Jo Malone Osmanthus Blossom Cologne

The limited-edition Osmanthus Blossom ($110 for 100 ml, $60 for 30-ml size; slightly higher in Canada) is Jo Malone's newest cologne. It is so popular, it's selling out quickly. I'm glad I was able to purchase mine early from my favorite Jo Malone product specialist at Neiman Marcus - before its scheduled May release date. She was a doll, spiriting it out of the back room for me to try - and buy. Perhaps it was embargoed?

Jo Malone describes Osmanthus Blossom as delicately exotic. I'd call it nectar for the nose. Mine won't stay away when I spray it on my arm. I adore white flower fragrances. This one captures the duality of apricot counterpoised with supple leather. Luminous petitgrain and luscious peach and orange flower ripple over a base of voluptuous cashmere wood. The result? Intoxicating.

Osmanthus absolute is an expensive raw material for use in perfume, but worth the investment due to its unique olfactory profile. It's highly fragrant and succulent in its peachy-apricot top note - nothing short of mouthwatering. If you are into the chemistry that underlies its exquisite fragrance, the essence of osmanthus naturally contains cis-jasmone (a white floral note), gamma-decalactone and various delta-lactones (peachy-milky notes) as well as several ionones derivates, which accounts for its violet-like sweetness (Fragrantica).

The further south you travel in the United States, the more likely you are to find this plant sharing its heady fragrance. A member of the olive family, it's a leggy plant you won't forget once you smell one in bloom. In autumn, winter, and early spring, white flowers cover the shrub - which also blooms sporadically throughout the summer. Individually the blossoms are small and inconspicuous, but the fragrance is powerful and exquisite.

I purchased my bottle a few weeks ago and have reached for it often. I was surprised when I was shopping with a friend who is generally a fragrance phobe. She does like light citrus scents, but is seldom blown away by florals. The display at Neiman Marcus stopped her in her tracks, and she gave Osmanthus Blossom a try. She found it irresistible and went home that day with a new fragrance.

For fragrance layering fans, Jo Malone suggests you layer it with Blackberry & Bay to add a tart verdant depth or Nectarine Blossom & Honey to amplify the osmanthus with a sophisticated sweetness. I plan to try the latter pronto.

Where can you find it? Osmanthus Blossom is or will be available at Jo Malone Boutiques, jomalone.com, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and select Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom stores nationwide. In Canada, it's available exclusively at Holt Renfrew. If you haven't given it a whiff, try it before it sells out.

Photo at top courtesy of Jo Malone; other photo by missouribotanicalgarden.org