalted movements, clear details, intense light and dark shadows, emotional exuberance, richness, extravaganza, which distinct baroque from other style.
The English baroque represents iconic St. Paul's Cathedral, which dome has long dominated the London skyline.
The perfume opens with the precious orange flower and jasmine absolutes with a hint of dried and juicy fruits, contrasting with the darker woody and balsamic base.
About Squid by Zoologist Perfumes
- How does Squid differ from other aromatic aquatic fragrances?
- Squid uniquely combines marine notes like ambergris and sea salt with smoky incense, spicy pink pepper, and clean musk, creating a balanced aquatic yet resinous scent. This contrasts with other aromatic aquatics which may focus more on fresh or fruity aspects without the same smoky, resinous depth.
- Which note in Squid is most responsible for its marine character?
- Ambergris and sea salt are primarily responsible for Squid’s marine character, providing a salty, animalic, and oceanic facet that distinguishes it within the aromatic aquatic family.









