Jo Malone isn’t a perfume house I’ve mentioned much in this Fragrance Friday column. There’s no particular reason; some of the brand’s most popular fragrances get heavy rotation from me, but there were a few I genuinely hated so much I wouldn’t revisit them – Wild Fig & Cassis? Not for me. Ultimately, though, the popularity is there for a reason, and it’s hard to deny just how penetrative Jo Malone London is when it comes to modern perfumery. It’s one of the most recognised labels out there.
The reason for this is simplicity and versatility. Most of Jo Malone London’s perfumes call out the primary notes in the name and present a very “what you see is what you get” approach. There’s reliability there; having consistency and identity is important in such a competitive market, but establishing a reputation for being honest and authentic will always help you stand out more. That’s Jo Malone London to me, at least, and it’s how I’d explain their immense popularity.
There’s a lot of choice coming from this British perfumer, but I’ve narrowed it down to just five of the best Jo Malone London fragrances for men so you can add some of those to your collection.
And remember, you want to also consider how valuable a fragrance is for layering. Given Jo Malone London’s perfumes are fairly simple and straightforward, they make great layering perfumes because you know exactly what notes you’re adding to your signature scent. That makes up a lot of the value for anyone who wants to start experimenting with the art of layering perfumes.
Best Jo Malone London Fragrances For Men
Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Wood Sage & Sea Salt is easily one of the more popular Jo Malone London fragrances on the market. Created in 2014 by Christine Nagel, the body benefits from a very simple, high-quality blend of ambrette seeds, sea salt and sage, flanked by red algae and grapefruit. That natural, breezy top is a perfect reflection of summer at the beach, kept interesting with the woody earthiness of sage, which is probably why this one flies off the shelves each time Australia approaches the end of the year.
Top notes: Ambrette seeds
Heart notes: Sea salt
Base notes: Sage
Yuja Cologne
This woody aromatic fragrance was released in 2020 with a juicy, tart body that’s held together by its linear citrus notes. Like most Jo Malone London fragrances, there’s nothing too complex here. In fact, Yuja Cologne is probably one of the brand’s most minimal fragrances, hitting hard to fresh yuzu on the top and supporting it as it moves through fresh clary sage to a lightly woody base of balsam fir and cedar.
Top notes: Yuzu
Heart notes: Clary sage
Base notes: Balsam fir, cedar
Dark Amber & Ginger Lily
While Jo Malone London’s most popular fragrances typically favour fresh, bright profiles, Dark Amber & Ginger Lily takes a hard left turn into oriental woody territory. There’s a lot of warm, spicy flavour on the top, satisfying gourmand fans with ginger, black cardamom and pink pepper before brightening it up with water lily, orchid, jasmine and rose. The creamy woods on the base just seal the deal, making this one of the most valuable Jo Malone London fragrances to own in winter.
Top notes: Ginger, black cardamom, pink pepper
Heart notes: Water lily, orchid, jasmine, rose
Base notes: Sandalwood, black amber, kyara incense, patchouli, leather
Myrrh & Tonka
Here’s another one of Jo Malone London’s most recognised fragrances. Myrrh and Tonka, much like Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, favour those deeper, heavier notes and throws in a heap of gourmand in the base to help give the amber scent some teeth. Since it was launched in 2016, it’s been a consistent seller for the brand and is often considered some of Mathilde Bijaoui’s finest work.
Top notes: Lavender
Heart notes: Myrrh
Base notes: Tonka bean, vanilla, almond
Lime, Basil & Mandarin
Lime, Basil & Mandarin is easily one of the more underrated fragrances in the Jo Malone London collection, and it can be an absolute show-stealer on those hotter summer days. You’ve got citrus, of course, but the fresh and juicy brightness of mandarin really lifts this up while the peppery basil helps round out the middle. Just a very well-balanced fragrance all-round.
Top notes: Lime, mandarin orange, bergamot
Heart notes: Basil, thyme, lilac, iris
Base notes: Vetiver, patchouli
