Winter Scents For Men: Notes To Remember

Winter colognes for men are typically woody, spicy, and gourmand or sensual. Notes such as sandalwood, patchouli, leather, benzoin, honey, tonka bean, cinnamon, and cardamom are common in winter fragrances.

The best winter colognes for men blend notes of wood, spice, vetiver, cocoa, coffee, and bourbon to create a warming scent for the cooler months. These colognes deliver heavier scents that last longer than their summer counterparts.

Woody notes

Woody fragrances are derived from woods, leaves, roots, and other natural aromas like spices or minerals. They are a staple in men's grooming and are perfect for the winter as they add a touch of warmth. Here is a detailed list of some of the best woody fragrances for men:

Terre d'Hermes Parfum by Hermes

A cult classic among fragrance collectors, Terre d'Hermes Parfum has an addictive woody, spicy, and earthy accord. The parfum option is recommended over the EDT as it has greater longevity. While the initial projection is strong, the fragrance dries down with notes of vetiver, flint, and oak moss. It is a more affordable option that can often be found at a discount.

Masculin Pluriel by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

A fresh and woody fragrance that is well-balanced and long-lasting. It has soft projection but is potent, with notes of lavender, patchouli, vetiver, and wood. It is an expensive fragrance but smells luxurious and is perfect for the office.

Gentleman Society by Givenchy

A creamy, vanilla-scented fragrance with a touch of mint and sage. It is woody and aromatic, with initial notes of cardamom and sage, followed by Haitian and Madagascar vetiver. The base notes of vanilla and cedar give it a mature bubblegum scent. It is a unique and versatile fragrance, perfect for everyday wear.

Endymion by Penhaligon's

Endymion has excellent projection and silage, especially during the dry-down stage, with a longevity of around 4 hours on the skin. It has a fresh and clean scent, with a unique interplay between lavender and coffee that balances the woody base notes. It is best suited for an older gentleman.

Philosykos by Diptyque

Philosykos is a luxurious fig-based fragrance with notes of coconut and woody cedar. It has good projection and longevity of around 4 hours on the skin. It is quite affordable and stands out for its unique, masculine scent.

Les Roches Noires by Moncler

A unique fragrance with a leathery, woody, and rum-like scent. It has Indonesian patchouli, warm amber notes, and a peppery base. It is best suited for special occasions and indoor dinner parties during the colder months.

Wonderwood by Comme Des Garcons

A distinctive and extremely spicy woody fragrance with notes of vetiver, sandalwood, Virginia cedar, and cypress. It has great performance and scent on the skin but lacks longevity, turning into a skin scent after 2 hours.

James by Atkinsons

A classic and niche fragrance with a strong masculine character. It has a soft spice accord with notes of bergamot, pink peppercorn, patchouli, musk, and vetiver. It has good longevity of 4-6 hours and perfect silage and projection.

Wood Essence by Bvlgari Man

Wood Essence has a beautiful interplay between wood bark, resin, and citrus. It is well-balanced, aromatic, and fresh. As an EDT, it has average performance, with a longevity of around 4 hours on the skin.

Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford

A supremely masculine and luxurious fragrance with three different vetivers, orange blossom, and saffron. It has excellent performance, with a longevity of 6-8 hours, and strong projection. It is best reserved for special occasions or evening cocktail events.

Bleu Noir for Him Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

A sexy and subtle fragrance with sensual musk notes and a versatile scent profile. It has outstanding performance, with a longevity of more than 8 hours and good projection.

Gentleman Reserve Privée by Givenchy

A potent and long-lasting fragrance with a whisky note and a complex array of woody, floral, and candied fruit notes. It has a longevity of more than 6 hours and great projection, making it perfect for a night out.

Bowmakers by D.S. & DURGA

A warm, cosy, and addictive fragrance that transports you to the woods with notes of moss, cedar, and chestnut. It has good longevity of 4-6 hours and great silage and projection. It is a traditional and masculine scent, perfect for autumn and winter.

Spicy notes

Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb Extreme

This fragrance balances spices with vanilla, tobacco, cinnamon, cumin, bourbon whiskey, and saffron. It is a bold, festive scent that is perfect for the winter season.

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

This iconic fragrance hits all the right notes for a winter cologne. It has plenty of spice, sweetness, and smoke, all wrapped up in a sophisticated and wearable package. Tobacco leaf, spicy notes, vanilla, cacao, and dried fruits create an elegant and warm fragrance.

Free d'Homme by CoSTUME NATIONAL

This fragrance is described as "super spicy" with notes of cinnamon, waxy pine, smoky labdanum, and incense. It is a unique and intense fragrance, perfect for special occasions during the winter.

Terre d’Hermès by Hermès

Terre d’Hermès strikes a perfect balance between zest, pepper, and wood, making it an excellent choice for the winter. It has a zesty grapefruit top note, peppery middle notes, and woody base notes.

Bleu Noir Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

This fragrance has a cool iris note balanced by cream, musk, and powder, making it a versatile choice for both winter and autumn. It is wearable and suitable for all ages.

Spicebomb EDT by Viktor & Rolf

This fragrance is a blend of fresh spicy, citrus, and woody notes with warm cinnamon and a subtle tobacco base. It is a versatile and refreshing spicy fragrance, perfect for any occasion during the winter.

Giorgio Armani Stronger With You EDT

A sweet and spicy fragrance with a light and clean feel. It is a great choice for those who want to explore sweeter winter fragrances, as the sweetness is balanced by sage and lavender notes.

Parfums de Marly Carlisle

A luxurious and well-balanced niche fragrance with a warm, spicy, and woody scent. It has a complex and sophisticated blend of green apple, nutmeg, tonka bean, rose, and vanilla.

Tom Ford Lost Cherry

Although not specifically mentioned as spicy, this fragrance is included in several lists of recommended winter fragrances for men, and cherry is a note that can add a spicy, warm, and fruity touch to a fragrance.

Initio Parfums Privés Oud for Greatness Eau De Parfum

This fragrance is a powerful, luxurious, and confident scent that is all about the oud. It is slightly tempered with spices like saffron and nutmeg, adding a warm and spicy touch.

Michael Malul Esquire Editor in Chief

A bold and confident scent with a mix of woods, spices, vanilla, and tonka bean. It is an excellent choice for the office during the winter, drawing attention without being overwhelming.

Invictus Victory Elixir by Paco Rabanne

This fragrance has an aromatic lavender and green cardamom opening that transitions to a blend of vanilla and patchouli. It has a tangy vanilla flavour with hints of coconut, wood, and spiced amber, making it a great choice for the colder months.

Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum Extreme by Givenchy

This fragrance has a strong black coffee note, complemented by three types of vetiver, burnt wood, vanilla, Australian sandalwood, and Himalayan cedar. It is a masculine and long-lasting scent, perfect for cocktail dinners and special occasions during winter.

Rehab by Initio Parfums Prives

A long-lasting winter fragrance with a spicy streak. It has top notes of lavender and bergamot, middle notes of cedar, vetiver, and patchouli, and woody base notes of sandalwood, musk, and guaiac wood.

Bad Boy Extreme by Carolina Herrera

This fragrance has layers of vanilla balanced by fresh ginger and vetiver. It also features patchouli and tonka bean, adding a warm and spicy touch, perfect for the winter season.

Blackpepper by Comme des Garçons

A unisex fragrance that employs patchouli, oud, black pepper, and tonka bean to deliver a spicy and woody scent, perfect for the winter.

Nuit d’Issey Parfum by Issey Miyake

A spicy cologne with notes of bergamot, grapefruit, leather, wood, patchouli, and tonka bean. It has a warm, mysterious glow, making it a great choice for men during the winter.

Armani Code by Giorgio Armani

A spicy, oriental fragrance with notes of citrus, wood, leather, and tobacco. It is a popular choice for winter, adding a touch of warmth and spice to your fragrance collection.

Tobacco notes

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

This fragrance is a staple in any discussion of tobacco-based colognes. It perfectly blends spices, tobacco, and vanilla, creating a warm and cosy scent perfect for winter. The opening is sweet and spicy, with notes of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, followed by a mellow presence of tobacco throughout. The scent is rounded off by a base of dried fruits and woody notes. It has excellent longevity, with a strong projection that makes it perfect for nights out. However, it can also be worn as an everyday fragrance during the winter, as long as it is not over-sprayed.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme

This fragrance is a more powerful version of the original Spicebomb, featuring strong spicy notes such as black pepper, tobacco, and caraway. As the spice fades, warm notes of vanilla and clean lavender round out the formula. It has excellent longevity and strong projection, making it ideal for special occasions and nights out.

Parfums de Marly Herod

This fragrance is a close contender for the title of the best tobacco fragrance. It opens with a blast of spicy cinnamon and black pepper, followed by mysterious notes of incense, labdanum, tobacco leaf, and the rare Osmanthus flower. As it evolves, cosy vanilla and cedarwood emerge, giving the fragrance depth. Herod has substantial projection and reasonably long-lasting longevity, making it perfect for parties or clubs.

Parfums de Marly Carlisle

Although not strictly a tobacco-based fragrance, Carlisle has a dry tobacco-like note in its opening, balancing out the sweetness of green apple and nutmeg. The dry-down is refined and smooth, with a slightly woody vanilla base. It is a complex and sophisticated fragrance that is warm and spicy, perfect for fall and winter. Carlisle has excellent performance and can be worn during the day or for special occasions.

Santa Maria Novella Tobacco Toscano

This iconic fragrance from Santa Maria Novella is incredibly elegant, with subtle notes of tobacco mixed with sweet vanilla, smooth leather, and a variety of woods. It is surprisingly long-lasting yet non-aggressive, smelling like an attractive version of your skin.

Guerlain Tobacco Honey

Honey can be an overwhelming note, but in this fragrance, it is paired with tobacco, and the sweetness is balanced by spices and rich woods. The result is a non-cloying sweetness that dries down to reveal a warm, woody base.

Amouage Opus XIV Royal Tobacco

This bold and mysterious cologne makes a statement with its heavy incense and smoky tobacco notes. It captures an aura of royalty and is perfect for making a grand entrance, lasting for hours on the skin.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb

The original Spicebomb stands the test of time with its spicy blast of pink pepper, saffron, and paprika, balanced by a base of tobacco, leather, and vetiver. It is a versatile and wearable fragrance with unique longevity.

21 Man Made Sweet Tobacco

This cologne captures the essence of long, sweaty nights in a smoky dive bar. While it is strong and long-lasting, it is surprisingly wearable and can be enjoyed during the day as well as at parties.

Persons of Interest Havana Conference

This unique cologne is inspired by Cuba, with notes of rum and tobacco creating a deep, layered, slightly sweet, and smoky scent. The patchouli adds an interesting, earthy layer, making it a warm and inviting fragrance perfect for cold days and nights.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

This literal tobacco-based cologne is undeniably smoky and spicy, but still surprisingly versatile and wearable during the day. The rum note shines through, capturing the vibe of a nightclub.

Kilian Back to Black Aphrodisiac

This sexy and attractive fragrance dials up the tobacco note with wood notes in the base, while fruit notes like cherry and raspberry add a sensual sweetness. It is a constantly evolving and surprising fragrance.

Vanilla notes

Vanilla is a versatile scent that can be used in men's cologne to create a mood-enhancing love potion. It is believed to increase lust and has been considered an aphrodisiac since Aztec times.

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

Tobacco Vanille is a legendary luxury scent that has stood the test of time. It is a warm and spicy fragrance with notes of tobacco leaf, vanilla, cacao, tonka bean, tobacco blossom, and dried fruits. It is perfect for special occasions and romantic rendezvous.

Valentino Uomo Intense

Valentino Uomo Intense is a sophisticated and suave fragrance with notes of mandarin, clary sage, iris, tonka bean, and vanilla. It is a soft yet masculine scent that shows vanilla needn't always be sweet to succeed. It has excellent longevity, with a solid 8-10+ hours of wear from 5-6 body spritzes.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme

Spicebomb Extreme is a boozy vanilla fragrance with a peppery citrus opening that settles into a spicy heart and a hot bourbon-vanilla base. It is a nighttime scent with beast mode longevity and projection.

Chanel Allure Homme Sport

Chanel Allure Homme Sport is an aromatic and musky twist on a classic vanilla cologne. It has sparkling top notes of orange, sea notes, aldehydes, and blood mandarin, a peppery and woody heart, and a substantial base of vanilla, white musk, amber, vetiver, and tonka bean. It is a cool and fresh scent perfect for spring and summer.

Maison Margiela Jazz Club

Jazz Club is a rich and evocative fragrance reminiscent of dimly lit lounges and the soft strumming of a double bass. It has the spicy warmth of premium rum and the elegant smokiness of a fine cigar, all tied together with raw vanilla bean. It is an intoxicating scent for winter with moderate projection and a longevity of 3-6 hours.

Coach Platinum

Coach Platinum is a warm and sensual fragrance inspired by the spirit of the open road. It combines juicy pineapple, black pepper, juniper berries, cashmeran, sage, geranium, vanilla, leather, sandalwood, and patchouli. The vanilla note is subtle, providing just the right touch of sweetness. It is ideal for warmer months, day or night.

Cinnamon notes

Cinnamon is a warm, sweet, and spicy note that is perfect for winter fragrances. Here are some cinnamon-forward fragrances for men:

Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb

This fragrance features prominent cinnamon notes, blended with fresh spicy, citrus, and woody notes, as well as warm cinnamon and a subtle hint of tobacco. It is a versatile and appropriate choice for any occasion, with decent longevity and projection. The top notes include pink pepper, elemi, bergamot, and grapefruit, while the middle notes are cinnamon, saffron, and paprika. The base notes are tobacco, leather, and vetiver.

Parfums de Marly Oajan

This fragrance is another excellent option, with cinnamon as one of its key notes. It also includes other notes such as vanilla, tonka bean, and amber, creating a warm and spicy scent.

Parfums de Marly Herod

This fragrance is described as having a heavy cinnamon note, along with other spicy and woody notes. It is an excellent choice for those who want a bold and confident scent that draws attention without being overwhelming.

Gucci Gucci Pour Homme II

This fragrance is a popular choice for those seeking a prominent cinnamon note. It offers a unique and elegant scent that is perfect for winter.

Diesel Zero Plus Masculine

This designer perfume is an affordable option that delivers a full cinnamon note. It is a niche fragrance that can easily pass as a more expensive option.

Clive Christian X for Men

Although this fragrance is on the more expensive side, it is worth mentioning for its exceptional quality. It features cinnamon as a key note, creating a warm and inviting scent.

Frequently asked questions