The best Jo Malone London fragrances for the ultimate decadent scent (2025)

• Fragrance Family: Green
• Concentration: Cologne
• Motivation: Vibrant

If I had to pick only one fragrance from the entire Jo Malone London back catalogue to carry me through the day-to-day, it would have to be the transformative and verdant freshness of Blackberry & Bay. It’s been a permanent fixture on my bathroom shelf (not the same bottle obviously) since its launch in 2012.

Composed by perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin (a long-term collaborator with Diptyque), it opens with a tart blackberry note made by combining natural blackcurrant buds that add a fruity accent with bucco tree essence, which evokes the crunchy-green character of blackberry leaves.

Infused with the aromatic freshness of gathered bay leaves, it lands on a lingering trail of dry and charismatic cedarwood and is designed to be used both on its own or layered with other signature JML fragrances — try mixing it with Orange Blossom to create a unique and uplifting floral, or with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily for a warmer and more sensual experience.

• Olfactory Family: Woody
• Concentration: Cologne
• Personality: Sensual

A seductive and intensely woody composition, Pomegranate Noir is the scent I always turn to when I want that warm and fuzzy feeling; a fragrance that seems to protect you from the cold. Its rich, plum-like, pomegranate fruit notes ignited with patchouli and smoky guaiac wood seem to suit the colder months better in my opinion; for that reason, it is the definitive Autumnal cologne.

Dark and enigmatic, it is full-bodied, powerful and piquant (think mulled wine), with accents of Casablanca lily and crackling pink pepper. Connoisseurs will also detect some clove and Virginia cedar hidden under its cloak.

Originally created in 2005, for me it has to be the ubiquitous Jo Malone London fragrance, simply based on its popularity; if I had only one criticism it would be that it is maybe a bit too popular. A timeless classic and an absolute banger that has stayed the course; transcending the fluctuating trends in the perfumery world.

• Fragrance Family: Aromatic/woody
• Concentration: Cologne Intense
• Motivation: Sophisticated

While all of Jo Malone London’s fragrances are designed to be non-gender-specific, this scent sails closest to a traditionally masculine signature cologne. With Tom Hardy as its poster boy, it speaks to the modern man with its fresh and woody persona; refined, distinctive and bold. Inspired by a verdant hanging garden and part of the Cologne Intense collection of alluring and powerful scents, don’t be fooled into thinking it is just another classic woody perfume; it has a very sophisticated and earthy richness which elevates it from the competition.

It’s the kind of fragrance that instantly hooks you from its opening top notes of aromatic and evergreen cypress, and keeps you on side through to its sensual amber base. As a self-confessed geeky fragrance-head, my favourite thing about it is the way that the perfumer, Sophie Labbé, has cleverly recreated the impression of intertwining grapevines by combining cedar with vetiver and juicy grape notes. If it were a piece of clothing it would be a pair of well-looked-after, vintage hiking boots.

• Fragrance Family: Woody/spicy
• Concentration: Cologne
• Motivation: Seductive

In 2018, Huntsman Savile Row (a bespoke tailor of the highest tradition since 1849), collaborated with Jo Malone London on a limited-edition collection of four unique fragrances; a cologne ‘wardrobe’ designed to see you through from dawn 'til dusk. So great was their popularity that they remained and are still a permanent fixture within the JML portfolio; Whisky & Cedarwood, in my opinion, is the collection’s finest hour.

There is only one way to describe this perfume and that is boozy — but in the best possible way. It captures the rich and honeyed signatures of fine whisky; recreated by blending sweet, enigmatic woody notes that give the impression of the golden liquor. Intensely woody, with top notes of fiery, spicy pimento, there is something very seductive about this scent.

Inspired by “footsteps after dark on waxy wooden floors”, warming cedarwood brings a dry brambly aspect to its base. Daring and intriguing, it’s a fragrance designed for the small hours and a killer course of action for a first date.

• Fragrance Family: Woody
• Concentration: Cologne Intense
• Motivation: Hypnotic and mysterious

You either love or hate oud: because it is rich, resinous and characteristically smoky, there isn’t much middle ground. That said — and personal differences aside — there are obviously good and bad examples of perfumes based around this deeply divisive raw material; Jo Malone London’s Oud & Bergamot is, in my opinion, one of the more approachable because it contrasts its dark woody facets with crisp, citrus top notes.

Part of the Cologne Intense collection of alluring and enduring power fragrances, it is the perfect evening elixir; full of mystery and intent. Created by perfumer, Christine Nagel, now head honcho at Hermès fragrances, it has both a sophistication and hypnotic quality, with a long-lasting trail.

The bergamot used in its top notes give an almost earl grey-like, lively, refreshing character before diving into a cedarwood accord that creates the brambly aspect in the base. The oud accord, which is dark and dangerous with animalic accents, combines the textural gourmand qualities of praline and black musk.

• Fragrance Family: Green/floral/aromatic
• Concentration: Cologne
• Motivation: Uplifting

Not every man wants a fragrance that makes a bold statement; some prefer their scent to take a back seat and simply set the tone. I’m actually a big fan of these more subtle compositions. There is real art in making something pure, refined, and ‘quiet’ without being boring or run of the mill. Quintessentially British, Basil & Neroli is the perfect example of this stealthy genre. It’s soft, powdery, and gently lifts your mood.

Riffing off the success of the bestselling fragrance, Lime Basil & Mandarin, which was created by the brand’s founder, Jo Malone CBE, in 1999, this toned-down hybrid is even better in my opinion: sorry Jo!

Powered with top notes of basil, which has a herbaceous and warm personality with a peppery kick, and neroli, from the hand-picked blossoms of the bitter orange tree, which serves a green/floral signature; very clean and fresh. Created by perfumer Anne Flipo, the name behind some of the great masculine classics, such as Defy by Calvin Klein and Jimmy Choo Man.