Jo Malone London English Oak

The English oak is the most common tree species in the UK. They’re everywhere. They’re majestic trees, and many of them are ancient – hence their vast size. The best trees for hugging!

And, it seems, the best tree to include in a fragrance, according to Jo Malone London who launch their new English Oak collection this week. Of course it’s not just English Oak Cologne – that might be a bit odd. What does an oak tree even smell of? Over to Master Perfumer, Yann Vasnier.

Oak is a beautiful, noble wood. It’s powerful and iconic. In perfumery you often find sandalwood and cedarwood, but Oak has something unique. it’s majestic and mysterious – Yann Vasnier

So, there are actually two new fragrances in this collection – English Oak & Redcurrant, and English Oak & Hazelnut.

The English Oak & Redcurrant has three notes – a top note of redcurrant, a heart of rose, and a base of roasted oak absolute. It’s a very sweet, fresh scent, and not one for me. I did struggle to get anything other than the blackcurrant in this one.

The English Oak & Hazelnut has a top note of green hazelnut, a heart of cedarwood, and a base of roasted oak absolute. I much prefer this one, as I am more of a fan of woody scents. This one is much more me, and it’s very full, if that makes sense!

But, I still struggle to define the oak note. I’d really love to be able to smell it isolated to see what it’s really like.

Both fragrances are available in the Cologne in 100ml (£88) and 30ml (£44) bottles, and the English Oak & Redcurrant also comes in Body & Hand Wash (£30), Body Creme (£52) and Home Candle (£44).

The English Oak Collection is available at Jo Malone London stores and locations, and online at jomalone.co.uk from September