Louis Vuitton is always among the top selling or the exact best selling luxury brands in the world. Mainly known for its fashion, bags, and leather goods; it has recently begun to launch a whole host of fragrances for men and women.
The other LVMH maison, Christian Dior, is already a powerhouse in the perfumes space, and Louis Vuitton is seemingly positioning itself as an upmarket option here.
In this post, I want to give my suggestions as to the best smelling LV colognes for guys, for those who are looking for a place to get started in their search. I’ve linked up my full review of each, where applicable (I still need to finish one).
What are the Best Smelling Louis Vuitton Colognes?
Most Unique Option
Nouveau Monde– Nouveau Monde is an interesting fragrance and which has quite a unique profile. Two of its main notes, are cocoa bean and saffron. I enjoy a good saffron, an ingredient that doesn’t get used enough, but I can’t recall it being paired with cocoa bean in any other scent.
Along with that you get a smokiness from oud and incense. This Louis Vuitton scent does open up with a bit of sharpness, which I take is from the listed black currant note. However, thereafter Nouveau Monde has a bit of a sweeter undertone, blended with a light spice.
This is a bold scent with great staying power and a deep richness. It won’t be for everyone. I’m honestly not a huge fan of oud, but I did like this one and how it developed.
Most Mass Appealing
Imagination– I’m replacing L’immensite on this list, in favor of Imagination, after testing it. Frankly, the notes are similar, but Imagination is just better to me all around.
In fact, it might be the best of the bunch. (Update: Yes, this is my favorite, as of this revision)
Imagination is a beautiful fragrance, quite stunning at times. The amber is less intrusive than in L’immensite and the citron note here is simply awesome when paired with the crisp black tea note.
Up top, you get the citron and other citrus notes, including mandarin orange. The citron sticks out the most, but there is a definite neroli floral infusion in the heart. Between that and the ginger note, there is a very clean and cold aroma here.
Early on, it a greenish citrus blend. Then, you get the floral touches. But, ultimately tea and the lighter amber get surrounded by the remaining citrus to create an easy to wear gem. Full Review
The Beast Performer
Ombre Nomade– I feel like every high-end designer needs to have their oud and rose fragrance. This is the Louis Vuitton version of that.
But, it’s actually not dominated by those two notes entirely, which is a good thing. It starts off smoky with incense and that oud note. Then, the smoke clears out and you get a blend of raspberry, rose, leather, and benzoin (though, I also pick up saffron).
Ombre Nomade is very rich, balanced, and smooth. The rose and raspberry really help to keep it from being a oud bomb. Though, the sillage here is absolutely massive, and this is one to go light with the application.
Not my personal favorite, but Ombre Nomade is one that I really appreciated, when I reviewed it: Ombre Nomade.
Best Pure Fall/Autumn Fragrance
Nuit de Feu– Yes, this fragrance does capture a dark mood. Lots of incense in Nuit de Feu, so, you’re going to get a great smoky aroma, that is paired with oud and leather. Warm and resinous, with an overall dry profile.
I like this one just a tad more versus Ombre Nomade, but that one is a lot more powerful.
The incense are really the star up top. Then, the leather carries the scent home.
The leather here, comes across as stronger than does the oud. Simple in its presentation, but I can imagine that this would really shine, when it gets colder out. It is more of a unisex fragrance, while it does have some power, Nuit de Feu didn’t strike me as overbearing
Actually, this Vuitton reminds me of the older batches of Dirty English, with a bit less wood and an incense infusion. Not the same smell exactly, but a similar style. Nuit de Feu Review
Best Pure Summer Wear
Afternoon Swim– This fragrance is summertime the whole way. Not super complex, but attractive and has a very refreshing energy. Afternoon Swim is a citrus-laden cologne, so, if that’s not your thing it won’t be for you.
Does remind me a lot of Dior Homme Cologne (or an Acqua di Parma scent, like Bergamotto di Calabria, only with a dominant orange note), with some exceptions. First, Dior Cologne has more of an iced lemonade profile.
Second, this has somewhat of an aquatic vibe. There is a saltiness here (ambergris), that isn’t too intense, but is noticeable. Also, I dig the light ginger touches.
The orange note here is fantastic, along with its flanking citrus notes. Ginger doesn’t tend to last all that long in most fragrances and here it’ll be there for the opening act.
With these sorts of summer scents, you cannot really expect great performance. Though, Afternoon Swim from Louis V, holds up pretty well. Afternoon Swim Full Review
Clean and Naturalistic Citrus
Sur la Route– This one is another citrus based fragrance, but definitely separates itself from the others on the list, in terms of how it smells.
It comes across as a bit watery, along with some green-ish grass notes. Not an aquatic or a refreshing drink, sort of cologne.
The opening does have a pretty powerful blast of the bergamot note and there is a strong leathery aroma, which LV doesn’t list in the actual notes, but it is there. The cedar note really adds that fresh woodiness to the already bright and watery citrus mix.
Sur la Route should enjoy some mass appeal and popularity, out of the offerings from the Louis Vuitton collection. Very subtle spice from nutmeg and a dash of pepper, for at least some of the wear.
Mostly a classic clean woody citrus with some spring/summer naturalistic smelling notes.
Louis Vuitton describes this one as, “A metaphor for each individual’s personal path: the journey is as important as the destination.” Sur la Route Full Review
Another Awesome Summer Vuitton
Cactus Garden– Cactus Garden is a fairly unique summertime wear, led by lemongrass. That naturalistic aroma is paired with a fresh bergamot citrus and mate note, which gives this Louis V scent an herbal tea sort of aroma.
The geranium note helps to steer the ship and transition from the citrus and lemongrass notes towards when the mate becomes the lead in the dry down.
This is a great change of pace for the summer. Has some similarities to Green Irish Tweed by Creed, but still different and really beautiful.
The scent is particularly bright and energetic at first with the bergamot. Though, when it dries down you get a much colder and refreshing vibe coming through. That’s most of the wear, it’s a very simple blend that brings so much to the table within its limited confines.
Cactus Garden is perfectly unisex, awesome in warmer weather, and balanced enough for daily wear. Read my Cactus Garden Review
Starlight, Star Bright
City of Stars– City of Stars is another of the unisex options, on the list. It sort of leans slightly feminine, but is still one that can totally be worn by anyone.
Lime, blood orange, and bergamot are the citrus top notes. Lime, will be the strongest of the bunch, City is blended well throughout the wear.
This LV cologne isn’t a pure citrus blend, however. Tiare gives this one a tropical flower influence, which when paired with the citrus and musk, gives City of Stars a beachy and sunny sort of feeling.
It’s a great mix of the juicy freshness, with periods of powder and creaminess sitting underneath. The latter stages are more powder (still not massively) with some of that lime juice still attached to the aroma.
Maybe one that you try out to see if you vibe with it. City of Stars is a very nice experience, though. City of Stars Review
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.