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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
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
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
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
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
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I’ve owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides.