Last year, I was able to get my hands on this Jo Malone limited-edition scent in Orange Bitters. After one spray and sniff, I was sold! Luckily for me, it’s back again this year (and has supposedly done so for several years now), so I can finally give you my thoughts on it, even if I’m majorly late jumping on this festive bandwagon.
According to the Jo Malone website this cologne’s notes are very simple but I’ve added in brackets the extra detailed description that features on Fragrantica:
- TOP NOTES: Sweet orange (citruses, orange and mandarin orange)
- MIDDLE NOTES: Bitter orange (bitter orange and dried plum)
- BASE NOTES: Sandalwood (sandalwood and amber)
A lot of the feedback given about this cologne on Fragrantica is that it doesn’t last long, and I must agree. But then again, it is a cologne which on the perfume chart is weaker in fragrance oils than an eau de toilette and just a bit stronger than an eau fraîche.
My experience with it is that the orange smell is at its strongest on first spray, but this is not a cologne that permeates the air (opening a real orange would have a bigger impact!). After 2 hours I can still detect a faint citrusy tinge if I look for it and I’m sniffing very close to where I sprayed it (no further than 2 inches away). At the 4-hour mark I can only detect the deeper, warmer sandalwood.
Plus, my trick of spraying my perfumes on my clothing to extend its life doesn’t really work with this one unfortunately. But I really don’t mind this more muted version of an orange scent, especially since lots of festive scents get blasted our way this time of year, whether we like them or not, and it can all get a bit much. If you’ve ever opened an orange or mandarin with your fingers, you know how long that smell lingers, no matter how many times you wash your hands, and that’s not always a pleasant feeling.
But with Orange Bitters you get the best of both worlds; you get the bright burst of the orangey goodness that deepens to a discreet warm sandalwood. It reminds me a lot of the warmth of the orangey indulgence that is a crêpe Suzette. Delicious!
If you were hoping for a mega rich long-lasting festive scent, Orange Bitters isn’t for you. But if you were looking for a short but sweet indulgence to give you a pep in your step in the mornings, this is it! Plus, if you were to pick up the 30ml version, it’s the perfect size to fit in your handbag and top-up on the go.
Do you have any favourite festive scents this time of year?
Have you come across any festive limited-edition perfumes that you really would love to see make a comeback?
What’s your favourite crêpe dessert? I’m partial to Nutella, but even though I don’t like the taste of alcohol, crêpe Suzette is something else…yum!
xxxemma