Best Manly Fragrances – Reclaim Your Masculine Aroma Now
It seems like every new cologne is unisex or just masculine-leaning. Yet, what about those of you who want to smell like a true man?
Now, not all of you will want to smell like a primitive hunter-gather. Still, why does it seem so taboo not to smell like the man you are?
In this review today, I’m going to help you regain your ultra-masculine aroma. It will describe how the top 10 best manly fragrances smell and perform.
By the end, you’ll know which is the right scent for you.
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Table of Contents
#10 – Drakkar Noir
Cheers to an old-school cologne with a boatload of notes. Drakkar Noir Cologne was released in 1982. Yes, it’s slightly outdated, but more importantly, it’s hyper-masculine.
With so many notes, it can be challenging to pick out most. A citrus duo of lemon and bergamot leads the opening. Nuances of coriander spice add in the background. With soapy lavender, the fused top notes smell like 80s shaving cream.
Once the lavender is present, it sets the stage for a much more dominant mid and base.
About an hour into the wear, a tidal wave of aromatics rushes in. It is a clash of notes, but they are always delightful. Mostly, the aromatics are green, woody, and forest-like.
After some time, the dry-down is in full gear. The woody notes get darker and add more forest-like qualities.
If it’s an 80s fragrance, does that mean it’s only for older guys? It best fits middle-aged men and older. Yet, if you’re in your 20s and love throwback scents, it’s a good buy for under $40.
The performance is average, lasting on the skin for 6 hours and projecting a couple of feet for the first few. It’s an all-season and occasion wear. You have to be careful in the high heat; it can get overly intense.
There is no Drakkar Noir dupe. According to fragrantica, Dakar Al-Rehab provides a similar aroma.
#9 – John Varvatos Dark Rebel Rider
The name and the bottle style give you a good idea of the scent. It gives off the vibes of a masculine man in a leather jacket riding a motorcycle.
Dark Rebel Rider is led by subtle citrus and herbaceousness and resins with a deep nature. The citrus is not particularly strong. It is drowned out by the other top notes.
Of the other top notes, I can’t pick out anything specific. The general idea is dark and resinous – outdoorsy qualities.
After a few minutes, the dark opening is contrasted by an intense dark violet and iris duo. Neither make the fragrance feminine nor lighten it. Instead, they add an additional dark faucet.
As the scent progresses into the mid. It is still dark and dense but picks up more smoky resins and dark leather. The leather jumps to the forefront. It is undoubtedly intense but not so overwhelming that it “slaps you in the face.”
The intensity of dark and resinous leather recedes in the dry down. Slightly sweet cocoa becomes more noticeable. The sweet nuances aren’t prominent, nor is the cocoa note.
Instead, they balance out the intensity of leather.
In the background are a variety of woody notes, but none jump out at me. The rest of the wear is primarily dark and resinous leather with sweet nuances and woody background. Together there is an animalistic tinge but not off-putting.
The performance is nothing to write home about. The first half an hour to hour has okay projection but then fades. This works great in the fall and winter but becomes too strong in the heat of spring and summer.
#8 – Maison Francis Kurkdjian Masculin Pluriel
Maison Francis Kurkdjian only makes a few fragrances, but when they do, they do it right. Masculin Pluriel is no different.
The opening is overwhelmingly lavender-dominated. It is insanely fresh but has a shower gel/aftershave vibe. There may be other notes in play, but they are not noticeable.
Lavender carries into the mid and loses its shower gel aroma. Soft leather and subtle woody accords fill the void. To my nose, I mostly smell a duo of vetiver and patchouli.
At this point, the scent is very aromatic. This is the perfect combination of an old-school fragrance with a modern twist.
I almost exclusively only smell vetiver and patchouli, making the woody accord. They have a slightly earthy tinge but nothing prominent.
The mid carries into the dry down. The only change is that the leather and the woody notes have gotten slightly more intense. The rest of the wear is very well-blended. It is the two aforementioned notes and lingering lavender.
The performance is average. This is all-year-round wear; you just have to adjust your sprays in extreme heat or cold. The one thing about Masculin Pluriel is that it has a classic aroma.
So, if you’re middle-aged and older or a younger guy who likes throwback scents, this is perfect for you.
#7 – Bentley for Men Absolute
Bentley for Men Absolute is very charming, from the bottle to the scent. Before I tried this, I had only smelled the intense version. I thought this would be just as intense, if not more. But to my surprise, that’s not what you get.
The first spray is quite invigorating. There is a combination of subtle pink pepper and typical zingy ginger. Both of which are encased and supported by a strong incense note.
This trio works exceptionally well together and comes across as very pleasant.
This beautiful opening does not last for long. The mid is almost a completely different scent. Dry woods push their way in, mainly papyrus and cedar. Followed by a subtly resinous nature, all wrapped in an amber and oud duo.
The rest of the wear is softer but all about the amber and oud duo with a resinous nuance. The entire fragrance was never prominent or overpowering at any stage. Yet, it was bold and present, hence the charming nature.
The performance is average. But the scent is quite unique and special, so it’s great for those special occasions when you want to impress. Not only that, but it’s $35 at discounters, the cheapest on this list.
It is excellent fall and winter wear but gets too intense in spring and summer heat.
#6 – Dior Fahrenheit
Some things amaze me. Dior Fahrenheit EDT was created in 1988 and is still a popular cologne today. It is recognized by its famous gasoline accord. It’s not like spilling gas on your hand but rather a masculine man who works on cars all day.
The rumors are true; Fahrenheit opens with a dominant gasoline-type accord. It settles down after a while, but that doesn’t take away from its accuracy.
There aren’t actual gasoline notes. The violet leaf, various florals, soft leather, and dry woods are mainly what make the smell. The violet leaf is the main culprit.
The leather becomes more prominent in the mid. To my nose, it adds a degree of sweetness. The gasoline accord is still present but has settled down and lost its intensity. Yet, it’s still dominant.
The violet leaf breaks away from the other top notes in the dry down. It is paired with now strong leather and sprinkled with spices and white florals. Both of these balance out the strength of the masculine accords.
This is a good scent for special occasions. It has an excellent performance in the fall and winter but tends to be too strong for high heat.
On my skin with 4 sprays, the longevity is 7 hours, and projection is an arm’s length for a few of those.
#5 – Houbigant Fougere Royale
What’s a masculine man without an ultra-fresh barbershop fragrance? Fougere Royale is a very simple yet, still outstanding fragrance.
The opening starts clean and zingy. The most prominent note is lavender with green tinges in the background. The lavender has the traditional barbershop, slightly old-school smell.
It won’t be present the entire wear, but it starts the barbershop theme in the fragrance right from the get-go.
The green tinges are just that, nothing special about them. They are slightly fresh, mostly from the bergamot in the top notes. However, I do not smell a specific bergamot note the entire fragrance.
As Fougere Royale develops, more and more scent development happens. A noticeable degree of sweetness, subtle citrus, and spices linger in the background.
All are faint, and difficult to tell which note is specifically projecting which.
The greenness from the opening develops into a more prominent oak moss. Supported by the three aforementioned accents, with the spices being the most prominent.
The dry-down is the best part. It has a very fougere nature. If you are unfamiliar, this means it’s green and “outdoorsy” with sweet and woody nuances. I don’t smell any woody notes.
Yet, I smell a heavy dose of greenness with the sweet nuances that have carried over.
The performance is average. No matter the season, this can be worn. You might have to apply a bit heavier in the wintertime.
#4 – Chanel Antaeus
Meet a manly man in the classiest form. Chanel utilizes animalic notes to give Antaeus its ultra-masculine nature. Some of you may cringe when you hear about the use of animalic notes.
Yet, it is easy to wear and approachable. Chanel has fine-tuned the use of castoreum.
Right off the bat, the opening is a leathery castoreum (animalic notes). It can be dominant at first and makes you feel like it will be the only smell for the scent. Yet, as the fragrance develops, fresh aromatics peak from the background.
At this point, it is a balancing act between fresh and animalic tones. It took the aromatics some time, but they provided a good balance.
Once in the dry down, castoreum is still strong, but there are earthier additions. These are oak moss and woody accords. They contribute to the masculine nature but take the scent in a different direction.
It was never a dirty scent for the entire wear but rather old-school and masculine.
On top of its outstanding smell, it’s an all-occasion wear. The projection and longevity are slightly above-average, but it is still intense.
Not one I would recommend wearing in warm temperatures. Especially if you’ll be in an office-type setting all day.
#3 – Dior Sauvage Elixir
There’s a black sheep in every family of fragrances. Sauvage is no different. Sauvage Elixir takes the line in a completely different direction. It throws the youthful formulation out the window and welcomes a throwback.
The opening is a wake-up call. Nothing can compete with the dominance of the cardamom and nutmeg duo. Cinnamon is in the background supporting but fleeting.
There is a subtle citric grapefruit, giving the opening an invigorating and fresh touch, but it doesn’t amount to much after the opening.
The overarching emphasis in the opening is warmth and power.
15 – 20 minutes into the wear, Sauvage Elixir turns into the old-school fragrance it’s known for. The warm spices remain prominent but are fused with a hefty dose of rich and classic lavender.
It pushes the grapefruit out, and an aromatic and spicy scent will lead the dry down.
As the scent develops, warm and woody base notes linger in. Over time, they become more prominent. I catch mainly sensual sandalwood notes and nuances of patchouli, amplifying the woody accord.
The rest of the wear is spices, lavender, and wood.
When it comes to performance, Elixir is a beast! It will project more than any other Sauvage. Dior Sauvage Elixir will last 12+ hours, no matter the season.
Beware that you can overspray this version. Any more than 2-3 sprays and you may make people nauseous.
Dior Sauvage Elixir gives off 80’s vibes. It is an excellent addition to the Sauvage line. Providing a classic throwback scent to a string of youthful formulations.
#2 – Bvlgari Man in Black
Come on, man. You wore Bvlgari Man in Black; now you’re too sexy. Events like dates and formal get-togethers get too easy when you wear this.
It was announced by Bvlgari as bold and charismatic, inspired by the myth of the birth of Vulcan – the god of earth. With that type of inspiration, you know it means business.
The opening is a heavy blend of spices and rum. Starting the fragrance with an invigorating masculine intensity.
The spices are retained for the entire wear, later fusing with leather and tobacco. Eventually, the spices’ dominance over the scent starts to fade.
As this happens, sweetness and warmth begin to fill the void. The top notes were always warm, but not to this extent. At this point, the sweet rum is sexy and attention-grabbing rather than sugary and candy-like.
Once in the dry down, a lot is going on. Sexy and sweet rum remains from the opening, and prominent leather has lasted.
This duo sits on a strong woody base and gets washed over by a warm amber. This never makes the scent too dark, the perfect blend between sexy and masculine.
The performance is slightly above average. It will last an entire workday and then some on your skin, but the projection is on the weaker side.
On a date, this scent will be discovered, not announced. Though the projection is intimate, it is very intense.
This is exclusively a cold weather fragrance, becoming extremely overpowering in high temperatures. Finally, what’s the best aspect of Bvlgari Man in Black? It’s very unique and likable.
#1 – Tom Ford Ombre Leather
Tom Ford has a thing for commanding high prices. In the case of Ombre Leather, he made it more accessible to the masses. Initially, it was released as a private blend (expensive). After 2 years, it was rebottled and rereleased as a signature blend (less expensive).
It was inspired by Tom Ford Tuscan Leather. Yet, it took leather and made it cool and affordable again.
The opening is intense and realistic. It smells like a new pair of luxury leather gloves. The first five minutes of the scent is a strong leather accord.
At this point, white florals are introduced. They dial down the intensity of the leather and are the transition into the dry down. Here there are nuances of woody notes, but it is mostly the addition of an animalic quality.
It may be hard to imagine leather smelling fun and interesting, but Ombre Leather does it. Even though it is inspired by Tuscan leather, nothing else smells like it. It is incredibly unique for making a masculine sexy aroma out of leather and florals.
This is one of the more affordable Tom Ford colognes and the best to spice up your collection.
Performance on my skin is above average. It lasts 8 – 9 hours and projects an arm’s length for a few of those. As for when to wear, it is almost exclusively a cold-weather cologne.
You could stretch it into spring, but it would have to be cool out. I would wear this for any occasion; it works for all.
My Experience With The Best Manly Fragrances For Men
All of the above information is my experience with the best manly fragrances.
However, I keep it as objective as possible. This way, you can objectively decide if this is a fragrance you want to purchase or if you’re comparing a few fragrances. Thus, this section is my subjective opinion.
Masculine fragrances are best when you have an outfit that matches the scent. Examples: A full suit, jeans, work boots, biker attire, etc… For me, most of these scents emphasize my presence and would do the same for you.
Now I am less likely to wear these hyper-masculine scents for everyday wear, but I do know that many women find ultra-masculine fragrances very attractive.
There was actually a study done, and it found women are most attracted to woody scents. Which tends to be a common accord in masculine fragrances.
Maybe these won’t get you compliments, but scientifically, they are supposed to make you more attractive.
How To Pick The Best Manly Fragrances For You
Start with price. No matter the fragrance, pay only what you feel comfortable with. There are plenty of other fragrances to choose from.
With a price range set, determine when and where you want to wear your new fragrance. All seasons, warm weather, cold weather? All occasions, formal, casual, dates, etc.…
This information can be pulled from the review’s last paragraph and infographic.
Once you know your price range and when you want to wear it, you should have a small list.
If you still have a few choices left, compare the prominent accords of your prospective fragrances with prominent accords of fragrances you’ve enjoyed in the past.
With these few short tips, you can easily find the best manly fragrances for you.
FAQ’s
What are Masculine Fragrance Notes?
Masculine fragrance notes tend to be dark and sometimes dirty or primitive. As a general rule, masculine colognes open fresh but heavily focus on a deep base. The most common accords are woods, spices, and animalic tones.
Common Woody Notes:
Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Cedar, and Patchouli.
Common Animalic Notes:
Castoreum, Civet, Ambergris, and Musk.
Other Common Masculine Notes:
Leather, Tobacco, and Rum.
Conclusion
Manly fragrances can be worn with pride. They are both masculine and very sexy. Most will not garner compliments like blue fragrances, but they do grab attention.
Along with these aspects, they tend to use high-quality ingredients and be ultra-unique. Manly colognes are not for everybody. Yet, as a general rule, they tend to be outstanding colognes overall.
What is your best manly fragrance?
These are all hyper-masculine fragrances, but do you don’t you want the longest-lasting ones as well? Discover my list of the top 10 here. They will all last from dawn til dusk and then some.