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13 Best Woody Perfumes and Colognes for Men
By Jacob Osborn - Guide Published: , Last Updated:
As the weather turns, so should your fragrance. The best woody colognes for men offer a touch of warmth when the days get shorter and the nights get colder, it’s time to put away those fresh citrus fragrances and get to terms with the best woody scents for men. Taking inspiration from the whisky world, these colognes are right up our alley. Offering a beautifully layered experience for the senses rife with a natural sensuality, the woody element conjures timeless masculinity.
If you need help choosing, check out our guide on finding your own signature scent. And once you’ve found a cologne that suits you, refer to our article on applying cologne correctly. Now, let’s check out the list of our favourites.
Table of contents
- Best Woody Fragrances for Men at a Glance
- 1. Gentleman Society by Givenchy
- 2. Les Roches Noires by Moncler
- 3. James by Atkinsons
- 4. Gentleman Reserve Privée by Givenchy
- 5. Bourbon Amber by The Art of Shaving
- 6. No 09 Posala Odin by Odin New York
- 7. Tobacco Oud by Tom Ford
- 8. Royal Oud by Creed
- 9. Guilty by Gucci
- 10. Armani Eau d’Aromes by Giorgio Armani
- 11. Intenso by Dolce&Gabbana
- 12. Wonderwood by Comme Des Garcons
- 13. Encre Noire by Lalique
- How We Chose the Best Woody Perfumes and Colognes
- Alternatives to Woody Fragrances for Men
- Best Woody Fragrances for Men FAQs
RELATED: Looking for a great fragrance? These are our favourites, as chosen by our editors.
Best Woody Fragrances for Men at a Glance
Our list of the best woody fragrances for men goes like this.
- The best woody cologne for men overall: James by Atkinsons
- If you’re looking for the best luxury woody fragrance for men: Royal Oud by Creed
- If you want a great value-for-money woody scent for men: Gentleman Reserve Privée by Givenchy
- If you want to add a touch of spice to your perfume: Tobacco Oud by Tom Ford
Now we’ve had a look at our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.
1. Gentleman Society by Givenchy
Once described by a friend as a cologne that “good-looking men wear,” Gentleman Society by Givenchy has become our go-to men’s fragrance. Woody and aromatic, the initial smell is that of cardamom and sage before two varieties of vetiver reach the heart notes all the way from Haiti and Madagascar.
After resting on the skin, the base becomes clearer with vanilla and balancing cedar. Similar to Givenchy Boisee and Gentleman with a twist of Givenchy Invictus, all we can think about is bubblegum. This is the perfect choice for men who are looking to wear something every day.
Some fragrance critics might point their finger at the general lack of complexity, but we strongly disagree. Unique enough to stand out, while not pushing the boundaries into the daring and strange areas of perfumery, Gentleman Society by Givenchy nails the brief in creating one of the best fragrances for men.
Launched: 2023
Top notes: Cardamom and Sage
Middle notes: French Narcissus, Haitian Vetiver and Madagascar Vetiver
Base notes: Vanilla, Palo Santo and Cedar
Price: from $204 AUD
2. Les Roches Noires by Moncler
With one of the best bottle designs of all the fragrances on this list, Les Roches Noires by Moncler keeps things smart and simple from the outside with an Apothecary-style bottle crafted from transparent brown glass, but it’s one of the best fragrances if you’re looking for a deluxe woody and amber scent.
Indonesian Patchouli is something that many top fragrances for men claim, but few deliver like Les Roches Noires in our testing. Like an elevated classic, this Eau de Parfum offers warm and sensual amber notes of labdanum blend with the woody patchouli for a peppery base after settling on skin contact. We’d reserve this one for Fridays in the colder months where dinner parties are held indoors and red wines are had beside outdoor heaters. One of our favourite fragrances for going out.
Launched: 2023
Top notes: Patchouli
Middle notes: Labdanum
Base notes: Pink Pepper
Price: from $295 AUD
3. James by Atkinsons
If you’re looking for a great woody cologne with a combination of spicy aromatics, check out James by Atkinsons. We’ve been using this for the last few weeks and have been really impressed by how it blends strong characterful top notes of Bergamot and Pink Peppercorn with charming and elegant elements of White Flowers and Violets. Being an eau de parfum this date night ready fragrance is far from the cheapest on our list, however, you’re paying for the longevity of the scent. In our testing, we’ve found that it lasts throughout a working day without fault.
Launched: 2023
Top notes: Bergamot oil, Finger Lime, Pink Peppercorn, Clary Sage Absolute
Middle notes: Vetiver oil, Patchouli oil, Musk, Akigalawood
Base notes: Elemi Oil, White Flowers Accord, Violet Leaves
Price: from $280 AUD
Shop at Myer Shop at Selfridges Shop at Harrods
4. Gentleman Reserve Privée by Givenchy
If we’re speaking about woody fragrances for men that draw from the world of whisky, then you can’t go past Gentleman Reserve Privée by Givenchy. The team here at Man of Many are proud wearers of this particular fragrance, so whether you’re talking about Givenchy Gentleman Reserve Privée or the best Scotch Whisky, the same understanding of raw materials and meticulous attention to detail can be found. This fragrance offers a complex array of woody, floral, candied, and fruity notes just like your favourite dram, making for the perfect masculine scent.
Launched: 2022
Top notes: Bergamot.
Middle notes: Iris and Chestnut.
Base notes: Whiskey, Amber and Woodsy Notes.
Price: from $140 AUD
Shop at Myer Shop at Sephora Shop at Amazon
5. Bourbon Amber by The Art of Shaving
If Gentlemen Givenchy is Scotch then you’ll need a sharper-edged Bourbon scent to follow and The Art of Shaving team responds. This woody cologne for men is directly inspired by cask-aged bourbon. Bourbon Amber from The Art of Shaving brings nature to the forefront by way of select raw ingredients, bursting with earthiness, from the laced herbal undertones to the rich woody base, it’s intense yet sophisticated. Best of all, it’s reasonably priced in comparison to most designer options on our list.
Launched: 2018
Top notes: Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha and Italian Lemon.
Middle notes: Vanilla, Lavender and Saffron.
Base notes: Amber, Sandalwood, Patchouli and Labdanum.
Price: from $100 USD
Shop at Feeling Sexy Shop at Cosmetics Now
6. No 09 Posala Odin by Odin New York
Warm in colour and diverse in spirit, Odin 09 features earthy notes that play expertly with a variety of enticing aromas. While the majority of scents on this list take inspiration from the whisky world, Odin finds top notes like peach and pear blossom to segue into a deeply sweet and citrusy middle of vanilla and orange blossom. At the base of this woody cologne for men are notes of tobacco and amber to give this fragrance its classic earthy edge.
Launched: 2012
Top notes: Pear Blossom and Peach.
Middle notes: Bourbon Vanilla, Star Jasmine and Orange Blossom.
Base notes: Tobacco, Benzoin, Black Iris and Amber.
Price: from $165 USD
7. Tobacco Oud by Tom Ford
Don’t let price dissuade you from purchasing this fragrance, because it’s truly one of the best overall woody colognes on the market. In our testing, we found it to be one of the longest-lasting options on our list, exactly what you’d expect from Tom Ford’s very special private collection. You’ll struggle to find an option on the market that balances rare ingredients like this, employing musky oud and notes of amber and vanilla for a sweet, savoury and woody scent best summed up as exotic. Perfect for date night, choose this if you’re looking for an unmistakable cologne that will last you a lifetime.
Launched: 2013
Top notes: Whiskey.
Middle notes: Cinnamon and Coriander.
Base notes: Tobacco, Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood, Incense, Patchouli, Benzoin, Vanilla and Cedar.
Price: from $395 AUD
Shop at Myer Shop at David Jones Shop at Mecca
8. Royal Oud by Creed
From one of the biggest names in perfumery comes Royal Oud by Creed. If we’re talking about rare ingredients, Regal Indian oud helps create this woody cologne for men. One can’t look past Creed when it comes to quality fragrances as they’re widely regarded as THE best brand on the market, although, you’ll pay for the luxury. Royal oud sits upon a woody foundation, joined by generous amounts of grass, smoke, citrus and spice for an overall profile that’s as profoundly versatile and masculine as it is earthy. Inspired by luxurious elements of a Persian palace – wood, leather, marble and gold – it is a woody perfume for him designed for all occassions.
Launched: 2011
Top notes: Pink Pepper, Lemon and Sicilian Bergamot.
Middle notes: Cedar, Angelica and Galbanum.
Base notes: Sandalwood, Agarwood (Oud) and Musk.
Price: from $539 AUD
Shop at Myer Shop at Creed Shop at Chemist Warehouse
9. Guilty by Gucci
This woody perfume for him has committed the crime of creating an unabashedly masculine scent awash with bold, seductive allure. Here, Gucci stands guilty as charged with this wildly popular woody fragrance housed in a formidable bottle made from metal and glass. This Pour Homme blends floral and citrus top notes with a beefy base of cedar and patchouli.
Launched: 2011
Top notes: Lavender and Amalfi Lemon.
Middle notes: African Orange flower.
Base notes: Virginia Cedar, Patchouli and Vanilla.
Price: from $120 AUD
Shop at Gucci Shop at Myer Shop at Chemist Warehouse
10. Armani Eau d’Aromes by Giorgio Armani
Armani, you’ve done it again. A favourite amongst the team here at Man of Many we love Eau d’Aromes for its warm aromas of patchouli, vetiver, and sage along with citrus notes like bergamot and mandarin. That said, you had us at Armani – a brand that has a history of great pheromones. If you’re looking for a great woody cologne for going out, this is our pick.
Launched: 2014
Top notes: Mandarin Orange and Bergamot.
Middle notes: Ginger and Patchouli.
Base notes: Vetiver, Sage and Cardamom.
Price: from $150 AUD
Shop at Armani Shop at Myer Shop at Amazon
11. Intenso by Dolce&Gabbana
From renowned luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana comes Intenso, a bold men’s fragrance that touts a creamy texture and a crisp, aquatic opening. However, it’s ultimately a long-lasting dark chocolate and tobacco scent that dominates this earthy masculine cologne, courtesy of a newly discovered wood-based ingredient called Moepel accord.
Launched: 2014
Top notes: Lavender, Water Notes, Basil, Marigold and Geranium.
Middle notes: Tobacco, Hay, Clary Sage, Moepel accord and Bran.
Base notes: Sandalwood, Cypress, Musk, Amber and Labdanum.
Price: from $90
Shop at Dolce&Gabbana Shop at Chemist Warehouse Shop at Perfumery
12. Wonderwood by Comme Des Garcons
Best known for making some of the best men’s fashion pieces on the planet, Comme Des Garcons’ line of eau de parfum is just as appealing to us. While we’re usually wearing the original fragrance, we’re just as big a fan of Wonderwood. You’ll be drawn to this one thanks to the gorgeous bottle design, however, it’s the standout notes of vetiver, sandalwood, Virginia cedar, and cypress that make this one of our favourite earthy colognes. Yet somehow that never results in overkill for this cologne with sandalwood. A stand out if you’re looking for a great daily-wearing fragrance.
Launched: 2010
Price: from $140 AUD
Shop at Comme Des Garcons Shop at Selfridges Shop at Mecca
13. Encre Noire by Lalique
Launched in 2006, Encre Noir translates to “Black Ink” and the packaging sure takes that name to heart. Inside the bottle of this woody cologne for men is a trend-focused fragrance that excuses spice at first spray thanks to top notes of cypress. We found that it takes a little longer than most to find the heart of vetiver, however, the base notes of cashmere wood and musk play beautifully for rich earthy notes. If you’re looking for a great masculine woody scent at an affordable price point, check out Encre Noire by Lalique
Launched: 2006
Top notes: Cypress
Middle notes: Vetiver
Base notes: Cashmere Wood and Musk
Price: from $125 USD
Shop at Lalique Shop at Harvey Norman Shop at Amazon
How We Chose the Best Woody Perfumes and Colognes
When it comes to our list of the best woody perfumes and colognes money can buy, it goes without saying, that expertise is key. With more than 10 years of experience testing the best woody colognes for men, Man of Many has had the chance to test every fragrance on this list (often thanks to their friends in the industry). Where they haven’t had the chance to spend time with a scent, they’ve turned to the wider public for their overall ratings. The list takes into account three major perspectives to determine the overall rating. In addition to their own opinions, it takes reviews via the perfume forum Fragrantica and the Australian retailers Myer and Chemist Warehouse into account. Information is then collated and measured before deciding on the best woody fragrances for men on the market.
Interested in more perfume and cologne stories? Here are a few stories to get you started:
Alternatives to Woody Fragrances for Men
Colognes & Fragrances Using Different Notes
- Best Spicy Colognes and Fragrances for Men
- Best Fresh Citrus Colognes and Perfumes for Men
- Givenchy Built Whisky Notes Into Its Incredible New Fragrance
- Tom Ford Beau de Jour is Smoky and Minty
Fragrances by the Season
- Best Summer Fragrances for Men
- Best Autumn and Fall Fragrances for Men
- Best Winter Perfumes and Fragrances for Men
- Best Spring Fragrances for Men
Advice for Men
Best Woody Fragrances for Men FAQs
Woody fragrances often have citrus or aromatic headnotes with crisp woody notes in the heart and resin or wood in the base notes. These scents will usually contain pine, patchouli, or cedarwood.
Some of the best woody colognes for men are Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood Eau De Parfum Spray, Yves Saint Laurent Splendid Wood and Lagerfeld By Karl Lagerfeld
