Jo Malone Cologne Intense initial impressions review

I had a good sniff of the four Jo Malone Cologne Intense fragrances today. The 'limited distribution' isn't actually too limited as you can buy them online at www.jomalone.co.uk as well as at Selfridges London (where I sniffed them), Harrods, Harvey Nichols Manchester, the JM Brook Street and Sloane Street stores, Brown Thomas Dublin and Heathrow.

These are more intense than the usual Jo Malones; I'd say about the same strength as the Dark Amber & Ginger Lily from the Kohdo Wood collection. They're not as strong as Serge Lutens black label fragrances, so are intense by Jo Malone standards, but not exactly Serge or Robert Piguet strength.

These are £80 for 100ml, so more expensive than the main range at £64 for 100ml, but not unreasonably so. I do wish they offered the option of the 30ml bottles in this range too though.

On to my thoughts of the fragrances. Two I only sniffed in the bottle, two I sprayed onto cards and one I tried on the skin (I'll say which is which) so please bear that in mind when reading.

Amber & Patchouli (sniffed in bottle)
Too heavy for me, and very spicy. In the same way it has to be sub-zero before I can wear Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, I can't imagine I'd get much use out of this if I owned it. If you like Opium, this is a (slightly) tamer version, but if you like that sort of scent I'd still recommend Ormonde Jayne Tolu over this; Tolu is smoother and more creamy to my nose.

Rose & Vanilla (sniffed in bottle)
Too sweet and heady for me; it smells to me like turkish delight. It might be more wearable on the skin, but I wasn't tempted to try it. A lot sweeter than Red Roses, and without the citrus zing of that scent.

Oud & Bergamot (sprayed on card)
This is mostly a lovely dry wood, the citrus supports but doesn't overpower it. Mr London would like this one. If you like JM Black Vetyver Cafe, Serge Lutens Chene or L'Artisan Dzing!, JM Oud & Bergamot is well worth a sniff.

Iris & White Musk (sprayed on card and on wrist)
This is like a grown up version of the Body Shop's White Musk (in a good, and more complex way) and also reminds me a bit of the Tom Ford Private Blend Musks, but without the grr! (Tom Ford does grr! very well). It's a clean musk, not a dirty Serge Lutens Koublai Khan version. Sprayed on the card I mostly got a soapy musk note, but the iris developed almost as soon as it was sprayed on my wrist, giving it a more voluptuous and appealing rounded smell. It doesn't seem to have the troublesome, slightly chemical note on me that the Tom Ford White Suede can have on days when my chemistry is off. This is quite a feminine and sexy fragrance, but in a buttoned up sort of way; think pencil skirts and crisp white blouses, rather than a minidress.

Mr London noticed the Iris & White Musk and remarked that I smell nice when I got home this evening - I've told him what it is and where to buy it ;)