Looking for the best Dolce and Gabbana cologne for men? We’ve got you covered with this in-depth guide to the 5 best D&G fragrances for guys.
Known for their bright, flashy, and sexy clothing for men and women, Dolce and Gabbana’s colognes are just as interesting as their fashion sense. It says a lot that some of their first fragrances, Light Blue for Men (and For Women) have stood the test of time since their debut, never feeling like a passing fad in the ever-changing world of perfumery.
In today’s guide, you’ll receive an introduction to the deep catalog of Dolce and Gabbana colognes via our top five favorite picks. With complete notes on their aromatic profiles as well as suggestions for when and where to wear each scent, you’ll go away with a clear idea of which D&G scent is right for you.
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5 Best Dolce And Gabbana Cologne For Men In 2022
Many men aren’t aware of the depth and breadth of D&G’s fragrance catalog, aside from their breakout hit Light Blue. While we agree with the former’s popularity, the other four colognes in the reviews that follow will show you a whole new side of Dolce and Gabbana that you may have never known.
D&G Light Blue (Our Top Pick)
Introduced in 2007, Light Blue is the fragrance that truly put Dolce and Gabbana on the map for most perfume and cologne lovers. While it has spawned dozens of variations, in our opinion the original is still where it’s at — and if we had to only choose one D&G cologne, we’d have to say that Light Blue is the best Dolce and Gabbana cologne for men.
Three types of citrus peels mingle with intensely woodsy juniper top notes, creating an invigorating entry into the heart of the scent. Freshly cracked black pepper and lightly toasted rosemary fill out the middle, supported by oakmoss and musk for a long-lasting base note.
With both moderate intensity and longevity, Dolce and Gabbana’s Light Blue for Men is a supremely versatile cologne. You can wear it to work, but it’s interesting enough to wear out for a night on the town as well. It performs equally well across all four seasons, showing off different aspects of its complex composition depending on the weather.
Notes:
- Top notes of grapefruit, bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, and juniper
- Middle notes of pepper, rosemary, and Brazilian rosewood
- Base notes of incense, musk, and oakmoss
Best For:
- Everyday wear
- Year-round wear
Dolce & Gabbana The One
An exceptionally masculine and classically-styled fragrance, Dolce and Gabbana’s “The One” for Men is richly spicy and deeply woody. If you’ve been searching for an undeniably masculine cologne, The One is almost definitely the one for you.
Grapefruit, coriander, and basil play off of each other to create an intriguing introduction to the scent. Within half an hour after application, you’ll begin to smell the exotic fragrances of green cardamom, orange blossom, and ginger show through — all before transitioning to its powerful base notes of tobacco and cedarwood.
The One is fairly intense but possesses only moderate longevity, making it an ideal cologne for wearing out on a date or to a social event. The darker woody tones tend to show through better in the fall and winter, and nighttime is always preferred for such a rich and intense cologne.
Notes:
- Top notes of grapefruit peel, coriander, and basil
- Middle notes of ginger, cardamom, and orange blossom
- Base notes of amber, tobacco, and cedarwood
Best For:
- Nighttime wear
- Fall and winter wear
- Date night cologne
Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme
As the modern re-envisioning of D&G’s original cologne for men from 1994, Pour Homme’s 2012 formulation is a real crowd-pleaser. With three distinct themes for its top, middle, and base notes, Pour Homme is a true aromatic journey that leaves a lasting impression on the senses of anyone who smells it.
A medley of citrus fruits pairs with subtly floral neroli to give an immediately refreshing aroma to Pour Homme’s top notes. This fruit bowl of fragrances takes its time meandering to the cologne’s heart notes, full of lavender and sage with a hint of cracked black pepper. Yet underneath these light and fresh aromatics lies a savory-sweet combination of pipe tobacco, cedarwood, and tonka bean that will keep you coming back for more.
Quite long-lasting but with only a moderate intensity, Pour Homme is an all-rounder of a cologne that seems to do well in any situation. Wearing it to work? Definitely. Straight from the office and out to a date? Just apply a little bit more. It’s a truly versatile cologne that deserves a place on any man’s dresser.
Notes:
- Top notes of mixed citrus, bergamot, neroli, and mandarin orange
- Middle notes of lavender, sage, and black pepper
- Base notes of tobacco, tonka bean, and cedar
Best For:
- Everyday wear
- Anytime wear
- Year-round wear
Dolce Gabbana Intenso
Taking all of the signature notes of D&G’s Pour Homme and cranking them up to 11, Pour Homme Intenso is a wild ride through powerful herbal scents along a watery backdrop, suffused throughout with undeniably masculine energy. For men not afraid to show off, it’s a perfect date night cologne.
Lavender and basil play off of marigold, an uncommon combination that lends a distinctly dry and powdery top note to Intenso. Tobacco and hay are irresistibly present in the heart notes, giving an extremely full and rounded character to the entire fragrance. Anchored by sandalwood, musk, and amber, Intenso’s character is just as extreme as its name implies.
Intense but with only a short to moderate duration, Dolce and Gabbana’s Pour Homme Intenso is best reserved as a special occasion cologne. Apply a little bit before your next date night, and we’re almost certain you’ll be happy with the results.
Notes:
- Top notes of lavender, basil, marigold, geranium, and spring water
- Middle notes of tobacco, hay, clary sage, and bran
- Base notes of sandalwood, cypress, musk, amber, and labdanum
Best For:
- Special occasions
- Date nights
Dolce & Gabbana K
Though “K” is Dolce and Gabbana’s most recent addition to their cologne selection, one sniff will leave you saying “Long live the king!” Working from the base of their ever-popular Light Blue, K by Dolce and Gabbana is an undeniably sexy cologne that’s still friendly enough for everyday use.
Juniper berries and blood orange create the signature top notes of K by Dolce and Gabbana, giving a juicy but clean introduction to the cologne. Within its expansive heart notes, you’ll find pimento peppers alongside clary sage and geranium. Dry and earthy vetiver pairs with cedar and patchouli to round out the base, giving K plenty of staying power throughout the day.
Quite intense and long-lasting, K by Dolce and Gabbana is a strongly fresh and masculine scent. If you’re often underwhelmed by the intensity of other daily wear colognes, give K a try; it just might offer the intensity that best matches your style.
Notes:
- Top notes of juniper berries, mixed citrus, blood orange, and Sicilian lemon
- Middle notes of pimento, clary sage, lavender, and geranium
- Base notes of vetiver, cedar, and patchouli
Best For:
- Men looking for an intense cologne
- Everyday wear
The History Of Dolce And Gabbana Cologne
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, Dolce and Gabbana’s namesakes, founded the Italian fashion house only as recently as 1985. Drawing immediate and widespread attention for their flashy and provocative clothing, the duo would go on to redefine many of the mores of the Italian fashion world.
Dolce and Gabbana for Women, the company’s first fragrance, was released in 1992. A short two years later, the scent was reformulated for a masculine crowd as Dolce and Gabbana for men.
And while these scents had their devotees, it wasn’t until 2001 that Dolce and Gabbana’s perfume and cologne game hit new heights with the introduction of Light Blue. More recently, the company has branched out into a series called Anthology, drawing inspiration from a deck of traditional Italian tarot cards.
For more fragrances like Dolce & Gabbana, make sure to check out brands like Parfums De Marly, Jimmy Choo, and Michel Germain.
Brian Adee
Brian has been fascinated with fragrances since his 8th birthday, when his Dad gifted him a bottle of Acqua di Gio. Since then, he has become a men's grooming & style aficionado who teaches men how to look sharp. Backed by personal experience, Brian's articles are known for his no-holds-barred style where he holds nothing back. You will get his real opinions on the latest men's grooming products and best practices where he reveals the best (and worst) style advice every man should know.
