FYI
After continued research, we found that our original cologne selections still stand as our favorites. Dior Sauvage is still our top overall pick. We’ve added a table to make it easier for you to compare the top, middle, and base notes, as well as the best seasons for each fragrance.
September 2024
A quick word of caution before we swan dive into an Olympic-size swimming pool of the most complimented cologne offerings available to you right now. No, it’s not to advise you against diving into cologne-filled pools, though… sure. That too.
It’s to give you a friendly reminder that fragrances are entirely subjective. What’s going to net you a compliment from one person may not even register on the next person’s radar. At the risk of over-generalizing, however, most complimented men’s fragrances often have traditionally masculine notes like wood, musk, and tobacco. But again, subjective.
Some of my picks are crowd-pleasing fragrances that have achieved legendary status throughout their impressively long runs. Others are more niche offerings brimming with fan-favorite notes.
Without further ado, here you have them—the nine most complimented men’s cologne options for you to gloriously unleash upon those fortunate enough to be within the orbit of your pulse points.
Key Takeaways
The subjective nature of fragrances makes it tricky to nail down a universal set of desired qualities. That said, traditionally masculine scents tend to stand out above the rest. Dior Sauvage is my top pick for the most complimented men’s fragrances thanks to its versatile, ruggedly soft notes and long-lasting projection.
For a budget-friendly yet sophisticated option, Hugo Boss BOTTLED Eau de Toilette is another of the most complimented men’s fragrances, offering a blend of fresh apple and warm cinnamon notes, perfect for the modern man seeking both style and substance.
Fragrance Notes and Best Seasons for the Most Complimented Men’s Colognes
| Cologne | Top Notes | Middle Notes | Base Notes | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dior Sauvage | Bergamot, Pepper | Pepper, Lavender, Vetiver, Patchouli | Musk, Cedar | All |
| Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla | Cardamom | Wood | Bourbon, Vanilla, Vetiver | F/W |
| Creed Aventus | Lemon, Pink Pepper, Apple, Bergamot, Blackcurrant | Pineapple, Jasmine, Patchouli | Birch, Ambergris, Cedarwood, Oakmoss, Musk | All |
| Hugo Boss Bottled | Apple, Plum, Bergamot, Lemon, Oakmoss, Geranium | Cinnamon, Mahogany, Carnation | Vanilla, Sandalwood, Cedar, Vetiver, Olive Tree | F/W |
| Nautica Voyage | Green Leaves, Apple, Lotus | Water Lotus | Cedarwood, Amber Musk | S/S |
| Byredo Mojave Ghost | Ambrette, Nesberry | Magnolia, Sandalwood, Violet | Cedarwood, Musk, Vetiver | All |
| Boy Smells Violet Ends | Rhubarb, Bergamot, Black Pepper | Black Tea, Tobacco Leaf, Incense | White Birch, Tanned Leather, Smoked Papyrus | F/W |
| Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio | Citrus, Bergamot, Jasmine, Neroli | Peach, Rosemary, Coriander, Nutmeg, Rose | Musk, Cedar, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Amber | S/S |
| Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme | Cardamom, Bergamot | Lavender, Black Pepper, Cedarwood | Tonka Bean, Vetiver | F/W |
Truth or dare?
Dare? Great. I dare you to spritz some Dior Sauvage on your neck, go to a public place, and just sort of walk around. No rush. Also, that’s a super stupid dare. But really, I just want you to feel what it’s like to be showered with compliments from random people and overhear things like, “Do I smell top notes of bergamot and pepper that give way to lavender before being rounded out with musk and cedar? Whoa. That’s a combination that can be worn day or night regardless of the season.” And, “This guy’s definitely wearing Kelly Larson’s pick for the most complimented cologne overall.”
Individual compliments may vary.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Pepper | Middle Notes: Pepper, Lavender, Vetiver, Patchouli | Base Notes: Musk, Cedar | Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: All
For the man who effortlessly blends classic style with modern sophistication, Hugo Boss BOTTLED Eau de Toilette stands out as one of the top 9 most complimented men’s fragrances. This fragrance, embodying the spirit of the contemporary man, is distinguished by its harmonious blend of fresh apple and warm, spicy cinnamon notes, creating a scent that is both vibrant and comforting.
The base notes of olivewood and sandalwood add a grounding, earthy element, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. Ideal for the modern man who values elegance and timeless appeal, Hugo Boss BOTTLED is a scent that commands attention and compliments in any setting.
Top Notes: Apple, plum, bergamot, lemon, oakmoss, geranium | Middle Notes: Cinnamon, mahogany, carnation | Base Notes: Vanilla, sandalwood, cedar, vetiver, olive tree | Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Fall, Winter
Of course, what most complimented cologne list would be complete without mention of Creed Aventus? It’s the luxury fragrance house’s most popular offering and has reached something of a legendary status since its 2010 release.
This is a bold, elegant cologne with top notes of lemon and apple, followed by pheromone-releasing scents like jasmine, then headier notes like birch, oakmoss, and musk. It’s an incredibly long-lasting cologne that will change character throughout the day and night. If you’ve got a little wiggle room in your fragrance budget, consider this a must-add to your collection.
Top Notes: Lemon, Pink Pepper, Apple, Bergamot, Blackcurrant | Middle Notes: Pineapple, Jasmine, Patchouli | Base Notes: Birch, Ambergris, Cedarwood, Oakmoss, Musk | Size: 3.3oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: All
Cremo is a Laguna Beach-based grooming brand that launched with a single shaving cream in 2005. Since then, the company has expanded its offerings to include all manner of wellness and grooming essentials—including, of course, cologne for men.
Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla is brimming with woody and masculine scents like vanilla, cardamom, and bourbon. It’s subtle yet projects just enough, and just long enough, to make an impression. This cologne is a perfect fireside companion, whether you’re getting into an après-ski hot toddy at the lodge or setting the mood at home next to the fireplace.
Top Notes: Cardamom | Middle Notes: Wood | Base Notes: Bourbon, Vanilla, Vetiver | Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Fall, Winter
The stakes aren’t necessarily low for younger cologne users, but let’s just say there’s plenty of room for error when it comes to your choices. If you’re a young man, chances are you’ll be in the orbit of young women. Will everyone present have a sophisticated olfactory palette? Sure, maybe. But also, maybe-probably not.
So do your thing. Spritz whatever you want to spritz. Or (and I’m just spitballing here) you could let me save you some trial-and-error and point you in the direction of
Top Notes: Green Leaves, Apple, Lotus | Middle Notes: Water Lotus | Base Notes: Cedarwood, Amber Musk | Size: 3.3oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, Summer
READ OUR FULL NAUTICA VOYAGE REVIEW HERE
Stockholm-based Byredo produces a range of products and has established itself as a leader in the fragrance world thanks to popular colognes like Gypsy Water, Bal d’Afrique, and Bibliothèque. But easily one of the most crowd-pleasing, compliment-grabbing fragrances among its entire impressive collection is Mojave Ghost.
The versatile cologne is suitable for day or evening wear. And its notes—ranging from berry to sandalwood to musk—don’t read one season over another. If you’re looking for a staple, year-round scent that will serve you well from day to night, you’d be wise to start here.
Top Notes: Ambrette, Nesberry | Middle Notes: Magnolia, Sandalwood, Violet | Base Notes: Cedarwood, Musk, Vetiver | Size: 3.3oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: All
Some of the world’s most popular and legendary fragrance houses have been producing perfumes for centuries. And even though Boy Smells was founded over eight years ago, it’s essentially still a fetus in the fragrance world.
The brand’s popularity is more than justified by scents like Violet Ends, a rustic, come-hither eau de parfum featuring prominent notes of black pepper, tobacco leaf, incense, tanned leather, and smoked papyrus. It’s sure to become one of the best men’s colognes for compliments in your arsenal, especially during the fall and winter months.
Top Notes: Rhubarb, Bergamot, Black Pepper | Middle Notes: Black Tea, Tobacco Leaf, Incense | Base Notes: White Birch, Tanned Leather, Smoked Papyrus | Size: 2.2oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall, Winter
Another classic, Armani’s Acqua Di Gio, is a must if you’re looking for the most complimented cologne for wearing during the summer. This household-name fragrance is as fresh as it gets with top notes of citrus and bergamot. In the middle are peach, rosemary, and rose, rounded out by base notes of musk and cedar.
You could certainly wear this year-round or use a vitamin cleansing bar for the same subtle scent, but it’s not going to pop the same during colder months. The ideal situation for this one, among countless others no doubt, is sipping rum cocktails with friends at a windswept beach bar. Oh fine, you can also wear it at a pool bar.
Top Notes: Citrus, Bergamot, Jasmine, Neroli | Middle Notes: Peach, Rosemary, Coriander, Nutmeg, Rose | Base Notes: Musk, Cedar, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Amber | Size: 3.4oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring, Summer
READ OUR FULL ACQUA DI GIO REVIEW HERE
A glass of bourbon. Crackling fire. Snow gently cascades from the sky. The faint yet distinctive scents of cardamom, lavender, and vetiver waft through the room. I can’t help you with those first few mood-setters, but I can definitely help you with the last one.
Rather, Yves Saint Laurent can with its La Nuit De L’Homme fragrance. Perfect for the fall and winter months, you’re working with masculine, earthy notes that will work overtime to help set a romantic, seductive tone. This one’s got quite a bit of character, so you’re better off saving it for the cabin, happy hour, or that aforementioned fireside scenario.
Top Notes: Cardamom, Bergamot | Middle Notes: Lavender, Black Pepper, Cedarwood | Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Vetiver | Size: 3.3oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall, Winter
What To Look For In The Most Complimented Colognes
Scent
This is far from a revelation, but when people compliment your cologne, they’re complimenting its scent. Is it floral or citrusy? Spicy or woody? Most compliment-nabbing colognes are in the latter camp, so you may have your best luck there. That said, scent is subjective and the feedback you get, if any, depends on who’s around at the time.
Seasonality
Some of the most complimented cologne notes are earthy, woody, and musky, so it would stand to reason that fall and winter are your times to shine. And there’s definitely some truth to that. But there are also plenty of fragrances out there, like Dior Sauvage and Byredo Mojave Ghost, that feature those masculine notes but are also offset by summer-friendly scents that make them suitable for year-round use.
Longevity
A cologne isn’t going to get you any compliments if it’s not going to last as long as you need it to. Consider whether your typical schedule allows you to go home and freshen up or keeps you out all day and into the evening, then choose your cologne accordingly. Creed Aventus, Acqua Di Gio, and even some solid colognes are known for their longevity.
How We Choose
Selecting the most complimented colognes for our readers is a meticulous process, spearheaded by Kelly Larson, our experienced grooming expert at FashionBeans. Kelly begins with hands-on testing, evaluating each fragrance’s longevity, sillage, and overall scent profile to ensure it meets our high standards.
He also reviews consumer feedback across various platforms, focusing on colognes that receive consistent praise and high ratings. The fragrance composition is critical; Kelly selects colognes with a balanced blend of top, heart, and base notes, creating unique and appealing aromas.
We prioritize reputable brands known for their quality and innovation, ensuring reliability in our recommendations. Additionally, versatility is essential; the selected colognes must be suitable for different occasions, from daily wear to special events. This thorough approach guarantees that our list features only the best colognes, catering to a range of preferences and needs.
Why Trust Us?
Kelly Larson is a trusted voice in the world of fashion and grooming at FashionBeans. With years of experience, he rigorously tests and reviews a variety of products to bring you the best recommendations. For this article, Kelly meticulously evaluated over 50 colognes, using insights from reputable sources and his expert judgment to select the top nine most complimented men’s fragrances. His thorough approach ensures you get well-researched, reliable advice.
Final Verdict
The best men’s cologne for you is the one that you enjoy smelling. The best men’s cologne for compliments is the one that other people enjoy smelling. Rocket science? Nope, but it’s very subjective. That said, masculine notes are generally revered, and you can’t go wrong with Dior Sauvage—a crowd-pleasing favorite.
FAQ
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The fragrances that tend to get the most compliments typically contain traditionally masculine scents like wood, cedar, and leather. If collecting compliments is your goal, that’s a good place to start. But keep in mind that it really depends on who’s around when you are and the scents that they prefer.
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