Saffron

Saffron, inspired by Jo Malone London Saffron Cologne Intense (2013)

Saffron here smells much as the spice does: dry, faintly metallic and leathery, with a golden glow rather than heat. Pink pepper adds a rosy prickle at the top, and incense brings a resinous, church-like smoke. The base is listed as pale woods, which keeps the drydown smooth and light-toned instead of dark and heavy. Wearers often describe it as mysterious, with an aged-leather quality, heady but not floral.

About the original

Saffron joined Jo Malone London's Cologne Intense collection in June 2013. Some early press reported its name as Golden Saffron before that was corrected. Launch coverage built it around incense, saffron and pale woods, with pink pepper mentioned in the description. It is the only Jo Malone London fragrance named Saffron that we found, so the shorter store name refers to this Cologne Intense.

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

Spice and incense lovers are the obvious audience. Its leathery, resinous character leaves little room for freshness, so a wearer after something floral or citrusy may find it austere.

Related scents

• Jo Malone Incense & Embers
• Byredo Black Saffron

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Top notes: Pink Pepper, Incense

Heart notes: Saffron

Base notes: Pale Woods

Pink pepper and incense open it, peppery and smoky at once.

Saffron sits at the heart, golden and faintly leathery.

Pale woods carry the drydown, smooth and light, with a trace of incense lingering over them.

Is Jo Malone Saffron still made?

We have not been able to confirm whether Jo Malone London still produces Saffron Cologne Intense.

Is Saffron a Cologne or a Cologne Intense?

The original belongs to Jo Malone London's Cologne Intense collection, which it joined in 2013. Ours is an eau de parfum.

Is it floral?

No. It is spicy, smoky and woody, and its published notes name no flowers.

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 Saffron 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.