What’s the best men's fragrance? Well, that depends on the man. Scent is one of the most subjective pillars of a grooming regime, meaning one person’s preferred spritz will vary wildly from the next.
There’s a high chance your first foray into the world of fragrances for men came via a gift set, chosen by a distant relative and safely confined within the realm of recognisable (yet largely forgettable) blockbuster blends.
But now, you are free to choose – and the sheer amount of choice can be overwhelming. Beyond the world of gift-safe scents lies a wealth of bottles that look beyond the reductive categories of ‘citrus’ and ‘woody’, delivering memorable, unique fragrances that are worthy of the most discerning wearer. So, how does one whittle down a winner? Sifting through today’s best men’s fragrances is no mean feat, especially when the perfumery world has such a predilection for pretension.
You could let the marketing guide you. Do you want to be David Gandy blue-steeling his way around the Amalfi Coast? (You’re a Dolce & Gabbana man). Or perhaps you see yourself in Richard Madden, clad in double denim for Calvin Klein. If you can relate to Adam Driver’s minotaur masterpiece, you know where to look.
But true fragrance heads go on the notes, not the telly ad. Start by learning the perfumery lingo (there’s a lot of it) and you’ll be well on your way to finally locating your signature scent.
Aftershave, Toilette or Parfum?
Firstly, what’s the difference between an eau de toilette and a parfum? Essentially, it’s a question of strength. An eau de toilette has less fragrance oil and more alcohol than an eau de parfum. This means a toilette typically won’t last as long as a more potent parfum, but might be more pleasingly priced.
And aftershave? That’s actually a different thing entirely, although the terms are continually conflated. An aftershave is traditionally an astringent (read: alcohol-laden) liquid designed to kill surface bacteria after shaving while imparting a light scent. Today, we know that fragrance and skincare don’t belong in the same bottle, hence the emergence of fragrance-free aftershave balms and lotions that don’t annihilate your skin barrier.
Aromatics, Fougère or Chyprè?
Fragrances are generally split into the key olfactory families: find the sub-category that appeals to you most, and you’ll be able to narrow down the scents you might like. Citrus is an easy one. Think lively, light scents that use sparkling top notes of bergamot and bitter orange. A woody base usually tempers all the freshness.
As popular in modern perfumery as the ever-present citrus, aromatic scents are generally defined by herbaceous notes: lavender, rosemary, mint and sage are common.
Chyprè (it's 'sheep-ra') is perhaps the most baffling of the fragrance families. Essentially, it refers to a complex scent that blends a citrussy top with a deep, woody base, often with oakmoss.
Another diverse category, fougères are generally categorised by a floral heart of lavender and rose, contrasted by a citrussy bergamot top note.
Finally, a category that divides opinion. Gourmand refers to scents with rich, edible notes: think vanilla, coffee and honey.
The Best Men’s Fragrances To Try This Autumn
If you haven’t found your fragrance, or are looking to switch things up for the new season, options abound. From the classics to the cult, via some truly impressive new launches, there’s something to suit every olfactory whim.
This is a classically masculine kind of fragrance balanced on the back of oakmoss, nutmeg and amber wood, but with a subtle but lively grapefruit and orange blossom tone when you first spritz it on. Think of it as the kind of thing that'll smell especially good late at night in a low-lit co*cktail bar.
Fresh and spritzy but with a dry-down which leaves you with a deeper, woodier scent full of bergamot and lavender, Eau Sauvage hits pretty much every base. If you usually lean into spicier sents, it's a way into something lighter; if you're normally a citrusy guy there's an earthier undertone to get to know. A classic for a reason.
Lavender might be one of the most traditional components of a men's cologne, but in the hands of Le Labo it becomes something entirely modern. The brand's latest release combines the floral note with bright, clean citrus and a lightweight musk base, creating something that smells curiously familiar and wholly contemporary.
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Traditional perfumery rules do not apply at Aesop: perfumer and long-time brand collaborator Barnabé Fillion creates scents that cannot be stuffed into the 'citrus' or 'woody' box.
The sixth and final instalment of the Othertopias scent collection, Ouarnon will transport its wearer to somewhere that feels familiar, if slightly off-kilter: less 'generic autumnal spice' and more 'winter solstice party.' With sticky-sweet myrrh over bonfire smoke and dew-dampened grass, it's ideal for those who want an olfactory conversation-starter.
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Moncler Haute Montagne
Green yet warm, Moncler's Haute Montagne spotlights the smoky undertones of Haitian vetiver, creating something that feels autumn-appropriate without making you smell like you're really into bonfire night. Bergamot lightens things up, while pink pepper amplifies the spicy, warming trail.
Yves Saint Laurent continues to court Gen Z with its latest olfactory move. Supported by an Austin Butler-fronted campaign, Myslf (that's not a typo) bursts with bright, fresh bergamot, which diffuses to reveal a soft floral trail. It's light, refreshing, and a spot-on starter scent for anyone new to the fragrance realm.
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Fashion-industry stalwart Yasmin Sewell founded Vyrao to tap into the scent-emotion connection, creating perfumes with the power to alter your energy.
Her latest, Sun Ræ, is designed to conjure joy and confidence. It's quite literally sunshine, bottled – and if that sounds trite, spritz this blend of anti-inflammatory turmeric, energising ginger and grounded black pepper and tell us we're wrong.
A major fragrance player in its native Brazil, Granado crafts scents that speak to the demand on the ground in Rio de Janiero, where clean and fresh scents take centre stage.
Carioca is the brand's ode to the spirit of its hometown: a bright and crowd-pleasing scent that blends aquatic saltiness with a zing of bergamot.
If f*cking Fabulous is for the show-offs, Ombre Leather is for the classicists. Less testosterone-soaked than the name implies, this is the softest, most wearable treatment of leather, sweetened with just enough jasmine sambac and grounded with amber.
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The latest addition to Byredo's potent Night Veils collection of perfume 'extraits', Rouge Chaotique is a big, bold ode to oud, with jammy plum and praline sweetness amping up the intensity of the warm, spicy aroma.
Heady, sweet and indulgent, this is one to reserve for after dark: a single spritz will leave a trail that sticks around until last orders.
The best thing about being an independent fragrance house is you can indulge your weirdest ideas, and few noses are as weird as David Seth Moltz of DS & Durga.
The brand's latest creation, Steamed Rainbows is an olfactory imagining of a rainbow: all humid air, wet concrete and nose-piercing citrus. The fact there's a note to represent every colour of the rainbow – green cedar, blue indigo grass, etc – is exactly the kind of ridiculous creativity indie houses should be serving us up.
A classic for good reason, Dior's Homme was first launched in 2005, and returns in a modernised guise every few years. The current iteration stays true to the masculine, woody notes, with a spike of green vetiver replacing the powdery iris, creating something fresh and easy to wear. And for something heavier on the citrus, don't overlook its spring-ready sibling, Dior Homme Sport.
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Created exclusively for Harrods, this new launch from the perfume world's maddest scientist masterfully blends peachy, orangey vibrance with sandalwood and amber to create a trail that doesn't lose its citrus peppiness as the day goes on.
It's the most complex scent in the Escentric Molecules stable (hence the higher than usual price) and boasts serious sillage that means a single spritz will really go the distance.
Part cologne, part personal support life-raft, The Nue Co's latest 'functional fragrance' taps into our desire for greater connection with nature – and our need to chill the hell out.
Science suggests that spending time near bodies of water calms the parasympathetic nervous system, stimulating physiological changes in the body and reducing feelings of stress and panic. This spookily realistic aquatic scent works via your olfactory system to achieve a similar effect. Spray it whenever your email inbox tips into triple figures.
Acqua di Parma's iconic Italian spritz now comes in many guises: there's C.L.U.B for those who like their citrus fresh and peppery, Futura for something light and effervescent, and Intensa, which surprisingly is the most intense iteration.In short, whichever Colonia man you choose to be, you'll be smelling really, really good.
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In the hands of Chanel, body spray is as far removed from the nose-burning blends that filled your student-era gym changing rooms.
The brand has recently formulated the inimitable Allure Homme into an all-over spray: with aromatic notes of ginger and woods, it's an ideal post-workout spritz.
Herbal and discretely floral, this is a solid day-to-night choice, with bright eucalyptus over lavender and pine. The trail is modest, meaning no-one will smell you coming in the office. A safe yet sophisticated starter scent for anyone new to niche perfumery.
A sleeper hit from the gargantuan Jo Malone London stable, this smoky, boozy co*cktail was created in collaboration with Saville Row tailors Huntsman. Demonstrating the brand's knack for making hefty ingredients feel light and modern, it features a prick of zingy pimento to brighten the lingering whisky and cedarwood trail.
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Givenchy's major new release is a warmer, creamier scent than the original Gentleman, with a top note of sage settling over a long-lasting base of sandalwood and Madagascan vanilla. Spiced with a modest hint of cardamom, it's a strong choice for anyone not lured in by the ubiquitous citrus notes of spring.
Part of Penhaligon's new mood-hacking collection of scents, this smoky incense offering is designed to instil confidence in its wearer. Black pepper ensures a spicy opening, while a base of vanilla lends a creamy, lingering trail.
