This year’s Cologne Awards are bigger, bolder, and brasher than ever before—just like the fragrances that won top honors.
When it comes to things like awards, we take them very seriously here. And when it comes to fragrance, we’re even more serious. That’s why since the very beginning of the year, we’ve been putting every single new launch through extensive testing. We spray, we sniff, we wear, we sniff again. We test every fragrance on multiple occasions, from the office to black-tie events and everything in between, and we evaluate them for everything from longevity to evolution to how many compliments we get, which arguably is the most important metric. What begins as a yearlong endeavor culminates in the list you have before you: our very favorite fragrances of the year.
Of course, we also know fragrance is subjective, which is why we’ve made sure this list includes something for all sorts of vibes (and budgets). So whether you’re a fresh guy or prefer deeper, darker scents, there is something for you. Let’s face it, though: It’s not about picking just one these days. Modern fragrance is about leaning into change, switching up your vibe as often as you change your clothes. Your grandfather might have worn the same cologne his entire life, but you’re not your grandpa! The year 2025 is about experimentation, busting out of your comfort zone, and blazing a new trail. Any of these fragrances would be an ideal tool for doing that, and we wholeheartedly endorse creating your own collection and using fragrance intuitively based on both how you want to smell and also how you feel.
Fragrance is one of those things that might draw people to you but, at the end of the day, is all about you. It’s deeply personal and, we think, one of the best and most effective ways to express yourself. So as you peruse this list, keep your mind and nose open. Trust us, they’re all winners.
Dior Bois d’Argent
Don’t let the sweetness at the opening of this richly layered scent fool you (unless, of course, that’s your vibe). In a flash, the spicy, resinous frankincense comes forward and only gets deeper as it dries on your skin, warming up thanks to the amber and ambergris in the formula. Some may remember a previous version of this, but this modern iteration is anything but old-fashioned. It’s stylish and timeless—the perfect pairing for anything from a suit to sweats.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Frankincense, Tuscan iris, honey, ambergris, ambroxan, vanilla |
Chanel Bleu de Chanel L’Exclusif
When it comes to flankers—new entries within an existing cologne family—we are usually pretty skeptical that they’re going to push the needle. The news “L’Exclusif” version of Bleu de Chanel is the exception, however, and (sacrebleu!) we may even prefer it to the original. The DNA of what makes Bleu de Chanel is still there—the fresh opening, the smooth sandalwood dry-down—but L’Exclusif has an injection of labdanum, which somehow equates to a leathery quality that lends this an air of sophistication and maturity. This is for the guy who grew up wearing the original Bleu but wants to graduate to something a bit more elegant.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Amber, woody notes, labdanum, sandalwood |
Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Beyond
Now 15% Off
Somehow both fresh and warm, this fragrance is modern and innovative. This bold—and we mean bold—new fragrance strikes the perfect balance between spicy ginger and smooth, masculine leather, which makes it ideal for every occasion. Wear it to the office or to the grocery store or, hell, just around your house. It’s an instant vibe shift.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Ginger, leather, woody notes |
Arquiste Nocturnality
Deep, dark, and undeniably sexy, this layered scent conjures images of sweaty nightclubs, leather bars, and raucous nights thanks to notes like latex, leather, patchouli, rose, and oud-like animal musks all anchored in sexy woods. This is the scent you put on when you want to get down and dirty.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Hyrax, latex, pepper, papyrus, neoprene, black leather, bulgarian rose, flowers, resins, castoreum, civet, patchouli, Atlas cedar, styrax |
Dries Van Noten Havana Gold
Of course, any scent inspired by Havana is going to include smoky and spicy tobacco, but this new fragrance mixes it with sweet licorice and earthy leather, instantly transporting you to the coolest cigar bar in existence.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Licorice, star anise, mandarin, tobacco, cinnamon, benzoin, leather, tonka, cypriol |
Ron Dorff Discipline Sport Pour Homme
Now 15% Off
Remember those ultra fresh, super aquatic fragrances of the ’90s? Consider this the modern version that you actually want to wear in 2025. The crisp bite of citrus wakes up your nose with a zap, and the watery, blue element adds a dash of nostalgia without feeling old-fashioned. As it dries, the sandalwood, cedar, and pine emerge (all requisites if we’re talking nostalgic aquatics) and add a dash of longevity that’s clean and subtle. It’s no coincidence that it’s called “sport”—we say it’s the platonic ideal of an after-gym spritz.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Italian bergamot, lemon zest, watermint, cardamom, Australian sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood, violet leaves, Nordic pine, lentiscus absolute |
Prada Paradigme
Now 10% Off
What really grabs you right away is the sweetness of the newest scent from Prada. Combined with fresh bergamot and sexy musk, the sweet factor isn’t overpowering or cloying but instead feels modern and cool. Think of it as a study in contrasts, as the sweet vibe provides an interesting baseline for fresh, musky, and woody notes to play off. It’s a crowd-pleasing cologne that won’t ruffle any feathers but will still make you stand out.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Calabrian bergamot, musk, bourbon geranium, rose geranium, benzoin, Peru balsam, guaiac wood |
Penhaligon’s Fortuitous Finley
Spices and leather make this cologne feel traditional and nostalgic, but the addition of smooth, nutty pistachio gives it an unexpected quality that keeps people on their toes. It’s the perfect scent for a date or a dinner party where you want to be the most interesting—or at least interesting-smelling—person in the room.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Cardamom, star anise, black pepper, salt, pistachio, matcha tea, violet leaf, patchouli, leather |
D.S. & Durga Cognac Reign
Wearing alcohol-inspired scents requires a delicate balance. Cocktails and fragrance have a lot in common, but the last thing you want to do is smell as if you spilled a drink on yourself—especially in that morning meeting with your boss. This one, however, would feel right at home in the C-suite. Yes, there is cognac in there, but it adds an aged, slightly sweet element instead of booze. It’s a little wild (woody notes at the top! caramel! powdery orris!), but it’s also strikingly wearable no matter what time of day.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Woody notes, caramel, bergamot, orris, cognac, tonka bean, oak |
Heretic Häxan
Deep and complicated, this unexpected and guaranteed compliment getter is giving goth. The first thing that hits your nose is rose, which may feel surprising at first, but as it dries the floral note decays into earthy oakmoss, warm amber, and animalic musks that take the flower to new dimensions with each sniff. It’s conceptual and a little out of the box, but every time we’ve worn it, someone has literally stopped us in our tracks to ask about it. If that’s not the sign of a great fragrance, we don’t know what is.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Osmanthus absolute, Turkish rose, oakmoss absolute, fossilized amber, supernatural musks |
Ranger Station x Tecovas Waterloo
If there is one thing that Nashville-based niche perfumer Ranger Station does well, it’s capture the essence of southern coolness. It’s no surprise, then, that Austin-based Tecovas turned to the brand to collaborate on a scent (for the first time). The universally appealing result has the same woody freshness as a breeze coming off the plains and is just as wearable as a pair of perfectly beat-up boots.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Citrus, rockrose, Texas sage, orris, tonka bean, sandalwood, vetiver, palo santo |
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Metallic Musk
Make no mistake, this newest version of the iconic Spicebomb is still plenty spicy thanks to double doses of pepper and a dash of cinnamon, but it’s also smoother and sexier than you’re probably thinking. The musky leatheriness of the dry-down smooths and tempers the spice to make this a more sophisticated and complex take on the note. Most interesting, however, are the aldehydes in the top note that give it a clean, almost powdery quality that’s both surprising and familiar.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Aldehydes, black pepper, elemi, bergamot, cinnamon, pepper, lavender, musk, leather, ambrette, labdanum |
Byredo Bois Oscur
Part of the Night Veils collection, which is all about intense, concentrated formulations, this new fragrance is the kind of take on classic woods that only Byredo could do. There is no doubt that the sandalwood in this complicated scent is the base, but it’s warmed and sweetened by amber and jasmine (which somehow do not overpower the entire vibe). Earthy darkness is added with oud and patchouli for a rich, sexy vibe that perfectly walks the line between masculine and feminine in an exceedingly wearable way.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Saffron, eucalyptus, papyrus, oud, tuberose, jasmine, patchouli, labdanum, amber, sandalwood |
Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Man
We’ll be the first to admit that we used to run the other direction when we heard the word vanilla. But these days, there are so many interesting things happening with the note that we’ve been forced to reevaluate our bias. Case in point: this new scent from Ellis Brooklyn that takes the sweet note and twists it into something unmistakably masculine. Combined with spicy resins, fresh citrus, and crisp woods, this scent harnesses the warmth of vanilla but with only a touch of sweetness. It’s the bold, masculine vanilla we’ve been waiting for.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Juniper, bergamot, mandarin, elemi resin, clary sage, lavender, vanilla absolute, olibanum, Atlas cedar |
Bianco Profumo Caffè Amaro
Like its namesake, this fragrance has an herbal, slightly bitter scent with a shot of zingy orange at the top that really drives the idea home. The notes of hazelnut and espresso add depth and complexity to deliver a surprisingly subtle vibe that’s fresh, but not in the way you’re used to. It’s really all about the parsley and fennel here, which may sound odd but in practice gives it a green element that’s downright addictive.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Hazelnut, espresso, orange, patchouli, artemisia, genet, parsley, fennel |
Aramis Intuition
According to the brand, this new cologne is a “neo-fougere,” which essentially means a new take on a classic men’s fresh and woody scent. We can’t argue with that. There is a classic element to this one that will remind you of the freshies and aquatic scents we all know and love, but there is also a new complexity delivered from a note called Cuirissima LXR, which is essentially a special leather note used only by Aramis.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Grapefruit, lavender, vetiver, Cuirissima LXR |
Fulton & Roark 226 Club Extrait de Parfum
Inspired by the famous Chicago speakeasy, this easy and fresh fragrance is all about a party vibe. There’s a sweetness to it from the sparkling tonic note that’s tempered by orange bitters and a dash of spice. As it dries down, the soft woods take hold, but it never loses the easy, fun quality that gives it its wearability. Yes, it’s inspired by parties, but we recommend wearing it any time you want. Use it to bring the party to you, not the other way around.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Lemon, black pepper, orange bitters, geranium, tonic, star anise, vetiver, cedarwood, cashmere woods |
Harry’s Kin
Leave it to Harry’s to hit a home run right out of the gate. Our standout favorite from its first fragrance collection, Kin is a subtle take on woods that bucks the trend toward overpowering fragrances. With a hint of freshness and a dash of spice, this may be one of the best everyday colognes we’ve tried in a long time. It’s just enough to leave you smelling great, but it’s not going to overpower the room. And while you can’t beat the price, we can confirm it smells way more expensive than it actually is.
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Pink peppercorn, blackcurrant bud, grapefruit, orris, musk, bourbon geranium, dry amber, vetiver, Atlas cedar, cashmere wood, moss |
D’Orsay Incense Crush
We will always be suckers for incense fragrances—no other note is as good at creating sensuality and mystery, in our books. But that doesn’t mean every incense-based scent is good. Many of them are too heavy, too smoky, too cloudy. This new one, however, strikes the perfect balance between being undeniably incense-y and still light enough to wear for almost any occasion. There’s a smoothness from the creamy accord and leather giving it a kind of skin quality and earthiness at the base from cedarwood, oakwood, and vetiver. You’ll still come off as though you’re doused in a healthy dose of sexy incense, but without smelling as if you just stepped out of a Catholic mass.
Features at a Glance
| Note | Incense, clove, cardamom, leather, creamy accord, olibanum, cedarwood, oakwood, vetiver |
Krigler Octave Aurum 25
Now 32% Off
This is the kind of fragrance that’s impossible to put your finger on. The list of notes seems like a cornucopia of fragrance that runs the risk of being too much, but in practice, this incredibly complex scent is fantastic—and like nothing we’ve ever smelled. Rich and spicy from the woods and frankincense, yet smooth and sweet from the vanilla and floral notes, there’s also a barely perceptible dash of oud that gives it an understated sophistication. It’s warm and sensual, and although you could wear it year-round, we suggest reserving it for the most special occasions—ideally when a tuxedo is involved.
