Panda begins with an intense, dewy green accord and hints of peppery warmth that is soon followed by orange blossoms and lilies, and finally comes to rest at earthy roots and damp mosses. This is less the roly-poly panda himself and more a chronicle of his slow stroll as he journeys from mountain springs to bamboo groves, munching on stalks and leaves, and basically just living a very low-key, low-stress, serene Panda lifestyle. Much later there is the barest whiff of sandalwood; perhaps the last stop in his travels is a shadowy temple at sunset, to light a stick of incense and thank the gods for his good fortune.
The picture I'm painted with Panda is a triptych.
In the first scene, it is green. Bitingly green.
The bamboo is fresh, green, and aquatic. It adds a humidity to the opening. Paired with the sharp and sour citrus, spicy Sichuan pepper, and bitter green tea, it really is a wake-up call.
I don't get much in the way of pissy musk here like I've seen others mention.
I do get fruits here too. Something sharp like pineapple. Interesting as they don't naturally eat fruits, but do in captivity. Maybe another facet to the story.
In the second scene, it is brown.
The forest floor is covered in leaves. Aided by footsteps and humidity, the leaves are breaking down, leaving a damp, eathy, and mossy layer behind.
In the third scene things turn dry.
The Panda has moved on. What we're left with is a lingering musk.
There are prominent florals and woods, with the Haitian vetiver in particular giving a very dry, slightly smokey scent. There is lingering sweetness and smoke from incense.
Maybe I'm trying to make it too fantastical, but could this be the rare occasion where the bamboo flowers and dies back leaving the Panda no option but to move on in search of more food? Who knows.
If you want green. This is it.