Five new limited-edition gourmand fragrances! What will I select? Jo Malone's collection (each is $60) of five fragrances was created for moments of delicious pleasure. Inspired by British cakes and desserts. Perfumer Christine Nagel of Mane spent time with the Jo Malone Creative Studio eating cake in Fortnum and Masons, Claridges, and various other delectable cake establishments to familiarize herself with the local sweet treats.
I can't have them all, so I must dash over to Neiman Marcus for a whiff. Which will I purchase?
Will Bitter Orange & Chocolate Cologne be as homey as it sounds? The bite of bitter orange, layered with dark chocolate. Orange peel counterpoised with warm, powdery cocoa, milky coconut, and coumarin. Sumptuous and addictive.
How about Lemon Tart Cologne? The mouth-watering tang of lemon tart. Sparkling with citrus fruits and verbena, contrasted with swirls of meringue and lemon thyme. Refreshing.
Elderflower & Gooseberry sounds very tempting. A voluptuous gooseberry fool. Crushed, summer-green gooseberries, juicy with lychee, enfolded into the soft delicacy of elderflower. Tender and feminine.
Redcurrent & Cream? A summer pudding. Sharp-scarlet juices of redcurrants, lush strawberries and raspberries, rippling through creamy musk. Vivacious and enticing. I'm enticed.
Ginger Biscuit? Just-baked biscuit. Spiced with ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon, melting into caramel. Butter-crumbly with roasted hazelnuts. Warmed by tonka bean and vanilla. Irresistible. Maybe not for me.
For more information, see
Basenotes. The new collection is available at
Neiman Marcus.
Update 2/13: I tested them all today and purchased two - yeah, I know, I was going to buy only one. I couldn't resist Lemon Tart. I also found Elderflower & Gooseberry nice and green. Love it! As I suspected, Ginger Biscuit is not to my tastes. I can't even stand ginger snaps. The smell of them makes me want to flee. Recurrent & Cream was my third choice. I need to try it on my skin. I'm not ready for a commitment. Bitter Orange & Chocolate was interesting, but very strong. Not me. Disappointed about that. I was ready to love it. I love chocolate and orange, but somehow (to my nose), Jo Malone missed the boat with the overpowering chocolate.
Photos courtesy of Neiman Marcus
I can't wait to hear your reviews on the scents, the chocolate and orange sounds yummy. I bought the Sweet Milk a couple years ago and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there are body creams to layer with?
I can't wait to sniff these either--- I'm wondering if they'll be a successful 'grownup' version of gourmand, or not. I think Redcurrant and Cream would by my pick at first glance!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Ann,
ReplyDeleteI doubt it - not at first.
Hi Dovey!
ReplyDeleteMine too - that one or Elderflower & Gooseberry.
I can't wait to hear what you think. All of these sound duh-li-cious. The Ginger Biscuit sounds most enciting to me... followed closely by Lemon Tart and Redcurrent/Cream. I've read that the chocolate one is STRONG.
ReplyDeleteAll I can imagine is that I'll sniff them all day and want to eat! lol The Elderflower & Gooseberry though sounds very pretty without making me want to have cake. :)
ReplyDeleteMmm...I think I'll have the Elderflower and Gooseberry, please. One lump, not two. <3
ReplyDeleteahhhh, Jo Malone. I've always been intrigued by their candles. I feel like if there is any kind of "designer" candle it would be that one! These scents all sound so unique and delightful, I'm going by Neiman's tomorrow, I'll obviously have to take a whiff!
ReplyDeleteI went to a Jo Malone fragrance event at Neiman Marcus over the weekend featuring the new scents and the Ginger Biscuit was my absolute favorite! The Bitter Orange & Chocolate was okay but the chocolate came across a bit too fake, like a chocolate scratch & sniff sticker. The Elderflower & Gooseberry reminded me of the smell of a brand new Cabbage Patch Kid (weird. I know, but scent evokes memories, right?).
ReplyDeleteI am excited to hear what you think of them!
Hello Charleston Girl - I read about these back in November - In fact I had Googled Jo Malone to find out what, if anything, was new coming out, as I am a huge fan of JM! When I discovered these - I was quite surprised, so I approached my NM Jo Malone sales associate and she had not yet heard of them, so she e-mailed her corporate office to inquire and sure enough...it was coming out!
ReplyDeleteShe gave me a call me a couple of weeks ago to inform me they would be getting them in just in time for the beauty event and that she had the opportunity to smell them, so I had a bit of a heads up on this. Our NM got them in just last weekend and the display is lovely! My favorite is Lemon Tart...reminds me of somewhat of the discontinued Verbenas of Provence, although sweeter (I do wishe they would bring that back!).
I have informed her that I am quite disappointed in JM as I am hesitant in spending $60 on a 30 ml bottle versus $110 for a 100 ml bottle. She indicated that if they do well (like the Earl Grey) - they will consider the 100 ml bottles!
Anyway -- I'll quit my rambling. Thanks so much - Charlotte M.
I know my local store has them, Lysa, so I'll get over there very soon. Maybe even today.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn, it would be bad if they are appetite stimulants!
ReplyDeleteHi MamaVal,
ReplyDeleteI think it sounds luscious. One lump or two.
Have fun, Julia!
ReplyDeleteThank for the info, Charlotte! I hate it when I know more than the product specialists. Makes you wonder about training. I do know that most of them don't read blogs.
ReplyDeleteHey there, Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteCabbage Patch dolls? Not a pretty image. LOL
Oh, these all sound so good! I'll def. have to check them out soon.
ReplyDeleteHi kellinicole86!
ReplyDeleteI tried them all out on blotters today and purchased two. I updated my feature. Please let us know if you love one and which.
Hi CG -( lazy again -sorry)
ReplyDeleteI am ' patiently' waiting for these to arrive at our Jo Malone boutique -The SA ' at the store have indicated , as u have confirmed Lemon Tart is their favourite-cannot wait!
ohhhhh. Bitter Orange & Chocolate sound good, in theory. Wait and see how it will develop on my skin. Lemon Tart though sounds right up my alley and I can see that being nice on the skin. I hope it will be. Need to investigate when they will hit the shelves over here at Jo Malone's.
ReplyDelete