hermes

10 Best Smelling Hermes Colognes for Men

by

Hermes is a luxury brand that is steeped in fashion history. While it does have fragrances for men, that doesn’t seem to be the company’s main concern, but when they do put out a scent…they generally do it extremely well.

Many of the scents that are released, tend to be unisex, and can even be focused more on one note versus a mass market fragrance. I have chosen what I feel are the ten best perfumes from Hermès for men, currently. 

Quick Takes of the Top Hermes Colognes

I go into greater depth on all of these fragrances and more below. But, here are some highlights for those in a hurry.

What are the Best Hermès Perfumes for Him?

Great Citrus and Vetiver

Terre d’Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver– To me, this is so much better than the original. I disliked the bitter orange opening in that one, for a long time. Now, it doesn’t bother me as much, this just surpasses it.

Meanwhile, Eau Intense kicks off with a lighter and brighter mix of lemon and grapefruit. 

Obviously, it is similar to Terre d’Hermes, just with a different and fresher blend overall. Yes, it is an Intense version, but it actually isn’t loud or even as heavy as the original. Maybe the intensity is referring to the vetiver note alone, which is indeed stronger and more prevalent. 

The vetiver comes on strong, after the opening and is joined by a moderate Sichuan pepper note. Mature and refined scent, probably better for 30+ years old, in most cases. Eau Intense Vetiver Review

Citron Cool

Terre d’Hermes Eau Givree– Another of the series that I really like. Eau Givree brings in a realistic zesty somewhat bitter citron note with juniper and a woody base. There might still be some of the original orange in there as well. 

This one is super fresh and clean. Not super powerful, but a versatile fragrance that can be a joy to wear. I really liked trying this one out, after being less than wowed with some other flankers of Terre d’Hermes.

There is a mineral note here, but the one time that I tried Eau Givree out, it didn’t seem to strong. Weaker than the one that was in AdG Profumo. I don’t know, maybe I need more time with it to notice.

The whole thing comes across as being quite cold, somewhat spiced, with a touch of bitter. I get lots of juniper coming through after the initial wave of citron.

Most Popular Hermès

Hermès Men’s Terre d’Hermès Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3 fl. oz.– So, I’m putting this on the list based solely on the number of people who swear by this fragrance.

I am personally, in the minority opinion with Terre d’Hermes, as I don’t particularly care for it. Though, I’m more neutral on it nowadays.

Citrus, woody, and earthy. I like the concept, I just don’t like that orange note, especially with the underlying dirtiness of the patchouli and woodsy ingredients. 

I do like the vetiver here, which is why Eau Intense Vetiver really struck a chord with me.

Again, though, a lot of folks think this is one of the best scents of the last 25 years…I’m just not one of them. Read my full review.

Top Newer Release

H24 by Hermes– H24 seems to get mixed reviews, but in sales terms it’s actually become quite popular since its release in 2021. Personally, I liked wearing it and thought that it brought something different to the table, when compared to the usual lineup of men’s colognes.

H24 opens up with a lot of sage. The overall composition of this cologne is simple, but it still manages to be fresh and intriguing. 

The sage is joined by a metallic note, which provides some of that uniqueness. It’s less of the usual mineral oil-like smell and actually a genuine metallic aroma. It’s warm, with some sweetish narcissus flower, and a rosewood base rounding things out.

They have released an EDP version of this. Slightly different weightings of the notes, but they added moss as an ingredient. Between the two, I still prefer the original EDT.

Performance is nice. H24 is versatile and pretty easy to like. I’m not sure why some people didn’t seem to like this. It’s not the most amazing, but it’s all around worthwhile. H24 Review

Fresh and Soapy

Le Jardin de Monsieur Li– Not the best performer, but still decent. However, Le Jardin de Monsieur Li is a fantastic smelling fragrance for men or women. 

This series of fragrances is mostly unisex, but many of them are basically women’s perfumes. This is a true unisex scent.

This Hermes perfume kicks off with a bright citrusy kumquat blend, that is refreshing and watery. The mint note comes in lightly to give it that bit of crispness, with underlying grassy notes, that does bring about memories of being in a small garden next to a pond.

The jasmine becomes the main note, during the dry down. It gives this one a soapy quality, as it blends with the other ingredients.

However, it maintains enough of a grassy, watery, and herbal edge to prevent it from being a ‘girly’ sort of fragrance. My Full Review

Warm, Sweet/Spicy, Boozy

Ambre Narguile– Another unisex option, but one that flies under the radar, and is actually quite phenomenal. This one is dark, sweet, spicy, and boozy. Really quite perfect for the colder days of the year.

Amber and honey are two of the main notes, clearly, giving Ambre Narguile the thick warmth and richness. Then, it brings in dry fruits, tobacco, rum, spices, and a bit of smokiness.

Very close to Oajan by Parfums de Marly. Though, this is a sweeter scent than that one, but still has its spicy kicks.

This is a release from the Hermessence collection and has great performance and is an exquisite gourmand for anyone to enjoy.

Green, Fresh, Summer Scent

Un Jardin en Mediterranee– The other best entry from the Un Jardin lineup. This one is herbal, fresh, green, with a nice zesty top. 

Mediterranee kicks off with the usual citrus top notes, with some blend of floral ingredients. Then, the real magic begins with the introduction of fig, juniper, and cypress.

The juniper gives it that gin drink-like fizziness, with a wonderful fig coming through, and the green woodiness of the cypress tree. 

This one is actually unisex and can be worn by most men. Sur le Nil, is another potential option, but has more of a feminine aroma.

The longevity is ok, but the smell is fantastic. I really do like the addition of a fig note, in this composition, it takes over during the middle and dry down and sits perfectly. 

Classic Masculine Scent

Equipage By Hermes For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz.– A throwback scent from the 1970s. Equipage is a very interesting and charming fragrance that isn’t really like anything else released nowadays.

It is masculine, but not overpowering, and features smooth woody notes such as: rosewood, oak moss, and pine needles.

Has that great woody, smoky, and autumn outdoorsy scent. Equipage is refined and well put together, with a nice spice from nutmeg, and a pretty distinct carnation note up top.

Woody, Herbal, Outdoorsy

Hermes Rocabar Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce– Rocabar has a benzoin note that I really enjoy and reminds me of Body Kouros by YSL, though, the Hermes fragrance takes it in a entirely different direction.  

Rocabar is a very fresh blend of mostly wood and spices but it does have floral and sweet elements provide by vanilla and carnation.

Not as heavily masculine as Equipage or as resinous as Bel Ami. This is a good middle ground, though, still very outdoorsy.

Pine and cypress are very noticeable in the base of the scent, but the entire thing remains clean and classy.

Leathery, Spiced Woods 

Bel Ami FOR MEN by Hermes – 3.4 oz EDT Spray– Masculine and a definite 80s scent. If you love leather and woody fragrances, Bel Ami is probably among the best to ever do it.  Incredibly smooth and sexy and grabs attention in a good way.

It opens up with citrus and spices. The leather comes through, but it really only adds a sense of richness, at this point. Later, it will come out more and bring the entire fragrance together, as a whole. 

The citrus notes fade after the initial blast and their role seems overtaken by floral ingredients. Those add just a light touch to the resinous woods and herbal spices sitting underneath the leather.

Good power and a pretty unique sort of smell, nowadays. I cannot comment on how the original bottles smelled from a long time ago, but the newer bottles are very good.

Twilly d’Hermes Eau Poivree by Hermes

by

Twilly d’Hermes continues to spawn flanker fragrances from its popular name and formula. Today, I want to write a bit about Twilly d’Hermes Eau Poivree which was released by Hermes back in 2019. How does this perfume smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Twilly d’Hermes Eau Poivree Smell Like?

Notes include: pink pepper, rose, patchouli

Click here to try: Twilly d’Hermes Eau Poivree

My Full Review

The pink pepper comes on quite strong in the beginning. I wasn’t expecting a heavy spice, when I first tried Poivree, but that’s what I’ve gotten each time.

That will calm down, but then, Poviree will move into its earthy, woodsy, rosy phase. The patchouli note is quite strong in the mix. The spice of the pink pepper does soften, but the rose note isn’t massive on me.

It’s a lighter and lovely rose, paired with a powerful patchouli note, and the pink pepper. There is some sweetness here and this isn’t completely a patchouli play throughout. Just be ready for something a bit on the rougher side in the first hour.

Later, it will dry down with more rose , and it’s an easier to appreciate basic floral perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one does start off with some punch. The pink pepper and patchouli phase, really does have some good reach and ability to leave a scent trail. As I’ve said, it does have a heaviness to it.

Then, it will become a slightly above average projecting and lighter moderate perfume. It will sit pretty much in that 3-4 foot range for most of the wear.

On my skin, Eau Poivree will stick around for up to 6.5 hours. Somewhere within range of that number, each time that I’ve tried it. It’s okay, but nothing really that going to blow away your expectations.

Seasonally, this Hermes seems like it can fit in well, pretty much anytime outside of the height of summer. It wouldn’t be too awful then, either, but I think that Eau Poivree would be at its worst.

Autumn or any mild weather, is ideal for this.

So, Twilly d’Hermes Eau Poviree, isn’t a perfume for everyone. It lacks a lot of the mass appeal that you get with the original. Some are going to be turned off by the patchouli and/or pink pepper.

Others, will think this one comes across as being too mature. It definitely seems to skew that way, at least it’s style is more of an old school flavor. Plus, it’s a daily wear type of fragrance and nothing built for nightlife or romantic wear.

Overall Impressions of Eau Poivree

Overall, do I like Twilly d’Hermes Eau Poivree? It’s fine, but it’s not my favorite from these Twilly perfumes.  The original EDP and Eau Ginger are both better fragrances than this one. Poivree will have a much more limited fan base versus those two.

I like the back half when the intensity has fallen a bit by the wayside. The opening is fine, but the pink pepper and patchouli come on too strong for my taste.

That balanced rose, sweetness, and patchouli part of this one is nice enough.

Still, it’s a fragrance with an okay performance and one that you’d probably want to test out before committing to a full bottle. For the retail price, Eau Poivree isn’t going to be one that most people will want to pick up.

It’s fine, not great, and not a true mass appealing fragrance.

Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger by Hermes

by

Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger is a sample that I picked up along with the Eau Poivree version. Eau Ginger was released in 2021 as a flanker to the very popular original release from Hermes. I’ve been putting this fragrance through its paces to see what it’s all about. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger Smell Like?

Notes include: candied ginger, peony, cedar

Click here to try: Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: The joyful spirit of a luminous fragrance revealed by candied ginger, generous peony, and tender cedar

The opening is a blast of the sugary and spicy candied ginger note, along with the peony. To me, the candied ginger has a slight orange-like aroma to it. Fresh, sweet, and a similar floral aspect to the original Twilly.

Eau Ginger is a very clean fragrance, the peony is well balanced with the ginger note itself. I think it becomes more of a standard ginger smell versus the opening, where it has a sugary smell.

Closer to the ginger in Un Jardin Apres la Mousson, also by Hermes. Less of the overall spiciness, but some of that same aquatic-like freshness (not to the same extent either).

As it dries down, this one feels soapier. The cedar and peony really team up and the ginger, while it hangs around, is less of a factor overall.

That’s basically it for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Eau Ginger isn’t a massive projector nor a very heavy perfume. It is in the upper range of what could be considered average. It’ll leave a decent scent trail for a time and has a nice reaching scent bubble effect.

But, I never felt like it was going to be overwhelming, unless you really went nuts with the sprays. Even then, that might be only for a limited time.

On my skin, Eau Ginger lasts a little more than 7 hours on my skin. Call it, about 7.5 hours. It’s pretty good, but nothing elite in its performance.

Seasonally, this one can be a nice pickup for the spring and summer months. Or, any other time of the year that is mild to temperate. I feel like it’s better in the mid-range temperatures versus the hottest and most humid days of summer. Good, if indoors, however.

This is mostly going to serve as a daily wear. Something clean and fresh to wear around with a nice sweet and spice blend up top. It’s not really a nightlife fragrance or one that is particularly sexy. Can be quite likeable though.

Overall Impressions of Eau Ginger

Overall, do I like Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger? I do. I think that it’s one of the best entries so far in the series. Perhaps the best, depending on your tastes. I like it more so than Poivree.

I’m a fan of ginger as a note. I like the candied sugary version that is presented with this Hermes release. That, with the orange note is really great. The fragrance isn’t too complex, but it delivers a fairly beautiful experience.

If you liked the original, this one should also appeal to you. If you’re a fan of ginger and need a daily wear that utilizes that note, this can be a great option.

Now, I don’t think it’s going to be for everyone, but it certainly has a mass appeal. Eau Ginger is pleasant and never strays to far into niche fragrance territory. It’s worth a try, if it sounds like something that you’d be interested in.

H24 EDP by Hermes

by

H24 eau de parfum is the first flanker released under this title, after the introduction of the original H24. EDP came out in 2022, but I have only gotten around to trying it out as of late, once I could grab some samples.

As usual, I am going to cover how H24 EDP smells, how long it lasts, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth a try?

What does H24 Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: moss, sclarene, sage, rosewood, narcissus

Click here to try: H24 EDP

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: A lively, sensual and bright perfume, stemming from the daring blend between nature and technology.

I had been kind of looking forward to trying out the eau de parfum version of H24. After all, H24 EDT was one that I enjoyed, and I was wondering what Hermes might change up with a more concentrated edition.

One thing that I immediately noticed about EDP (other than that moss note), is the reduction of the sage note in comparison with the original.

This time, it opens up with its new found greenish qualities, and a more metallic influence from the sclarene.

With that amped up sclarene and the massive moss note, EDP is quite fresh and has a definitely coldness to its aroma.

Beyond that, you still are going to get the light yellow floral touches, which provide the composition some sweetness that existed with EDT.

As it moves along, the scarene will back off somewhat, taking with it much of the metallic aspect of this cologne.

The biggest boost comes with the rosewood note. That’s basically what this one is. Mossy rosewood with narcissus in the middle act. The dry down is a woody moss with the other notes, being faint background smells.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is another moderate. It’ll be noticeable and leave a scent trail for an hour or so, before becoming more of an intimate cologne. Not skin scent, but close quarters.

At it’s peak, it’ll extend into that 5-7 foot range, much like the original. The EDP version of H24 may have a slight edge over the original, but to me, it isn’t exactly clear that it does.

The longevity here is good, a little better than the EDT, but not leaps and bounds improved versus what you get with that.

Testing out H24 EDP, I usually got around 7 hours of wear, on my skin. But, sometimes it’d stick around for up to 8.5 hours.

This Hermes scent isn’t elite with how long it lasts, but it works out well for most purposes.

Seasonally, this works from spring through autumn. I’d prefer cooler to moderate temperatures versus the depths of summer, though.

H24 continues to be a daytime wear. One that can be worn to work or casually or even fitting in at more formal functions. Very versatile without being one built for the nightlife or romantic wear.

The moss does seem to give it a bit more of a mature vibe versus the original.

Overall Impressions of H24 EDP

Overall, do I like this scent? I do like it somewhat. I was one who thought that H24 EDT was pretty underrated and actually a very nice daily wear cologne. Not amazing, but well worth a try.

With, H24 EDP, I just don’t think it is as good. For me, the moss note really doesn’t add anything all that interesting, and distracts from what I liked about the original.

I liked the sage and the greater floral influence of the EDT. Perhaps, I am in the minority opinion on that Hermes fragrance, but the sweetness worked better with the woody base to my nose.

Not to say that this is bad. It’s more than a slight preference, on my part, but this isn’t way behind H24.

I think it’s worth trying out yourself. If you liked the original or want a modern daily wear with some mossy influence, H24 EDP should be checked out.

H24 EDT vs. EDP by Hermes

by

H24 is the newer fragrance series for men by Hermes. Thus far, we have gotten the first release, H24 EDT and the subsequent H24 eau de parfum. In this post, I want to compare the two colognes, and see what the differences are. Which smells better? How long do they last? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: H24 EDT vs EDP

H24

Notes includes: sage, narcissus, rosewood, sclarene

Click here to try: H24 by Hermes

Read my review: H24 EDT

h24 review

H24 EDP

Notes include: moss, sclarene, sage, rosewood, narcissus

Click here to try: H24 EDP

My Review: H24 eau de parfum

Opening

H24 EDT starts out like a sage bomb, on my skin. The sclarene note adds its metallic influence underneath that, but it feels warmer than the eau de parfum version. Like, the moss in that, has a cooling influence in comparison.

Narcissus is stronger in the early stages in EDT. There is also a lighter fruity touch to the blend, that doesn’t come through as much with the EDP.

H24 EDP opens up quite metallic and green with how it comes across. In this mix, the moss and sclarene are amped up from the jump. Not as much sage, as with EDT, but it is still there.

Oakmoss is also in the original, just a fairly negligible amount. In EDP, it’s massive.

Plus, the yellow floral aspect and underlying woods are detectable. A bit of sweetness under that, mossy metal aroma, and very cold fresh.

Which is better?

The greenish metal scent of EDP is interesting, but I like how H24 EDT kicks off somewhat more. The sage and the weighting of the other notes, is more likeable to me than the infusion of moss, with the eau de parfum.

Edge: H24

Projection

I don’t notice too much of a difference with how each projects or the sillage, overall. With the original H24, it would project 5-7 feet and come in closer from there.

Nothing massive, but I knew it was around pretty deep into the wear. With EDP, it might have an extra bump up top with the strength. But really, nothing super noticeable.

EDP does have a better ability to stay at it’s stronger levels than the EDT. For that, I’ll give it the edge.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

Again, there isn’t a huge difference in terms of how long each cologne lasts, either. With the original, I got 6-7.5 hours of wear from it, each time I tested the EDT.

Nothing amazing, but I found it to be solid.

With H24 eau de parfum, it was maybe a tad better. Up to 8.5 hours, mostly with the moss still hanging around. Though, about 7-ish hours, on average.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

There’s no difference in this category.

Both are more daytime oriented, work safe, and very easy to wear. Each is at its best in spring and summer. But, can extend into the autumn months too. Very versatile fragrances.

A slight age difference. Each can be worn by anyone, but EDP feels more geared towards an older audience, and EDT can work well for either.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these do I prefer?

H24 EDT and EDP aren’t completely different from one another, like some flankers can be. Add a much stronger oakmoss note to the original and fiddle some with the weightings of the other notes, and you have, EDP.

I’m probably in the minority opinion, but I like the original more than the stronger EDP. I’m not in love with either, I think they’re both likeable scents, but the EDT just smells better to me throughout the wear.

The dry down is pretty similar between them. EDT is more of the narcissus influence, both are much heavier with the rosewood, near the end.

Really, it comes down to whether you like moss and it’s fresher aspects. Hermes calls this a ‘high-tech moss’ and it doesn’t come across as naturalistic. There’s something slightly different about it.

H24 EDP feels better suited to older guys. It’s less sweet, less floral, and has a classic clean.

Personally, I’m going with the original EDT. I like the woody dry down with the narcissus. Nothing too complex, but a bit more enjoyable to me.

Winner: H24 EDT