Orris & Sandalwood

The multifaceted character of Orris perfectly interpreted with Jo Malone London’s Orris & Sandalwood. A compelling fragrance; an ambrosial woody note with a charismatic floral accent. Hailed as a complex ingredient and considered as the most expensive in perfumery, Orris are cultivated and extracted in a time-honored process. Orris’ surprising duality; woody and powdery, floral yet deep. Warm and sensual caught in a violety trance. It’s deeply enthralling in its intensity, mysterious in its simplicity. The scent opens with the delicate floral note of Violet and Galbanum that brings a smooth, earthy and powdery softness with a vibrant green character reminiscent of Iris stems of Tuscan hillsides. The powdery floral elegance of Orris envelops the heart, Iris Captive and Geranium lends a rich facet echoing a classic & captivating elegance steeped in sunshine. This is magnified with Sandalwood, Cypriol, Labdanum and Amber at the base for a creamy, warm and unique sensuality strengthening and extending the longevity of the scent. Orris & Sandalwood brings that balminess with an appealingly dark smoke with a powdery veil. There was a time of summer years ago when me and my friends stayed for a year in Tuscany and this scent exactly recreates that memory. This is that scent that makes me long for those cold summer nights, of a late night date that makes you long for that warm embrace. Together with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily this has become my staple for that special night out; a powdery and smoky number that lets out a dark floral character screaming masculine but sensually much more charming with subtle hints of powder. I’m waiting patiently for that Dry Body Oil of Orris & Sandalwood, this also works perfectly together with Mimosa & Cardamom for an added smoothness of Tonka Bean and touches of spice or with Lime Basil & Mandarin for a bright and zesty contrast. -Bertrand II

When I first got this, it was violently sweet like a total diabetic violet syrup. After less than a year, it has turned into this most unbelievably mesmerising and buttery smooth carroty orris with the most attractive earthy hint of vegetal rootiness. Its smell is now sweet, rounded, mellow and yet striking! No more of that nauseous sweetness like initially and it stayed that way. A miracle of maceration? Carrots boiled with floured icing sugar; starchy sweet with barely perceptible aldehydes giving it a noticeable sparkle and lift. In terms of the realistic carroty rootiness, no other orris or iris scent in the market touches this. ALL OF THE iris bearing Chanels, Guerlains and Xerjoffs should curtsy, no BOW DOWN to this Queen Mother of orris roots. Even the orris bearing Amouages couldn't hold half a candle to this orris root game seriously on fleek. There is no sandalwood in this. It's a show stopping carroty starchy rooty orris teasing with candied violets and airy sparkles. Did I mention all of the Chanel, Guerlain, Xerjoff and Amouage irises and orrises are now its maids, servants and sisters in waiting?

First, I must say frankly that I do not even know how pure Orris smell they are. I just know it is a kind of roots which appeared dominant in 1932 Chanel and various other Chanel perfumes. For this note, the same in both 1932 and Orris & Sandalwood is "unpalatable", a scent that looks elegant, expensive, but easy to wear, not too sharp or pungent to love and use daily. However, talking about Orris & Sandalwood, although the Jo Malone claims the orris note to be a protagonist. But personally, the distinctive smell of the perfume is Violet flower. It is sweet but not too sweet like candy or sweetmeat. Its sweetness is shining together with seductiveness, luxury and attractiveness. Besides, the violet color as a main symbol of the fragrance means wisdom, creativity, mystery and magic. These characters are some parts of my identity that’s why I am mad about this fragrance and I can confidently say that it is my icon. Longevity: 8 hours + Sillage: moderate to heavy

I added this as my signature scent, although really I have too many fragrances to call any a signature, just because this is so 'me'. I had been hunting for the perfect iris scent, one that had that very distinct carrotty smell, minimalistic, just very centered around that note, and so this was such a great find. I tried Iris Prima from Penhaligon, Hiris by Hermès, but none felt right. Après L'Ondee I like very much (and own a bottle) but it has more of that melancholic vibe, similar do L'Heure Bleue, whereas O&S is fresh, botanical and clean, more spring-like, more uplifting. The only thing about this perfume is that I wish it had more projection, just a tiny bit, but it is otherwise perfection! As for the 'sandalwood' bit, it kind of just adds to the powderiness of the perfume...a fresh, delicate kind of woodiness, not at all like anitque furniture. If you have ever tried Eau Claire de Merveilles, it's that kind of woodiness.

This one is enticing from the very get-go. Others have already mentioned how linear this is -- in this case, I feel it works in the favour of the scent, as it reveals all it's wonderful sweet, floral goodness in the first moments... There is the Velvet Rose and Oud DNA in this, I can't tell just WHAT it is, but it's there and I really like it. It works on many levels, I feel -- the orris is jammy sweet, not plasticky, not nylon-like -- it is quite a pleasant scent right out the bottle. The sandalwood plays second fiddle here, no denying. It's very VERY soft in comparison, but offers good support to the protagonist -- I'm glad I picked this one up -- it literally appeared unannounced and I just had to step in and get it. I'm glad it's in my collection...

Orris & Sandalwood Colonge Intense by Jo Malone London (A76, July 2016, USD 100) Yeah, this is the Orris colonge I am looking for. I can confirm that Orris in this the Orris absolute that they are also put in MCD's Dioramor. It is almost green, rubber undertone that I remember clear from that. I am hunting for that Iris and I found it. It has no jasmine which is a plus for natural Orris scent. Addtional of little powdery sandalwood is such a classiness yet minimal in just one colonge. 10/10 ===== Addendum 1 on 5.23.2024 I declutter this a few months ago.. Hey, sorry. But I just it a bit too plain. And that Green edge is quite sharp as it sits on skin. I might just like the one with more Spicy Edge.

On me this is pure, uncomplicated, close-your-eyes-and-inhale-deeply orris root...my favorite note in all perfumery. The other notes are barely there, supporting but not hindering the orris star of the show. Great sillage and longevity too. As soon as I can find it duty-free I will get the 100ml. I can't wait! Edit: Just happened by a JM counter last night and they had this on for -50%. I found out they are discontinuing it!!! And replacing it with something called Bronze Wood & Leather. I'm sad they are ending this one but so excited I got such a deal on it. 100mL for 69e :D

The latest of Jo Malone's Cologne Intense Collection, this opens with intense orris and violet notes then settles to creamy and powdery sandalwood base. As with others from this house, it lacks projection and sillage but stays close decently to the skin for like 5 to 6 hours. Jo Malone suggests to experiment and try layering this with her other creations but, of course, can be easily worn on its own! By and large, it's a nice scent and worth at least a sniff!

Jo malone always Discontinued their best fragrance 🤩, lucky to have one bottle...its smell so natural like real sandalwood tree with mild powderness in it..very nice logivity it stays on clothes for more then 24 hrs😍

This woody, yet interesting scent fits perfectly with so many occasions. It's soft but also natural and fresh. I often go for typical feminine perfumes but this is a great unisex one. I'm in love!

Habibi NY released a nice version of this called "Cashmere Oud". I'm leaving this note here since Cashmere Oud is not in the database yet.

very original aroma, musk, amber, I love the combination. I do not know of a perfume like this very special!

scent : 10/10 sillage : 8/10 longevity :8/10 60% night/ 40% day fragrance nice woody and iris scent

message me if you want to sell this fragrance

Iris is my very favourite note, and I'm always eager to try iris-forward perfumes as a result. Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist is the gold standard for me, but it is discontinued and very elusive. The fierce steeliness of the iris note in ISM seems to be a thing of the past. Often, the iris note in current iris scents is watery and barely-there, or almost undetectable among the other notes. Orris & Sandalwood is frequently recommended on perfume pages, and although it is discontinued and hard to find, I was lucky enough to secure @eleni77's bottle below (much obliged!). It is a pity how frequently good perfumes are discontinued. O&S is a simple, linear, to-the-point composition that does what it says on the tin, typical of Jo Malone. It is a pretty satisfying orris-led scent with a nice woody drydown. As expected, it is made with good-quality ingredients. Rooty and powdery, the orris is dominant throughout, deeply satisfying and sating my iris lust! O&S opens with orris, powdery and carrot-like, but tempered by a subtle green undertone. The violet, naturally, complements the iris to perfection but very much remains in the background - a shrinking violet if you will. As it develops, it becomes nicely woody and musky. I get some vetiver alongside the sandalwood, marrying beautifully with the orris. It gets progressively musky as it fades, with the orris and wood remaining until final fade. Sillage and longevity are moderate. A unisex, transeasonal orris-dominant scent, O&S is as expected, and a really decent scent at that. A muted but realistic orris scent with a woody-musky base, this is polite and subtle but features a proper powdery orris note. Unchallenging but immensely satisfying, this is highly recommended for iris lovers. 4/5.

The girl at the counter said this would be a huge hit or a huge miss, and she wasn't wrong. This is totally my skin but WAY better scent. It opens with dry labdanum and BIG orris, but soon it gets warmer thanks to the amber. The overall feel of it for most of the duration is very woody-milky, which reminds me a bit of one of my favorites: Santal Massoia from Hermès. It stays like that for a good 6h, and the late dry down is all about sweet violets. Projection is almost nonexistent, but its lasting power is quite good for a cologne: 7h so far. Lovely and comforting scent to use year-round as a second skin. I was hoping to stop splurging in perfumes until 2021, but I'm seriously thinking of buying one before they disappear. 8/10

Jo Malone and I have a difference (except with Velvet Rose & Oud which is UHmazing in all aspects!) in opinion of what a fragrance should be. This one starts off with all the lovely notes that it should and ones I gravitate toward in other compositions. However, as with most JMs - even the black bottled ones - within an hour...it is a total skin scent. If I put my nose directly on the hand I spritzed it on, I can still smell it. However, it doesn't grab me anymore as something I would choose to purchase "fragrantly" nor with its lack of sillage. Too bad...this is one that if lasted longer and had more of a presence I would like to have owned.

How delightful! Orris, violet and sandlewood are among my favourite notes so I had to get this. I blind bought it and I'm glad I did. It opens with intense orris then settles to a creamy skin scent but with excellent longevity. The violet doesn't dominate as it can have a tendancy to do in perfume but just creates a sort of musky, makeup vibe blended well with the sandlewood and orris. It's sublime, not an "in your face" perfume but your constantly aware of its presence. The sandlewood isn't as intense as Tom Fords Santal BLush which I adore but it's ever present. It's like a melancholic stroll in a spring forest, quite beautiful.

This was an unexpected like. This is mostly powdery iris/orris with violet, and other notes blended harmoniously creating a refined, sophisticated complexity. It is very powdery, but it also has a bright, tartness with only a hint of sweetness. I agree with Digfig's comment below that this is "starchy rooty orris teasing with candied violets and airy sparkles". Don't detect much sandalwood, it's well-blended and subtle. Overall: Not the normal vibe I go for, but I'm enjoying this more and more with each wear. I can see this working exceptionally well at the end of winter/early spring but it's truly appropriate for any season.

This is definitely something I would never have thought of until I smelt it I don’t see sandalwood ever as something I’d reach for in the name it’s very violet powdery soft but also packs a punch which I love so I was shocked Iv tried many Jo malones they don’t last on me I love nectarine blossom but it’s like water this definitely last a lot longer few hours definitely one of the better Jo malones