Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise purchase and initial thoughts

I bought this yesterday lunchtime at the Jo Malone counter in Selfridges (where the service was very good. The assistant actually advised that I wear it for 15 minutes before purchasing, instead of just making the immediate sale.)

On first spray I get a clear crystalline liquorice and vetiver hit, that warms and softens into a smokier floral before finally settling (after about 3-4 hours) into a my-skin-but-better vanilla musk. This fragrance isn't at all gourmand to my nose, which pleases me a lot because I often don't do well with the more dessert-smelling sniffs.

I could see this being popular with men as well as women. It's comforting but not feminine or cloying, and would be a good choice for a professional everyday fragrance - although it lasts well it doesn't have a big sillage like the limited edition Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, and it's less exuberant than Pomegranate Noir.

I'm wearing it with my JM Orange Blossom body lotion, and that's a very nice combination. I still think it would also do well with Grapefruit and Blue Agave & Cacao, although I do now think Pomegranate Noir would overpower it. I'd also like to try it with Nutmeg and Ginger (another linger-rather-than-shout JM sniff) and I suspect it would also work beautifully with that other JM stalwart, Lime, Basil & Mandarin (the vetiver notes in both fragrances would help them to marry nicely.)

I bought the 30ml size for £32. Although the 100ml bottle is better value for money, I like to have a couple on the go at once to choose from, and so the smaller size suits me better.