Myrrh Tonka Attar

Myrrh Tonka Attar takes on Jo Malone's Myrrh & Tonka, a fragrance known for its rich, almost gourmand take on a traditionally resinous, austere note. This oil focuses squarely on the base, and it's the strongest part of the composition: tonka bean, vanilla and almond combine into a warm, comforting sweetness that captures the addictive, cosy character the original is loved for. The myrrh itself, which should bring a resinous, slightly smoky complexity to the heart, comes through as more of a soft warmth than a genuinely distinct note, and the lavender opening is present only briefly before the sweetness takes over. What's lost is the tension between the austere resin and the sweet base that makes Jo Malone's version feel considered rather than simply sweet. Performance is gentle and close to the skin, as expected of an oil, holding its warm, sweet character for a few hours before fading. It's an enjoyable, simplified echo of a fragrance whose real appeal lies in a balance this version doesn't fully attempt.