When it comes to our list of the best woody perfumes and colognes money can buy, it goes without saying, that expertise is key. While Man of Many has had the chance to test every earthy fragrance on this list (often thanks to our friends in the industry), they’ve also turned to the wider public for their overall ratings. Man of Many’s lists takes into account three major perspectives to determine the overall rating. In addition to their own opinions, they take into account reviews via perfume forum Fragrantica and the Australian retailers Myer and Chemist Warehouse. They then collate the information together and measure the best woody men’s colognes via overall scent profile, reader ratings and commercial availability.

The team here at Man of Many are proud wearers of this particular fragrance for its similarities to the whisky world – two things we love fondly. 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 drop of whisky and makes for the perfect masculine scent.

If Gentlemen Givenchy is Scotch then you’ll need a sharper-edged Bourbon scent to follow and The Art of Shaving team responds. With scents directly inspired by cask-aged bourbon, Bourbon Amber from The Art of Shaving brings nature to the forefront by way of select raw ingredients. Accordingly, every fragrance in the range is bursting with earthiness, from the laced herbal undertones to the rich woody base, this cologne is intense yet sophisticated, and best of all, reasonably priced in comparison to most designer options on the market.

Warm in colour and diverse in spirit, Odin 09 is an earthy cologne that plays 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 are notes of tobacco and amber to give this fragrance its classic earthy edge. Genuinely, one of the best woody perfumes for him.

Don’t let price dissuade you from purchasing this woody cologne because this long-lasting number from Tom Ford is part of the brand’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 profile best summed up as exotic. This is the scent for those of us who want to rock an unmistakable scent and you should look no further than Tobacco Oud by Tom Ford.

Speaking of rare ingredients, Regal Indian oud helps create this woody perfume for him thanks to Creed. One can’t look past Creed when it comes to quality fragrances as they’re widely regarded as THE masculine perfume brand. 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. Inspired by luxurious elements of a Persian palace – wood, leather, marble and gold – it is a woody perfume for him designed for casual wear.

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.

Yves Saint Laurent built this superb unisex fragrance out of strong woody notes like oud and cedar. That’s balanced by shades of earth, flower and spice for an overall profile that’s as soft as it is pronounced, and cool as it is hot. Should you buy this acclaimed fragrance, we suggest keeping it out of view when your cheeky mates are over because jokes about the name are intentional and guaranteed.

Armani, you’ve done it again. A favourite amongst the team here at Man of Many – and just about every club-goer in Sydney  – 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 – the ultimate pheromones cologne.

Italian fashion house Fendi cranks the intensity dial all the way up on this fearless and dynamic Eau de Toilette. Fan di Fendi Pour Homme Assoluto opens with a spicy bang of cardamom and pink pepper before moving into an equally aggressive heart of oud wood and grassy vetiver. A base that includes opoponax resin makes a hot thing even hotter. Everything about this woody men’s fragrance–from the unforgettable bottle design to the scent itself–favours extremes. Proceed accordingly.

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.

Between the name Wonderwood and the picture of the tree on the box, you probably know what to expect from Comme des Garcons’ remarkable woody perfume for him. This redolent enchanter employs notes of vetiver, sandalwood, Virginia Cedar, oud, Guaiac wood, and cypress. In other words: lots and lots of wood. Yet somehow that never results in overkill for this cologne with sandalwood. It is one of the best woody fragrances and masculine perfumes for men you can find.

Launched in 2006, Encre Noir translates to “Black Ink” and the packaging sure takes that name to heart. Inside the bottle of this wood, perfume is a supremely popular men’s fragrance that’s woody right out of the gate with top notes of cypress. A heart of vetiver lends the fragrance an earthy dimension while base notes of musk and cashmere wood reinforce that woody, masculine aura introduced at first whiff.

When looking for the best woody perfumes for him you can’t go past this drop from Tom Ford. Exploding with elegance and opulence, Sahara finds inspiration in the sights and smells of the middle east, this striking fragrance boasts an earthy incense aroma thanks to ingredients like papyrus extract, Egyptian jasmine, and frankincense. One whiff and you’re transported to an exotic desert in a distant land on a wave of flowers and sweet smoke.

Carbone de Balmain by France’s Pierre Balmain blends deep notes of wood and spice to brilliant effect. Shades of musk, pepper, vetiver, incense, benzoin, and fig join together for a one-of-a-kind olfactory experience. More than just a top woodsy cologne, this is a scent to fall in love with.