The Best Fragrance Notes for Men

Today I wanted to share some research notes I've compiled on what are the best fragrance notes for men. I'm conscious that defining what are 'masculine fragrances' or 'masculine notes' could be rather sensitive depending on your interpretation on what is masculine. 

I think the definition of that word has changed over time. I believe have hijacked the word to suit their own agenda. I've always maintained a fairly traditional, possibly what some might call an outdated view on what being masculine is. 

I look up to my Dad in many ways. I see him changing an oil filter in my first car when I know nothing about engines. I see him driving a boat on the broads on a family day out. Getting stuck in the shallows and hauling it free by tugging on the mooring ropes from the nearby jetty. 

You get the idea, maybe. But as man in my early forties, these moments of what I consider acts of masculinity are scorched into my subconscious. The smell of diesel clothes in the back of the boat. The cigar trail as I followed my Dad around the garage passing him tools, standing at the foot of ladders for what seemed like hours on end. 

But these are notes I reach for, maybe to rekindle and harness in some way my identity. I enjoy the unisex fragrances such as TOM FORD, but what single notes or groups of notes characterise men's fragrances? 

Women have them right? Well what about us dudes? 

What makes a masculine fragrance? 

According to an article by Shay & Blue,

“A masculine fragrance is usually a fragrance with a woody, green, smokey, or spicy scent with a heavy emphasis on the base notes of the fragrance.”

Photo by Nicolas Weldingh on Unsplash

I concur with this. I've always found the deeper the wood, or the more complex the spice, the more it errs on the side of masculine. I do like a fragrance that anchors itself with a woody base. Most recently on the aforementioned TOM FORD Private Rose Garden fragrance review I leaned into the Rose de Russie as it had more leagues to the base notes than the others. 

I find anything with a citrus opening, or anything light and floral such as lavender or grapefruit, is too breezy and feminine for my taste. I can wear them as aqua fragrances, after the gym or to summer parties. Indeed my Jo Malone fragrances boast more of these feminine notes than masculine. However, I find when it comes to a special fragrance, for a key event or black tie, I would much rather wear either a luxury fragrance, or one designed specifically for men. 

Photo by Christina Rumpf on Unsplash

Something like Taberome Millesime by CREED as I recommended on a previous article. Inspired by the aroma of tobacco, tea and spices it has an undercurrent of dark leather. The result is alluring, confident and unashamedly masculine. This is one for the gentleman's club.

It might be obvious to mention that leather, wood and Oud are fairly synonymous with men's fragrances. But there are groups of feminine notes that could be counteracted to make them more masculine. For example reading this Guide to Men's Fragrances by Brunet, it talks about how,

“[...] citrus fruits like plum, apple, pear, berry or even tomato often add masculine notes to balance the fruits like sambac, sandalwood, cedarwood and musk.”

Photo by Michal Matlon on Unsplash

I'm going to go into some deeper reaches with fragrances in the upcoming weeks. I want to recommend some of the best leather fragrances, spice fragrances and wood based fragrances. Some in my collection, some on my wish list. 

But a final word on the spices. I stumbled upon this article by Viora London on Ultimate Spicy Fragrances for Men. I agree with most of the article, (although I wouldn't include cinnamon), that some of the spices to look out for would be White Pepper, Cloves and the king of masculine spices, Cardamom. But that will be another blog for another day. 

If you have any thoughts on what makes a masculine fragrance in 2022 then please feel free to DM me on my instagram. Also recommendations for men's fragrances will be greatly appreciated.