50 Best Men’s Colognes of All Time
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You’ll be remembered by the scent that lingers long after you’ve made your first impression. For that reason, the colognes you select for your fragrance collection should define your personality.
Tommy Hilfiger Fragrance Exclusive (0:27)
If you’re an avid Men’s Journal reader, you’ve likely come across our guides on the best-smelling colognes and favorite scents for men. Well, we wanted to give you even more variety and blow out those lists to find your signature masculine scent.
After all, some colognes are designed for certain seasons (think woody scents) while others are steady companions throughout the year (think tonka bean). That’s why we created the following roundup. It celebrates new and classic cologne, eau de cologne, and perfume.
1. Blu Atlas Atlantis
Atlantis by Blu Atlas is in a class by itself. This elegant parfum is crafted from scents that speak in tones of bergamot, blackcurrant, clary sage, peach, orris, oak-moss, and other irresistible scent notes. The lingering fragrance is evocative, complex, and unmistakably masculine, outshining notable competition. Due to its lasting power and unique composition, Atlantis takes the crown as one of the best men’s colognes.
[$100; bluatlas.com]
L’Homme Idéal Extrême by Guerlain
Sephora
2. Guerlain L’Homme Idéal Extrême
Aromatic and spicy with hints of cedar and tobacco, L’Homme Idéal Extrême is a woody scent that will make you feel at home. Spicy notes of tobacco come alive thanks to mastermind perfumer Thierry Wasser. This scent expands on the almond note that has long been the line’s olfactory trademark.
[$74; amazon.com]
Homme by Joop!
Amazon
3. Joop! Homme
An amber fougere scent for males, Joop! Homme was first introduced in 1989. Michel Almairac is the wizard behind this scent, which blends citrus notes like orange blossom, lemon, and lime at the top, followed by cinnamon, jasmine, cardamom, and lily of the valley. Vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli, honey, and vetiver round out the scent, which is more vibrant than many others on this list.
[$27; amazon.com]
Classic Red by Jaguar
Amazon
4. Jaguar Classic Red
You don’t need to buy a Jaguar to revel in the brand’s luxury and sophistication. Jaguar Classic Red was created by acclaimed perfumer Karine Dubreuil-Sereni in 2013. Black pepper and jasmine notes form the heart of this fragrance, which is complemented by tonka bean, amber, vanilla, cedar, and patchouli.
[$17; amazon.com]
Gucci Pour Homme
Amazon
5. Gucci Pour Homme
Typified by a heady mix of spices, wood, and amber, this fragrance begins with artemisia and basil top notes, followed by lavender and bergamot. The core comprises geranium, cedar, jasmine, patchouli, and sandalwood. The cologne comes in a square bottle with an ornamental top that is both sturdy and beautiful.
[$80; amazon.com]
Bentley For Men Absolute (2013)
Amazon
6. Bentley For Men Absolute
Compared to its predecessors, Bentley for Men Absolute features a stronger formulation that emphasizes warming aromas. Its core notes are papyrus, sandalwood, and cedar, as well as a vivacious mix of ginger and pink pepper. Amber, strong oud, and moss round out the foundation.
[$35; amazon.com]
Club de Nuit Intense Man by Armaf
Amazon
7. Armaf Club de Nuit Intense Man
Created in 2015, Club de Nuit Intense Man is a blend of citrus notes that spring to life when combined with pineapple, apricot, black currant, apple, and birch nuances. Add jasmine and rose, and base notes like musk and vanilla, and you’ll know why this fragrance is so inviting.
[$33; amazon.com]
La Nuit de l’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent
Amazon
8. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de l’Homme
As the name suggests, this cologne represents intrigue and contrast. Cardamom, bergamot, lavender, and cedar give way to cumin and vetiver. Perfumers Anne Flipo, Pierre Wargnye and Dominique Ropion are responsible for creating this intense concoction; it’s mysterious and intriguing.
[$79; amazon.com]
Encre Noire by Lalique
Amazon
9. Lalique Encre Noire
Created by Nathalie Lorson, the woody and aromatic scent of Encre Noire for men was first introduced in 2006. A top note of cypress eases into a middle of vetiver, followed by exquisite base notes of cashmere wood and musk. This fragrance is a must-wear on evening dates and formal gatherings.
[$104; amazon.com]
L’Homme by Prada
Prada
10. Prada L’Homme
Prada L’Homme is a woody chypre scent for men that was created in 2016 by Daniela (Roche) Andrier. Top notes include neroli, black pepper, cardamom, and carrot seed. Violet and geranium form the middle, while base notes of amber, cedar, patchouli and sandalwood linger.
[$115; prada.com]
The One for Men by Dolce & Gabbana
Amazon
11. Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men
In 2008, Dolce & Gabbana released The One for Men, an aromatic blend aimed at becoming a fragrance classic. The brand succeeded; this is a more concentrated version. Ginger, orange flower, and cardamom make up the heart, supported by notes of coriander, basil, and grapefruit. The seductive base of the scent is composed of tobacco, amber, and cedar.
[$62; amazon.com]
Y Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent for Men
Amazon
12. Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum
The aromatic fougere scent of Y Eau de Parfum will suit the lifestyle of any man. Designed by perfumer Dominique Ropion, the complex pyramid of notes in this fragrance unfold in a medley of apple, ginger and bergamot, while sage, juniper berries, and geranium emerge from the heart. Amberwood, tonka bean, cedar, vetiver, and olibanum conclude the performance.
[$98; amazon.com]
Versace Pour Homme
Amazon
13. Versace Pour Homme
Created by perfumer Alberto Morillas for Versace, Pour Homme made its debut in 2008. Top notes in the fragrance include lemon, bergamot, rose de mai, and neroli, followed by middle notes of cedar, hyacinth, geranium, and clary sage. Tonka bean, amber, and musk make up the base. This eau de toilette is sure to become your go-to spring-summer fragrance.
[$73; amazon.com]
Spicebomb Extreme by Viktor & Rolf
Ebay
14. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme
This popular men’s fragrance was introduced by the house of Viktor & Rolf in 2015. Spicebomb Extreme explodes with enticing lavender fused with a blend of aromatic spices, such as black pepper and caraway, over masculine nuances of vanilla and tobacco. The fragrance is available in 50 and 90ml EDP bottles.
[$134; macys.com]
Toy Boy by Moschino
Moschino
15. Moschino Toy Boy
This men’s fragrance by Moschino is a spicy medley created by perfumer Yann Vasnier. Top notes of pink pepper, Indonesian nutmeg, pear, elemi, and bergamot are followed by heart notes of magnolia, clove, flax and rose. Haitian vetiver, amber, musk, and sandalwood round out the harmony. The scent follows other Toy editions designed for a unisex audience.
[$96; macys.com]
Explorer by Montblanc
Montblanc
16. Montblanc Explorer
Made for the man who seeks adventure, Explorer by Montblanc debuted in 2019, a product of the efforts of Antoine Maisondieu, Jordi Fernandez, and Olivier Pescheux. The blend begins with top notes of bergamot, clary sage, and pink pepper, which fuse into the scent’s heart notes of Haitian vetiver and leather. Ambroxan, akigala wood, cacao pod, and Indonesian patchouli round out the popular fragrance.
[$115; amazon.com]
Ultra Male by Jean Paul Gaultier
Amazon
17. Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male
Launched in 2015, Ultra Male is a reinterpretation of the original classic Le Male, which debuted in 1995. Opening with citrus notes of bergamot, black lavender, pear, and mint; heart notes of cinnamon, cumin, and clary sage; and base notes of black vanilla husk, patchouli, and amber.
[$86;
