JO MALONE LONDON English Pear & Freesia Cologne

This is a surprise love for me. I loved the pear and freesia notes, but I was afraid that the patchouli would be too much. I am easily repulsed by patchouli and unfortunately my skin tends to magnify it. The patchouli is indeed fairly strong in this, but it blends with the other notes in such a way as to make them deeper and more interesting. This one is also quite long lasting on me as well. I wasn't interested in JM fragrances for a long time because I assumed they would be too light and fleeting, but I've learned better now to try and not to assume.

I am surprised by how much this fragrance resembles both a somewhat 'cleaner' Agent Provocateur and a somewhat 'dirtier' Narciso Rodriguez. On my skin it's intensely musky, sexy and a quite a bit naughty. The flowers, musk and (less so) patchouli combine to create a slightly musty chypre richness, while the pear and quince keep quietly in the background and only give off occasional wafts of ripeness and juiciness.

I love pears. I loved to eat them since I was a child and I still love the smell and taste and just everything. Now it's not easy to find a perfume where the pear does not smell artificial or cheap. But Jo Malone's "English Pear and Freesia" is so different!

I read about this on Fragrantica and went into a store to try it out. And I was BLOWN AWAY - seriously! It is a soft, juicy, warm pear - like a mix of freshly baked pear-rhubarb cake and fresh juicy pears you just cut up. Then there is a flowery-woody undertone in it, but the pear is outstanding. A very, very nice blend.

And the most amazing things are:

The scent does not turn into something sour at all!

Though it is described as Eau de Cologne (and though the lady at the Jo Malone counter told me it was actually an Eau de Toilette) it lasts a long time, even on my skin (I like to spray perfume in my hair as well) - and I made the experience that even some EdPs tend to fade away quickly.

I am completely amazed by the quality of this perfume. And the clean glass bottle and the packaging look both just so elegant. It sure is worth the money.

MY NEW FAVORITE!

Light boozy carbonated pears swinging around with a bouquet of fresh flowers. The first burst is almost like a nice cold fruity beer, sparkling wine or some sort of sweet champagne that will take your brain to a festive mood (for a second at least).
The dry down is quite musky on my skin, patchouli also makes its way across the initial happy cocktail party mentioned, becoming a nice clean-showery scent with delicate projection.
Many complain about the longevity, but with a well moisturized skin it will stay with you for at leastt 6 hours; overspraying also helps on this subject.
It's nice! I don't think I could wear it on a hot day (read comment below by @ewalkzz), and I guess it's more suitable for a casual program than for work, even though it's so light that won't offend anyone.

This is absolutely RAVISHING!~ Most fragrances (even my favorites) "disappear" to my own nose after a short while, but for some reason, this one contains enough competing counter-elements that it stays interesting and keeps blooming, hour after hour. It's very rare that I get to enjoy what I'm wearing, what a unique fragrance experience! I am accustomed to my Husband loving something as it dries down, but by then I usually can't smell it anymore...this is SO complex, surprising, and extravagant that it stays lively all day. It comes off as a woodsy floral, both intelligent and laid-back, piquant and blase'--and is equally lush and crisp. Perfect for work OR a dinner date, not typical or cloying by any definition. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.