More intensity from Jo Malone...

…or Jo Malone London as the brand likes to be known these days. The intensity comes in the form of a new scent, in the shape of a Cologne Intense, called Velvet Rose & Oud. What on earth is Oud, I hear you cry? Well, it’s a wood. Oud wood.

Rose isn’t generally an intense fragrance, is it, but this is darkest Damask rose, combined with the oud, which has a smoky fragrance. It also has clove and praline in it, giving it that depth. I have to say I was unaware of the ‘Cologne Intense Collection’,

I think I just didn’t single them out from other scents, but apparently there are five more ‘deeply sensual’ scents, all of them inspired by centuries-old traditions of layering perfumes, incenses and oils.

The other five are Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, Oud & Bergamot, Amber & Patchouli, Iris & White Musk and  Rose Water & Vanilla. So, if you combine this Limited Edition Velvet Rose & Oud with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, you will mingle the spices and intensity for a very rich scent. And if you combine it with Oud & Bergamot, you’ll be able to ‘intensify the allure of precious woods’, as Jo Malone put it.

Whatever you decide to do with it, it’s a lovely fragrance. Anything with rose in it is always alright by me!

Jo Malone London Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense, 100ml, £95, available now from Jo Malone locations, and jomalone.co.uk