Jo Malone’s Vanilla & Anise fresh and exotic

Thanks to so-called reality TV shows, all many people will ever know about Madagascar is the hissing cockroaches.

But the Indian Ocean island off the southeastern coast of Africa is where rare vanilla orchid blossoms were harvested at daybreak for use in Jo Malone’s newest fragrance, Vanilla & Anise.

Research tells us that vanilla, one of the most versatile natural ingredients in fragrance-making, is a scent equally appealing to men and women. It forms the heart and base of this new cologne in combination with star anise, a spice that sort of sparkles.

Notes of bergamot, neroli and frangipani keep the cologne somewhat light while white amber, tuberose, vetiver bourbon, vanilla bourbon absolute and Madagascar clove counterbalance with an exotic warmth in the drydown.

Like every other Jo Malone scent, it can be combined with other colognes in the line for different effect. It becomes even more lively and uplifting combined with Grapefruit, more feminine and elegant when worn with Orange Blossom, and more sultry in tandem with the cedary nutmeg aroma of Vetyver.

Vanilla & Anise is $55 for one ounce and $100 for 3.4 ounces at Bergdorf Goodman, select Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and at jomalone.com.