5 Best Incense Colognes (2023) – All Are Needed
Incense.
The best note to give fragrances an enjoyable smokiness.
This review will describe the five best Incense colognes for men. I will detail their smell, performance, and anything else you need to know. Some of the most attractive fragrances as they stand out.
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Table of Contents
#5 – Givenchy Gentlemen Only
The opening starts with citric mandarin orange and pink pepper. The orange is less about its citric nature and instead amplifies the sweetness of pink pepper. In the background is a present but not prominent woodiness.
The overarching emphasis in the opening is slightly fresh, sweet, and spicy woods. The citruses fade as the mid develops, and a smoky incense fills its void.
The Birch note comes through most as the dominant woody accord. Creed Aventus has smoky woods, but they aren’t the same here.
Smoky woods are the focal point for the rest of the wear. I smell a lot more vetiver in the base than birch and cedar. Vetiver retains the woody aroma but adds dark and earthy faucets to the smoky incense.
The citruses and spices are gone but left a degree of freshness.
Fresh, smoky, and earthy woods are what you’ll smell for the rest of the wear. This is a very masculine fragrance but also simple and wearable.
Every time I’ve worn Gentlemen Only, the longevity is in the three to four-hour range with moderate projection. Almost the entire wear pushes out two to three feet; once the projection fades, so does the scent.
This is spring, summer, and fall wear. As for occasions, it is all.
#4 – Le Labo Vanille 44
The opening starts with an intense mandarin orange and vanilla combination.
The orange is a unique way to break up the density of the fragrance and grab attention. The depth of the opening comes from a mild peppery and woody edge of Guaiac wood.
The mid develops quickly with slightly resinous myrrh, giving the dry and soft vanilla depth. The citruses, pepperiness, and woody edge are fading. Leaving Vanille 44 to become warmer into the dry down.
The base is clean but not fresh; it’s much sweeter vanilla with some smoky incense. This is what you’ll get for the rest of the wear.
This lasts five to six hours on the skin. However, the projection is horrid. It pushes out a foot for the first two hours, then becomes a skin scent.
This is fall and winter wear for all occasions. It shines on dates and formal occasions as it is a unique take on vanilla.
#3 – Diptyque Eau Duelle EDP
Vanilla leads the opening of Eau Duelle EDP and will become more prominent over the wear. In the background are a light amber warmth, subtle spices, and a trail of smoke.
None of the supporting notes are overpowering, giving the vanilla many unique faucets. The pink pepper notes are not in your face; they are soft and almost sweet.
After 15-20 minutes, the vanilla and smoky incense are the most prominent. Vanilla only becomes more prevalent in the dry-down. It’s a very authentic feel with a degree of sweetness. The spices dissipate after an hour or two, leaving smoky incense and amber as the supporting notes.
If I search for the secondary notes, I can smell them, but the overarching emphasis is soft and warm vanilla for the rest of the wear.
The longevity is in the six-hour range with light projection. It is great for all occasions but should be reserved for cool and cold temperatures.
#2 – Bleu de Chanel EDP
Right off the top is a sharp blast of citric grapefruit. Followed by a blend of spicy notes.
My nose picks up mostly zingy ginger and some pink pepper. Other spicy notes are in the mix but not strong enough to be identifiable. All of this is supported by a warm, amber background.
Citruses still dominate in the mid. At this point, fresh woody notes emerge. The most prominent is cedar, followed by some sandalwood.
The bed of amber gets significantly stronger but does not overpower the other notes. From here on, the scent heads in a warmer and smoother direction.
The citruses are infused with smoky incense. While supported by subtle woody accords, it rests on a deep amber base with sweet accents.
The dry-down has less amber. This allows for sandalwood and cedar to shine. They are creamy and clean, with touches of fresh citruses lingering throughout.
The longevity and projection are eight to ten on the skin with moderate and consistent projection. Five sprays will last you a workday and then some.
No matter the season or occasion, it performs well. It is not unique, but it smells outstanding and works for everything.
#1 – Gucci Intense Oud
The first 15 minutes are the most piercing, but in a good way. There is a smoky incense and subtle olibanum duo with a woody backbone. The smoky incense is the part that some may find off-putting.
While the olibanum contributes a fruity-like aroma that adds a unique twist to the fragrance.
The woody notes in the background are a variety of wood accords and Oud. However, the Oud is never the most prominent.
After this initial period, Intense Oud gives way to a pleasant and wearable olibanum note. It is smooth and rich, amplifying the woodiness of the scent.
This newfound smoothness is partly from the addition of prominent amber notes that wash over the fragrance.
The rest of the wear olibanum is still the star combined with amber and light oud nuances. Interestingly, Oud was not the strongest note in the fragrance.
For me, Intense Oud is a special occasion fragrance. It is suitable for all occasions, when and how you wear it is up to you.
However, Intense Oud is limited to colder temperatures. The Oud is too intense in the summer and doesn’t fit the vibes.
Intense Oud lasts 12+ hours on the skin with above-average projection. The first three to four hours push out an arm’s length or more.
After this period, it recedes to a mild ambiance for the rest of the wear.
Final Words
I recommend every guy have an incense fragrance in his collection. If you’ve never smelt incense, you may think the smokiness will be off-putting.
However, none of them will make you smell like a campfire. These will only put a unique twist in your collection.
Incense colognes are some of the best ways to stand out for men. However, don’t limit yourself to them. Discover the best Barbershop colognes for men here.