What’s the best chocolate cologne for men? Read on to find out which culinary-inspired scent reigns supreme.
Theobroma cacao, better known as chocolate, has been a favorite indulgence food since its invention in 19th century Mexico. Bittersweet and fragrant, chocolate has an incredibly complex flavor and aroma that has made it a prized foodstuff around the world — but it wasn’t until just recently that fragrance makers began incorporating it into their compositions.
If you love chocolate as much as we do, then this guide is for you. In it, we’ll be covering our choices for the five best chocolate colognes for men, and detailing their supporting aromatics as well as when it’s best to wear each scent. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
5 Best Chocolate Cologne For Men In 2022
Compared to more traditional cologne styles, there are relatively fewer chocolate colognes to choose from. The following five are definitely the best examples of this up-and-coming culinary style. For other food dominant colognes, you can check out our guide on best coconut colognes.
Angel Men by Thierry Mugler (Our Top Pick)
The most popular Mugler cologne, A*Men has spawned an entire line of fragrances that are variations on the wildly successful base. It’s an oriental woody style cologne that was released in 1996, and was the first modern cologne to make heavy use of “gourmand” aromatics, paving the way for a slew of chocolate colognes over the next 10 years.
Mixed fruits and baking spices are accented by intensely green notes of mint and bergamot in Angel Men’s top notes, which linger pleasantly before progressing to this fragrance’s core. The first hints of gourman notes come out there, with caramel, milk, and honey offset by cedar, patchouli, and jasmine. Chocolate dominates the base notes, where it is complemented by coffee, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, and musk for a wonderfully complex finish.
With a longevity approaching eternal and an enormous intensity, A*Men is a legend in the perfume world. If you can only buy one chocolate cologne to add to your collection, make it this one — it’s great for everyday wear but interesting enough for special occasions and date nights. So make sure to store it properly for the best, longest-lasting fragrance possible.
Notes:
- Top notes of lavender, mint, mixed fruits, baking spices, green notes, coriander, and bergamot
- Middle notes of caramel, patchouli, honey, milk, cedar, jasmine, and lily of the valley
- Base notes of chocolate, coffee, patchouli, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, amber, sandalwood, and musk
Best For:
- Wearing a distinct and fascinating cologne
- Men who love culinary pleasures
Montale Paris
An interesting take on an oriental vanilla style fragrance, Montale Paris is a unisex scent that debuted in 2007. It’s perhaps the most culinary-inspired of all the colognes featured in this review, and a perfect gift for the genuine chocolate fanatic.
Freshly roasted cacao is paired with bitter orange and dried fruits in Montale Paris’s top notes, which segue smoothly into a heart filled with dark chocolate and vanilla. Further on in the base, this chocolate tone is reintroduced alongside coffee and tonka bean, creating a strong chocolate character from start to finish.
Incredibly long lasting and possessing an assertive intensity, Montale Paris requires a delicate hand during initial applications. It’s best for fall and winter wear, where its deep and roasted notes can be given as much time as possible to develop their full complexity.
Notes:
- Top notes of cacao, bitter orange, and dried fruits
- Middle notes of dark chocolate and vanilla
- Base notes of tonka bean, coffee, and chocolate
Best For:
- Dedicated chocolate lovers
- Fall and winter wear
Dior Homme Intense
A woody floral musk fragrance that debuted in 2011, Dior Homme Intense is far from being Christian Dior’s most popular cologne — but it’s absolutely their most chocolate-heavy offering. If you’re looking for a cologne that hints at chocolate without smelling like a chocolate cake, this is definitely the one for you.
Lavender is the sole top note in Dior Homme Intense, with plenty of room to show off its uniquely herbal and floral character. Cacao leads the way into Homme Intense’s heart notes, where it is paired with iris, musk mallow, and pear for a juicy and masculine effect. Anchored by cedar and vetiver, Homme Intense doesn’t stray far from a classic composition in its inclusion of gourmand aromatics.
Incredibly long lasting and very intense, Dior Homme Intense is the perfect chocolate-tinged cologne for first dates and late nights. It’s a rich and seductive cologne that’s sure to draw attention your way.
Notes:
- Top notes of lavender
- Middle notes of iris, musk mallow, cacao, and pear
- Base notes of cedar and vetiver
Best For:
- Date nights
- Seducing a potential romantic partner
Emporio Armani Diamonds
Though best known for Acqua Di Gio, Giorgio Armani has produced a wide range of sleeper hit fragrances over the years. For evidence, take Emporio Armani Diamonds: A woody aromatic style cologne introduced in 2008, it uses a generous portion of cacao in its base without being overtaken by sweet and culinary notes.
Zesty bergamot peel is joined by resinous guaiac wood in Diamonds’ top notes, which move quickly into heart notes of spicy peppercorns paired with dry cedar and vetiver. The rich and voluptuous base of cacao and amber is the true star of the show, giving a powerfully masculine tone to the entire composition.
Offering a moderate longevity and pleasant intensity, Emporio Armani Diamonds is the best chocolate cologne for year-round wear. It’s versatile and approachable enough to wear to the office, but interesting enough to wear out on a date or to a party.
Notes:
- Top notes of bergamot and guaiac wood
- Middle notes of szechuan peppercorns, cedar, and vetiver
- Base notes of cacao and amber
Best For:
- Expressing strong masculine tones
- Year-round wear
Comptoir Sud Pacifique Amour Cacao
An oriental vanilla fragrance that debuted in 1993, Comptoir Sud Pacifique Amour Cacao is a simple and direct fragrance that’s great for unisex wear. If you prefer your scents on the side of minimalism and straightforward pairings of aromatics, it’s an excellent addition to your collection.
Four aromatics make up the entire composition of Amour Cacao: Zesty orange peel as top notes, cacao pods and star fruit in the fragrance’s heart, and a healthy dose of vanilla as the base. This streamlined composition puts the entire focus on the chocolate in its center, with minor accents of each other ingredient.
Offering a moderate longevity and a friendly, approachable intensity, Amour Cacao is an ideal unisex chocolate fragrance. If you’re turned off by the intensely masculine tones of many modern compositions or you’re looking for a cologne to wear to work, this one will definitely suit your tastes better.
Notes:
- Top notes of orange peel
- Middle notes of cacao and star fruit
- Base notes of vanilla
Best For:
- A relaxed and approachable scent
- Sharing with your girlfriend
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.