Jo Malone Cypress and Grapevine Review: Scent, Longevity & More

There’s a quiet tension in finding a woody scent that feels fresh rather than heavy — something green enough for daytime but with enough depth to linger. Jo Malone London’s Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense aims to bridge that divide, pairing crisp cypress with warm amber and a touch of grapevine.

Fragrance type: Cologne Intense · Key notes: Cypress, grapevine, amber · Launch year: 2020 (approx.) · Gender classification: Unisex · Available sizes (ml): 30, 50, 100 · Average rating (Fragrantica): 4.0/5 (based on user reviews)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six key facts, one pattern: Cypress & Grapevine sits at the intersection of green freshness and warm depth, a balance that explains its broad appeal.

Attribute Detail
Fragrance name Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense
Brand Jo Malone London
Release year 2020
Primary notes Cypress, grapevine, amber
Gender Unisex
Best for Daytime wear, spring and autumn

What does Jo Malone Cypress and Grapevine smell like?

Scent profile: top, heart, and base notes

  • Top impression: Aromatic cypress mingles with green grapevine — fresh, almost pine-like at first spray (Jo Malone London (scent page)).
  • Heart: The warmth of amber emerges, supported by woody accords that give the scent depth without heaviness (Sephora (retailer description)).
  • Base: Soft musk and lingering amber create a clean, composed dry-down (Jo Malone Saudi Arabia (official site)).

GQ’s review calls it a woody aromatic on paper, but on skin it reads “a little spicy, very green, and just a touch resinous” (GQ (men’s style magazine)). The cypress note is the leading impression throughout.

How it compares to other Jo Malone colognes

  • Unlike the citrusy freshness of Lime Basil & Mandarin, Cypress & Grapevine leans heavily green and woody.
  • It shares the Cologne Intense format with darker scents like Myrrh & Tonka, but stays lighter thanks to the grapevine note.
  • CaFleureBon describes it as a “masculine fougère” with a prominent aromatic character (CaFleureBon (perfume review blog)).
Bottom line: Cypress & Grapevine is not a standard freshie. It’s a green, woody, quietly assertive scent that gains complexity on skin. For men seeking a Jo Malone that feels mature without being heavy, this is a strong candidate. For women who love woody aromatics, it offers a fresh alternative to sweeter florals.
The implication: This fragrance succeeds because it doesn’t try to be everything — it commits to green and woody, and that focus is what makes it wearable across seasons.

Is Jo Malone Cypress and Grapevine male or female?

Unisex positioning by Jo Malone

Jo Malone London markets Cypress & Grapevine as a unisex fragrance. The official product page does not assign a gender label, and the scent is shelved alongside other Cologne Intense offerings that appeal to all (Jo Malone London (product page)). The brand’s men’s bestsellers page also features it, placing it in a curated selection for the modern gentleman (Jo Malone London (men’s bestsellers)).

Why it appeals to both men and women

  • The woody aromatic profile avoids traditional floral or sweet markers, making it gender-neutral by design.
  • Users on Fragrantica rate it 4.0/5 with a balanced split between male and female reviewers (Fragrantica (community review site)).
  • GQ’s review underscores its wearability regardless of gender: “a scent that feels comfortable on anyone” (GQ (men’s style magazine)).
The pattern: When a fragrance is built on cypress and amber rather than rose or vanilla, the gender lines naturally blur — and Cypress & Grapevine is a textbook example of that.

What is Jo Malone’s best selling perfume?

Top-selling Jo Malone fragrances globally

Lime Basil & Mandarin is widely considered Jo Malone’s best seller, based on consistent placement on the brand’s official bestsellers page (Jo Malone London (bestsellers)).

Where Cypress and Grapevine ranks in popularity

Cypress & Grapevine is a newer release (2020) with growing popularity, but specific sales figures are not publicly available. It has been listed among recommended Jo Malone scents for men by Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia (Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia (fashion magazine list)).

The implication: While Cypress & Grapevine hasn’t dethroned Lime Basil & Mandarin, its steady rise in editorial and community recommendations suggests it’s carving a solid niche among woody fans.

Who wears Cypress and Grapevine?

Celebrity fans and public figures

Kate Middleton has been linked to Jo Malone scents with fresh, spring-ready notes, though it’s not confirmed whether she specifically wears Cypress & Grapevine. The fragrance’s green profile fits the kind of clean, garden-inspired scents she reportedly favors. No other major celebrity endorsements are documented — the scent’s appeal is driven more by its versatility than by a single face.

Typical user demographics

  • Men aged 25–45 looking for a refined everyday scent that works in both office and casual settings.
  • Women who prefer woody aromatics over sweet florals, often layering it with Jo Malone’s Lime Basil & Mandarin for a citrus-woody combo.
  • Fragrance collectors who appreciate the Cologne Intense line’s balance of strength and subtlety.
Why this matters: The lack of a single celebrity face actually strengthens Cypress & Grapevine’s unisex message — it’s a scent that belongs to the wearer, not to a billboard.

What is the best smelling Jo Malone for men?

Top Jo Malone colognes for men

Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia includes Cypress & Grapevine among the best Jo Malone fragrances for men in 2025 (Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia (fashion magazine list)). Woody and aromatic profiles like this one are consistently popular among male buyers.

How Cypress and Grapevine compares to other men’s favorites

Compared to the citrus Lime Basil & Mandarin or the aquatic Wood Sage & Sea Salt, Cypress & Grapevine offers a greener, more resinous option that works well in transitional seasons.

The catch: It’s not a summer powerhouse — but for cooler months, it’s one of the most versatile woody choices in the brand’s lineup.

What is Jo Malone’s No 1 perfume?

Brand’s flagship fragrance

Jo Malone’s No. 1 fragrance is often considered Lime Basil & Mandarin, based on its long-standing bestseller status (Jo Malone London (bestsellers)).

How Cypress and Grapevine fits into the lineup

Cypress & Grapevine is part of the Cologne Intense collection, offering a richer concentration than standard colognes. It stands as a distinct green-woody alternative to the brand’s citrus and floral bestsellers.

The implication: While it may never be the brand’s #1 seller, Cypress & Grapevine fills a specific niche for those who want depth without heaviness.

Three scents, one comparison: how Cypress & Grapevine stacks up against two of Jo Malone’s most popular fragrances for men.

Attribute Cypress & Grapevine Lime Basil & Mandarin Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Launch year 2020 1999 2014
Primary notes Cypress, grapevine, amber Lime, basil, mandarin Wood sage, sea salt, ambrette
Scent family Woody aromatic Citrus aromatic Aromatic fresh
Best seasons Spring, autumn Spring, summer Year-round
Gender positioning Unisex Unisex Unisex
Longevity (approx.) 4–6 hours 3–4 hours 3–5 hours
Average rating (Fragrantica) 4.0/5 4.2/5 4.1/5

Seven key specifications that define Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense.

Category Detail
Full name Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense
Perfumer Sophie Labbé (per CaFleureBon (perfume review blog))
Concentration Cologne Intense (higher than standard cologne)
Alcohol content Standard for eau de cologne
Size options 30ml, 50ml, 100ml
Body spray available Yes, 125ml Jo Malone London (body spray page)
Layering recommendations Pairs well with Lime Basil & Mandarin or Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Price range (EUR, approx.) €70–€140 depending on size and retailer

Confirmed facts

  • Cypress, grapevine, and amber are official notes per Jo Malone London (Jo Malone London (scent page)).
  • The fragrance is marketed as unisex (Jo Malone London (product page)).
  • Lime Basil & Mandarin is widely considered Jo Malone’s best seller (Jo Malone London (bestsellers)).
  • GQ published a review in December 2025 describing it as spicy and green (GQ (men’s style magazine)).

What’s unclear

  • Specific sales figures or official ranking of Cypress & Grapevine among Jo Malone products (no public data).
  • Exact launch date beyond the year 2020 (CaFleureBon (perfume review blog)).
  • Confirmation of Kate Middleton wearing this exact scent (only generic spring-ready association).
  • Kate Middleton’s specific use of this exact scent (only spring-ready note association reported) – moved from confirmed as association is generic.

“The aromatic notes of cypress trees unite with the warmth of grapevine and the sensuality of amber. A fresh and woody scent that leaves a lasting impression.”

— Brown Thomas (Irish luxury retailer), product description for Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense

“Cypress & Grapevine is quietly assertive, green, woody, and deeply composed. It has character without ego.”

— Fragrantica user review (community fragrance platform)

For Irish fragrance buyers looking for a versatile everyday scent that works in Dublin’s unpredictable spring-to-autumn weather, the choice is clear: Cypress & Grapevine delivers green freshness with enough warmth to carry through a cool evening. If you want a woody fragrance that doesn’t scream for attention, this is your pick. If you crave citrusy brightness, stick with Lime Basil & Mandarin — but don’t write off layering both.

The upshot

Cypress & Grapevine’s green-woody profile is its greatest strength and its only trade-off: it’s not a warm-weather staple, but rather a transitional-season signature. For Irish shoppers at Brown Thomas or Arnotts, it’s worth a skin test before committing — the cypress note behaves differently on different people.

What to watch

Longevity is moderate (4–6 hours) compared to heavier Jo Malone offerings like Myrrh & Tonka. If you need all-day projection, consider the Cologne Intense format’s extra concentration — or reapply from the 30ml travel size.

Related reading: Stronger With You Absolutely: Scent, Comparison & Longevity

Frequently asked questions

How long does Jo Malone Cypress and Grapevine last?

Most users report 4–6 hours of moderate projection, typical for Jo Malone’s cologne concentration. The Cologne Intense line offers slightly better longevity than the standard cologne (Fragrantica (community review site)).

What season is best for Cypress and Grapevine?

Spring and autumn are ideal — the green cypress works in cool weather while the amber adds warmth. It can be worn year-round but may feel too heavy in peak summer heat.

Does Jo Malone Cypress and Grapevine come in different sizes?

Yes, it’s available in 30ml, 50ml, and 100ml Cologne Intense sprays, plus a 125ml all-over body spray (Jo Malone London (body spray page)).

Where can I buy Jo Malone Cypress and Grapevine in Ireland?

Major retailers include Brown Thomas, Arnotts, and Dublin and Cork Airport duty-free shops. Online purchase via Jo Malone London’s official site also ships to Ireland.

What is the difference between Cypress and Grapevine and other Jo Malone colognes?

It’s one of the greenest, most woody scents in the brand’s arsenal, distinct from the citrus (Lime Basil & Mandarin) or aquatic (Wood Sage & Sea Salt) lines. Part of the Cologne Intense collection, it has a slightly richer concentration.

Can Cypress and Grapevine be layered with other Jo Malone scents?

Absolutely. It pairs well with Lime Basil & Mandarin for a citrus-woody combination, or with Wood Sage & Sea Salt for a fresh, green layered effect. Start with a spray of each on separate pulse points.

Does Jo Malone Cypress and Grapevine have a dupe at Zara?

Fragrance communities have noted similarities to Zara’s “Ebony Wood” and other woody scents, but no official dupe exists. The Fragrance Lounge and independent houses offer alternatives (Fragrantica (community review site)).