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Jo Malone London's bestselling Orange Marmalade Cologne combines zesty citrus with warm woods, creating a sophisticated £125 scent that surprised me from the first spray.

I've got a bit of a thing for citrus. Jo Malone London's grapefruit-based Jo is one of my favourite fragrances and if there's a lemon tart on a dessert menu, you can pretty much guarantee that's what I'll be ordering.

Orange Marmalade first launched in 2024 as part of Jo Malone London's collaboration with Paddington, inspired by the famous bear's favourite snack. Two years on, it's still going strong and is now listed among the brand’s bestselling colognes.

Jo Malone London Orange Marmalade Cologne blends juicy citrus with bitter orange peel and a warm patchouli base. | Jo Malone London

Priced at £58 for 30ml or £125 for the full-size 100ml bottle, this is a considered purchase for many. I've been putting it to the test to see what it actually smells like, how long it lasts and whether this citrus lover thinks it's worth the investment.

What I liked about Jo Malone Orange Marmalade Cologne

My first spray didn't give me what I expected. With a name like Orange Marmalade, I'd imagined an immediate hit of sweet, juicy citrus. Instead, it starts life surprisingly spicy and quite punchy.

It doesn't take long for the fragrance to start changing on the skin. After just a few minutes, the initial spiciness fades a little, leaving the most gorgeous, sophisticated scent. The woody patchouli becomes stronger, while the bitter orange is still there in the background, stopping it from becoming overly sweet.

A citrus explosion: Jo Malone London Orange Marmalade Cologne is built around orange peel, bitter orange and patchouli. | Jo Malone London

Some descriptions of Orange Marmalade also reference cashmere woods, and I can understand why. As it settles, there's a soft, almost cashmere-like warmth to it that takes the edge off the citrus and makes the fragrance feel much smoother than that first punchy spray suggests.

It's also a unisex fragrance. There's nothing overly feminine or masculine about it, and that balance of citrus, spice and woods makes it one I'd share - if I had to...

What I really like is that this isn't the obvious citrus fragrance its name led me to expect. There's freshness, but also warmth and depth. In fact, if I'd smelled it without seeing the bottle first, I'm not sure "marmalade" would have been the first word that sprang to mind.

A quick online check clearly shows its popularity. The larger bottle is currently out of stock at Harrods and on other sites Jo Malone fans have left hundreds of five-star reviews.

What I didn't like about Jo Malone Orange Marmalade Cologne

There's no escaping the price. My view on pricier scents is that if they linger on the skin for hours and you love the smell, they're worth it. This one has staying power, which helps justify the cost, in my view.

There's also the name itself. Anyone buying Orange Marmalade expecting a super-sweet, juicy orange fragrance may be surprised. It's considerably more sophisticated and woody than I expected, although, for me, that's actually turned out to be one of its strengths.

Verdict

I saw quite a few comments from Jo Malone fans describing it as a perfect summer fragrance. I'm not sure I agree. For me, that soft warmth makes it more suited to darker nights with cosy fires, ideal for the upcoming autumn and totally perfect for the festive period. As with all Jo Malone London purchases, the packaging makes it a fabulous gift. I, for one, would not be disappointed if I found a bottle of it under my tree.