Blue Agava and Cacao (2006)
by Jo Malone

I have a HUGE thing for gourmand scents. Blue Agava & Cacao is just... perfect. It's my signature fragrance, need I say more? First of all it should never be listed in the floral section on the Jo Malone website. Secondly it is gorgeous. It doesn't have all that much citrus in it's opening like they make it seem. Maybe just a little bit of it, but not too much. Also Blue Agava & Cacao is all about it's heart notes that seem to play the most important role in the whole composition. It is somewhat sheer and it is never cloying nor heavy. But it is indeed very gourmand and has lots of cocoa in it.

I have no idea what agava flower smells like and it does not matter to me. I'm all about that rich, chocolate-y cocoa! Just the right touch of vetiver and cinnamon make it to die for! Being very sensual, rich and deliscious, it never gives me a headache or anything. Nor is it overly sweet. The cocoa is definitely more of a Piment Brulant type, than Montale Chocolate Greery. It's a very dark and full-bodied note. Yes that description fits the bill perfectly: full-bodied but never too heavy. It's such a comfort scent too!! I wear it all the time, perfect for the office, great for a night out. I guess that's what a signature perfume it's suppost to be anyways - good enough to wear for any occasion. My boyfriend particulary likes this one on me, he has a sweet tooth just the way I do. However, when I wear something that begins to be a bit too much on the sweet side, he warns me about migraines. This would never give anyone a migraine. It just is so well-blended there is absolutely nothing to complain about and never will be. I love it. My absolute number one and his too! Not to mention that he is latino also... ehhhh latinos can smell their own kind so perfectly!

12nd April, 2011.

Pretty good on the dry down, but MAN what a mess right off the top. really sweet and in your face, powder and treacle all the way.

17th December, 2010.

I don't think the cacao phase in the beginning is as awful as others say (though I agree it smells more like cocoa powder), but once that passes this HUGE, cloying cloud of muskiness descends and it's a total scrubber from that point on.

23rd April, 2010.

I found that this fragrance was too foodie and couldn't detect different notes. It does however pair well with Jo Malone's Wild Fig and Cassis.

1st April, 2009.

Stale chocolate describes this well. Cloying, 'sweet'ish -- almost headache inducing. Can't imagine either a man or a woman wearing it well.

12nd February, 2009.

Straight from the sample vial this reminds me VERY much of the smell of one specific sun lotion. When I smell this, I can easily imagine myself laying at my favourite beach, under the clear blue sky and burning sun. Eyes closed, I hear sounds of playing children and moving water.
Overall this is unbelievably beach-y scent to me, because along with that lotion, I also sense something else that is reminiscent to that place….Probably the smell of cool and sweet salty lake water, warm sand and even some snacks that I have brought with me….

What a pleasant, enjoyable association!

Dry down makes this potion a tad darker, and it also becomes quite powdery as the cacao and vanilla kicks in. Still that sun lotion accord with other nuances of the beach in the mix as well.

Overall this is to me very summery fragrance. Could be quite uplifting to wear this on some cold winter day. I have to try that sometime soon, and see if it’s really capable of transporting me (again) comprehensively into that beach on a warm day in July.

3rd February, 2009.