Bitter Mandarin
Perfumer: Michel Almairac
Votes lean feminine
30 ratings
From your scent profile
Jo Malone Bitter Mandarin is a fresh, citrusy unisex scent whose green, fruity side is softened by a light powderiness, and it suits everyday wear.
Skunky's take: A candidate for the summer vacation bag.
How does it perform?
From 22 community ratings, all out of 10.
Keeps you company for a few hours, a quick refresh fits nicely.
Leaves a light trail and stays polite in a crowd.
Sits nicely on a shelf.
The price makes you think, so a small size is a smart start.
Blind buy risk
83% of votes are positive and opinions barely differ.
Notes
They open one after another, from the first spray into the evening.
Top notesfirst 15 minutes
Heart notesfirst few hours
Accords
From most dominant to most subtle.
- Fresh
- Citrus
- Green
- Fruity
- Powdery
- Creamy
Fresh
Citrus
Green
Fruity
Powdery
CreamyWhat does Bitter Mandarin smell like?
The top is petitgrain, mandarin orange and bergamot, with orange in the heart. Amber and iris in the base settle the citrus onto a powdery, slightly creamy ground.
Longevity and sillage are moderate, so it stays close to the skin. Voters pick it most for leisure, business and daily wear. It has no clear gender lean, with votes split between feminine and masculine. Walden Perfumes Two Eternities and Fragonard Ma Bergamote have a close profile.
How it changes through the day
First minutes
- Petitgrain
- Mandarin orange
- Bergamot
First hours
- Orange
Towards evening
- Amber
- Iris
When to wear it?
Seasons and occasions, by user votes.
- 45%Summer
- 45%Spring
- 7%Autumn
Summer
Spring
Autumn- Casual26%
- Office23%
- Daytime21%
- Sport11%
- Nighttime11%
- Evening9%
Least picked for evenings.
Smells like this
The closest scents by notes and accords.
56% matchRêve de Soie
Gaglewski Grasse
55% matchTwo Eternities (Eau de Parfum)
Walden Perfumes · 2017
53% matchI Sottovuoto - Zagara Amara
Massimiliano Torti – Il Profumiere · 2012
52% matchFeuilles d'Oranger / Orange Leaves
L'Occitane en Provence · 2001
51% matchTout ce que J'aime - Ma Bergamote
Fragonard · 2017
50% matchPure Cotton
Korres · 2015
48% matchHeritage Selection - Summer 9.0
Zara
46% matchThe Impudent Cousin Matthew
Penhaligon's · 2019
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Last updated: October 26, 2026