Jo Malone London Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense

Have you ever noticed that there is a multitude of fragrances created and aimed for wearing throughout the warmer days of Spring and Summer, and yet there is not a whole lot of choice for the more tepid evenings of said seasons? Answering the call - and the need for a Marigold fragrance within my stash - is the new and suitabley floral-yet-sensual concoction that is Jo Malone London Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense.

Jo Malone London Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense

Behind every Jo Malone cologne there is a story and glimpses of inspiration in how the scent came to be; in the case of  Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense, the influence is drawn from the crisp fields of fragrant Jasmine Sambac which are plucked at dawn ready for Indian flower markets. Then there is the unusual element of Marigold - a golden, vibrant and equally aromatic flower that captures the vibrancy of such bustling market places and in my opinion the reason this fragrance feels so suited to the summer evenings.

Jo Malone London Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense

Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne is warm, rich and inviting but decidedly a strong floral - this is not for the meek and mild, this is a scent that demands attention. Although the top note is Marigold (slightly fruity), the heart note of Jasmine Sambac (white, soft but powerful) is the star player and the accord that dominates the entire scent from the moment it is released from the bottle. For richness and warmth there is also hints of vanilla and amber, entwined with a base note of Benzoin and an exotic twist of Ylang Ylang.

Jo Malone London Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense

The best way I can think to describe Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne is to compare it to a warm evening walk, particularly in a typically sunny country (think Spain, Greece et al). Imagine you have slipped on a pretty sundress, tended to any red areas of parched skin before going into the local town of a seaside resort for a relaxed meal. On the walk back to your accommodation you'll most likely comment on the beautiful smell of flowers filling the air mingled with sea water? Well in my mind, this is what Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne is reminiscent of and perfectly suited to such occasions  - and of course balmy, evening wear in general. Yes typically we all claim that coconut heavy scents are summer personified thanks to the association of sunscreen but this is equally as deserving of such title, if not more so for being slightly more avant garde in its delivery and the emotions it stirs.

If you need an escape from the often grim British weather and can't jet off to sunnier climes to enjoy sangria by the sea, this is the next best thing...well nearly.

Jo Malone London Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense (£115/£75/100ml/50ml) and will launch on April the 1st.