154 Cologne

The Verdict

154 Cologne holds a special place in the Jo Malone lineup as the fragrance that Jo Malone herself created and named after the street number of the brand's original London boutique. Among the house's famously light, airy compositions, 154 stands out for its herbal complexity and substance, earning it a loyal following among those who typically find Jo Malone too simple.

The community is somewhat divided, with enthusiasts praising its sophisticated herbal-woody profile and critics pointing to the longevity issues that plague the Jo Malone Cologne format. For those who connect with it, 154 is more than a fragrance; multiple reviewers describe it as deeply personal and emotionally resonant.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers a bright, sparkling trio of grapefruit, bergamot, and mandarin orange that lifts the spirits immediately. This citrus burst is clean and effervescent rather than sweet, setting the stage for the more complex notes to follow.

The heart is where 154 distinguishes itself. Lavender and basil create a cool herbal accord while nutmeg adds warm spice, producing what one reviewer on My Women Stuff called a fragrance with "body, substance, and character." The base settles into vetiver and patchouli with supporting roles from musk and vanilla, creating an earthy, grounded drydown that one Basenotes reviewer described as mainly vetiver with a dash of patchouli.

When to Wear It

The herbal-citrus-woody profile makes 154 versatile across three seasons, excelling in spring and fall but working well in summer too. Its polished character makes it particularly suited to professional environments, though it also pairs beautifully with smart casual situations. My Women Stuff's reviewer described wearing it with pearls and dresses, noting how it "cuts through all the cloying sweetness of most perfumes."

Longevity & Projection

This is where opinions diverge most sharply. Optimistic reviewers report six to eight hours from a couple of sprays, noting that the substantial base notes give 154 better staying power than most Jo Malone colognes. Critics counter that the fragrance "seems to be made mostly of water" and vanishes within minutes. The truth likely falls somewhere in between, with five to six hours being a reasonable expectation, and sillage remaining moderate throughout.

The Community Says

Basenotes reviewers praise 154 as "unlike most Jo Malone scents" in its complexity, calling it "a gorgeous unisex cologne" with real depth. MakeupAlley reviewers echo this, noting it is "light and airy making it good for summer but spicy enough for spring and fall." My Women Stuff described the experience as "like being in a hug of someone you love." The recurring complaint across all platforms centers on performance relative to the price, which is a common theme with Jo Malone products.

Who Should Buy This

154 is the Jo Malone cologne for people who do not usually like Jo Malone. If you appreciate herbal-aromatic fragrances built around lavender, basil, and vetiver, this delivers a refined take on that family. It is also worth considering if you want a sophisticated, office-appropriate scent that does not follow the sweet-floral playbook. Just be prepared to reapply if you need all-day coverage.

The Bottom Line

154 Cologne is one of Jo Malone's most distinctive and accomplished offerings, a genuinely complex herbal composition that rewards those who appreciate subtlety over projection. Its longevity shortcomings are real but may be a fair trade for the elegance and depth it provides during its time on skin.