Blackberry & Bay

At first testing, I was a little disappointed because my expectations didn’t match reality. I really love blackberries, but in this fragrance, from the very first notes, I mostly noticed blackcurrant and cassis. Still, I gave it a chance and applied it to my skin. Over the next few hours, I found myself constantly sniffing my wrist - I just couldn’t stop. It opened beautifully on my skin. Interestingly, when I first applied it, my husband came into my room and said it smelled a bit like medicine. However, when he smelled it on me, directly from my skin, he said it smelled pleasant. I especially love the base: sweet, intimate, slightly woody. I can’t exactly describe the scent, but it’s warm and very skin-like. Eventually, I decided to get the full-size bottle. After a few uses, I’ve noticed it smells different on various parts of the body and even changes depending on the weather. I prefer it in warm, sunny weather because on cool, cloudy days it tends to reveal more grapefruit, which adds a slightly “sweaty” note - a bit too sharp or sour for my taste. It’s still pleasant, but some people might find it off-putting. That said, the grapefruit note actually smells quite natural. Longevity is very low on skin, but if you overspray it can last quite well on clothes. I’ve even been able to smell it a couple of days later on clothing when I oversprayed. On skin, though, it fades quickly and needs reapplication during the day. I don’t agree with comments calling it masculine, because on me it opens quite femininely.

I was hesitant to try this because I thought it was going to be too masculine. As soon as I had sprayed it, I thought my apprehensions had been validated, but after two more seconds, it became a lighter and delicious thirst-quencher. To me, this would be perfect for a hot summer’s day, but also during spring—and, even more particular, on a rainy day. It has a dewy morning quality about it, or just how the air would smell after it’s rained, only it would smell purer and sweeter. It reminds me of Philosykos EDP in that regard, but it is milder and more of a skin scent. The grapefruit shines through for me, but its sharpness is held back by the blackberry, which gives it a plumpier and rounder scent. Meanwhile, I almost can’t detect the cedar and vetiver because they’ve blended so well with the grapefruit, blackberry and bay leaf. Everything works in harmony here. It overall smells zen, but uplifting at the same time. If you’re into Middle Eastern fragrances, think of Paris Corner’s Taskeen Marina. It has that aquatic citrus scent profile, but this is more clarified and refined.

Blackberry & Bay is sublime, a very good alternative choice to the normal sorts of late summer/autumn fragrances that are about, that said I do think this is perfect for the height of summer too, its herbal and refreshing. It opens up with a fresh, sharp blast of grapefruit which mellows out and reveals a basket of freshly picked blackberries, and I have to hand it to JM, this is an amazing realistic interpretation of a blackberry based scent, nothing synthetic or chemically in here whatsoever. The grapefruit and blackberries intertwine and a herbal, green snap of bay comes out with some mild, floral notes to round it all off. This is purely unisex and I can picture it on anyone, its elegant, classy and very country garden-like. Longevity is decent, I get about 6-7 hours wear from this and as with all JM scents, close to skin silage, again, it lasts for ages on clothes so if you want to extend its life, mist your clothes or a scarf as well as your skin. This also smells divine when its layered with English oak & Hazelnut, it adds some extra depth and complexity :)

It feels very nostalgic to me. Like the high quality bath and shower minis my parents used to bring back from hotel stays on their business trips in the late 80s and 90s. Images of crisp shirts, polished shoes and heavy suitcases as the wind blows drizzle over the autumn bushes as you watch the taxi pulling away to the airport. Fresh, fruity and green without being artificial or cloying, it works brilliantly from top note to dry down. Yes it may not last all day on some people, but you can't expect this scent profile to do so, nor should you. Enjoy it in the moment. reapply later if you want, or layer with something else like Molecule 01 for a woodier, spicier scent that lasts a bit longer. Later in the day it is certainly subtle enough you could apply something else over the top for the evening. It is certainly one of the best of the 'linear' scents that Jo Malone and other houses like Matière Premiere produce. If you want to feel expensive yet understated, this is the one for you.

I purchased Red Roses along with Blackberry & Bay as a layering combo and it's downright criminal how good they smell together. It's a rose garden, in mid summer, large, bright pink and red roses are everywhere, and the plants have been recently watered. Sun, water, flower and plant project a rich rose, and verdant, earthy green aroma. Around the roses, wild blackberries, with their furry, rough leaves, are scattered, begging you to pick and nibble on. And you're drinking a refreshingly bright, mint-garnished cocktail. Probably something on gin. Buy both, mix them, and sure, you've paid twice as much, but you've spent less than a single bottle of Creed and have three scents (think about it...) that may be moderate in performance, but vastly more interesting, versatile (you and whomever you're with can both enjoy), and you get to play around with blends. I love each individually. Both are divine.