Myrrh & Tonka Limited Edition

The Verdict

The original Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense from Jo Malone has earned a devoted following since its release, and the 2024 Limited Edition is an opportunity for collectors to own the same beloved formula in a special presentation. This is not a reformulation or a different fragrance — it is the same composition, which is good news, because what is in the bottle is one of Jo Malone's strongest and most distinctive outputs.

Created by Mathilde Bijaoui, it is a fragrance that takes the name only partially seriously. Myrrh and tonka bean are both present, but lavender — not mentioned anywhere in the name — is the opening act and is more assertive than many expect. The result is stranger and more interesting than the title implies.

What It Smells Like

The opening is a dry lavender that reads almost like burned embers — not the aromatic herbal lavender of soaps and sachets, but a more severe version with an anise-like edge. The Candy Perfume Boy described it well: "so dry it feels almost as if someone has taken a match to a pile of dried lavender." It is sharp, smoky, and more challenging than a typical Jo Malone opening.

Myrrh emerges from the heart — earthy, slightly bitter, resinous. This is where the fragrance starts to fulfill its promise, though reviewers note the myrrh is restrained rather than dominant. It is present, recognizable, and well-integrated rather than being the spectacle some myrrh lovers might hope for.

Tonka Bean is the real base driver. It arrives at the midpoint with a milky, cola-like sweetness that transforms the composition entirely — the dry, smoky opening gives way to something warmer and more inviting. With time, the tonka develops "a sweet, cola or Dr. Pepper sort of space," according to long-term wearers. Vanilla and Almond in the base reinforce the sweetness without tipping into gourmand territory.

When to Wear It

Winter is the obvious answer, and the community agrees. Multiple reviewers describe it as "perfect for winter nights" and suited to wearing by a log fire. Its tonka-vanilla warmth and residual smoky myrrh make it feel genuinely cold-weather appropriate. One Basenotes reviewer calls it "easily suited to any gender and best worn in winter by a log fire" — a simple description that captures the experience well.

Longevity & Projection

Exceptional for a Jo Malone entry, which is typically known for lighter performance. Basenotes reports "moderate sillage, very good projection, and an excellent ten hours of longevity" — considerably above average for the house. The Cologne Intense designation earns its name here. Multiple reviewers note it is strong enough that one or two sprays is sufficient for the day, and that it functions better for outdoor and evening settings than for enclosed offices.

One reviewer noted a helpful exception: "Super strong and long-lasting scents usually give me a headache, but this one is one of the few exceptions."

The Community Says

The reception is warmly positive with genuine enthusiasm. The dark, smoky opening followed by the sweet, milky tonka transition is called out specifically as a reason to love it — the contrast is part of the appeal. Reviewers who expected a simple sweet oriental are often surprised by the unusual lavender-and-embers opening, but most find the payoff worth the investment in patience.

The most common criticism: the name undersells the lavender. Several community members feel it smelled more like vanilla-tonka-lavender than myrrh-and-tonka specifically, with the resinous myrrh playing a supporting rather than leading role. A minority found it "too simple for the price" or "too sticky sweet." The broader Jo Malone criticism of pricing — good but not extraordinary value — also appears.

The comparison to Maison Margiela's By The Fireplace circulates on Fragrantica forums. The consensus is that both hit a similar cozy-winter register, but the Jo Malone has more depth and complexity while the Margiela is more approachable and less challenging on first wear.

Who Should Buy This

The primary audience is dark oriental lovers who find many heavy fragrances overwhelming but want something with genuine depth and longevity. The lavender opening keeps it from being a standard sweet oriental, and the myrrh-tonka combination has enough character to reward close attention.

This is not a blind-buy. The opening is divisive and the lavender prominence surprises people expecting pure resinous sweetness. Sample before committing.

The Bottom Line

Myrrh & Tonka Limited Edition is one of Jo Malone's finest outputs — a fragrance that earns its Cologne Intense designation, delivers genuine longevity, and manages to be warm and dark without being oppressive. The lavender opening is the main wildcard. If you can appreciate it, this is a beautifully constructed winter fragrance that holds its own against far more expensive resinous orientals.