I tried Jo Malone London's Vanilla Scotch perfume and it's a gorgeous, festive winner

Jo Malone London has unveiled its festive collection for 2026, complete with tartan packaging, a £375 Christmas Kist advent calendar and a new fragrance that might just be my favourite Christmas scent yet.

The new Vanilla Scotch Cologne is sublime. It’s exactly the sort of fragrance I love. Warm, indulgent and beautifully presented with a blue tartan ribbon, the £130 scent combines two of my favourite fragrance notes: vanilla and amber, with a hint of of Scotch whisky.

The fragrance is one of the stars of Jo Malone London's newly launched Christmas 2026 collection, which takes its inspiration from the Scottish Highlands.

Called Tartan Tales, the collection is a wonderfully festive assortment of fragrances, candles, gift sets and stocking fillers, with plenty of the brand's familiar favourites alongside some exciting newcomers.

But having tried Vanilla Scotch, I think I've already found my standout product.

What I love about Jo Malone London's Christmas 2026 collection

First of all, the Vanilla Scotch fragrance is absolutely gorgeous.

I'm naturally drawn to warmer scents, particularly anything with vanilla, so this was always likely to appeal to me. But what makes Vanilla Scotch different is that intriguing whisky element.

Jo Malone describes it as a smooth, seductive vanilla amber fragrance with a splash of Scotch whisky accord, and I can definitely detect that distinctive whisky note.

It's not overpowering, but it gives the sweetness of the vanilla a wonderfully grown-up twist. The result is a rich, warming fragrance that feels luxurious and indulgent without being overly sugary. Some vanilla perfumes can be a little too sweet for my taste, but the Scotch element brings something different to this one.

And what has really impressed me is how the fragrance develops after you've applied it. Rather than fading away, Vanilla Scotch seems to become even warmer and richer after an hour or so, with the vanilla and amber creating a beautifully comforting scent.

I've also been impressed by its staying power. It's lovely to find a fragrance that doesn't disappear shortly after you've sprayed it, particularly when you're paying luxury prices.

And it seems I'm not alone in appreciating that distinctive combination of vanilla and whisky. Early reviews on fragrance websites have praised its grown-up sweetness, with some wearers particularly impressed by the warm amber and roasted tonka bean notes.

I also think Vanilla Scotch has real unisex appeal. There's something about the whisky note that gives it a slightly masculine edge, making it a fragrance I can easily imagine men enjoying just as much as women.

It's the sort of fragrance I immediately associate with winter evenings, cosy jumpers, festive celebrations and perhaps a lovely whisky by the fire. And while it's being launched as part of the Christmas collection, I certainly wouldn't be putting it away once January arrives. I can see myself wearing this all year round, but especially through autumn and winter.

Then there's the presentation. Jo Malone London is a master at packaging, and this year's Scottish-inspired Christmas theme is irrestible. My 100ml bottle arrived decorated with a cute blue tartan ribbon, which gives the brand's understated fragrance bottle a lovely festive makeover.

It's a relatively simple touch, but it makes a real difference when you're buying something as a present.

Vanilla Scotch is available in three sizes, starting at £25 for 10ml, rising to £60 for 30ml and £130 for the full-size 100ml bottle. I particularly like the fact there's a smaller, more affordable option for anyone who wants to try the fragrance without committing to the largest bottle. And if you fall in love with the scent as much as I have, there's also a Vanilla Scotch Classic Candle for £59.

Although Vanilla Scotch has completely won me over, there's plenty more to explore in Jo Malone London's festive collection.

Another seasonal fragrance is Tangerine & Honey, which combines fresh tangerine with honey and promises a brighter, fruitier alternative. It's available in 30ml and 100ml bottles, priced at £60 and £130 respectively.

Then there are the returning Christmas favourites.

Ginger Biscuit, which combines ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon with caramel, tonka bean and vanilla, is back at £130 for 100ml. Orange Bitters also makes a welcome return, alongside Whisky & Cedarwood.

For anyone who enjoys filling their home with festive fragrances, there's a tempting selection of candles, diffusers and room sprays.

Pine & Eucalyptus is available as a £59 candle, £48 room spray or £79 diffuser, while Orange Bitters comes in candle and diffuser formats.

Of course, no Jo Malone London Christmas collection would be complete without its luxury advent calendar.

This year's offering, called the Christmas Kist, takes its inspiration from a traditional Scottish chest and comes in the form of a decorative trunk filled with scented surprises.

Priced at £375, the 25-day advent calendar contains miniature colognes, candles and bath and body treats, with a 30ml fragrance waiting to be discovered on Christmas Day.

Jo Malone London says the contents are worth £597, representing a potential saving of £222 compared with buying the products separately. There's also a lovely selection of smaller Christmas presents, including the £34 festive Ornament and £40 Christmas Cracker.

At the other end of the scale, there's a new £188 Cracker Collection containing six crackers filled with scented treats. Other options include the £100 Scent of the Season Cologne Collection and the £130 Seasonal Scents Collection.

And there's even something for four-legged family members this year. Jo Malone London has collaborated with pet-care specialist WildWash to create an Orange & Cedarwood Dog Shampoo, priced at £18.

I've already tried it out on my labradoodle Oscar, and I love the idea of extending a little Jo Malone luxury to our four-legged friends. It's certainly an unexpected addition to the Christmas collection, but a rather lovely one.

What I don't like about Jo Malone London's Christmas collection

Finding fault with a fragrance I love isn't easy, but there are a couple of things worth considering.

The most obvious is the price. At £130 for 100ml, Vanilla Scotch is undoubtedly a luxury purchase, and while the £25 miniature makes it more accessible, it's still a considerable investment if you're buying the full-size bottle.

And although the £375 advent calendar contains products worth £597, that's a lot for some to spend on a countdown to Christmas.

There's also the question of personal taste. Vanilla Scotch is a rich, warm fragrance, and while that's exactly what appeals to me, anyone who prefers light, fresh or floral perfumes might not be drawn to it. The whisky note is distinctive enough for me to notice, so it's worth trying the fragrance before committing to the larger bottle.

My verdict on Jo Malone London's Christmas 2026 collection

Jo Malone London has really embraced the festive spirit this year, and I love the Scottish Highlands inspiration, tartan details and emphasis on warm, comforting fragrances.

There's a good mix of extravagant gifts and smaller treats, but it's Vanilla Scotch that's the absolute winner for me. Its impressive staying power is a big plus, making it feel like a luxurious fragrance rather than something that simply smells lovely for the first hour or so.

At £130 for 100ml, it's undoubtedly an indulgence, but this is exactly the kind of fragrance I love wearing. And while I haven't tried the rest of the collection, Vanilla Scotch alone has made me very excited about Jo Malone London's Christmas offering.