Tartan Tales

Read time: 5 minutes

‘So this story,’ starts Céline Roux, Global Head of Fragrance at Jo Malone London, ‘begins in a castle.’ She smiles as she says it, just enough to intrigue you into thinking – at least for a moment – that she’s about to launch into a full-blown Christmas fairytale. And in a way, she is. Only here, there is nothing mythical about it. No fantasy, no make-believe. Just really good storytelling, told through scent.

Because like all the best festive yarns – and indeed Jo Malone London’s Christmas collections launched over the years – Tartan Tales doesn’t so much introduce itself, as transport you somewhere else entirely. In this case, it's exactly where Céline promised: a castle in the Scottish Highlands. An atmospheric place with fires burning, the dress code a soft, enveloping ‘quiet luxury’ cashmere jumper that feels like second skin. It’s all quite dreamy and magical in that distinctly Jo Malone London way. And at the heart of it all is Vanilla Scotch Cologne. ‘I really love this one,’ admits Céline, spraying it onto her wrist, her eyes closing as if momentarily transported.

On paper it reads like pure indulgence: warm, sultry vanilla, a splash of a Scotch whisky accord, roasted tonka, golden amber. On skin, it evolves into something entirely different.

The whisky note; inspired by aged oak barrels, brings a quiet smokiness, while the vanilla is dark and rich, yet fresh, keeping the end result warm, sexy, grown up and sophisticated. If you are expecting a gourmand sugary overload, you’re in the wrong room. And that slightly unexpected angle is exactly the point: ‘I always wanted to develop a vanilla scent that was inspired by a whisky – so much so that I actually decided on the name at the very beginning of the process. Yes,’ admits Céline, ‘it is unusual to do it that way, but it really helped with the development of the fragrance. We wanted something with warmth, something smooth and sensual.’ Céline agrees that Vanilla Scotch ‘is definitely not the sweetness of a typical gourmand’ rather it aimed to create something that goes against the grain. ‘This rendition of vanilla is very different. Familiar, but different.’ Or, in other words, it is the kind of scent that draws you in, like the most comforting sensual hug, one you never want to let go.

If Vanilla Scotch is the fireside moment, then Tangerine & Honey is everything that happens in the lead up to it. The moment you step into the castle from the sharp, cold breeze; your cheeks are flushed and the outside air still clings to your breath. Inspired by a Scottish liquor that blends aged Scotch with spices, citrus and honey, the tangerine is bright and juicy ¬– a lot more nuanced than orange – and the honey brings a smooth, golden sweetness… but not too much. The tobacco leaf accord at the base makes sure of that. ‘I love the contrast between the zesty fruity tangerine – it’s so different from say, an orange or a lemon – and the tobacco leaf accord and honey.We – the perfumer Yann Vasnier and I – worked so hard on this and deliberately built the fragrance in this way so that when you smell it, you smell both clearly. And you also really smell the contrast.’ That same ethos extends beyond personal fragrance to one for the home – because while the setting may be a grand Highlands castle, it is still, at its heart, a home. Which is why this collection doesn’t stop at fragrance for the skin. The Vanilla Scotch candle brings everything full circle. It takes that same comforting, indulgent warmth and fills the room in a way that suggests the evening has begun.

While Vanilla Scotch may be considered the star, the supporting cast of familiar festive favourites absolutely hold their own. Whisky & Cedarwood Cologne evokes footsteps on aged wooden floors and the intrigue of a night cap. The delicious, just-baked buttery crumble of Ginger Biscuit Cologne brings a spiced warmth which proves irresistible. Orange Bitters, the perfect hybrid of ‘modern yet classic’ is reminiscent of a perfectly mixed cocktail that is tangy, fresh, luscious and ultimately moreish. Which could be said about the entire collection. A collection where each scent – be it for home or to wear – plays a sublime part in the same unfolding scene in the Scottish castle. ‘And this,’ ends Céline with a smile, ‘is the story for Christmas.’