Love it: Jo Malone’s new Rock The Ages collection

“Great Britain. Proud. Illustrious. A little Eccentric. A nation renowned for its distinguished history and defining eras...”

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be privy to a sneak peek at – and sniff of – Jo Malon’s newest fragrance collection, inspired by the above.

Called Rock The Ages, it launches on March 2 and is strictly limited edition… and to die for! The aim of the collection is to depict different periods of British history through the inspiration of drama, atmosphere and characters of each of the periods. The collection is made up of: Tudor Rose & Amber, Lily of the Valley & Ivy, Geranium & Verbena, Pomegranate Noir (reissued) and Birch & Black Pepper. Each are totally unique and absolutely perfectly blended, and I’m in love with the whole lot.

Tudor Rose & Amber evokes the bloody and turbulent Tudor era. The fragrance contains Damask and Tudor rose as well as ginger in the heart, a spicy beginning of pink pepper and clove and the base of golden amber, patchouli and white musk.
Lily of the Valley & Ivy is inspired by the Georgian era of pastel tenderness, green landscapes, gardens and ivy-covered fences. The fragrance opens with green ivy, pink grapefruit and sparkling black currant, with a delicate floral heart of lily-of-the-valley and narcissus and the base of beeswax, amber wood and white musk.

Geranium & Verbena is a fragrance inspired by the aristocracy of the Edwardian period. The fougère fragrance of garden parties contains notes of bergamot, basil and verbena in the top, geranium, neroli and coumarin in the heart, and vetiver, patchouli, vanilla and cedar in the base.

Pomegranate Noir evokes the Victorian period and decadence, and contains notes of pomegranate, raspberry, plum, watermelon and rhubarb on the top, Casablanca lily, jasmine, clove, frankincense and pink pepper in the heart, guaiac wood, musk, amber and patchouli in the base. This used to be a huge favourite of mine, and a re-sniff has reminded me why – it’s absolutely beautiful.
Last but by no means least, Birch & Black Pepper (my fave) is the scent of modern Britain with contrasts between tradition and punk culture. It opens with accords of mandarin, cardamom and black pepper. Patchouli and birch are in the heart, followed by the base of gurjum, vanilla and ink.

In true Jo Malone fashion I’ve been wearing a mix of the latter and Tudor Rose & Amber on a very regular basis and have had nothing but compliments – from strangers and friends alike! Tudor Rose & Amber is the one scent that combines well with each of the others, and I’m dying to try it with Lily of the Valley & Ivy next for a really earthy scent.

As aforementioned, the Jo Malone Rock the Ages Limited Edition Collection will be available on March 2, 2015. Each cologne is 30ml and costs $110.00. I think this collection will appeal to so many people –hardcore Jo Malone London fans, British patriots, the fan of the ‘mother country’ and romantic historians alike. I love it!