Perfumes and colognes for men are the best gifts—try to convince me otherwise. There’s just something special and luxurious about unwrapping a fresh bottle of fine fragrance. My brother Ryan is a certified fragrance snob (his most prized possessions are his bevy of cologne bottles), so I asked him to share the fragrances he gets compliments on the most. His list is pretty exhaustive, so I narrowed it down to three must-haves from luxury brands like Kilian and Dior, plus an aura-enhancing pick from Maison Margiela. Whether you’re getting a head start on your holiday shopping for the guy in your life or looking for inspiration for your own collection, you’ll find his most-coveted colognes ahead.
While it’s technically an eau de parfum (this just means there’s a higher percentage of fragrance oil than in a classic eau de cologne), Angels’ Share is one of the most highly sought-after fragrances for both men and women. It opens up with notes of cognac derived from liquor (hence its rich caramel color), oak, cinnamon, and tonka bean before settling into the skin and softening, leaving notes of sandalwood and vanilla in its wake. “I have the smaller size, but I’d love to receive the full size as a gift since the art deco glass bottle is one-of-a-kind,” Ryan explains. “It’s designed to look like a decanter that catches the light at all angles, making it the star of any collection.” So, in short, every detail (quietly) screams luxury.
Even if this is your first foray into the men’s fragrance space, you’ve definitely heard of Dior Sauvage (or, perhaps, at least seen Johnny Depp’s ads for it). The warm, spicy scent has a unique scent profile featuring potent notes of Calabrian bergamot, pepper, lavender, cedar, and amber. It’s available in an eau de parfum and an eau de toilette for a little cheaper, but Ryan recommends splurging on the Elixir, which has the same character as the original Sauvage yet takes it up a few notches with a layer of spices (think: cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom). It’s alluring and long-lasting—a win-win.
Maison Margiela is known for curating scents that evoke a certain vibe—in this case, a swanky, dimly lit jazz bar. Its smoky, boozy, and leathery notes (i.e., tobacco leaf, vanilla, and, literally, leather) are balanced by fresh notes of pink pepper, cardamom, cedarwood, and geranium. It’s cozy and sophisticated, adding a mysterious aura to all who wear it. It’s also memorable and distinctive, so don’t be surprised if people recognize the scent on you. “While it certainly leans more masculine, I know several women who wear it,” Ryan says. “It smells great on everyone.”
Other Men’s Fragrances We Tested
When choosing a fragrance, you’ll want it to resonate with your style and personality, and smell good. To ensure we’re recommending colognes that we ourselves would wear or like our loved ones to wear, we tested popular men’s fragrances in our NYC lab. Here are some of our favorites: