14 Best Vanilla Colognes That Will Challenge The Status Quo
Are you satisfied by a gourmands delight?
Vanilla is a common ingredient in most fragrances. This has led some to believe it’s just average or your typical ingredient.
Yet most fail to recognize that vanilla is the key to adding a smooth sweetness. This pleases your senses and makes you return for more.
Now I know you’re smart enough to realize that vanilla is a great ingredient. So, how about a list with vanilla as the primary note?
Well, in this review, you’ll discover how the best vanilla colognes for men smell and perform. Not all will probably fit your tastes, but by the end, I’m sure you’ll find something that you love.
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Table of Contents
#14 – Givenchy Pi
Suppose it is date night. You want a simple fragrance so that you don’t come off as too much. But you also want it to be tasteful, definitely, something that attracts interest.
Givenchy Pi is your perfect choice; it is an oldie but a goodie.
The opening is led by freshness, a blast of aromatics and vanilla. The freshness is from a semi-fruity and sweet mandarin orange. It is a fleeting hint but provides a great introduction to the more dominant parts of the scent.
The aromatics are more prominent. To my nose, it is a combination of rosemary and basil. If you’re familiar with these from the grocery store, you’ll know they have a degree of “spice,” it’s no different here.
In the background, vanilla is prevalent, amplifying the sugary sweetness.
After a few minutes, the fresh citruses and aromatics are drastically dissipating, and vanilla is filling the void.
The overarching emphasis in the mid is vanilla with creamy almond additions. It softens the sweetness and gives vanilla a unique twist.
There is a hefty dose of florals in the scent profile, but I never pick up on them. If anything, they keep the fragrance fresh, light, and wearable.
The dry-down adds ambery Benzoin. It’s smooth and warm, giving the fragrance depth. The rest of the wear is vanilla, almond, and ambery benzoin.
Givenchy Pi is not going to be a monster performer, nor should it be. The projection and longevity are perfect for a date. Your aroma will be discovered rather than announced.
As for seasons, this is exclusively cold-weather wear. The scent gets quite cloying in the warmer temperatures.
#13 – Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo – Mandarlo di Sicilia EDT
Mandarlo di Sicilia EDT is a gourmands’ delight. If you want the most delicious scent on the list, then this is your choice. But I do have to warn you that it’s a unisex fragrance that leans slightly feminine.
The opening is defined by its smooth sweetness and slightly fizzy nature. It may be intriguing to find that the beginning of the wear has a root beer float-like nature. T
he first few minutes are fleeting notes of orange.
Quickly, it transitions to an almond and vanilla duo with star anise spice undertones. All three of these more dominant notes are very well-blended.
Working in unison to create the root beer float-like quality. Now the smell is not 1:1, but it is reminiscent.
After some time, vanilla gains a powdery sugary sweet nature and is the most prominent of the duo. Almond is still present but sits in the background. At this point, the perfume is very light and airy. Blessing many with your gourmand aroma.
You’ll be pleased to know that this is all-season wear. The sweetness would usually get quite intense in the heat. Yet, the projection is so intimate that it can only help.
On the flip side, the depth of the sweetness allows it to cut through the cold winter air.
#12 – Zara Warm Black
One of the best casual wears on this list, and this is because it’s not exciting. Before you lose interest, know it works to the scent’s advantage.
There are only 3 notes, but it has great performance for an affordable price – a 100mL bottle for less than $20.
Now that I have your attention again, let me describe the scent.
The opening is a mix of sweet vanilla and ginger spice. For the first half an hour, the spice is strong, and vanilla is doing its best to counterbalance it.
Once time has passed, the spice loses strength, and vanilla becomes the most prominent. It stays this way for most of the wear until the dry-down.
Here you’ll smell the additions of tobacco and nutmeg-like qualities. Neither is listed in the scent tree, but the scent has mild warm spice qualities, commonly found in both.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that they are earthy or woody, but it is heading in that direction.
Now let’s talk about wear. Spray Zara Warm Black on in the winter to run errands or around the house, and you’re good to go.
This is exclusively cold-weather wear, but for the price, you can’t beat it.
#11 – Tom Ford Vanille Fatale
Like your typical Tom Ford fragrance, this is ultra-unique and edgy. It is also one of the most complex scents on the list, so buckle in.
Vanilla is present right away; it’s creamy and smooth but never loud. Tart plum adds to the opening but only gives a fleeting vibrance of sour fruits. After 10-15 minutes, the scent starts to get more interesting.
You’ll smell a unique combination of barley, rum, vanilla, and spices.
This part is so intoxicating that you can’t stop turning your head or moving your wrist to your nose to smell yourself. Light vanilla and spice with rum nuances are retained for the rest of the wear.
After a few hours, the scent gains a smoky and resinous nature with spices in the background. It is not fleeting but doesn’t last for the rest of the wear.
Finishing off, the scent is dark, boozy vanilla with rich wood. The darkness is delightful, making the scent mysterious.
A scent with this strength is sure to be exclusively winter wear. It becomes near intolerable in warmer temperatures. So when is Tom Ford Vanilla Fatale best?
If you love vanilla colognes and are okay with the cost, it’s the perfect winter formal wear. It could be an absolute show-stopper at the Christmas or holiday work party.
#10 – Diptyque Eau Duelle EDP
Diptyque has a thing for producing simple yet soft fragrances.
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 performance is decent. It is nothing that will knock your socks off. It’s the perfect projection for a more intimate setting, chilling on the couch, watching a movie, etc…
Of course, it will work for all occasions and is best worn in cooler temperatures.
#9 – Les Demodables Vanille Havane
Definitely a fragrance for a mature man.
Vanille Havane’s opening is led by a sea of rum and equal parts vanilla.
While bitter cacao remnants and smoky nuances linger in the background. The rum is certainly tempered in the opening, but it is still very boozy. It is the main contributor to the sweet accent.
As the scent progresses, it all funnels down and melts into more sweetness from various notes. Yet, it never comes across as sugary or candy-like.
At this point, all aforementioned accords rest on a bed of deep and warm amber.
The sweetness weakens quickly. Smooth vanilla and intense tobacco fill the void. The tobacco is definitely prominent but not overpowering.
The rest of the wear is the vanilla and tobacco duo with sweet nuances.
The performance is impressive. On my skin, the projection is really good for the first 2 – 3 hours, then recedes. Yet, it never becomes a skin scent.
As for wear, this is exclusively fall and winter wear.
#8 – Nishane Ani
Nishane Ani has a ton of vanilla. It is so good and interesting that it shames most other vanilla fragrances. For all my vanilla lovers out there, you need to stop right now.
There are a lot of notes in the opening. There are about six that are competing for attention. However, it comes across as effervescent, like a sparkling quality.
Much of this is from the ginger. Along with the effervesce are spices and sweetness.
Pretty quickly after the first spray, vanilla is dominant. It is so good that all the other notes don’t seem to matter. It has a sugary sweetness but is also creamy, rich, and zingy from the spices.
Vanilla, in this case, has the right degree of softness and mellowness while still being dominant.
Into the dry down, the spices fade, and the base picks up a sandalwood backbone. The top notes are still there but very subtle. The rest of the wear is basically all about vanilla and the light sandalwood backbone.
The longevity is slightly above average, but the projection is average.
I particularly like this aspect because it makes it wearable for all situations. The projection is good in the first 1 – 2 hours, and then it settles down for the rest of the wear.
Ani is one of the most versatile on the list; in moderation, you might even be able to pull it off in the summer. Still, it is an excellent winter fragrance for men.
#7 – Armani Code Absolu
This is the Hail Mary in every man’s fragrance playbook. I have read in multiple online forums, and I agree. This is the scent you choose when you want to impress.
It is the perfect combination of attention-grabbing and elegant.
From the first spray is a fleeting touch of slightly creamy orange and apple. Neither lasts long – maybe a minute. Yet, they are both there long enough to capture attention.
The scent quickly rolls into a bittersweet tonka bean and nutmeg mixture when the top notes fade. Tonka bean is the most powerful of the two and will dominate the rest of the wear.
It comes across as sweet and semi-creamy, while nutmeg is slightly spicy.
At times, I do pick up rum nuances that are more prevalent in the dry-down. But the opening notes are too overpowering for it ever to get boozy.
This is the main scent for a while until the dry-down starts to develop. Then you have two things going on, which is quite interesting.
The dominant tonka bean fuses with vanilla, and a sensual rum accord lingers on top.
But what is also happening is a woody suede becomes prevalent. It has an earthy tinge but never comes across as dirty. This combination provides an excellent backbone for warm and smooth vanillic accords.
As the scent finishes, tonka bean remains dominant, and the woody base amplifies. At this point, all notes are present but only support the rest of the wear.
So, yes, Armani Code Absolu is far from a linear scent.
The performance of Armani Code Absolu is outstanding. It lasts over 12 hours on my skin and nearly fills a room with its projection. Its elegant and classy aroma suits it best for formal and special events.
#6 – Valentino Uomo Intense
Another steady eddy that is ideal when you want to impress. Uomo Intense is always classy, sexy, and sophisticated. It truly is a formal occasion cologne. The perfect winter fragrance for a gentleman.
Upon the first spray is a quick blast of tangy mandarin freshness. Now it is present but not necessary. It almost immediately gets overpowered by the dominant iris.
The opening is all about the iris with a lipstick vibe.
Clary sage does add a crisp, herbaceous boost to the opening. Yet, it’s mild because the iris is so strong. It’s the type of iris found in 2011 Dior Homme Intense rather than Prada Colognes.
As the scent progresses from the mid to the dry-down, vanilla creeps in. It adds sweetness and warmth but never comes across as sugary.
Not long after, leather fuses with vanilla, and the two are inseparable for the rest of the wear.
As the Uomo Intense finishes off, it is heavy, warm, and rich. All of these qualities amount to its ability to be so classy and sophisticated.
It is a simple scent, but it is show-stopping. On my skin, the performance is slightly above-average. It’s a unique fragrance that nearly no one will be wearing.
#5 – Azzaro The Most Wanted Parfum
One of the main things about The Most Wanted Parfum is its balance between simplicity and complexity. The scent profile only consists of three notes: Red ginger, Wood, and Vanilla.
For the most part, this is all you can smell. Yet, there are still three unique stages of development.
The first 1-2 hours is mostly red ginger. It comes across as very fresh but also has a zingy and invigorating quality. There is a touch of sweetness, and the mid and base notes are present, but not like ginger.
The opening is decent, but nothing to drool over.
As the scent progresses, it gets exponentially better. The mid of the fragrance is a subtle wood with vanilla. Neither is at full strength yet. There is still sweetness, but the powdery quality is the most prevalent.
Once in the dry-down, sweet vanilla dominates.
The woodiness has gotten deeper and picked up a slightly smoky quality. It provides the perfect balance to the vanilla so that the sweetness never gets too overpowering.
So how about performance?
Well, it’s exclusively fall and winter wear. The sweetness is just too much in warm temperatures. I mostly see this as a special occasion fragrance – dates, formal events, etc… because of its sophistication.
However, it would also work really well for casual situations and cuddling on the couch.
#4 – Rochas Moustache EDP
For all the bottle buff’s out there, you’ll be glad to read about this. It has a nice heavy bottle with the perfect amount of roundness to fit into the palm of your hand.
Upon the first spray is prominent benzoin and vanilla with soft and warm pink pepper. The pink pepper is particularly enjoyable because it has an uplifting nature.
Yet, it isn’t the type of pepper that makes you want to sneeze.
The scent depends on the vanilla and benzoin duo for most of the wear. The main idea of this combination is rich and warm vanilla.
As the scent progresses, there are nuances of floral rose. Usually, rose nuances would be in a feminine perfume, but in this case, it creates a comforting aroma.
Into the dry-down, the vanilla becomes woodier and comes across as if it’s been barrel-aged. In the background is smoky incense, a unique touch to the unrivaled vanilla.
Rochas Moustache EDP is of outstanding quality for the price. It lacks performance and is not summer wear, but it does smell outstanding.
#3 – Herod Parfums de Marly
Haha yes! A unique signature scent for you. This scent is extremely underrated. Yet, it can be worn by nearly anyone.
The first spray of Herod is an exceptional dose of warmth. Denoted from dominant tobacco and rich, sweet vanilla. Laying the background is a blend of cinnamon and pepper.
The cinnamon is most noticeable, pairing perfectly with the tobacco and vanilla combination.
As for the pepper, it makes my nose tinge, but it’s not overpowering. Just enough to let you know it’s there.
As the scent dries, the notes settle in quite nicely. Making it harder to specifically pick out individual notes.
However, the overall scent has gotten darker. The tobacco note has gotten more prominent, and the spices have retained the same degree of “punch.”
There is a degree of incense or labdanum enveloping the edges. The smell is hard to describe, but it is smoky without the smell of smoke. More of a comforting ambiance that sparks curiosity.
15-20 minutes into the wear, the spices have lingered into the background. The enveloping edges have faded. At this point, the tobacco notes dominance is waning.
As it transcends into a sea of prominent rich, and warm vanilla.
Once in the dry down, vanilla pairs perfectly with tobacco. Only becoming slightly more dominant. In the background are wafts of cinnamon that have reappeared.
This trio is wrapped up as a warm and rich base for the rest of the wear.
Parfums de Marly is known for creating easy-to-wear and versatile fragrances. Herod speaks to their determination to high quality. It is mainly cold-weather wear but performs well for all occasions.
The performance is above average, lasting an entire workday.
#2 – Mercedes – Benz Club Black
If you’re unfamiliar with car manufacturers making men’s perfumes, then now you know. The plus side is that this cologne is as good as their cars.
Upon the first spray is a sweet boozy blast.
In the scent profile, bergamot is listed as a top note, but I don’t smell it in any way, shape, or form. This allows the scent to get right into the vanilla. It’s a very nice blend with the smoky incense nuances in the background.
As the dry-down develops, moderately sweet vanilla is still dominant and is accompanied by resinous amber.
It’s not the most unique scent, but it knows its purpose and does it well. Not only does the vibe of the scent best fit evenings, but it is also winter wear. The amber-vanilla duo gets too intense when you get heat on the fragrance.
#1 – Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla
Everything on this list seems like a whole day’s paycheck for one scent. There has to be one fragrance for men that smells fantastic and is also affordable, right?
Yes, Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla. Its most notable quality is its similarity to Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme but less intense and complex.
Starting off, the scent is a strong hit of cardamom. It is slightly peppery and may be off-putting but is quickly enveloped by warm vanilla.
From here, vanilla lasts for hours and is the perfect balance between sweet and subdued.
As the scent develops, it gains powder and woods that add depth. Neither is ever prominent, but they are essential additions.
Vanilla always dominated from the first few minutes to the end of the wear.
Spice and Black Vanilla is not the best performer or most versatile scent. However, for the price, you get a fantastic cold-weather wear for all occasions.
FAQs
Can Men Wear Vanilla Cologne?
Vanilla scents are enjoyed by many men. Not all fragrances are vanilla-dominant, but many have vanilla notes you don’t even know about.
As for these scents, they are great for men to wear. Most have a fantastic soft sweetness that will be pleasant for you and the others around you.
Conclusion
Vanilla fragrances are great scents for men. Many are attractive and alluring and will serve you well no matter your situation.
Now, the one downfall that faces many vanilla perfumes is the lack of warm weather wear. This is because of their rich and sweet nature. This is unfortunate, but a few are so affordable that they make it worthwhile.
What is your favorite Men’s vanilla cologne?
All vanilla fragrances are outstanding scents. But don’t just limit yourself to vanilla fragrances. Discover the best sandalwood colognes for men here.