The Jo Malone Hit Parade of Four New Winners Continues with Our Recommendation of Jo Malone's Amber and Patchouli!
Jo Malone unveils four new fragrances for July 2010. Inspired by centuries old Middle Eastern rituals of layering scents, incenses and oils, and the beauty of classic ingredients but with Jo Malone’s hallmark simplicity and elegant restraint, Cologne Intense re-interprets time-honoured ingredients in four distinctively modern fragrances: Amber & Patchouli, Oud & Bergamot, Rose Water & Vanilla, and Iris & White Musk. Whom You Know is reviewing each and so far, Jo Malone is two for two! They delight us every season with their talents and their classic beauty in the form of scent is coveted around the world.
Master Perfumer Christine Nagel began working with the Jo Malone Creative Studio in 2009. Known for her exciting, original, even experimental compositions, one of her first creations for Jo Malone is Cologne Intense. “Each ingredient has a reason for being”, says Nagel, “Nothing is superfluous. Yes, it’s a bold approach, but I wanted to take such risks to create fragrances with impact, heart and soul. I love to focus on particular ingredients and transform them or look for new associations. With Cologne Intense, I chose to take potentially opposing ingredients of very high quality to create unexpected yet harmonious fragrances…because when fragrance elicits an emotion, the story begins …”
The selection of talented, award-winning Master Perfumer Christine Nagel to work with the Jo Malone Creative Studio, was a natural one. Dominic De Vetta, Global General Manager at Jo Malone comments “Jo Malone is truly unique in perfumery: each of our fragrances is characterised by simplicity, transparency and a certain restraint. Christine shared our philosophy of simplicity as the epitome of elegance, and there is an authenticity and precision about her own work that resonated with us.”
The Fragrances
We previously recommended Iris and White Musk:
Amber & Patchouli - A marriage of two very different, opulent ingredients that melt into a harmonious whole. A special distillation process creates a patchouli note with a supple, suede-like finish. Here, it forms a rich union with amber, to create a seductive spicy, woody fragrance. Peachy thinks this is a great fragrance as we go into fall, and would be delightful to wear when sipping on warm hot cider by a fireplace or watching the leaves change in vibrant hues in Central Park. Amber and Patchouli by Jo Malone evokes a strong sense of warmth and strength at the same time and is present, without being overpowering. It is like your most beloved cashmere sweater that you have missed all summer. And, you can be a perfume artist, combining this with other scents to create a sensory masterpiece. You can't do this with many brands.
The Art of Fragrance Combining™
Every Jo Malone fragrance is structured so it can either stand alone, or be blended and layered with other Jo Malone colognes for endless bespoke effects. It’s a unique concept at the heart of Jo Malone, and one that fulfils that most fundamental of desires – to discover a fragrance that is truly one’s own.
Each Cologne Intense fragrance has this simplicity of construction, so that each one retains a clarity that makes them sublime worn alone, magnetic when mixed and layered.
De Vetta added, “We value our classic British heritage at Jo Malone and the time honoured traditions and craft of the perfumer. Every new fragrance we create honours that. Our olfactive signature is characterised by a simple composition that is always distinctively modern – and we’ve brought this to the creation of Cologne Intense. We have embraced the richness and beauty of Middle Eastern culture, connecting with its ancient traditions and working with classic luxurious ingredients, but with the wit, elegance and originality that is synonymous with Jo Malone.” Oooh we love it. We value our classic British heritage at Whom You Know too!
Key Notes in Amber & Patchouli Cologne Intense
Amber
The sleek amber note is called ambroxan and is known as white amber. It is chemically synthesized from clary sage and has a very clean scent that has elements of musk, amber and woods. It is neither designed to replicate amber resin nor amber gris and is a note in its own right that gives depth and modernity to the fragrance.
Patchouli Leaf
From Indonesia, with a very intense woody, sweet-balsamic odour with spicy and earthy undertones. A special distillation process was used to create a Patchouli note with a supple suede-like finish which gives a hint of chocolate and leather.
Guaiac Wood
Obtained by steam distillation from the waste wood and branches of a wild tree in the jungles of Paraguay and Argentina, this note adds a balsamic, sweet odour with tea-like and woody, earthy undertones.
Fragrance Combining™ Suggestions
Rose Water & Vanilla Intense Cologne
Oud & Bergamot Intense Cologne
Combining Effect: Amber & Patchouli adds a rich, spicy, woody accent.
Cologne Intense 2010 (100ml) $125.00 US
Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
