Fragrances

11 Best Smelling Christian Dior Colognes

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Christian Dior is an iconic fashion brand that has been going strong from way back in the 20th century. We have already completed a list of the best ladies Dior perfumes and now it is time to present a top offerings from Dior list for men as well. Dior fragrances are usually very elegant, complex, seductive, and masculine.

Quite frankly, I consider it to be among the top of my favorite designer lists along with names like YSL. For this list, I have selected eleven scents for guys which all offer something different for the different personalities.

Note that Dior isn’t a brand that comes out with endless flankers for their men’s line each year (compared to others). Sure, some come out here and there, but the offerings tend to stay relatively the same for a while.

Favorite Dior Men’s Fragrances

Best Dior for Summer

Christian Dior Cologne Spray for Men, Dior Homme, 4.2 Ounce– Dior Homme Sport 2012, was my previous pick, but that’s been reformulated twice now. So, here on this update, I’m giving the nod to Dior Homme Cologne.

Dior Homme Cologne is a very simple scent, that is perfect for the warmer months of the year. It also shares a lot of overlap with Allure Homme Sport Cologne by Chanel. But, I think the Dior is slightly better.

Bergamot citrus, grapefruit blossom, and musk. Very juicy, cold, with a light floral aspect and musky base. Almost sort of a lemonade-like aroma, for parts of the wear.

Very well put together and fresh to wear around in the summertime. Decent performance, just not a complete beast. As far as I can tell, the newer update of this, is simply a new bottle design and nothing changed about the fragrance itself. Dior Homme Cologne Review

Intense Aroma

Christian Dior Dior Men Intense Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Outside of Sauvage, this is probably the next most popular Dior fragrance for men.

Dior Homme Intense is still around as of this year and didn’t get the complete overhaul that Dior Homme did (see further down on the list).

So, if you want the older formula of the Homme series, this is the easiest to find.

However, this is a fantastic fragrance that can have a spot, in any man’s rotation. The opening act is still among my favorites ever.

Smooth lavender, cedar, vetiver, along with pear and the signature iris note. It’s warm, seductive, woodsy, with an ambrette note that gives it a chocolatey sort of aroma. For a lot of people, this is the best Dior scent in the lineup.  Dior Homme Intense Review

Classic Dior Scent

Eau Sauvage By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Oz.
A classic fragrance which dates back to the mid-1960s. Eau Sauvage is crisp, fresh, and fruit yet still retains an aura of total masculinity.

Eau Sauvage uses lemon and bergamot top notes with dry and spice herbal ones sitting underneath.

Bright, spicy, clean citrus with an old school style. There have been new variants released by Dior recently, which have a more modern approach to the original scent (like Parfum, below). So, perhaps that would be a better choice for some guys.

eau sauvage

Newer Better Eau Sauvage

Eau Sauvage Parfum– This one is harder to come by than the original Eau Sauvage. However, this 2017 update to another older flanker, is one of the best from Dior. Again though, bottles are scarce.

I had a travel sprayer full of this stuff last year, along with other entries in the Eau Sauvage series. But, this was my favorite.

Eau Sauvage Parfum kicks things off with citron, bergamot, and a resinous aroma to it. Bright, juicy, with a cold and refreshing feeling. The woods from the base already come up early on and add to the experience.

Jasmine, lavender, and vetiver play a larger role as we move the the dry down and the citrus will be more of a background player. If you can get some of this at a reasonable price, Parfum is for sure worth checking out. Eau Sauvage Parfum Review

Top Unisex Pick

Ambre Nuit Eau de Parfum– From the La Privee collection, but you could also give the nod to Fève Délicieuse. Ambre Nuit is the slightly better and wider appealing of the two, in my opinion.

Ambre Nuit features rose, amber, and pink pepper. It settles down as a lightly spiced scent, with a somewhat powdery aroma. The rose here isn’t super powerful and it never veers into coming across as a woman’s fragrance. Quite unisex indeed.

The scent itself actually does give a rather powerful performance, while the composition itself isn’t too complex.

The La Privee bottles are usually much more expensive than the standard bottles of Dior fragrances. The scents are more niche and some of them are well worth a shot.

1980s Powerhouse

Fahrenheit By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.8 Oz.
This fragrance is one that most people will either love or hate. It can be too intense for some people to handle but for the right guy, this becomes a signature scent.

Violet and honeysuckle open Fahrenheit and give off what has been described for decades now, as a gasoline like aroma.

I’d say it’s pretty accurate in my testing of this one.  It does settle down to have an emergent leather accord with the violet, which is much more pleasant than how many will find that petrol start.

There have been many flanker releases of this over the years, some are still available and take this formula in different directions. Some more bold, some lighter for summer, etc.

Fahrenheit Parfum has a really awesome opening half, but I’m less enthusiastic about the dry down. Still, it’s probably the best, that are still fairly available.

People who tried this in the 1980s, say it’s not nearly as strong as it once was, but it can still pack a punch. Reformulations happen with older scents, this one hasn’t been completely diminished, though. Notes include: honeysuckle, balsam, and sandalwood. Read my Fahrenheit review here!

fahrenheit

My Personal Go To

Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– Light, fresh, elegant, and classy. Dior Homme is a modern classic and the scent that I wear on most days, when I’m not testing others for reviews. Dior Homme is light with floral notes like iris, on top of a woodsy base. Then, there is the sweet and raw cacao ingredient, which is lovely.

When it dries down, that’s when this one really shines for me. The leather note and how it interacts with the powdery iris and soothing lavender. It can have a makeup bag-like aroma, at times, which some folks don’t like.

For men, it’s not like that but for a short time, and never feels feminine. Iris can hit your nose, differently, on occasion.

I absolutely love this stuff, the first time I tried a sample, I went out and bought the biggest bottle that they had.

It is quite dry and fresh with an awesome balance between the wood notes and the floral. Semi-sweet, with a classy vibe, that is also very versatile and gets me plenty of complements. Dior Homme Full Review

This is another one Dior has updated for 2020. The newer version doesn’t have the same style as this one, but does share some overlapping notes. Mainly, the difference is the lack of iris and cacao. That can be a good or bad thing depending on who you are. It really is a completely different fragrance.

See below, as the newer version was good enough to make the list.

The New Dior Homme

Dior Homme at Macy’s– As I wrote above, the newer 2020 version of Dior Homme is a distinct fragrance from its predecessor. Not as good, in my opinion, but is still very well worth a try.

This one kicks off with a light bergamot citrus, pink pepper, and vetiver coming through early on. It’s a bit spicy, with some resinous qualities underneath, but is mostly fresh and clean.

The vetiver will have its run near the top, but the other woodsy/earthy notes will begin to have more of a role to play. Iso E Super, cedar, and cashmere wood. It becomes less spicy, more of a woody musk, with a certain amount of sweetness to it.

Again, not my favorite of the list. But, this one is very easy to wear, versatile, and has a pretty good performance as well. Dior Homme 2020 Review

Most Unique Dior Cologne

Dune By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces
An underrated cologne, Dune has an oriental and woodsy profile. It is fresh, sexy, and earthy with notes of mandarin, moss, sage, basil, and cedar wood. Airy and masculine sandalwood and fig leaf, lead the way for this late 1990s release.

Can be quite green and herbal at times with the sage and basil mix, but never heavy. A unique find that is very different from most of what you’ll find on the market.

It works insanely well in the spring and summer months, but not like the usual aquatic fare. It’s getting harder to come by, but Dune Pour Homme is still absolutely brilliant, if you happen to fall under its spell. Dune Pour Homme

dune m

Top Sauvage Pick

Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s– Sauvage Elixir is a new release for 2021 and immediately got the edge above the eau de parfum as the best of the Sauvage line. It smells really nice and is a monster, in terms of its performance.

Lavender is still the main attraction here. However, Elixir is pretty different from the others in most of its notes, while still holding onto that spice, citrus, and woods DNA.

To me, the best part of Elixir comes from its newer spice accord, mainly the cinnamon and nutmeg notes. I never liked the Sichuan pepper very much in the original, but this newer mix is awesome with what it delivers.

Yes, it’s more expensive, but it lasts all day and actually brings a new interpretation to the line. The concentration here is really amped up, so, you’re going to have to pony up the cash for a smaller bottle. If you want something closer to the original Sauvage, go with the EDP (below).  Sauvage Elixir Review

Runner-Up Sauvage Fragrance

Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml– I’m not a massive fan of Sauvage EDT. The original is fine, but I was never too into it, and it’s been copied to death by now.

However, Dior released the EDP version of Sauvage and changed up the composition. Everything that I disliked, went away. Not only that, they improved upon the performance and what worked well in the original release.

The result? A better performer, that is sexy, and gets complements.

The ambroxan led opening is smoother and the citric harshness is gone. It feels more refined, clean, and more pleasant to wear. It is joined by a dark and somewhat smoky vanilla note and a much quieter lavender, which add to the clean creaminess of Sauvage EDP.

The Sichuan pepper is also toned down and joined by lighter spices like anise and nutmeg. Has really great versatility and works well in different weather and climate conditions.

I really dig this variant versus the original EDT. It’s also still better than the more recent, Parfum version, which is now third in terms of Sauvage releases. Dior Sauvage EDP Review

8 Best Smelling Jean Paul Gaultier Colognes

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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 eight scents from Jean Paul Gaultier which I feel represent a best of their men’s cologne collection.

I have updated this page to take off a lot of discontinued colognes and add a host of new ones to the mix.

Favorite Gaultier 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

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

le male jpg review

Something Else Scandalous 

Scandal Le Parfum by JPG– To give the list more representation outside of the other Le Male flankers and Le Beau, I’m going to update and change this one to Scandal Le Parfum.

I received a sample of this scent and I started to warm up to it more than Scandal EDT which I used to give an edge to. I sprayed it on clothing and kept getting whiffs of this scent throughout the day and it increased my opinion of it.

I have yet to try the Absolu version of Scandal, since I’d already bought three bottles of other fragrances from them in a short period of time. So, maybe that’s better?

Here, you get a nice use of geranium and tonka bean. It’s a greenish and sweet aromatic in the early stages. Quite attractive and you get a woodier and a creamier finish.

Performance here is really good, also. Strong with a far reaching projection and it sticks around for a long time.

A Captivating Elixir

Le Male Elixir Absolu- I am replacing the original Le Male Elixir on the list with the newer Elixir Absolu.

I wasn’t sure that this one would be anything different or worthwhile in comparison to Elixir. Also, Absolu kind of gets off to a slow start, as I still prefer the opening act of the original.

However, that changes as it moves into the middle and latter stages of wear. Lavender, plum, and tonka bean highlight the mix and make it a much more pleasing and wearable fragrance versus the honeyed scent of Le Male Elixir.

Plus, the performance is the same for me.

If you already own Elixir, you don’t really need both. But, this is different enough to be distinct, while the changes they made are better. If I didn’t have a bottle of either, I’d go with Le Male Elixir Absolu.

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.

Note: The Dua Brand has their ‘inspired by’ version, called: Error 405.

Le Beau Favorite

Le Beau Paradise Garden– I bought a bottle of this and the newer flanker, Flower Edition, and Paradise Garden turns out to be my favorite scent of the Le Beau series.

It takes that well loved coconut note and makes it a coconut water that is paired with a sweet and greenish smelling fig note. It’s light and has a tropical air, really well built for the spring and summer months.

I get good performance for what this is. It’s a notch below Le Beau Le Parfum, in that department, but I think that how it smells makes up for it.

Might not be for everyone, especially if you don’t want a bright, beachy, and tropical fragrance. But, this is one that will get some use when it gets hot out. Paradise Garden Review

The Other Le Beau

Le Beau Le Parfum– I actually think that I personally prefer Le Beau Flower Edition to this one. But, I think that has less appeal for a general audience and may only be a special edition release.

Le Beau Le Parfum is a bit better than the EDT, has the best performance of the line, and has a greater mass appeal.

Pineapple, coconut, and ginger start things off. This has a freshness on top of that sweet and tropical fruit aroma. It will end up with a woodier and amber finish. More substantial than the original Le Beau.

I get 9-10 hours of wear out of this one. Again, it’s not my own most liked scent from Gaultier, but it deserves a spot on this list, as of now. Le Beau Le Parfum review

Most Versatile Le Male

Le Male Le Parfum– The most 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.

I originally had a mini bottle and wasn’t impressed. Turned out to be a crummy batch. I received a travel sprayer of this and liked it more. Still not my personal favorite, but I get what people like about Le Parfum.

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

gaultier le male

12 Best Tobacco Scented Colognes for Men

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Tobacco has a long history as a cash crop in the United States, mostly for use in smoking products. However, while the smell of cigarettes can be really repulsive, the essence of the tobacco itself can be amazing when it is included in a fragrance.

Tobacco usually gives of an air of masculinity, warmth, and smoothness. In this post, I want to present to you twelve cologne options with prominent tobacco notes in their composition.

Favorite Tobacco Scents for Men

Luxury Tobacco Fragrance

PARFUMS de MARLY Herod, 4.2 fl. oz.–A luxury and pretty high end priced scent from French house, Parfums de Marly. The tobacco note found in Herod, is utterly amazing. Playing off of that are spices and a sweet vanilla note.

So, like Man in Black, we have cinnamon spice but also a dark pepper note. It’s spicy but smooth and there is a smoky aroma provided by incense, which permeates that composition. It dries down into a rich and resinous cologne, that is captivating and sexy.

Herod has a maturity and classiness to it and could fit into office wear much better than a fragrance, like Eros. Still, this one can garner the complements and has all day longevity. This is one of the sexiest men’s colognes, in my opinion.

Spicy, Coffee, Tobacco

Magenta Tanzanite by Armani– This one is unisex and some would say it leans feminine. To me, sure, but only slightly. However, this does have an interesting and deep use of the tobacco note, that its worth checking out for anyone.

Magenta Tanzanite kicks things off with a mass of spice. Early, it’s mainly about the cardamom, then that will shift more towards cinnamon. But, you also get a fresh ginger in there for even more.

Vanilla, myrrh, tonka bean, and coffee notes give this an interesting sweetness. It’s got elements similar to Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford (listed below) but this Armani absolutely does its own thing with more spice, a different tobacco scent, and that coffee note that really presents itself in the mid.

Note: The Dua Brand has their own inspired version of this called Purple Stone of Return, in case Armani discontinues Magenta.

Hookah Smoke

Smoking Hot by Kilian–  This is a newer entry to the list, that I’ve only gotten to try once, but I think it deserves a place on the list. Even if, it might not be for everyone.

Smoking Hot lives up to the name, giving you a definite smoky aroma, to go with the sweetish tobacco note. Apple and cinnamon are also present through much of the wear. Yes, some slight similarities with the Kilian Liquors perfumes (Angels’ and Apple Brandy). Not too many, though.

Yet, it’s sweetness never reaches the absolute levels of those two. Smooth and has a scent that hangs very nicely in the air around you. Later, some vanilla and light moss notes peak through, also.

Kind of too pricey for this one to really become a mainstream hit. However, for some people, this is going to be a great bet for their signature tobacco perfume.

Mass Appealing Option with Great Performance

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme Eau De Parfum Spray 50ml/1.7oz– While the name Spicebomb does carry a certain connotation as to exactly how it should smell, Spicebomb Extreme is actually a great tobacco rich fragrance for men.

This is a smoother and warmer fragrance, rather than a completely spicy cologne. It opens with our tobacco note, lavender, and rich vanilla. The cumin and cinnamon notes are there, but greatly toned down versus the original.

Not only does Extreme smell great, it actually lives up to the latter part of its name, in terms of performance. It is indeed extreme, with a strong sillage and seemingly never-ending longevity. It’s honestly, one of the longest lasting scents that I’ve reviewed. Spicebomb Extreme Review

spicebomb extreme edp

Well-Known Designer Tobacco

TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum 50 ML(1.7 OZ)– A high performing giant in the world of fragrance. Tobacco Vanille is obviously highlighted by those two notes, but it’s excellent blend of sweetness and spiciness is what really sets it apart.

Expensive? Yes, but it delivers an experience that is all its own. This is masculine, refined, and a fragrance that really shines in the winter time. This Tom Ford beauty is dark and has a certain thickness to it. The tobacco note is great, like lightly smoked pipe tobacco/

This is another one, like Sublime Vanille, that features an absolutely divine vanilla note. It’s very realistic and smells utterly perfect to my nose. Add to the two main notes, you get a lovely cacao, fruits, and creamy tonka bean.

The scent is also quite dry and doesn’t have a ‘juicy’ fruit sensation. Overall, it is super sweet and spicy, while being a performance scent that will last and project for ages. Tobacco Vanille Review

Dark, Spicy, and Woody

BURBERRY London for Men Eau de Toilette, 3.3 fl. oz
A fresh and spicy blend of woodsy notes and tobacco. Probably the most masculine of the popular Burberry scents and one which is fantastic in the autumn.

Burberry London starts off with that sweet and warm tobacco note and is paired with cinnamon for that spiced kick.

This cologne is dry and earthy at times with the oak moss and calming lavender note. However, the main attractions are the tobacco, leather, and cinnamon. The whole composition is dark and very rich.

The sillage of London is pretty moderate, but you’ll definitely notice you’re wearing it. Longevity is solid and it is quite versatile in its application. I always received complements with this one back in the day.  Read my full London Review

london

Old School Scent

Tabarome By Creed For Men. Eau De Parfum Spray 4.0 Oz
An expensive blend of ginger and tobacco, which is refined and classy. It opens with an air of freshness and some citrus top notes, bergamot and tangerine.

Though, those two fade into the background rather quickly, and you then really start to get the spicy ginger and a rich floral tobacco note. Yes, this isn’t the pipe tobacco more like the flower on the plant blended with a hint of the cured kind.

It is a very well blended fragrance led by those two aforementioned notes. Also, there is the standard Creed ambergris, and smooth masculine leather.

Tabarome is a classic old-school men’s fragrance. It isn’t heavy handed, instead it is understated, and straight to the point.  Creed Tabarome Review

tabarome

Sweet Honey, Fruit, Tobacco

Tobacolor by Dior– This is a unisex wear from Dior’s La Collection Privee. Tobacolor is a very sweet, warm, smoky, and rich perfume. It’s going to be different from a lot of the other entries on the list, fruitier, but still with great smokiness and our target note.

It is led by notes of plum and peach up top. Warm, ambery, thick with honey, almost like a jam.  The sweetness and smoky aspects here can pack quite a punch, early on, but Tobacolor will settle down…while retaining that essence.

As it dries down, the aroma actually does get drier. Dried fruits, cured tobacco, some spice, that smoke, and all wrapped up in the amber note. The performance delivers and that sillage stays pretty darn strong, even after the big open.

Tobacco Red

Red Tobacco by Mancera– This is another one that is on the pricier side of things. But for some, Red Tobacco is worth it.

The opening is spicy, sweet, yet dry. For me, much of the tobacco is going to come through in the dry down. Cinnamon and saffron tend to come out early, along with some vanilla and fruitiness.

This dry warmth will become smoother after that somewhat rough start, as you get more vanilla, amber, and the tobacco note itself. Yet, the spiciness will remain somewhat throughout the wear. At that point, its a spiced tobacco with vanilla and some dry woods/patchouli.

A bold fragrance with a dense and intense presentation.

Clean Green Tobacco Scent

Dreamer By Versace 3.4 oz Eau De Toilette Spray for Men– You can now get a hold of a full bottle of The Dreamer for right at $30, which is a great price, for this Versace fragrance. It was released in the 1990s and so the price has been reduced, but don’t let that fool you, Dreamer is still a fantastic men’s cologne.

Update: This one has been reformulated. It still has tobacco, but it’s going to be a different experience versus what I wrote here, about the original version.

It opens up with extremely smooth, fresh, and green aroma led by the tobacco note. This isn’t a dark tobacco or smoked tobacco, rather, it is the scent of the flower itself. This is paired with that usual calming lavender note which adds a clean sensation to so many fragrances out there.

The opening feels more powdery than the cologne that you get during the dry down period. Yet, The Dreamer retains its sweet tobacco profile, and only gets better as it moves along.

Finally, you get the woody notes of fir and cedar. This is blended with vetiver and the slight herbal spice of clary sage. It’s masculine, deep, and has a cool dryness about it. This Versace is an absolute winner and one that I love wearing a cooler days of the year. Nice performance with a soft and non-offensive sillage.

Sweet Tobacco and Honey

Thierry Mugler Eau de Toilette Spray, Angel Men Pure Havane, 3.4 Ounce
A gourmand take on tobacco featuring notes of vanilla and honey. It opens like a Cuban cigar that’s been drenched in honey and then dipped in sugar. Very sweet in the start, so just be aware of what you’re getting into.

It’s very rich, warm, and smooth. This is a lighter and sweeter type of tobacco, not at all dark.

These ingredients are later joined by a cocoa note, which smells to me like a chocolate powder. It’s a stronger sort of fragrance with decent longevity. Overall,

Pure Havane is a gourmand tobacco scent with a warm profile. Pure Havane is also versatile, sexy, and built for cold weather. Read my full Review: Pure Havane

havane

Smooth and Leathery

John Varvatos Vintage Eau de Toilette Spray, 4.2 fl. oz.
Smooth, fresh, and a completely classic use of tobacco and leather. The tobacco in Vintage is smokier than probably any of the others on the list.

There are fruity notes underneath, but it is a very masculine scent that uses plenty of woods (like the fir note).

Tonka bean helps to smooth it out some, as does the nicely added suede. However, there is also patchouli and dry oak moss. Varvatos Vintage has an outdoorsy edge and is better suited for the older gentleman.

Still, it only projects moderately, so even with all of this manliness, you aren’t going to choke out a room with it. This really is a gorgeous fragrance. I just wish that Varvatos colognes lasted longer, so, be sure to find a cheap bottle.

11 Best Tom Ford Colognes for Men

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With over a decade as a solo brand in the fragrance business, Tom Ford has really established a reputation of quality and refined scents for the stylish gentleman. The brand can go from releasing scents with mass appeal, to the very niche, and plenty of unisex options. The Private Blend line is also another aspect here.

Sure, they’re not all hits, but the brand really helped to bring about some different styles from the norm in the men’s and unisex fragrance game. Other brands have followed suit and we now have more niche lines than ever to choose from.

For this list, I have selected what I consider to be the 11 best smelling colognes for men by Tom Ford, after extensively testing over the years. I have included many unisex scents, but here is the women’s list if you’d like to see some other options.

 

Favorite Tom Ford Fragrances for Men

Amazing Vetiver

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– Grey Vetiver is of course one for those who love the main note, but also, it can be a stylish addition to any man’s fragrance collection.

It is of course a woodsy sort of scent, with greenish and fresh highlights, with underlying citrus ingredients and a smoky quality to boot.

The grapefruit note adds a bright cleanliness to the already awesome vetiver note and creates a modern twist on this popular men’s ingredient. It opens up with that citrus note, along with orange blossom, and a touch of herbal spice.

The dry down really does, dry the scent of Grey Vetiver, with notes such as oak moss and fresh cedar. It all comes together as super clean and refined.

Grey Vetiver is most of all a mature woodsy scent, with that clean professional aroma. This is much more suited for the older gentleman.

grey

Another Highly Popular Fragrance

Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce–Tuscan Leather is one of the most popular scents that features a leather note, it is also a best seller in the Tom Ford lineup.

You not only get the main note, but also, a nice juicy raspberry, and an amazing saffron. Tuscan Leather has got a very similar smell to, Godolphin by Parfums de Marly, which is another awesome cologne.

The focus is on the leather, which is rich and smooth, and a near perfect use of the note. Tuscan moves into a warmer feeling scent with a depth and darkness. Amber gives the leather a nice partner later on, there’s a dash of smokiness, and the sweetness of raspberry.

The sillage starts off, quite powerfully, but ends up a moderate overall. The longevity on the newer bottles, seems to hit the 8 hour mark of longevity, for me. It used to be a few hours better, but still very good. Tuscan Leather Review

Classic Fresh Tom Ford Cologne

Tom Ford for Men by Tom Ford 100ml 3.4oz EDT Spray– The original Tom Ford for Men is really a great smelling and fresh fragrance. If features ginger, tobacco, amber, patchouli, and a citrus opening.

The lemon and ginger are the strongest up top, but you do get a blend of citrus, and some extra herbal spice from basil. Base notes are dry and woody, some sweet tobacco, and a moderate amber note.

Really quite refreshing and a well-blended daily wear for men. One of the best aspects of Tom Ford for Men, is that it can be worn when it is warmer outside. It doesn’t have the same level of performance, as others here.

Nonetheless, its smell alone even with moderate performance, is enough to propel it onto the list.

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My Favorite TF Leather Fragrance

Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7-oz.— Ombre Leather was released in 2018, quickly gets compared to Tuscan Leather. Honestly, I like this one even better. They are a bit different. This is drier and warmer, with additional moss and amber.

The description by the marketing department at Tom Ford, describe this one, as taking a lot of cues from the arid landscape of the western United States.

The leather is rich and very smooth, it really reminds me of a supple leather jacket. Smooth, sweet, lightly floral, and with that subtle amber note hovering in the background. A good deal of jasmine here, also.

A moderate wear, with an overall clean aroma, but with an earthy dirtiness underneath. Patchouli and dry moss, only add to the rugged outdoorsy smell of the dry down.

Not a monster in terms of sillage, but I get 6-8 hours of wear from it. After that, Ombre is a skin scent.  Ombre Leather Review

Top Performer

Tom Ford Noir for Men Eau de Parfum Spray 3.4 Ounce– The start of Noir by Tom Ford, isn’t my favorite. I really don’t much care for a huge dose of patchouli and pepper. But, sticking with this cologne, has its rewards.

As it dries down, the floral notes of iris and violet, make this one have a powdery quality. There is also a very nice sweetness from vanilla and bergamot citrus. Noir is of course a darker fragrance, but it’s more of a thick resinous quality.

It’s all about the iris and violet pairing, the underlying earthy notes, with just a bit of vanilla holding on until the end.

This one is a sillage and longevity beast. Seriously, limit the sprays or put it on an hour or so before you head out, it is quite monstrous at first.

Then, it settles into much more of a moderate. Over 12 hours of wear, is not unheard of with Noir, as it has a top notch performance. Noir Full Review

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Most Popular Tom Ford Scent

TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum 50 ML(1.7 OZ)– Tobacco Vanille opens up as a very sweet fragrance, but sitting on top of a somewhat spicy layer, headed up by what I think is cinnamon.

Tobacco Vanille’s aroma is a warm envelopment of the tobacco and the gourmand fruits and cacao. The cacao, reminds me of chocolate drink powder, and it pairs nicely with the sweet creaminess of the vanilla.

As it dries down, this one lightens up a bit on the sweetness, but has an overall darker and heavier scent. There is a resinous sap note here, which thickens up the whole experience. Which is why, this cologne is best worn when it’s cold out.

Tobacco Vanille is another beast performer by Tom Ford. It will last all day and doesn’t take much to have it be noticed. It can be too sweet for some folks, but that’s mostly at the beginning of the wear, before the greenish tobacco note really comes into its own.  Tobacco Vanille Review

Great Sophisticated Daily Wear

Tom Ford Extreme By Tom Ford For Men Edt Spray 1.7 Oz– A uniquely powerful fragrance for guys with an air of sophistication. This one definitely has the potential to become a signature scent for the right guy with notes of cedar wood, black truffles, lemon, and Italian fig.

Tom Ford Extreme very attractive and long lasting scent. It is at times smooth and other times spicy, but always a unique fragrance, while being utterly simple in its ingredients. Lots of patchouli before getting down to the cedar base, later in the wear.

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Most Unique Tom Ford Scent

Tom Ford Private Blend Noir De Noir Eau De Parfum Spray Edp 3.4 Fl / 100 Ml– Noir de Noir opens up with a sweet rose note, that is paired with some earthier notes such as patchouli, with oud and dry moss sitting at the base.

With those notes, I shouldn’t like this. However, I really enjoy Noir de Noir, as it just has a uniquely awesome aroma.

This is a fragrance that can hit you in many different ways and completely be a joy to wear. The truffle note, is great, and holds the entire thing together during the dry down along with vanilla.

The oud sits at the heart, but doesn’t overwhelm the composition, and is so balanced it heightens the whole experience of wear.

It has a moderate sillage but can last for 9 hours or so, something to wear when dressed up. Quite unisex, maybe a slight lean feminine. By all expectations that I had, Noir de Noir shouldn’t be good, but it most certainly is and one of the best Tom Ford scents bar none. Noir de Noir Review

Summer Citrus Floral

Tom Ford Sole di Positano Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz– There are a lot of these sorts of scents from Tom Ford. Mandarino, the Acqua version of this, the Acqua version of Mandarino, etc.

Out of the bunch, this is my favorite and will be the better bet for most men versus Positano Acqua.

Sole di Positano opens up with a zesty citrus blend of lemon, mandarin orange, and bergamot. Underneath that, are shiso and neroli which give this an herbal spiciness.

The citrus stays dominant in the blend, but the floral notes of orange flower, jasmine, and neroli do give this a different aroma later on.

Very clean and fresh. Less soapy than some of the other perfumes of this type, but still has a nice greenish floral finish and a nice jasmine note.

6 or 7 hours of wear. A nice addition during the warmer days of the year. Sole di Positano Review

My Personal Go To

Noir Extreme by Tom Ford– I came back to Noir Extreme after not using it for years. My word, I fell in love with this fragrance once again. It is utterly great.

Sweet, warm, and spicy. Built around the aroma of kulfi dessert. This one features saffron, vanilla, amber, nutmeg, and much more. It’s deep and perfect for the colder months of the year. 

Very sexy and has a mass appealing scent. One that can easily fit in for the nightlife and is stylish enough to go other places. I do prefer the original in the black bottle.

But, the new Parfum version is also nice, and I bought a bottle of it to supplement my Noir Extreme stash. Really, I’ve been using both at the same time, giving each a few sprays and it works rather well. I still slightly prefer the original, but Parfum is also amazing. Noir Extreme review

Cypress Freshness

Costa Azzurra EDP by Tom Ford– The performance is moderate and this isn’t going to fit everyone’s style, but Costa Azzurra Eau de Parfum, is actually a great smelling fragrance.

That cypress note is going to be the lead throughout, including a bold start to the wear. It is joined by a smoky incense note and a fizzy effervescent citrus accord. 

The aroma is basically a coastal woods. There is a marine seaweed note here, but it doesn’t strike me as being a photorealistic version of the ingredient. More of a blue-ish impression of the sea itself.

Costa Azzurra becomes woodier in the dry down. Very dry with added oak, driftwood, and vetiver making their presence felt. A cologne like this isn’t usually my style, but this is a Tom Ford offering that I did enjoy. Costa Azzurra EDP Review

L’Homme Ideal L’Intense by Guerlain

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L’Homme Ideal is a line of men’s fragrances from Guerlain that has steadily grown over the latter half of the last decade and into this one. Some releases have been particularly difficult to get a hold of from stores in the USA. That, along with their increasingly popularity, has really driven up prices. 2018’s release was L’Homme Ideal L’Intense. I recently bought a bottle on sale, as I was curious how it related to the others in the series.

What does L’Homme Ideal L’Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: tonka bean, chili pepper, almond, cardamom, vanilla, leather, and more

Click here to try: L’homme Ideal L’intense By Guerlain FOR MEN 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray, black

My Full Review

Note: Bottles now seem to be in black instead of clear glass. It’s the same juice, just different packaging from the one I have.

L’Intense opens up with a warm and fresh spice that’s sitting on the smoothness of leather. The leather note is the backbone of this fragrance, and while it isn’t always the strongest of the lot, it is ever-present.

Chili pepper and cardamom bring the heat. That initial chili pepper is my favorite aspect of this opening act and reminds me a bit of Gucci Guilty EDP in that respect. However, that cologne has more of a rose aroma, which also happens to be a note in this Guerlain.

What’s interesting is the sweetness here. Cardamom lends a bit to it, but there does seem to be a unlisted cherry note here, as well. Some of the other fragrances in the Ideal series have that cherry note and I do get a hint of that.

Not juicy cherry, but very dry. It almost comes across as cherry with tobacco at times. Also, perhaps a touch of citrus in the opening minutes of this, along the line of the original Ideal or Cologne.

One major aspect of Ideal L’Intense is the smokiness. Very incense-like in how it comes across. I suppose you get a bit of that aroma from the sandalwood, almond and vanilla, but there is a stand alone infusion of smoke.

I mentioned the rose note earlier, but it’s almost non-existent in the mix. I can get whiffs of it, if I truly focus, though it isn’t going to jump out.

The top layer of chili pepper burns off and this starts to morph into a fragrance with a pretty strong blend of vanilla, tonka bean, and a resinous labdanum note. Early on, that resinous quality stands out to my nose.

L’Homme Ideal L’Intense has a dark profile with a smooth and a bit of a creamy finish with woody highlights and bursts of freshness. Vanilla, leather, tonka bean, and woods is how it finishes. The smoke begins to subside after that strong initial opener.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here isn’t all that powerful. In the early stages, I’d say it’s above average with how it projects and its overall strength. However, an hour or two in and it starts becoming more of a skin scent.

That process takes another hour or so. By the 3.5-4 hour mark, it is a complete skin scent with almost no power.

The longevity actually is in the 7 hour range. Maybe, 8 hours. Again, with half that time being quite weak. With the notes and the intense label, I was expecting a lot more from the L’Homme Ideal fragrance.

Its performance isn’t complete garbage or anything, but pretty run of the mill, in the grand scheme of things.

Seasonally, Ideal L’Intense is an autumn and winter wear all the way. The spice, smokiness, and vanilla/tonka/labdanum trio lends itself extremely well to the chillier temperatures.

Probably going to be a better pick for men in their mid-20s and up. Not stuffy, but there is a mature quality here.

I like it more as a nighttime fragrance. However, it isn’t overwhelming enough that it couldn’t be used in the daytime. Semi-formal, casual, nightlife, and potentially romantic wear. It’s attractive and enjoyable, very masculine.

Overall Impressions of Ideal L’Intense

Overall, do I like this scent? It’s fine. I blind bought my bottle for $90, which was a discount, and I’m really not too impressed with it.

The original and Ideal Cologne are both about equal to or better than this one. Extreme and some of the others are tougher to get ahold of in the US, but they’re better as well. Update: They also remade Cologne with the newer ‘Platine’ version.

Update: After staying with it for a few weeks, it’s grown a bit on me and I’ve given it some more points. When I first bought my bottle, I was coming off of a sinus infection, and that may have thrown me off somewhat. Now, it’s cleaner and less smoky. Still not a love for me, but this is a pretty nice wear.

2024 Update: I’ve worn this off and on for a few years. Not too much has changed with my opinion. I still like plenty of what you get with this. Other parts, are still kind of boring and the performance is just pretty good.

The opening act is the most interesting aspect. The chili, the incense like smokiness, fruity touches, and almond combine to make up my favorite part. Even then, it’s not a total love for me.

I don’t give this a strong recommendation. If you can get it for cheaper, it’s not a bad cold weather scent, and has its moments. Yet, I don’t know that it is going to get any less expensive. Even if you enjoy the smell, the performance isn’t great.

If you already love the Ideal line, you probably already know this one. If not, I’d probably start elsewhere. I don’t hate it and I will get use out of this one over the winter, it’s just not going to be my number one pick.