Our list of the best fragrances for men goes like this.

No list of the best perfumes for men would be complete without a classic from Tom Ford. Our pick of the bunch is ‘Tobacco Oud’ for its addictive and mesmerising scent thanks to a crafting process that incorporates precious oud wood and notes of aromatic tobacco. Other than the two main notes of tobacco and oud, the scent is also made up of notes of coriander, cistus, labdanum, cedar, patchouli, sandalwood, and roasted tonka bean and castoreum. We recommend wearing this one to your most important business meetings, it screams “I’m a professional” like few colognes can.

The Dior name needs no introduction, by any definition, Sauvage is a fragrance for those inspired by ozone-blue skies and open landscapes but for us, it’s just one of the best-smelling perfumes for men. The cologne itself is unmistakably masculine and will bring out the best in an average guy thanks to its burst of freshness, boasting top notes of Reggio bergamot and a heart note of ambroxan. If you’re lucky enough to douse yourself in this tasty number, make sure you’re wearing your best suit.

Few perfume brands for men can construct something as powerful and masculine as Christian Dior Ambre Nuit. If you’re looking for a collection of the most exclusive ingredients that have been sourced from far-ranging areas of the earth, this is your elusive fragrance. Sitting towards the top of our list, we absolutely love the top notes of bergamot essence, heart notes of Damascena rose from Turkey and base notes of ambergris from New Zealand. This is a niche fragrance for men that you have to try to believe.

We can’t put it any simpler than this, Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani is sexy and clean, a long-lasting fragrance that’s inspired by a vacation Armani took to the majestic coastal town of Pantelleria, Italy. While details of that special trip are kept in secrecy, the story goes that Armani took a whiff of Mediterranean paradise, put it in a bottle and then passed the bottle along to millions (and millions) of people. It’s now the gold standard of affordable men’s colognes.

Fresh, clean and profoundly sensual, Bleu de Chanel is absolute class. It’s a fragrance that makes its intentions clear with authority and elegance at the same time. Few perfumes for men give you an immediate boost of confidence like Bleu de Chanel thanks to its notes that include citrus accord, vetiver, pink pepper, grapefruit, dry cedar notes, labdanum, frankincense, ginger and sandalwood. Priced from $80 AUD it’s one of the more affordable options on this list, but also one of the best. We call that value for money.

Aventus by Creed was inspired by the dramatic life of a historic emperor, celebrating strength, power and success. So basically, it’s perfect for a Saturday night out at your local nightclub… not quite. We love this fragrance for its sophisticated “life well lived” ora thanks to rich notes of bergamot, blackcurrant leaves, apple, pineapple, pink berries, birch, patchouli, and jasmine that round off well with base notes of musk, oakmoss, ambergris and vanilla. If you’re game enough to add this one to your cologne collection, make sure you use it sparingly, this is one of the pricier colognes for men.

Artisan, as is clearly portrayed by the bottle, embodies craftsmanship. We love this perfume for men thanks to its abstract explosion of citrus and herbal infusions with woody notes perfectly woven into the blend. The flask-like bottle (which is hand-woven) exudes masculinity and individual style alongside fragrance notes that include Sicilian clementine, tangelo, mandarin, thyme, marjoram, lavadin, North African orange tree blossom, Indian murraya, orange jasmine tree, ginger extracts, kephalis, georgywood, belambre and serenolide.

Pour Homme by Bottega Veneta was the luxury designer’s very first men’s fragrance and to this day it remains one of the best. This one makes our list of the best-smelling fragrances and colognes for men for its infectious middle palate of Canadian Fir, Clary Sage and Pimento. It was inspired by adventurers and travellers that dared to set foot out of the ordinary urban life by combining masculinity and adventure into a tiny little bottle. Priced from $90 AUD it’s a great choice for everyday wear.

Like great scotch and excellent jazz music, Aramis is a cologne that a young man grows to appreciate and identify with age. Aramis makes our list of the best perfumes for men due to its masculine profile with sharp notes of wood and leather. This tough body is lightened by floral undertones and an overall clean scent. Ask the most distinguished gentlemen what they think of Aramis, we bet they have a bottle in their cupboard.

Tom Ford Noir Extreme is for the man that relishes immoderation We love the combination of pleasing notes that include mandarin, neroli, saffron, nutmeg, cardamom, orange blossom, sandalwood and vanilla, but it’s the balance these draw with an otherwise mysteriously dark and sexy perfume for men. If you’re looking to pick a woody, amber-ridden number from this list, we think you’ve found it.

Sometimes decisions come naturally and choosing the scent that made Chris Hemsworth the god that he is was an easy one. BOSS Bottled Marine is a seriously exhilarating hit of freshness with notes that evoke a familiar woody scent highlighted by fresh, frozen apples. From there, it’s an exploration of all that’s crisp, with spearmint taking hold alongside notes of cinnamon and clary sage that linger on the mid-palate. Better still, this cheeky little number comes in the signature BOSS Bottled glass bottle with a frosted blue finish, making it the ultimate ice-blue accessory.

We like to call Jean Paul Gaultier by Jean Paul Gaultier the “man in the can” due to its rather unique packaging. This cologne makes our list of the best perfume for men because of the irresistible scent firing on all cylinders with a layered blend of botanicals. Overall, we’d call this a fragrance designed to hit you right away, but it does have a complexity that comes from top notes that give way to others over time. Does it make sense to call this cologne predictably unpredictable? Well, we did it anyway.

L’Homme Ultime by Yves Saint Laurent is a scent that’ll resonate with the opposite sex long after you’ve left the room. It’s fresh, modern, and daring and it will quite literally turn heads. We love the audacious blend that combines the sensuality of sage with the warmth of aromatic woody notes and the freshness of rose. If you’re looking for the best way to celebrate your masculinity, put this on ASAP.

Mr. Burberry Eau de Parfum is inspired by their iconic black heritage trench coat. Just like the trench coat, this fragrance is classic, timeless and will never go out of style. Overall, we found this one to be a warm and sensual fragrance that smells like confidence. If you’re a fan of aromatic and fresh top notes such as tarragon and cinnamon, Mr. Burberry will hit all the right spots.

Fashion house Valentino crafted Uomo to be an eternal classic. Its inspiration was drawn from a mix between a relaxed grandeur and a modern aristocrat. This one makes our list of the best perfumes for men thanks to its top notes of bergamot and myrtle, base notes of leather and cedar, and delicious heart notes of roasted coffee beans, chocolate and hazelnut. If we had to describe this fragrance for men in one sentence, this is the perfect choice if you only want the best for yourself and nothing less. Simple.

L’eau D’issey by Issey Miyake is known for portraying a brilliant fusion of citrus and spice. We love this Miyake perfume for its ability to play carnal conquests on the mind, body, and soul. If we had one tip, be sure to master the pronunciation before telling the ladies what it is you’re wearing – trust us they’ll ask.

CK One by Calvin Klein is the kind of men’s cologne you can smell just by looking at the bottle. You’ve probably seen this one everywhere and after trying it, we have to say the jury result is correct, it’s one of the best perfumes for men. Unscrew the cap and have your memory affirmed by a creamy scent that conjures up words like “purity” and even “softness”. This fragrance is not afraid to get in touch with its feminine side either, so hide this one from your partner or it’ll surely go missing.

No longer content only making the world’s finest pens, Montblanc stomped onto the fragrance scene in 2011 when it unveiled one of our favourite perfumes for men. When the team sat down to create this one, they had a plan in mind, create a study in contrasts, fusing confidence and masculinity with a subtle tenderness, which is exactly what manhood in the 21st century is all about. We love this perfume for men due to its combination of dried fruits and apple on the mid-palate, but its top notes of pineapple and lemon are the true standout.

Versace Pour Homme by Versace is one of our favourites from the classic Italian design house. This perfume for men opens with strong notes of lemon and citrus which quickly mellow out to achieve a balanced, reliable scent that will keep you going all day long. We particularly love the overall profile that’s both crisp and refreshing. Overall, this one is a top-shelf perfume for men at an affordable price.

Don’t be fooled by the name or the gold exterior – this men’s cologne doesn’t cost a million dollars – although it would be kind of cool if it did, wouldn’t it? The name is moreover an ode to the world of desire and success that the fragrance encapsulates. After trying this one ourselves, you should expect a heavy-hitting aromatic profile that leaves no room for doubt when a man with a plan has entered the building. The top notes of blood mandarin, grapefruit, and mint should lead you to a heavy-hitting conclusion straight away. This is our pick for dimly lit speak-easy bars, of course, with an Old-Fashioned in hand.

Gentlemen Only Intense is represented by Australian actor and director Simon Baker who perfectly portrays the type of man this fragrance is intended for. This one makes our list of the best perfumes for men as we found it to be a great companion for a night on the town or a dinner date thanks to its top notes of green mandarin oil, black pepper, birch leaf. The heart notes of patchouli, Texas cedar, and leather accord are equally as attractive, but the base notes of tonka bean, amber and incense truly round out a great showing from Givenchy.

Hugo for Men by Hugo Boss might be one of the oldest colognes for men on this list, however, its 1995 launch should be a sign of endurance thanks to the masculine scent it offers. In our experience, this is the fragrance you spray before going to a great house party or on a casual date. It makes people want to be around you even when you’re not vying for their attention, thanks to its strong base notes of fir, cedar and patchouli.

Sometimes fragrances need little introduction and we promise La Nuit De L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent is here to serve as one of the best-smelling perfumes for men. It’s a top-shelf fragrance from the house that’ll remain current even in years to come thanks to its spicy accord of cardamom balanced out with fresh notes of bergamot, lavender and cedar. We particularly love the finish filled with the masculinity of cumin and vetiver.

Versace Eros is characterised by Greek methodology, Eros being the god of love. That’s exactly why this fragrance represents love, passion and desire. The addictive sensual nature will leave you irresistible and includes top notes of mint leaves, Italian lemon zest and green apple. Heart notes include tonka beans, amber, geranium flower and vanilla while base notes of cedarwood from Atlas, vetiver and oak moss finish the fragrance off. Go get your inner Greek god on.

Combining fresh citrus notes with rich and sensual aromatic leather, Colonia Leather is Italian luxury at its finest. It’s masculine yet elegant and particularly stylish. Just take a look at these fragrance notes and tell me that doesn’t sound phenomenal; Sicilian Lemon, Italian Orange, Raspberry, Honeysuckle, Petit Grain, Rose, Leather, Cedarwood, Birchwood, Gaiac Wood, Labdaum.