50 Best Men’s Colognes of All Time

This article was produced in partnership with Blu Atlas

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.

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.

After all, some colognes are designed for certain seasons, while others are steady companions throughout the year. That’s why we created the following roundup. It celebrates both established, more traditional colognes as well as some newer fragrances.

Blu Atlas1. Blu Atlas Atlantis

Atlantis by Blu Atlas is in a class by itself. This elegant parfum is crafted from organic scents that speak in tones of clary sage, bergamot, and patchouli. The lingering fragrance is evocative, complex, and unmistakably masculine, outshining notable competition. Due to its lasting power, unique composition, and innovative use of essential oils, Atlantis takes the crown as one of the best men’s colognes.

[$100; bluatlas.com]

Get it Sephora2. 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.

[$125; guerlain.com]

Get it Amazon3. 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.

[$26.10; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon4. 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.

[$17.95; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon5. 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.

[$91; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon6. 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.

[$36.50; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon7. 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.

[$34.95; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon8. 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.

[$97; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon9. 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.

[$64.17; amazon.com]

Get it Prada10. 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.

[$80; prada.com]

Get it Amazon11. 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.

[$71.95; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon12. 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.

[$99; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon13. 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.

[$63.98; amazon.com]

Get it Ebay14. 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.

[$111.99; viktor-rolf.com]

Get it Moschino15. 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; moschino.com]

Get it Montblanc16. 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.

[$98; montblanc.com]

Get it Amazon17. 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.

[$85.68; amazon.com]

Get it Sephora18. Maison Margiela Jazz Club

Introduced in 2013, Jazz Club is the brainchild of perfumer Alienor Massenet. This is the ideal fall/winter leather fragrance for men. Top notes include neroli, lemon, and pink pepper, while heart notes are Java vetiver, rum, and clary sage. Tobacco leaf, vanilla bean, and styrax finish off the scent. Styrax (a sweet gum smell) has a calming effect with resinous amber undertones complemented by of balsam and spice.

[$144; sephora.com]

Get it Chanel19. Chanel Allure Homme Sport (Eau Extrême)

This first men’s perfume in the Allure Home line was launched in 1999, and several other versions have since appeared. Created by Jacques Polge, this fragrance is composed of musky, woody accords that blend well with Sicilian mandarin, cypress, mint, and clary sage—all refreshing, masculine notes that invite and delight the senses. Black pepper, cedar, and sandalwood shape and soften, while musk and tonka bean add to the fragrance’s tone and clarity. Wear this fragrance in the daytime or at night, from spring through fall.

[$132; chanel.com]

Get it Sears20. Tom Ford Noir Extreme

This men’s fragrance always gets high marks with its amber aroma, which plays out well in the fall and winter. Introduced in 2015, the scent is the creation of Sonia Constant. Top notes include nutmeg, saffron, cardamon, neroli, and mandarin orange, while middle notes play a tune of kulfi, resinous mastic, rose, jasmine, and orange blossom. Vanilla, amber, and sandalwood create the majestic ending of this harmonious fragrance.

[$224.17; tomford.com]

Get it Dior21. Dior Fahrenheit

This fragrance captured the attention of men around the world when it was launched in 1988. The aromatic fougere scent was formulated by Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Michel Almairac. Featuring top notes of nutmeg flower, cedar, and bergamot, the blend fades into middles notes of sandalwood, violet leaf, and lily of the valley. At the end of the day, base notes take over by way of musk, amber, and patchouli.

[$104; dior.com]

Get it Creed22. Creed Aventus

This scent for men made its debut in 2010 and has been a favorite ever since. The chypre fragrance features top notes of bergamot, pineapple, apple, and black currant, which serve as an introduction to heart notes of patchouli, Moroccan jasmine, birch, and rose. The ambergris and vanilla, along with shades of oak moss and musk, create a perfect all-day fragrance blend for men.

[$445; creedboutique.com]

Get it Sephora23. Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo

An aquatic scent created by Spanish perfumer Alberto Morillas, this fragrance is best suited to spring and summer. Introduced in 2015, Acqua di Gio Profumo features top notes of bergamot and marin, followed by heart notes of sage, geranium, and rosemary. Incense and patchouli are included to round out the medley. The fragrance follows Armani’s Acqua di Gio, which set sail in 1996. The newer fragrance makes notable contrasts with its memorable, airy aroma.

[$150; sephora.com]

Get it Hermes24. Hermès Terre d’Hermès

This spicy wood scent first made its debut in 2006. Created by Jean-Claude Ellena, the fragrance’s top notes include grapefruit and orange to delight and refresh, followed by heart notes of pelargonium and pear. Base notes are cedar, vetiver, benzoin, and patchouli. The alchemy of timber mingling with citrus and spice is one of a kind. The fragrance received the FiFi Fragrance of the Year in 2007.

[$140; hermes.com]

Get it Versace25. Versace Dylan Blue

This tantalizing fougere scent for men was presented to the public in 2016. Top notes in the blend include grapefruit, bergamot, and fig leaf. Ambroxan, black pepper, patchouli, papyrus, and violet leaf fill out the core, while musk, saffron, and tonka bean form the base. Other lines in the Versace Pour Homme collection include the original creation, which was showcased in 2008, and the Oud Noir edition, which appeared in 2013.

[$72; versace.com]

Get it Amazon26. Azzaro Wanted by Night

Launched in 2018, this fragrance begins with top notes of mandarin orange, cinnamon, lemon, and lavender, accompanied by heart notes of red cedar, cumin and incense. Base notes complete the fragrance with a pleasant blend of vanilla, cedar, tobacco, and patchouli. This more sensual edition in the Azzaro line followed on the heels of the original Azzaro cologne, which was launched in 2016. The new version was inspired by the lifestyle of Loris Azzaro during the 1970s. The nighttime fragrance will appeal to men who like a scent that conveys both drama and elegance.

[$100; amazon.com]

Get it Amazon27. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Le Parfum

The amber-scented cologne was unveiled in 2020. Cardamom represents the parfum’s top note, while middle notes include iris and lavender. Vanilla, oriental nuances, and woody notes complete the ensemble. With its density, this is ideal for winter.

[$91.36; amazon.com]

Get it Versace28. Versace Man Eau Fraîche

Versace Eau Fraîche stepped into the limelight in 2006. Olivier Cresp is credited with creating this fragrance,..