Dark Amber & Ginger Lily

Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, inspired by Jo Malone London Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Cologne Intense (2008)

Spice comes first: ginger, pink pepper and black cardamom, the smoked variety with a camphorous, almost charred edge. A heart of water lily, orchid, jasmine and rose follows, cool and waxy against the spice. The base is where it earns its name, with black amber, sandalwood and kyara incense, a prized grade of agarwood used in Japanese incense ceremonies. Leather and patchouli add weight at the very end.

About the original

Andrea Lupo created Dark Amber & Ginger Lily in 2008 for the Kohdo Wood Collection, alongside Lotus Blossom & Water Lily. The brand's copy refers to Kohdo, the Japanese ritual of appreciating incense, and the smoke in the base reflects that theme. It now sits in the Cologne Intense collection and is still listed by Jo Malone in the US and UK.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Jo Malone London stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Incense and amber dominate the drydown, so it reads dense and resinous rather than airy. The brand itself calls it dark and distinctive. In a warm, crowded room the resinous base can feel heavy.

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Ginger, Black Cardamom, Pink Pepper

Heart notes: Water Lily, Orchid, Jasmine, Rose

Base notes: Sandalwood, Black Amber, Kyara Incense, Patchouli, Leather

Ginger and pink pepper fizz at the start, while black cardamom adds a smoky, resinous spice.

Lily, orchid, jasmine and rose form a cool floral layer that cuts through the spice. Over time, amber, kyara incense and sandalwood darken everything, with leather and patchouli lingering at the base.

Is Dark Amber & Ginger Lily discontinued?

No. Jo Malone still sells it in the Cologne Intense collection.

Is it a women's or men's scent?

Jo Malone sells it as unisex. Some databases list it for women, but the smoke and leather make it easy to share.

What is kyara?

A rare grade of agarwood prized in Japanese incense. It gives the base a deep, resinous smokiness.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Jo Malone and Dark Amber & Ginger Lily are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Jo Malone in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.