The 10 Best Fall Colognes for Men, Tested by Our Expert
<p>The best fall scents bring to mind the ingredients of the season. We’re talking things like <a href=” target=”_blank”>woods</a>, spices, deeper florals, and even sometimes foods (like almonds and vanilla). What these all have in common is that they tend to evoke warmth, but in a different way than the ingredients you find in lighter summer scents. Summer fragrances are all about brightness and freshness, whereas in the fall, it’s all about bundling up. We’re not saying you have to go completely literal (though if you want to, there are plenty of fragrances that really do smell like crackling fires and burning wood), but leaning into a deeper, sultrier scent is exactly what the season calls for. Whatever your <a href=” target=”_blank”>fragrance preferences</a> are, there is a fall scent out there for you. These are our ten favorites.</p>”/>
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
Pros
- Unique and smooth
- Conversation-starter
- Good for day or night
Cons
- Some may find it too sweet
Even if you’re not a fan of sweet scents, we urge you to reconsider this one. Yes, there’s a hefty dose of sweetness, not just from the smooth almond notes but also from the literal sugar and vanilla in the base. However, the liberal dose of suede in this unique cologne gives it a soft, leathery quality that makes it skew masculine and complements the sweetness in a surprising way. It’s a sophisticated and unexpected fragrance for the guy who likes to be the center of attention. (Believe us: People will stop in their tracks and beg to smell you.)
| Fragrance Family | Amber, gourmand |
|---|---|
| Notes | Honeycomb, bitter almond, bergamot, pink pepper, concrete, saffron, labdanum, orange blossom, neroli, suede, pine tar, vanilla absolute, sugar |
| Size | 3.4 oz |
Best Spicy Fall Cologne
Dior Sauvage Eau Forte
Pros
- A modern take on a classic
- Innovative water-based formula
- Lasts a long time
Cons
- Some may find it overpowering
You probably already know Sauvage (it is the best-selling men’s fragrance in the world, after all), but you don’t know Eau Forte. Whereas the original smells somewhat traditional, this new iteration is smooth, crisp, and very modern. It’s a more sophisticated take on the classic Sauvage freshness, and the water-based formula allows the notes to bloom and mix differently. Yes, it’s still fresh, but the spices have a smooth, sexy quality that’s perfect for colder weather. Think of it as the difference between a summery mojito and a glass of mulled wine.
| Fragrance Family | Fresh, spicy |
|---|---|
| Notes | Elemi resin, spices, lavender, musk, woody notes |
| Size | 2 oz, 3.4 oz |
Best Throwback Fall Cologne
Guerlain L’Art et La Matiere Patchouli Paris Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Nostalgic and masculine
- Great for nighttime
- Unexpected
Cons
- Somewhat polarizing
Even though you can find it in a ton of fragrances, patchouli is a polarizing note. Some people can’t get past the sometimes dank earthiness of the smell, while others find it incredibly sexy. This version, mixed with aldehydes, iris, and vanilla, is rich and powdery at the same time, but most of all, it smells traditional. We’re not saying traditional in a bad way, more like the way Steve McQueen might have smelled after visiting the barbershop or what Mick Jagger might have doused himself in before heading to Studio 54. It’s a bold choice in that it’s an aggressively (but not overpoweringly) nostalgic vibe, but when the mood strikes, it’s a home run.
| Fragrance Family | Woody, floral |
|---|---|
| Notes | Aldehydes, iris, patchouli, ambergris, vanilla |
| Size | 3.4 oz, 6.8 oz |
Best Oud Fall Cologne
Frederic Malle Hope
Pros
- Sophisticated and luxurious
- Conversation-starter
- Great for nighttime
Cons
- Some may find it overpowering
Inspired by Middle Eastern fragrance traditions, this one is all about the oud. It’s unmistakable and undeniable—this is definitely an oud cologne. The opening is startlingly floral and almost rosy (even though rose isn’t listed as a note), but as this dries the smoke and leather bring out the sexy, masculine side. It’s almost like wearing a vintage leather jacket that still smells like cigarette smoke and cologne, but way, way fancier. This is a bold fragrance in both vibe and longevity (man, does it last) and certainly not for the wallflower. Spray it on whenever you’re feeling extra chic and cool.
| Fragrance Family | Woody, spicy |
|---|---|
| Notes | Juniper, pink pepper, oud, smoke, vetiver, amber, leather |
| Size | 10 mL, 50 mL, 100 mL |
Best Woody Fall Cologne
Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Versatile
- Good for day or night
- Crowd-pleaser
Cons
- Some may find it overpowering
Oud Wood is an icon at this point. On one hand, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? But this new parfum version makes a strong case for change. Not only is it bigger, bolder, and longer lasting, but it also amps up the spices and woods, making it a bit more daring. All the reasons we love Oud Wood are still there (the elegance of the spicy-woody scent and the incredible versatility); it’s just that this version turns up the volume to ten. And in this case, the longevity stands out; it really does last all day long and into the night. Which is a good thing, since this is an ideal signature scent for both day and night that invites unsolicited compliments at all times.
| Fragrance Family | Woody, spicy |
|---|---|
| Notes | Cardamom, pink pepper, rosemary, sandalwood, patchouli, oud, vetiver, vanilla, tonka bean, amber |
| Size | 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz |
Best Floral Fall Cologne
Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF Le Parfum
Pros
- Fresh and clean
- Great for daytime
- Crowd-pleaser
Cons
- Some may find it too floral
The difference between this and the first MYSLF eau de parfum is the addition of black pepper, which brings forth a spicier quality that hits exactly the right note for fall. The orange blossom is still the star, but here, the black pepper takes it in a new direction, with a bit more of a traditionally masculine vibe. The freshness also remains, but it’s accompanied by a warmth that sticks to your skin as the fragrance dries down, thanks to the woody notes and patchouli. It’s perfect for daytime wear, when you don’t want something too heavy but still want to be seasonal.
| Fragrance Family | Woody, floral |
|---|---|
| Notes | Black pepper, orange blossom, bourbon vanilla, amber, patchouli, woody notes |
| Size | 1.4 oz, 2 oz, 3.4 oz |
Best Inexpensive Fall Cologne
David Beckham Amber Breeze Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Warm and versatile
- Easy to wear
- Lasts a long time
Cons
- Some may find it smells a little synthetic
This inexpensive eau de parfum is full of warmth. There’s a coziness to the fragrance that smacks of fall, driven home by the tonka bean and patchouli in the base. The opening is fresh and spicy yet not overly citrusy, which helps uncover the deep florals and smooth base notes. While the brand bills this as an evening scent, we say wear it all day, because it’s remarkably versatile. Its lasting power is great for a scent at this price point, but it’s not aggressive or overpowering. If you’re just dipping your toe into fall fragrances, this one is a solid bet.
| Fragrance Family | Woody, fresh |
|---|---|
| Notes | Bergamot, rosemary, black pepper, lavender, rose, clary sage, tonka bean, patchouli, vetiver |
| Size | 3.3 oz |
Best Green Fall Cologne
Aesop Virēre Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Fresh and green
- Great for daytime
- Versatile
Cons
- Doesn’t last a long time
According to the brand, this green fragrance is supposed to evoke a fig grove. Somehow there are no fig notes, but the idea is clear. There’s a freshness to this scent, of course, but it’s also smooth and supple due to notes like green tea and hay, which lend it a slightly grassy, earthy quality. Anchored in cedar, it dries down into something subtler than your typical fresh fragrance. Not everyone wants to load up on spices and woods once fall arrives, and that’s okay—which is what makes this smooth, green option ideal for the season. It’s not poppy and summery like so many others but instead is reminiscent of that last gasp of green before the leaves drop.
| Fragrance Family | Woody, fresh |
|---|---|
| Notes | Bergamot, petitgrain, galbanum, green tea, pink pepper, resin, mate, hay, cedar |
| Size | 1.6 oz |
Best Bold Fall Cologne
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Dark Leather Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Bold and statement-making
- Great for nighttime
- Crowd-pleaser
Cons
- Doesn’t last as long as you would expect
When you’re talking about spicy colognes, inevitably you’ll think of Spicebomb. The name really says it all. This version of the classic throws black leather into the mix, and the result is a bold, masculine take on spice. Surprisingly, the leather note isn’t overpowering but instead helps anchor it to your skin after the initial zap of spices hits you and eventually dries down. Those spices (black pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon) are smoothed out a bit by the leather and tobacco at the base, meaning the vibe is like, well, a really nice leather jacket. It may be a bit too much during the day, but we advise spraying it liberally come nightfall.
| Fragrance Family | Spicy |
|---|---|
| Notes | Black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, frankincense, black leather, tobacco |
| Size | 3.4 oz |
Why Trust Us
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to fragrance, one of the most important grooming items a man can have, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting scents that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved. Our grooming editor, Garrett Munce, along with the rest of the style team, has spent years spritzing, spraying, wearing, and test-driving hundreds (thousands!) of colognes, and we are confident that these are the best.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists) comes from these years of testing. We know that no two tastes are the same, no two men are the same, and how you want to smell may vary from someone else. But if you’re looking for advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to start.
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