Jo Malone’s new limited edition Sugar & Spice collection, inspired by “quintessential British pudding” flavors,¹ has much in common with their last limited edition² collection, 2011’s Tea Fragrance Blends — this is a quintet of mostly sheer, food oriented (but not over-the-top gourmand) fragrances. They’re relatively linear and relatively clean, and can be easily layered or worn alone.

I smelled all five on paper, and immediately dismissed four of them as not my thing. Lemon Tart and Ginger Biscuit were too pale and quiet to interest me at all — a quick spritz of Ginger Biscuit (I really wanted to like Ginger Biscuit) on skin was interesting for all of 2 minutes. If the two stores I visited were any indication, those two are also the biggest sellers of the collection, which shows how perfectly Jo Malone knows their customer base — “they’re so clean and fresh”, enthused the sales associate who helped me at one store. Redcurrant & Cream was more attractive than I expected, but ultimately not me; Elderflower & Gooseberry, I’m sorry to say, I’ve already forgotten.

So that leaves Bitter Orange & Chocolate…

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