Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot Cologne Intense

Once upon a time, Jo Malone’s Oud and Bergamot Cologne Intense was one of the best smells to me. I was still discovering my scent profile and bought nothing over the price of  £45 by that point. Given the price tag on it, for years I spent wandering in and out of Jo Malone shops getting samples. Years later, to shut me up, I was finally gifted it… but I wasn’t expecting things would have changed.

Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot Cologne Intense Basics:

Top notes

Bergamot

Heart notes

Cedarwood

Base notes

Oud

Launch

2010

Pricing

£106.00 (50ml)

Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot Cologne Intense Review

To be direct, does this smell good? Yes. That I can’t deny. Inspired by the Middle East, this is a unisex fragrance which smells expensive, sensual and - as bizarre as it might be to label a fragrance this - homely. I actually think this cologne sent me on a love affair with anything that had bergamot or oud in it. Or anything that resembled the collaboration of the two.

There is an air of sophistication that breathes through this fragrance, with woody and citrusy notes that compliment each other beautifully. Though it could be argued that it leans slightly toward a more masculine palette, I can envision classy, 60 year old women wearing this as much as I could classy men in their early forties.

There’s a bold, note-perfect depth to this which reminds me of watching a world class tennis player put on a great show. 

So, what changed?

I don’t know if it’s the formulation or simply my nose, but I didn’t fall in love with it in the same way I did when I first discovered it. Perhaps I’ve smelt better since, I don’t know.  The slightly strange aversion I have to it these days, I wasn’t expecting - especially given that I still like it, a lot. I’m just not in love with it anymore.

It’s not a fragrance I reach for often - though not just because of the price tag. While it has special occasion vibes, it’s a fragrance I’d rather layer than use alone. This is still a scent which is for all purposes divine. But I’d probably enjoy it more in its candle form, which I am yet to try.

These days it gives me candle vibes. Sensual, calming candle vibes. Additionally, the lasting power of this fragrance is terrible. Poor projection and performance is what lets down an otherwise exceptionally well made, versatile and intimate scent. 

My verdict:

'Beautifully made, classy in feel and built to leave an impression… just a shame that despite the inflated price, the poor projection and all-too-brief lasting power doesn’t allow you to’