Who hasn’t helped themselves to Molton Brown products when staying at the right kind of hotel? But the British brand doesn’t only just produce top-notch amenity, bath and body products; the Molton Brown fragrances offering is equally impressive.
IMAGE: Molton Brown.
Founded by Caroline Burstein and Michael Collis (pictured, below) in 1971, the company started out as a hair salon on South Molton Street, London, and has come to represent the best of British over the years (all products are made in England).
IMAGE: Molton Brown.
Molton Brown made its scent debut in 1984 with Orange Grove (now known as Orange & Bergamot). In recent years, it has increasingly focused on these releases and offers them in both EDT (the transparent glass bottles) and EDP (the fancier bottles with resin caps) concentrations as part of its broader ranges. A clever way to get us to want even more of their goodies.
The brand’s sophisticated but ultra-wearable fragrances are clearly made with quality ingredients and also score points for their cruelty-free, 100% vegetarian credentials.
I’ve featured a mix of EDT and EDP formats here. While the concentration is obviously one of the main differences between the two, they also have varied note emphases.
Where known, the name of the perfumer is included in brackets after the name of the fragrance.
Have you tried any Molton Brown fragrances?
MOLTON BROWN RE-CHARGE BLACK PEPPER EDT (JACQUES CHABERT)
I love fragrances that live up to their names, and this 2015 release does just that with gusto.
The title note is at its warm and spicy best in the intro. It’s contrasted with the freshness of lemon and ginger. There’s more freshness, of the herbal variety, from notes of coriander and basil. The drydown is on the earthy side, with notes of vetiver and oakmoss adding the finishing touches.
If you want a softer take on spice, I recommend Molton Brown Fiery Pink Pepper in either the EDT or EDP formats.
MOLTON BROWN MESMERISING OUDH ACCORD & GOLD EDT (SYLVIE FISCHER)
Every brand has their take on oud, so I was expecting Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold to just be another one. I was wrong.
This 2015 release opens with the distinctive warmth of cinnamon leaf oil, without the overdone sweetness. There’s a hint of earthy nutmeg in the background. The spicy warmth continues with notes of myrrh and elemi.
Okay, so the headline oud is almost certainly not the real thing (hence the use of the word “accord”), but a quality synthetic version is blended oh so smoothly with honey, tobacco and vetiver to produce an enchanting effect.
MOLTON BROWN HEAVENLY GINGERLILY EDT (JACQUES CHABERT)
I’m nowhere near Tahiti, the inspiration for this 2015 release, but this Jacques Chabert creation provides the exotic escapist goods in abundance.
Zesty ginger takes the lead in the intro, with additional spiciness from notes of cardamom and clove.
Notes of lily and tagetes pick up on the spice of the opening, while tuberose, animalic and creamy, also contributes to the island life ambience. After all that floralcy, the drydown is toned down but still appealing, with clean white musk blended with aromatic cedarwood and milky sandalwood.
This is strong stuff for an EDT, so only a spray or two is required.
MOLTON BROWN TOBACCO ABSOLUTE EDT (ELSA CHABERT)
This 2015 release will tell you, in no uncertain terms, why I rate Molton Brown fragrances so highly.
The citric freshness of bergamot and grapefruit is given a spicy balsamic twist with elemi in the intro. The rich warmth of tobacco meets the sensual softness of cedarwood and powderiness of orris and violet. It gathers depth in the drydown with the spicy complexity of Peru balsam supported by the earthiness of patchouli.
It’s cosy, distinctive stuff and I love how this EDT contrasts fresh and warm facets with seemingly effortless flair.
MOLTON BROWN COASTAL CYPRESS & SEA FENNEL EDT (CARLA CHABERT)
This 2017 release was one of the first Molton Brown fragrances I tried. I loved it so much, I had to try more releases from the brand. That’s how good it is.
It opens with a spicy sprinkle of cardamom, while notes of sea fennel and bergamot add to the freshness.
It’s not long before the sea notes come through. Together with the notes of cypress, cedarwood and musk, they create the effect of a salty and aromatic breeze on skin.
Energising and uplifting, it has more than enough character to stand out in the well-worn aquatics genre.
MOLTON BROWN RUSSIAN LEATHER EDT
Russian leather is a sub-category of the broader leather fragrance category and takes its inspiration from the birch oil-treated skins that were originally exported from the country until the early 20th century.
While Molton Brown’s 2017 contribution to the genre doesn’t quite scale the heights of the standard-bearer Chanel Cuir de Russie, it’s still darn good stuff and significantly cheaper than the classic from the French brand.
It’s deep and rich from the opening, with notes of black tea and elemi at the fore. That gathers momentum with the green aromatics of pine. When the leather accord comes through, it’s infused with the smokiness of notes of tobacco, birch, vetiver and cade. It’s animalic but very wearable at the same time.
MOLTON BROWN MILK MUSK EDT (MAÏA LERNOUT)
Comforting and enveloping… I can’t think of a better way to conclude a rough week than with this 2020 release.
It opens with the subtle fruity notes of pear and peach. Perfumer Maïa Lernout (who also created the beautiful floral tropicana of Flora Luminare for the company) adroitly builds a milky accord around musk, Ambroxan, vanilla, white cedarwood and tonka bean.
It’s sweet, powdery, nostalgic, sensual and soothing. Just what I need when I’m feeling somewhat frazzled.
MOLTON BROWN LABDANUM DUSK EDP (NATHALIE KOOBUS)
This 2021 release is every bit as mysterious as it sounds.
The opening is all about the woody aromatics of cedar, with the leathery spice of saffron in support. There’s spicy earthiness from notes of cypriol and patchouli. Labdanum, an integral part of an amber accord, dominates the drydown with its deep muskiness. Touches of oud (sustainably sourced from Dubai, according to the company website) and vanilla complete the composition with elegant finesse.
It’s seriously good stuff that strikes a deft balance between its Middle Eastern inspiration and accessible Western wearability.
MOLTON BROWN DELICIOUS RHUBARB & ROSE EDP (VANESSA PRUDENT)
The name of this 2022 release says it all.
There’s lots of juicy fruit in the opening, thanks to notes of litchi and raspberry, with a note of grapefruit balancing all the sweetness. The rhubarb is just how I love it: fruity and spicy.
Notes of peony and rose keep the freshness going, with the subtle rosy spiciness of pink pepper in the background. The drydown belongs to the softness of cedarwood and musk. It’s shot through with the creaminess of vanilla.
It’s one of the best fruity-florals I’ve tried in recent years, and that says something.
MOLTON BROWN ROSE DUNES EDT (PHILIPPE PAPARELLA-PARIS)
The brand’s 2022 release presents a more opulent and oriental take on the queen of florals.
That vibe is evident from the first spray with its intriguing combo of spicy saffron and green cassis. The rose, woody and powdery, is paired with the green aromatics of geranium for extra effect. Patchouli, sustainably sourced from Salawesi island, Indonesia, is known for its earthy spiciness, and gives the composition sensual depth together with musk.
All these Molton Brown fragrances available in South Africa at Skins Cosmetics.
Super overview and shots of Molton Brown scents, Rich. They do indeed have some great offerings. My picks are Milk Musk and Black Pepper.
Many thanks, dear Daniel. Both great choices.
I was given Tobacco Absolute by a dear friend and found your description to be spot on. I enjoyed reading all of them. Their online profiling system paired me with Russian Leather so I’d like to try that one.
Big thank you. What a thoughtful friend. Russian Leather comes highly recommended.
Molton Brown is a perfume house that I appreciate, but is not mentioned enough, considering the quality it offers and the wide assortment of products. I have Milk Musk edp, and on my wishlist is Delicious Rhubarb & Rose. Excellent article as always, dear Richard!
Thank you so much, dear Dusica! You’re spot on. Perhaps because many people associate the brand with their bath and body products, their fragrances get overlooked. Both Milk Musk and Delicious Rhubarb & Rose epitomise the quality.