The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Blackberry & Bay arrived in 2012, composed by Fabrice Pellegrin for Jo Malone London's growing cologne collection. The fragrance draws its character from tart blackberry, the green snap of bay leaf, and a structure that develops through brighter citrus, soft florals, and woody base notes. Blackberry and bay leaf define the opening, giving the scent its crisp, herbal edge before the fruitier accord becomes more apparent. Grapefruit adds a clean, slightly bitter brightness, while cedarwood and vetiver bring a dry, grounded finish. The result is a composition that feels vivid without relying entirely on the sweetness often associated with berry scents.
Bay leaf does much of the lifting in the opening, working alongside grapefruit to create an herbal, slightly bitter impression with a distinctly green edge. Blackberry stays present without overwhelming the composition or reading as cooked preserves. Its tartness is balanced by the sharper citrus and leafy notes, while a restrained floral heart softens the transition between the fruitier opening and the drier base. Cedarwood and vetiver add a clean, woody foundation that gives the fragrance more depth.
The evolution
The opening begins with grapefruit and bay, bright and slightly bitter, with an immediately green character. Blackberry gradually becomes more noticeable, introducing tart fruit while the bay leaf remains threaded through the composition. As the sharper top notes settle, the heart reveals a softer floral layer that rounds the fragrance without making it feel sweet. Cedarwood and vetiver then bring a drier, woodier quality, shifting the scent from crisp fruit and leaves toward a quieter, more grounded finish. The bay leaf's persistence gives the development continuity, while the blackberry accord softens rather than disappearing into a simple fruit effect. The composition ultimately settles into a restrained blend of green fruit, delicate florals, and wood.
Cultural impact
Blackberry & Bay offers a distinct take on Jo Malone London's fruit-led cologne style by pairing tart blackberry with the green bitterness of bay leaf. Grapefruit heightens the opening, while the floral heart and cedarwood-and-vetiver base keep the composition grounded as it develops. The fragrance shifts from bright citrus and leafy notes to soft florals and a quieter woody finish, creating a scent that rewards attention over time. In 2021, it was marketed as part of the 'Brits Marmelade' collection, a presentation that placed it within a group centered on a more vivid, preserve-like sense of British flavor.
