7 Best Smelling Jean Paul Gaultier Colognes

Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances have enjoyed massive commercial success for both its men’s and women’s line. While now, Le Male is almost ubiquitous in its usage, when it was released in 1995 it became popular because of its great scent, even if now it trades based on its reputation.

For this list, I have selected seven scents from Jean Paul Gaultier which I feel represent a best of their men’s cologne collection. Update: Some of these may be more difficult to find now, as there are discontinued options on the list. But, still plenty of scents to enjoy.

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Key Takeaways

I go into detail about all of these fragrances, below. Though, here is a quick list for those in a hurry to find the best Gaultier scents.

• Top classic pick: Le Male EDT
• Bold nightlife cologne: Ultra Male by JPG
• Easy to wear Le Male: Le Male Le Parfum
• Sweet Beast: Le Male Elixir

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What are the Best Smelling JPG Fragrances for Men?

The Nightlife Star

Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male Eau de Toilette Intense 40ml Spray– This is the best choice in my opinion and the Gaultier fragrance that I keep a full bottle of for myself.

Ultra Male was introduced as another flanker fragrance to the original Le Male (listed below) and has surpassed its predecessor in terms of quality, smell, and performance.

I will say, this won’t be the best option for those who are looking for a daily wear. This isn’t an office scent, is limited to colder climates, and skews to a younger audience.

It’s sweet, powerful, and spicy with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, pear, amber, mint, lavender, among others. Ultra Male has great longevity and a bold sillage, that works well for the nightlife during the colder months of the year.

Pear, cinnamon, and mint are really strong early in the wear. The pear and cinnamon give it a distinct vibe from Le Male.

It’s got a candy-like presence while maintaining a masculine vibe throughout. Read my full review: Ultra Male Review

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All Around Classic

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray– One of the most popular and widely used fragrances in the world. Le Male blends orange blossom, mint, lavender, and woods to create a fragrance that is sexy and wholly masculine.

The vanilla note is paired early on with the orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, mint, and lavender. The cinnamon and minty fresh spice aroma, is at its peak during this time.

The bergamot does give it a slight citrus note up top, to break things up a bit. Then, the cinnamon will begin to fade and it becomes a creamy/powdery kind of scent.

Things end with amber, vanilla, tonka bean, and woods enveloping the floral heart.

It’s been around for decades and is still going strong. This one is more vanilla and mint than Ultra Male and doesn’t have to same bold projection. However, Le Male is still a very nice option for an everyday scent, particularly for younger men. Le Male Full Review

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Sweet New Entry

Le Male Elixir- This has been one of the hottest releases in men’s fragrances in 2023. While Le Male Elixir, may not be for everyone, I think that it deserves much of the recognition that it receives.

Elixir opens with a blend of cold mint, tonka bean, lavender, and vanilla. It’s a fresh and sweet mix, with a heavy sillage at this early stage of the wear.

Then, we start to warm things up with a mix of honey, benzoin, and amber coming up as a heavier part of the composition. In the end, you get plenty of the original Le Male DNA (lavender, mint, vanilla), along with a bold infusion of notes like tobacco and honey.

This is one that I have been enjoying wearing, since I purchased Elixir, a few months back. If you don’t like sweet and heavier scents, skip it. But, it’s worth a try for anyone else. Le Male Elixir Review

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The Bold JPG

Gaultier 2 By Jean Paul Gaultier For Men and Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 4 Ounces– Not as heralded as Le Male, however, Gaultier 2 is a winner. It brings together a triumvirate of notes including, musk, amber, and vanilla to create a sweet, warm, and memorable fragrance.

This is a unisex fragrance, that is also quite simple, and very appealing. Gaultier 2 is bold and heavy on the amber and vanilla, which generates a seductive cloud of inviting heat around the wearer.

It’s been discontinued, but you can still pick up a bottle on the secondary market. If you live in a warmer climate or if it’s summertime, this is one to avoid. However, it can be an absolute gem in the cold and crisp weather.

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The Herbal/Floral Cologne

Fleur Du Male by Jean Paul Gaultier 4.2oz 125ml EDT Spray– Fleur du Male scales back the masculinity for something a little more androgynous but still quite appealing. A very nice scent for the right man, that mixes floral notes like neroli with herbal notes like basil.

It has a floral sweet opening, then moves into a more spiced powdery, sort of smoky dry down. Great projection and longevity.

This is really a different kind of men’s fragrance, as you get some traditional herbal elements, with a great neroli and almost vanilla undertones. Fleur du Male is quite fresh and clean and a joy to wear in the daytime.

Update: This is now discontinued.

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Different Take on the Classic Style

Le Male Terrible– This is another flanker of Le Male, which opens up as a close clone of the original, but with slight differences that get more distinct over time. Noticeably, the mint note is missing from the mix.

The pink pepper and grapefruit notes, set it apart, and give it a warmer vibe. It is lighter than the original, but has a good 6-7 hours of wear, and can be worn pretty much year round.

The dry down becomes about the amber, vanilla, lavender, and pink pepper. It’s really quite attractive. This wouldn’t be my first choice, but I think it’s a good option at the right price. Le Male Terrible Review

Update: Also discontinued.

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Best New Release

Le Male Le Parfum– The latest popular iteration of the Le Male series and it’s a really good one. A nice amount of cardamom and soft powder from the iris note. Very nice with the appealing DNA of the original Le Male, especially coming from the lavender in the beginning.

However, it also gives you hints of Ultra Male, without the same powerful sillage (though, performance is still very good). Very warm with spicy punches throughout and wrapped up in that familiar JPG vanilla note.

It’s a more mature fragrance than either of the others. Not super high-end and formal, but it does give a nice update to the classic formula.

Le Parfum is another solid entry from this line and I prefer it versus something like In the Navy, in comparison. This is one if you want something beyond Le Male, but not the same level as Ultra Male. Le Male Le Parfum Review