Vanilla & Anise

Vanilla & Anise, inspired by Jo Malone London Vanilla & Anise Cologne (2009)

Two vanillas carry the scent: a delicate vanilla orchid and a deeper bourbon vanilla with an oaky, caramel richness. Star anise threads through both, adding a liquorice-like spice that keeps the sweetness from turning flat. Tuberose and frangipani give it floral fullness, while clove, vetiver and tonka bean ground the finish.

About the original

Launched in September 2009 in 30 ml and 100 ml, Vanilla & Anise paired its vanilla with bergamot, neroli, wild fennel flower, oleander, tuberose and frangipani, plus clove, white amber, vetiver and tonka bean, according to the launch notes. It later moved into Jo Malone London's online Archive Collection, where it is still sold on the brand's US site. It is unrelated to Vanilla Scotch or to Vetiver & Golden Vanilla 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

Liquorice is the deciding factor. People who enjoy anise or fennel will find it a more interesting vanilla than most, while those who dislike the note will notice it throughout.

Related scents

• Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla
• Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille

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

Notes: Bergamot, Neroli, Wild Fennel Flower, Star Anise, Oleander, Tuberose, Frangipani, Purple Vanilla Orchid, Clove, White Amber, Vetiver, Vanilla Bourbon Absolute, Tonka Bean

Bergamot and neroli open it briefly before star anise and wild fennel flower bring their aniseed spice.

The heart is floral and vanillic at once: vanilla orchid alongside oleander, tuberose and frangipani, with a little clove.

Bourbon vanilla absolute dominates the drydown, smoothed by tonka bean and white amber and kept dry at the edges by vetiver.

Is Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise still available?

Yes. Jo Malone London still sells it through its US online Archive Collection.

Is the anise noticeable?

Yes. Star anise is one of the three notes the brand highlights today, with vanilla orchid and bourbon vanilla, and it gives a clear liquorice tone.

Is it related to Vetiver & Golden Vanilla?

No. Vetiver & Golden Vanilla is a 2020 Cologne Intense built around vetiver, while Vanilla & Anise is a 2009 cologne. We make versions of both.

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 Vanilla & Anise 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.