Woodsy, Musky Scents: The Ultimate Guide To Cologne

A woodsy, musky cologne is a fragrance with a natural, earthy scent. It's an outdoorsy happy medium that's not too strong or too subtle. Woody fragrances often contain notes of pine, patchouli, or cedarwood, while musk is a warm, sensual, and seductive scent that's wearable for everyday use. Together, they create a comforting, warm, and welcoming fragrance.

Woody fragrances for men

Terre d'Hermes Parfum by Hermes

The best woody cologne overall, according to Man of Many. It has an earthy and spicy accord with notes of vetiver, flint, and oak moss. It is long-lasting, affordable, and has a strong initial projection, so a little goes a long way.

Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

A fresh and woody fragrance that is both long-lasting and potent. It has notes of lavender, patchouli, vetiver, and cedar. It is an expensive fragrance but smells luxurious and expensive.

Gentleman Society by Givenchy

A creamy, vanilla-scented fragrance with a woody and aromatic profile. It has notes of cardamom, sage, vetiver, vanilla, palo santo, and cedar. It is a unique, mature, and enduring fragrance.

Endymion by Penhaligon's

A fresh-smelling fragrance with excellent projection and silage. It has notes of lavender, coffee, sandalwood, leather, nutmeg, and musk. It is long-lasting and suitable for older gentlemen.

Bleu de Chanel

Chanel's take on woody fragrances captures the woodiness of the earth in an elegant, refined way. It is fresh and masculine, with notes of aromatic cedar and New Caledonian sandalwood, grapefruit, lemon, mint, pink pepper, ginger, nutmeg, jasmine, and white musk.

Tom Ford Oud Wood

A classic woody fragrance with earthy notes of rare oud wood, sandalwood, and Chinese pepper. It is a versatile and distinctive scent.

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

A trendy, unisex fragrance with a rich, spicy scent and warm notes of cardamom, violet accord, iris, amber, cedarwood, sandalwood, and leather.

Encre Noire by Lalique

A masculine woody fragrance with top notes of cypress and base notes of cashmere wood and musk. It is affordable and trend-focused.

Royal Oud by Creed

A rare and luxurious fragrance featuring Indian oud, grass, smoke, citrus, and spice. It is profoundly versatile, earthy, and masculine.

Wonderwood by Comme Des Garcons

An extremely woody and distinctive scent that is great for everyday wear. It has notes of patchouli, vetiver, incense, nutmeg, bergamot, cedar, sandalwood, and cypress.

Bleu Noir for Him Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

A sexy, subtle, and versatile fragrance with notes of musk, vetiver, amber, cedar, and vetiver. It has excellent performance and longevity.

Woody fragrances for women

Woody fragrances are characterised by the dominance of wood-like ingredients derived from trees, including bark, resin, moss, and roots. Patchouli and vetiver are also considered part of the woody olfactive family, as their aromas have a distinctive woody character. Perfume notes that are typical of this family include cedar, sandalwood, mahogany, oud, myrrh, and incense.

• Cacharel Noa: This fragrance has a mysterious scent of green vegetation.
• Lancôme La Nuit Trésor Intense: Woody notes provide a unique contrast that reinforces the wearer's feminine radiance.
• Magie Noire by Lancôme: This perfume has an oriental touch thanks to the assemblage of sandalwood, jasmine, and musk.
• Armani Sì Intense Eau de Parfum: This fragrance has a warm base note comprising woods and patchouli, and a delicate rose scent that accentuates the wearer's feminine side.
• Valentino Donna Born In Roma: With its woody, fruity, and floral notes, this perfume conjures up the sensual atmosphere of the South and pays homage to the city of Rome.
• MUGLER Alien: This perfume has a simple yet sophisticated composition of jasmine and amber, creating a unique character.
• Untitled L'Eau by Maison Margiela: Woody scents surround a potpourri of mandarin, lemon, and green mint, giving it a wonderful freshness.
• Encelade by Marc Antoine Barrois: This fragrance is rich and opulent, perfect for romantic evenings. It masterfully balances woody and green elements with a distinctive sweetness.
• Noir by Night by Atelier des Ors: This fragrance offers a glimpse into an enchanted forest, shrouded in darkness and mystery. It opens with vibrant coriander and weaves in sweet, resinous incense before settling into a creamy and divine sandalwood.
• Orange x Santal by Essential Parfums: This fragrance embodies the freshness of a summer's cool linen suit. The effervescence of sweet orange mingles harmoniously with the exotic, woody nuances of sandalwood, cedar, and oakmoss.
• Thé Noir 29 by Le Labo: Thé Noir 29 combines the aroma of black tea leaves with fig and bay leaves, blossoming into a sophisticated bouquet of warmth and depth. As the scent unfolds, it reveals an undercurrent of rich cedarwood and musk.
• Bois Impérial by Essential Parfums: This fragrance cloaks the wearer in a bubble of woody, green, and ozonic notes, with impressive tenacity and sillage. The blend of Akigalawood and Ambroxan paints a picture of an otherworldly forest.
• Arso by Profumum Roma: Arso transports you to the ambiance of a crackling fire surrounded by pine trees. It offers a blend of woody, pine-y, and smoky notes, striking a perfect balance.
• Santal 33 by Le Labo: Santal 33 is a refined, unisex fragrance that balances leathery, woody, spicy, and musky notes, making it an irresistible treasure. This complex blend is encased in a stylish apothecary-like bottle.
• Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc EDP: This fragrance pairs woody cashmere with comforting musk, with a touch of orange blossom to create a slightly more floral-like quality.
• The Harmonist Magnetic Wood EDP: This fragrance energizes the senses with green mandarin and bergamot, followed by a powdery heart of iris and mimosa, before settling into distinctive woods: sandalwood, cedar, and guaiac wood.
• Room 1015 Electric Wood EDP: This unisex perfume is inspired by the aromas of a guitar case: earthy woods, a tang of lacquer, and a hint of metal. It blends cedar and ambroxan with oak, resins, iris, and nutmeg.
• Scents of Wood Vetiver in Oak EDP: This unisex fragrance creates a feeling of tranquility with calming vetiver and a deep, woody base, accented by touches of pink pepper and lime oil.

Woody and musky fragrances

Woody Fragrances:

Woody fragrances offer a natural and inviting aroma, often evoking a connection to the great outdoors. They strike a perfect balance, being neither too strong nor too subtle. The best woody colognes add a touch of warmth and are ideal for creating a cosy atmosphere during cooler seasons. Here are some popular options:

• Terre d’Hermes Parfum by Hermes: A cult favourite among fragrance collectors, featuring addictive woody and spicy notes with a hint of grapefruit.
• Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian: A fresh and woody scent that is both long-lasting and potent, exuding sophistication and class.
• Gentleman Society by Givenchy: A creamy and vanilla-scented fragrance with a unique twist of mint and sage, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear.
• Endymion by Penhaligon’s: A fresh and woody fragrance with a unique interplay of coffee and lavender, perfect for mature gentlemen seeking a sophisticated aroma.
• Wonderwood by Comme Des Garcons: An intense woody scent with notes of vetiver, sandalwood, and cypress, offering a creamy and spicy experience.
• James by Atkinsons: A classic and masculine fragrance with a modern twist, featuring patchouli, musky wood, and vetiver, ideal for older gentlemen seeking a strong aura.

Musky Fragrances:

Musk is a prevalent note in perfumery, offering a warm and sensual essence that is highly seductive. Musk fragrances are versatile and can be worn daily or reserved for special occasions. They are often described as "skin scents" that enhance one's natural aroma. Here are some popular choices:

• Valentino Donna Yellow Dream Eau de Parfum: A floral and musky fragrance with notes of Italian lemon, rose, and fresh musks, creating a luminous and fresh scent.
• Prada Infusion de Vanille Eau de Parfum: A gender-neutral fragrance with a blend of vanilla, bergamot, neroli, and musky angelica seeds, resulting in a mysterious and elegant aroma.
• Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense Pour Homme: A unique blend of watery and citrus freshness combined with musky and woody notes, creating an irresistible and intense scent for men.
• Burberry Her Eau de Parfum: A fruity and gourmand scent with a trio of dark and red berries, jasmine, and violet, complemented by white woods, amber, and musk for a long-lasting fragrance.
• Glossier Glossier You XL Eau de Parfum: A personalised fragrance that smells different on everyone, featuring bright top notes of pink pepper and a sweet, musky centre from ambrette seeds and ambrox.

Woody and earthy fragrances

Terre d’Hermes Parfum by Hermes

This fragrance has a strong initial projection, so a little goes a long way. It has addictive woody, earthy, and spicy notes with hints of grapefruit, vetiver, flint, and oak moss. It is a great value for money option and is a popular choice among fragrance collectors.

Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

This fragrance combines fresh and woody notes, a challenging feat achieved by the renowned fragrance house, MFK. It has soft yet long-lasting performance, with notes of lavender, patchouli, vetiver, and wood. It is an expensive but elegant choice, perfect for pairing with a crisp white t-shirt.

Gentleman Society by Givenchy

Described as "what good-looking men wear," this fragrance is creamy and vanilla-scented, balanced by mint and sage notes. It includes cardamom, sage, French narcissus, two types of vetiver, vanilla, palo santo, and cedar. It is a versatile choice that can be worn every day.

Endymion by Penhaligon’s

This fragrance has a unique, fresh scent with a play between lavender and coffee, balanced by woody base notes. It has great projection and longevity, making it a strong performer. It is a sophisticated choice for older gentlemen.

Les Roches Noires by Moncler

This fragrance has a unique, boozy scent with notes of Indonesian patchouli, labdanum, and pink pepper. It is a great value for money and has good longevity, making it perfect for special occasions.

Bleu Noir for Him Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

This fragrance is described as "sexy" with sensual musk notes. It is uncomplicated and versatile, with notes of vetiver, amber, cardamom, citrus, and cedar. It has excellent performance, with strong projection and longevity.

Popular woody fragrances

Woody fragrances are derived from woods, leaves, roots, and often include other natural aromas like spices or minerals. They are balanced, warm, and earthy, and are a staple in men's grooming.

Terre d’Hermes Parfum by Hermes

This cologne has an addictive woody and spicy accord with notes of vetiver, flint, and oak moss. It has a strong initial projection, so a little goes a long way. It is also one of the more affordable options and is a favourite among fragrance collectors.

Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

This fragrance combines fresh and woody notes, which is a challenging blend to achieve. It has a soft yet long-lasting and potent performance with excellent projection. It is an expensive fragrance but smells luxurious and is perfect for those who want to stand out.

Gentleman Society by Givenchy

This cologne is described as woody and aromatic with notes of cardamom, sage, French narcissus, and two types of vetiver. The base notes include vanilla, palo santo, and cedar, giving it a creamy and vanilla-scented aroma. It is a good choice for those seeking an everyday fragrance.

Endymion by Penhaligon’s

This fragrance achieves a unique allure with notes of lavender and wood, balanced by a sweet and refreshing dry-down. It has excellent projection and longevity, making it a strong performer. It is a good choice for older gentlemen seeking a fresh yet non-citrusy scent.

Bleu Noir for Him Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

This cologne is uncomplicated and subtle, with soft and creamy notes. It has a versatile scent that includes musk, vetiver, amber, cardamom, and citrus. It offers excellent performance in terms of projection and longevity, making it a great value-for-money option.

Tom Ford Oud Wood

This is a classic woody fragrance with earthy notes of rare oud wood, sandalwood, and Chinese pepper. It is a versatile scent that works well for those new to woody fragrances as well as seasoned users.

Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

This is a minimal and subtle scent that evokes the sea and minerals rather than the earth. It includes notes of ambrette seeds, sage, grapefruit, and ambrette. While it does not last very long, it is distinctive and calls to mind nature and the sea.

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

This unisex fragrance is trendy and appeals to a wide range of people. It has a rich, spicy scent with warm notes of cardamom, violet accord, iris, and ambrox, complemented by a base of cedarwood, sandalwood, and leather.

Chanel Bleu de Chanel

This cologne captures the refined and elegant woodiness of the earth. It is fresh and masculine, with aromatic cedar and New Caledonian sandalwood. It also includes notes of grapefruit, lemon, mint, pink pepper, ginger, nutmeg, jasmine, and white musk.

Burberry Hero Eau de Parfum

This fragrance is bold and may be overpowering to some. It includes notes of cedarwood, pine needle, and benzoin, capturing the scent of conquered woods.

Ralph's Club Eau de Parfum by Ralph Lauren

This woody fragrance is described as unforgettable, sophisticated, and authentic. It is designed for the confident, sophisticated man who inspires togetherness and enjoys life to the fullest.

These fragrances offer a range of options to suit different tastes and preferences, from fresh and minimal to bold and spicy. Woody fragrances provide a natural, balanced, and warm scent that is a popular choice for men's colognes.

Frequently asked questions