The Best Smelling Colognes For Men

A good cologne can make a man seem more put-together, attractive, and confident. But with so many options available, choosing the right one can be challenging.

Whether you prefer something fresh and citrusy or warm and spicy, there is a range of colognes to suit every man's taste and lifestyle.

- Bleu de Chanel by Chanel: A versatile, woody and fruity scent that can easily become a signature fragrance.

- Dior Sauvage: A fresh and spicy cologne inspired by wide-open spaces and wild landscapes.

- Coach for Men EDT: A nice, versatile, and easy-going fragrance that's perfect for the office.

- Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme EDT: A casual and summery scent with prominent citrus notes.

- Paco Rabanne 1 Million: A warm and slightly sweet fragrance with notes of cinnamon, leather, and amber.

- Azzaro Wanted by Night: A seductive and sensual woody and spicy amber cologne perfect for date nights.

- L'Homme Prada EDT: A powdery iris fragrance with notes of neroli, amber, and violet.

- Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey EDT: A super-fresh fragrance with a spicy and woody contrast.

- Gucci Intense Oud EDP: A seductive and sophisticated scent with incense, wood, leather, amber, and olibanum notes.

- Terre D'Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver by Hermes: A versatile, masculine cologne that combines woody and citrusy notes with great performance.

- Valentino Uomo Born in Roma Green Stravaganza by Valentino: A unique, green fragrance with a strong coffee note and good longevity.

- Absolu Aventus by Creed: A subtle, spicy, and dark twist on the original Aventus with notes of ginger, pepper, wood, ambroxan, and vanilla.

- Pour Homme Eau De Parfum by Bvlgari: A sharp, affordable, and wearable upgrade to the fan-favorite EDT.

- Haute Montagne Eau De Parfum by Moncler: A luxurious, woody, spicy, and vanilla-led scent with great performance.

- Legend Blue by Montblanc: A generic but pleasant blue cologne with a delightful mint opening.

- Althaïr by Parfums de Marly: A unique and delicious scent with plenty of cinnamon and bourbon vanilla.

- H24 Eau de Parfum by Hermes: An addictive oakmoss and clary sage fragrance with good performance.

- Free d'Homme by CoSTUME NATIONAL: A niche and unique scent that balances citrus zest with strong notes of incense and pine.

- Bonne Chauffe by Frapin: A photorealistic recreation of top-shelf whisky or cognac with notes of plum, oak, and brandy.

Woody and Aromatic

Woody fragrances are derived from woods, leaves, roots, and other natural aromas like spices or minerals. They are warm, earthy, and not too overpowering. Woody colognes are perfect for the colder months, and there are many options to choose from. Here are some of the best woody and aromatic colognes for men:

Terre d'Hermes Parfum by Hermes

This cologne has an addictive woody, spicy, and earthy scent. It has top notes of orange and grapefruit, middle notes of flint, and base notes of oak moss and benzoin. It is long-lasting and has a strong initial projection, so a little goes a long way.

Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

This cologne combines fresh and woody notes, which is a challenging blend to achieve. It has top notes of lavender, middle notes of patchouli and vetiver, and base notes of cedar and leather. It is long-lasting and has good projection, making it an excellent choice for those who want their cologne to be noticed.

Gentleman Society by Givenchy

Gentleman Society by Givenchy is a creamy, vanilla-scented cologne with a twist of mint and sage to balance the sweetness. It has top notes of cardamom and sage, middle notes of French narcissus, Haitian vetiver, and Madagascar vetiver, and base notes of vanilla, palo santo, and cedar. It is a unique and elegant fragrance, perfect for everyday wear.

Endymion by Penhaligon's

Endymion by Penhaligon's is a fresh and woody cologne with a unique blend of lavender and coffee. It has top notes of lavender, bergamot, sage, and mandarin orange, middle notes of coffee and geranium, and base notes of sandalwood, leather, nutmeg, and musk. It has excellent projection and longevity, making it a long-lasting and noticeable fragrance.

Bleu de Chanel

Bleu de Chanel is a versatile and aromatic woody cologne with fruity and woody notes. It has top notes of grapefruit, lemon, mint, and pink pepper, middle notes of ginger, nutmeg, jasmine, and vetiver, and base notes of cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, and white musk. It is a sophisticated and elegant fragrance, perfect for all seasons and occasions.

Citrus and Sweet Spicy

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme

This cologne is a best-selling fragrance for the Italian luxury label Dolce & Gabbana. Created by perfumer Alberto Morillas, it won the FiFi Award Fragrance of the Year Luxe in 2008. Light Blue has prominent citrus notes including grapefruit, bergamot, and Sicilian mandarin. The heart notes add a touch of spice with pepper, rosemary, and juniper, giving it a sharper, more distinct vibe. The base notes are musk, incense, and oakmoss, resulting in an uncomplicated, fresh scent that is perfect for the office or the beach. This cologne is a great choice for casual and summer wear.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million

Paco Rabanne 1 Million is a legendary fragrance that has enjoyed phenomenal success for over 10 years. Created by three top perfumers, Christophe Raynaud, Olivier Pescheux, and Michel Girard, it is a warm and slightly sweet scent. 1 Million opens with citrus and patchouli notes, but it is the cinnamon, leather, amber, spice, and rose notes that make it a love-or-hate fragrance. This cologne is perfect for night, fall, and winter wear.

Azzaro Wanted by Night

Azzaro Wanted by Night is a woody and spicy amber cologne that gained the attention of many upon its release in 2018. Created by perfumers Quentin Bisch and Michel Girard, this cologne is inspired by Loris Azzaro's hedonistic 1970s lifestyle. It has a super-cinnamon intro with just the right amount of sweetness. The notes of red cedar, cumin, and tobacco add depth and sensuality, making it the perfect fragrance for a sexy date night. This cologne is ideal for night, fall, and winter wear.

Dior Sauvage

Dior Sauvage is a fresh and spicy cologne that was first launched in 2015. Created by perfumer Francois Demachy, it is inspired by wide-open spaces, wild landscapes, and the desert sun. Sauvage opens with top notes of bergamot and black pepper, followed by middle notes of Sichuan pepper, vetiver, geranium, lavender, and patchouli. The base notes are cedar, labdanum, and Ambroxan. It is a versatile fragrance that can be worn day or night, in all seasons. This cologne is a great choice if you're looking for a heavy-lifting fragrance that will get you compliments.

Bleu de Chanel

Bleu de Chanel is a woody-aromatic fragrance that has become a best-seller for the French luxury fashion house. Created by perfumer Jacques Polge, it has a highly distinctive citrus-fresh opening with grapefruit, lemon, mint, and pink pepper. The spicy heart includes ginger, nutmeg, and jasmine, while the base notes are incense, vetiver, sandalwood, cedar, white musk, and patchouli. Masculine, elegant, and clean, Bleu de Chanel is a versatile fragrance that can be worn in any season. This cologne is perfect for men who want a sophisticated and elegant scent without trying too hard.

Fresh and Aquatic

Aquatic fragrances for men are inspired by water, evoking the ocean or watery fruits and vegetables. They are characterised by watery top and heart notes, with additional elements that add depth and dimension. Woody, citrus, herbaceous, floral, and deep notes like sandalwood, amber, and musk are commonly used to complement the marine-forward scent.

• Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani is a timeless, best-selling fragrance that has been a fan favourite since its release in 1996. It features punchy citrus and watery nuances, with heart notes of florals and rosemary, grounded by cedar base notes and a hint of patchouli.
• Nautica Voyage by Nautica is a budget-friendly option that evokes a sunny day on a sailboat with its crisp notes and captivating profile. The fragrance opens with green leaves and crunchy apples, followed by softer coastal scents of water lotus, and ends with a bold base of cedarwood, amber, and musk.
• Wood Sage and Sea Salt by Jo Malone is a luxurious and sophisticated scent that transports you to the breezy seaside. It combines refined ambrette seeds, crunchy sea salt, and woody sage for an irresistible fragrance.
• Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren is a classic, masculine scent suitable for year-round wear. It draws its aquatic qualities from watery cantaloupe top notes, balanced by herbaceous sage and basil.
• Eternity Aqua by Calvin Klein is a dependable and invigorating scent reminiscent of days spent by the shore. It opens with watery cucumbers and green leaves, complemented by heart notes of sage, basil, and tarragon, and grounded by warm sandalwood and spiced patchouli.
• Allure Homme Sport by Chanel is an energising and bold fragrance with an earthy freshness. It features notes of mandarin, cedar, and tonka beans.
• Guess Seductive Homme Blue by Guess is a budget-friendly option that is perfect for young men. It is a seductive and alluring fusion of water and pepper, with aquatic accord, blue coral, citrus, and cardamom.
• Aqva Pour Homme Marine by Bvlgari is a crisp and delightful fragrance that blends maritime elements with charged citrus. It opens with grapefruit and bitter orange, followed by heart notes of seaweed and fresh water, and is grounded by toasty amber and cedar.

Other popular aquatic fragrances include:

• CK Everyone by Calvin Klein
• London EDP by Gallivant
• Allure Homme Sport by Chanel
• Maritime by Tommy Bahama
• Sel Marin by Heeley
• Baie 19 by Le Labo

Warm and Spicy

Free d’Homme by CoSTUME NATIONAL

A unique, long-lasting blend of citrus and amber that comes at an affordable price point. With lime, lemon, and saffron on the top and incense on the base, this is a set of notes that can only work with a master perfumer like Julien Rasquinet at the helm. Performance is outstanding, with longevity marked at more than 6 hours and very strong projection. This cologne is best suited to winter and can be overpowering in warmer weather.

Bonne Chauffe by Frapin

A photorealistic bourbon, cognac, and whisky scent that will appeal to an older man. The notes of plum and oak stand out as the most prominent. This is a super photorealistic scent and if you shut your eyes you could think you’re inside a whiskey cask or cognac barrel. There’s even a touch of sweetness. Delicious and rich. This cologne is best suited to special occasions and is too serious for someone below the age of 25.

Écrin de Fumée by Serge Lutens

This cologne should be marked as a return to form for Serge Lutens, with perfect layers of smoke, rum, and tobacco over the top. It’s less traditional than Bonne Chauffe, but it’s all the better for it. You’ve likely never experienced cocoa notes like these before and they hang around with outstanding longevity of more than 8 hours on the skin and just as much on clothes. Projection follows suit and you get plenty with only a couple of sprays on the wrists and neck. There’s no mistaking this scent for anything but serious and we’d only wear it for special occasions. It’s also not the type of fragrance that we’d recommend to a younger gent because of its serious masculine accord.

L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme Vetiver by Issey Miyake

One of our favourites if you love a balance of spicy vetiver and ginger. It’s also vegan and mostly made from natural origins, including the vetiver itself. Sadly, longevity suffers and we had to top up this scent every 2 hours to achieve anything more than a skin scent during our tests. While it’s not something that’s going to sit in pride of place in an enthusiast’s cabinet, we’d happily wear this one day-to-day in the colder months. It would also make a great gift for men aged 20-40 years old.

Bad Boy Dazzling Garden by Carolina Herrera

We loved the sage-heavy middle that’s balanced by pepper and bergamot for spice. Well rounded, great for everyday wear. Our photo doesn’t do this bottle justice because it’s beautiful, staying true to Carolina Herrera’s Bad Boy line-up. Dazzling Garden serves as a sage-heavy alternative to the original ‘Bad Boy’ that we loved for its strong chocolate base. Performance is great, especially for the price point and while it fades to a skin scent after 2-4 hours, it has an outstanding projection that offers plenty throughout the first few hours. Top up before a special occasion with 2-3 sprays around the wrists and neck and you’ll be fine for any event. We’d recommend this to any man between the ages of 20-50 that’s looking for a fruity spice in their cologne.

Althaïr by Parfums de Marly

A unique, niche, and luxurious blend of booze, vanilla, and musky wood. Perfumers Hamid Merati-Kashani and Ilias Ermenidis have created a masterpiece. Performance is good, but not amazing. In our testing, we managed to get more than 4 hours on the skin and slightly more on clothes, but being a vanilla-based scent it’s a little soft and becomes a skin scent quicker than some of the spice bombs on this list. Projection is very good and 4 sprays would be enough for most wearers. We’d recommend this scent to men between the ages of 20-50, but it’s also a great unisex option.

Sweet and Woody

Byredo Bibliothèque

Byredo Bibliothèque is the perfect sweet and woody fragrance for those who want to stand out from the crowd. With notes of amberette, nesberry, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, musks, and vetiver, this cologne offers a unique twist on the typical woody perfume.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

Imagine yourself in a dimly lit jazz club, sipping on a cocktail, surrounded by the scent of cigar smoke and leather chairs. This cologne captures that atmosphere with its warm and spicy notes of pink pepper, rum, and tobacco. It's the perfect scent for those who want to hibernate in cosy mode during the colder months.

Tom Ford Oud Wood

Oud wood is one of the most precious and expensive ingredients in perfumery, and Tom Ford's Oud Wood nails the woody scent. With additional notes of cardamom, sandalwood, and vetiver, along with hints of tonka bean and amber, this cologne is like warming up by a cosy fire.

Azzaro The Most Wanted

Azzaro's The Most Wanted Intense is a sweet and cosy fragrance with a twist. On first whiff, you'll be captivated by the cardamom top notes, but as the cologne settles on the skin, caramel and toffee accord at the heart and amber at the base will emerge, creating a sweet and energising scent perfect for autumn and winter.

Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense

Drawn from the sap of the Namibian myrrh tree, this earthy and sweet cologne combines warm almond and vanilla notes of the tonka bean with hints of lavender and honey to create a full-bodied, year-round fragrance.

Gucci Guilty Elixir de Parfum

Gucci Guilty Elixir de Parfum is a memorable fragrance with a unique blend of notes. It combines potent Ambrofix, which gives a dry and woody scent, with smoother notes of orris butter, vanilla extract, benzoin, and nutmeg, resulting in a refreshing yet smoky and leathery aroma.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

Chanel's Bleu de Chanel is a versatile and elegant fragrance that transitions seamlessly from day to night. With a fresh and luxurious mix of grapefruit, cedar, and sandalwood, it strikes the perfect balance between masculinity and subtlety.

Dior Sauvage

Inspired by nature and its raw materials, Dior Sauvage is an earthy and woody scent with warm notes of bergamot, pepper, and amberwood. While it captures the essence of a desert landscape, its refined finish makes it suitable for any season, even the depths of winter.

Ralph Lauren Polo Black

Ralph Lauren's Polo Black is a bold and aromatic classic that stands the test of time. It fuses iced mango, lemon, and tangerine with sandalwood, sage, and patchouli noir for a bittersweet and attention-grabbing scent.

Le Labo Another 13

Le Labo's Another 13 is a hidden gem that deserves more attention. It's a collaboration with Another magazine, blending musky and fresh notes of ambroxan, jasmine petals, moss, and woody amber. It's the perfect choice for those seeking a modern and sophisticated fragrance with a touch of mystery.

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