Have you been searching high and low for the best Jo Malone cologne for men, but to no avail? We’ve got you covered. Read through this article, and you’ll be completely in the know for which Jo Malone colognes best suit your style.
A London-based fragrance designer that got her start working as a florist, Jo Malone is highly regarded for her simple and elegant compositions. As a nod to her floral arranging career, all Jo Malone fragrances can be combined and layered — just like a fine bouquet of flowers.
In today’s guide, we’ll be covering the best Jo Malone colognes for men in every category and every budget. Follow along as we introduce you to our favorite fragrances, complete with notes on their aromatic profiles and suggestions for layering.
Table of Contents
5 Best Smelling Jo Malone Cologne For Men In 2022
Though all of Jo Malone’s colognes are wonderful in their own right, we think that the following five bottlings represent the best of the best from her catalog.
Jo Malone Lime, Basil, Mandarin (Our Top Pick)
A citrus aromatic fragrance designed by Jo Malone herself, Lime Basil & Mandarin was released in 1999. It’s a finely balanced unisex fragrance that doesn’t stray too far into masculine or feminine territory, making it one of the most versatile colognes that you can add to your collection.
Lime, mandarin orange, and bergamot make up a trio of citrus aromatics in this fragrance’s top notes, which show nicely over the first few hours of the scent. Moving into the heart notes, you’ll find the namesake basil alongside thyme, iris, and lilac for a combined herbal and floral impact. Grounded by vetiver and patchouli, it’s a nearly perfectly balanced fragrance.
Offering moderate longevity and a friendly, restrained intensity, Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin should be the first Jo Malone cologne you get for your collection. It’s wonderful on its own any time of year, and can also act as a center to build around with any other Jo Malone fragrances.
Notes:
- Top notes of lime, mandarin orange, and bergamot
- Middle notes of basil, thyme, iris, and lilac
- Base notes of vetiver and patchouli
Best For:
- Year-round wear
- Daytime wear
Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay
A floral fruity style unisex fragrance, Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay is a lovingly balanced cologne that uses a considerable addition of cedar to maintain a distinctly masculine air. If you’re looking for a masculine fragrance that trends towards subtlety rather than bombast, Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay would be a great addition to your wardrobe.
Grapefruit peel joins the eponymous bay leaf in this fragrance’s top notes, making for a strongly citrus-inflected green opening. Blackberry becomes the most immediately apparent note throughout the entire composition, though it’s most present in the heart notes alongside mixed flower petals. Anchored by cedar and vetiver, Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay maintains a classic tone that’s loved by all.
Of moderate longevity and a mild intensity, Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay is delicate and restrained when used as a solo fragrance. We especially like adding it as a modification of top notes for other Jo Malone fragrances, where its blackberry will rise to the surface every time.
Notes:
- Top notes of grapefruit peel and bay leaf
- Middle notes of blackberry and flowers
- Base notes of cedar and vetiver
Best For:
- Spring and summer wear
- An alternative to strongly masculine colognes
Jo Malone Orange Blossom
Inspired by a stay at the Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles, Jo Malone Orange Blossom is a strictly floral fragrance that leans to the femine side of unisex. It was released in 2003, and is our favorite Jo Malone fragrance to layer with more masculine scents.
Tangerine blossoms dominate the top notes of this fragrance, giving a heady and intoxicating entrance into heart notes of orange blossom, lilac, and water lily. This floral trend continues into the base, where vetiver dries out the entire composition and is supported by iris for further depth.
Possessing moderate longevity and a moderate dispersion, Jo Malone Orange Blossom is a singularly floral fragrance. To wear it as a cologne in anything but the hottest months of the year might be too much, so we recommend using it as a layering component with a more woodsy fragrance.
Notes:
- Top notes of tangerine blossoms
- Middle notes of orange blossom, lilac, and water lily
- Base notes of iris and vetiver
Best For:
- Layering with other Jo Malone fragrances
- Refreshing and invigorating your senses
Jo Malone Wood, Sage, & Sea Salt
An aromatic woody base scent that’s perfect to modify with other Jo Malone fragrances, Wood Sage & Sea Salt is a subtle take on a classically masculine composition. Released in 2014 as a unisex fragrance, it strikes a fine balance between masculine and feminine notes while expressing tones of both forest and ocean.
Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and peels are complemented by herbal sage in this fragrance’s top notes, which move smoothly and quickly into an atypical heart of sea salt and seaweed. Ambrette seeds, also known as muskmallow, form the entirety of this scent’s base — making for a musky and woody tone that permeates the whole composition.
Lasting only 2 to 4 hours and displaying a close-to-the-vest intensity, Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt has a wonderful subtlety that’s not often seen in masculine compositions. Consider wearing it on its own to the office, or layering with any of the scents featured above for greater complexity and versatility.
Notes:
- Top notes of grapefruit peel and sage
- Middle notes of sea salt and seaweed
- Base notes of ambrette seeds
Best For:
- Anyone looking for a subtle scent
- Wearing to the office
Jo Malone English Oak & Hazelnut
A woody spicy fragrance that was released in 2017, Jo Malone English Oak & Hazelnut is the most typically masculine fragrance in this review. It’s a unisex fragrance that leans heavily into woody tones, and it combines beautifully with Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay.
The entirety of this fragrance’s composition is based around three ingredients: Hazelnuts as top notes, cedar as the heart, and oak as a base. Simple, clean, and aesthetically pleasing, this pared-down approach to perfuming is a trademark of the Jo Malone style and a wonderful introduction to the entire catalog of fragrances.
Featuring a moderate longevity and a pronounced intensity, English Oak & Hazelnut is the strongest of all Jo Malone colognes featured here. It works quite well on its own as a year-round scent, but combining any other Jo Malone fragrance with it will yield amazing results.
Notes:
- Top notes of hazelnuts
- Middle notes of cedar
- Base notes of oak
Best For:
- Year-round wear
- Layering with citrus-heavy Jo Malone fragrances
What Cologne Is Similar To Jo Malone?
While few other fragrance makers can match Jo Malone’s infinite combinations, a few producers of unisex fragrances make similarly versatile scents. Here are a few of our favorites:
Byredo takes a similar approach to fragrance making as Jo Malone, with a focus on minimalism and small touches to make their scents stand out. We think their Gypsy Water is the best Byredo cologne for men, thanks to its lovingly embellished woody and herbal tones.
Hermes’ entire line of Un Jardin fragrances are intended for unisex wear, and focus on a specific floral aspect that makes them comparable to our favorite Jo Malone colognes. Try out their Un Jardin Sur Le Nil if you want to smell the best Hermes cologne for men.
Tom Ford is likely the most similar to Jo Malone, however, thanks to his lineup of unisex fragrances focused on single ingredients. We think that the Omber Leather might be the best Tom Ford cologne for men, thanks to its unique introduction of blond leather as a unisex feature.
Brian Adee
Brian has been fascinated with fragrances since his 8th birthday, when his Dad gifted him a bottle of Acqua di Gio. Since then, he has become a men's grooming & style aficionado who teaches men how to look sharp. Backed by personal experience, Brian's articles are known for his no-holds-barred style where he holds nothing back. You will get his real opinions on the latest men's grooming products and best practices where he reveals the best (and worst) style advice every man should know.
