Autumn leaves changing means your cologne choices should too — but do you know what the best fall colognes for men are? If not, we’re here to help. Read on to discover the best colognes for sweater weather.
In this guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the best fall colognes for men. From full explanations of each bottling’s aromatics to suggestions for when and where each scent wears best, you’ll go away knowledgeable and equipped to make the best decision to suit your style and budget.
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5 Best Fall Colognes For Men In 2022
Fall is perhaps our favorite time of year for colognes, since it encompasses such a wide range of classic and contemporary styles. We’ve narrowed down our big list of favorites to these, the five best fall colognes for men.
Terre D’Hermes by Hermes (Our Top Pick)
The most popular masculine fragrance from the house of Hermes, Terre D’Hermes is a woody spicy style cologne that’s been a splash hit since its debut in 2006. The magic of this fragrance is in its generous use of woody tones, accented with clever touches of citrus and spice that make it a perfect fall cologne.
Fragrant orange zest and bitter, refreshing grapefruit peels are Terre D’Hermes’ top notes, which serve both to introduce the scent and add a bright counterpoint to the composition throughout its entire duration. Pelargonium, a member of the geranium family, is joined by cracked black pepper in the heart notes, while a dense base of cedar, patchouli, vetiver, and benzoin gives this fragrance its signature masculinity.
A lLong lasting cologne with a balanced but insistent intensity, Terre D’Hermes is gentle enough to wear at the tail end of summer, perfect for fall, and present enough to wear as the temperatures grow colder. We’d also be happy to wear it as a nighttime cologne any time of year.
Notes:
- Top notes of orange and grapefruit
- Middle notes of black pepper and pelargonium
- Base notes of vetiver, cedar, patchouli, and benzoin
Best For:
- Wearing through the fall and into winter
- Nighttime wear any time of year
Azzaro Wanted By Night
Fall is a time for dates that bridge the gap from outdoor walks among the leaves, to coffee or drinks near a cozy fireplace — and you’ll want a date night cologne that can match well with that. Azzaro’s Wanted By Night definitely does the trick: It’s a woody spicy style cologne that’s built on the strong base of the original Wanted, but made more sensual by the addition of more fruit, leather, and vanilla.
Cinnamon and mandarin orange top notes are a welcome entreaty to fall weather, which slowly give way to a smoky and fruity heart dappled with incense, cedar, and cumin. A hugely influential base combination of tobacco, vanilla, cedar, leather, and patchouli is what truly gives Wanted By Night its magic, though — and what will keep your date coming closer for another smell.
A rather strong and long lasting composition, Wanted By Night is best reserved for special occasions and would likely be a bit overwhelming for wearing at the office. We love keeping a bottle around for date nights any time of year.
Notes:
- Top notes of cinnamon, mandarin orange, lavender, and lemon
- Middle notes of mixed fruits, incense, red cedar, and cumin
- Base notes of tobacco, vanilla, cedar, leather, benzoin, cypress, Iso E Super, and patchouli
Best For:
- Date nights
- Projecting masculinity
Parfums De Marly Herod
Parfums de Marly is, without a doubt, one of the finest upgrades that you can make to your cologne collection. In the case of Herod, a woody spicy style cologne that debuted in 2012, you’ll be amazed by the depth of aroma the creators are able to pull out of even common baking spices — a wonderful complement to fall weather.
The finest cinnamon scent imaginable is the key top note in Herod, while cracked black pepper plays a secondary role. Burning incense leads the way into the heart notes, where it is joined by tobacco leaf, osmanthus flowers, and labdanum for greater longevity. While vanilla and musk are the major base tones, you’ll also find touches of cedar and vetiver for added complexity.
Though it is a very long lasting cologne, Parfums de Marly’s Herod has a balanced intensity that will never offend. Whether you’re looking for a gift for someone else or for yourself, it’s a wonderful choice.
Notes:
- Top notes of cinnamon and black pepper
- Middle notes of tobacco leaf, incense, osmanthus, and labdanum
- Base notes of vanilla, Iso E Super, musk, cedar, nagarmotha, and vetiver
Best For:
- Upgrading your cologne selection
- Giving as a gift
Victor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme
From its trademark hand grenade packaging to its bombastic name, it’s clear that Victor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme is not for the faint of heart. An oriental spicy style cologne that debuted in 2015 after the success of the original spicebomb, it puts a tremendous focus on just five major aromatics and creates an unforgettably intense aroma.
They somehow manage to cram a whole field of fresh lavender in Spicebomb Extreme’s top notes, which remain fairly present through the entire duration of wear. This gives way to massive amounts of pungent black pepper and savory caraway heart notes, with the biggest foundation of tobacco and vanilla base notes that you’re likely to find in any fragrance available today.
True to its name, Spicebomb Extreme is quite intense. It’s also exceptionally long lasting, making it a great cologne for wearing as fall turns into winter.
Notes:
- Top notes of lavender
- Middle notes of black pepper and caraway
- Base notes of tobacco and vanilla
Best For:
- Fall and winter wear
- Nighttime wear
Santal Royal by Guerlain
Now this is the sort of fall fragrance that we can really get into. An oriental woody unisex fragrance, Santal Royal by Guerlain was released in 2016. It’s the most peculiar and exotic of all the fall colognes featured here, and a great scent for the man who’s quite familiar with contemporary cologne styles and wants to try something new.
Intoxicating jasmine is balanced by bitter orange neroli oil in Santal Royal’s top notes, which last for an inordinate amount of time from the first application. Fresh and juicy peaches are joined by equal portions of rose and cinnamon in the long lasting heart notes, while the entire composition is supported by a rich and expensive base of oud, sandalwood, musk, leather, and amber.
With a longevity approaching the eternal — well over a day, maybe even two days, with a single application — Santal Royal is a fine example of the perfumer’s art. It’s also a fairly intense cologne, so a little bit goes a long way.
Notes:
- Top notes of jasmine and neroli
- Middle notes of rose, cinnamon, and peach
- Base notes of oud, sandalwood, leather, amber, and musk
Best For:
- Men looking for a unique fragrance
- Nighttime wear any time of year
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.
