City Rhythm keeps their naming conventions interesting — some are city names, some are coordinates, and 2654 falls into the mysterious number category. What matters is what's in the bottle, and 2654 is one of their darker, more intense offerings. If Nashville is the warm Southern gentleman, 2654 is the mysterious stranger at the end of the bar.
What Does 2654 Smell Like?
The opening is smoky and slightly sweet. Incense leads the way with some dark berries — think blackcurrant — and a spicy kick from saffron. It's immediately dark and moody, the kind of fragrance that sets a tone from the first spray. There's a slight medicinal quality from the saffron that some people love and others can't stand.
As it develops, the heart reveals layers of dark woods and resinous amber. A leather note creeps in — not sharp or aggressive, but smooth and worn. There's some oud in the mix, adding that unmistakable depth that oud brings. Some people might also catch a hint of dried plum or dark cherry in the mid-stage, adding a fruity darkness.
The dry down is deep and long-lasting. Smoky woods, vanilla, benzoin, and musk form this thick, rich base that just sits on your skin and radiates warmth for hours. It's heavy, it's dense, and it's unapologetically bold.
Performance — How Long Does It Last?
- Longevity: 12+ hours easily. This might be the longest-lasting City Rhythm extrait.
- Projection: Strong for 4-5 hours, then a rich moderate for the rest
- Sillage: Heavy trail that announces your arrival before you enter a room
Performance is absolutely monstrous. One spray on each side of the neck and you're set for the entire day and night. This is not a fragrance you need to reapply — it will outlast your patience.
When to Wear 2654
Late fall and winter nights only. This is as situational as it gets. Date nights where you want to make an impression, evening events, or nights out when the temperature drops. Do not — I repeat, do not — wear this on a hot summer day. It will be suffocating for you and everyone around you.
This also works great as a special occasion fragrance. It's got enough presence and complexity to feel like you're wearing something meaningful.
The Downsides — Let's Be Real
- Too heavy for most situations: This is not an everyday fragrance. It's a special occasion scent that would be overwhelming in casual settings.
- The incense-oud combo isn't for everyone: If you don't like smoky, incense-heavy fragrances, 2654 will be a hard no. It leans heavily into this territory.
- Overspraying is dangerous: With performance this strong, going beyond 2-3 sprays will make you a walking biohazard. Seriously, less is more here.
- Zero versatility: You're only wearing this in very specific situations. It can't do office, daytime, warm weather, or casual hangouts. That limits its value if you want a daily wear.
- Mysterious naming: "2654" doesn't tell you anything about the fragrance. Without sampling it, you have no idea what you're getting into.
Buy or Skip?
If you love dark, smoky, incense-forward fragrances and want something that lasts forever, 2654 is hard to beat at City Rhythm's price point. It competes with fragrances that cost two or three times as much. But be honest with yourself about how often you'll actually wear it — if you need versatility, this isn't it. For collectors and cold-weather fragrance lovers, it's a serious contender.
Rating: 7.5/10
A powerful, well-crafted dark extrait that delivers incredible performance. Limited versatility keeps it from scoring higher, but what it does, it does extremely well.