2020 was one heck of a ride for all of us. For me, it was the most productive year in my life, and also the most challenging one. When it comes to the fragrances, you’ll see that my most worn perfumes were also a rollercoaster ride.
The unfortunate social distancing stuff and two lockdowns occurred which also meant that wearing perfumes became a secondary priority.
Since the last year was like none the other in our lifetimes, and hopefully everyone’s who is reading this article is alright, let’s hope 2021 gets a little better.
I have not stopped wearing perfumes no matter what, and let this Scent Grail guide serve you as a sampling list of what to try next.
A great thing to know is that most of the mentioned fragrances found on this list are either affordable or easy to sample.
What were your most worn perfumes in 2020? Let me know in the comment section below.
Let’s begin!
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Most Worn Perfumes: The List
I have categorized each perfume by the occasion on which I wore them last year. Keep in mind that this is not set in stone and that you may wear them in different situations as well.
When it comes to perfumes, I always go by that famous Tom Ford Quote: “Good manners and good cologne is what transforms the man into a gentleman.”
I have also prepared interesting articles about perfumery which I recommend reading about, such as:
- How To Find Your Signature Scent
- How To Wear Perfume
- Fragrance Strengths & Perfume Concentrations
- How To Start A Perfume Collection
- Designer Vs Niche Fragrances
Montblanc Explorer (My daytime casual choice)
The reasons to pick Explorer: Montblanc Explorer is probably the number one fragrance that appeared the most on my lists and recommendation.
The reason is obvious. Anyone can wear Explorer in any season and occasion. Bergamot, Pepper, and Ambroxan keep this fragrance fresh, modern, and one of the best compliment garners of today.
Not to mention that it’s also the longest-lasting perfume I own.
Check out the full review of Montblanc Explorer.
- Fragrance Type: Fruity Aromatic
- Perfumer: Jórdi Fernandez, Antoine Maisondieu and Olivier Pescheux
- Perfume Concentration: Edp
- Release Date: 2019
- Age group: 18+
- Main Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, and Ambroxan
- Longevity and Projection: 20 – 24 hours of longevity with average sillage
- Seasons: Any season
- Occasions: Any ocassion
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Guerlain Homme Eau de Parfum (My daytime casual choice)
The reasons to pick Homme EDP: Guerlain Homme was my number one choice during the summer vacation, and it works like bread and butter.
Hot weather, with the salty sea breeze, amped up the sweet minty rum formula which gave me much-wearing pleasure.
If you are looking for something to upgrade the old Guerlain Vetiver, don’t miss Guerlain Homme.
Check out the full review of Guerlain Homme.
- Fragrance Type: Woody Aromatic
- Perfumer: Thierry Wasser and Sylvaine Delacourte
- Perfume Concentration: Edp
- Release Date: 2016
- Age group: 25+
- Main Notes: Lime, Rum, and Vetiver
- Longevity and Projection: 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Leisure
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 8/10
Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza (My all year round choice)
The reasons to pick Colonia Essenza: Along with Explorer, Colonia Essenza is my most recommended perfume of all time.
High-quality citrus, combined with flowery aspects from the neroli, and a musky base, make Essenza probably the best summer scent of all time.
Classic, but still contemporary, and luxurious. In my eyes, Essenza will be always my versatile champion.
Check out the full review of Colonia Essenza.
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Floral
- Perfumer: Michel Almairac
- Perfume Concentration: Edc
- Release Date: 2010
- Age group: 25+
- Main Notes: Bergamot, Neroli, and Musk
- Longevity and Projection: 6 – 8 hours of longevity with moderate sillage
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Dior Fahrenheit (My casual and going out choice)
The reasons to pick Fahrenheit: Another legendary Dior’s heavy hitter that was in my rotation last year.
In my opinion, Fahrenheit is the best perfume from the 80s that aged like a fine wine. I’m quite surprised that there’s still nothing like it.
The recognizable “gasoline” aroma is still present in the modern formula, and if you are looking for a mature leather masterpiece to rock throughout the year, don’t look anywhere else.
I’m still not sure which I prefer more: Tuscan Leather or Fahrenheit. Both are excellent.
Check out the full review of Dior Fahrenheit.
- Fragrance Type: Floral Leather
- Perfumer: Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Michel Almairac
- Perfume Concentration: Edt
- Release Date: 1988
- Age group: 30+
- Main Notes: Nutmeg, Violet, Leather, and Musk
- Longevity and Projection: 8 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Any Season
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Bentley For Men Intense (My going-out choice)
The reasons to pick Men Intense: When it comes to price per value ratio, it’s hard to beat Bentley for Men Intense.
To me, I would recommend it to those who want to get a taste of how niche fragrance smells but don’t want to pay niche prices.
Rum, Leather, and Cinnamon play the main role here, but don’t expect miracles like with Explorer.
Intense smells like it would cost double what it goes for, but not much more.
Check out the full review of For Men Intense.
- Fragrance Type: Oriental Spicy
- Perfumer: Nathalie Lorson
- Perfume Concentration: Edp
- Release Date: 2013
- Age group: 30+
- Main Notes: Rum, Cinnamon, and Leather
- Longevity and Projection: 10 – 12 hours with a moderate projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 7/10
Guerlain Shalimar (My feel-good choice)
The reasons to pick Shalimar: Here’s one fragrance a man or a woman can wear equally well.
Even though it has been almost a hundred years since its release, Guerlain’s Shalimar still stands as the pillar fragrance and one of the best releases of all time.
Vanilla, Musks, and Incense make it instantly recognizable, and longevity ain’t bad as well.
If you feel that you are ready to leave popular beliefs that perfumes are gender-based, then, try Shalimar. You won’t regret it.
Check out the full review of Guerlain Shalimar.
- Fragrance Type: Oriental
- Perfumer: Jacques Guerlain
- Perfume Concentration: Edp
- Release Date: 1925
- Age group: 30+
- Main Notes: Vanilla, Citruses, and Musk
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Autumn and Winter
- Occasions: Business and Romantic
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Aramis Havana (My work choice)
The reasons to pick Havana: Here’s a perfume I’ve never mentioned up to this point on this website.
I purchased it based on a recommendation from Chris from the Scent Land Youtube channel.
Sometimes, I’m amazed at how much you can get for such a little money, and the fragrance smells like the money itself.
Complex high-quality leafy tobacco, patchouli, and just a pinch of spiciness coming from cinnamon make the backbone of this unique composition.
Mature and refined. Ideal for more mature gentlemen.
- Fragrance Type: Spicy Woody
- Perfumer: Nathalie Feisthauer and Xavier Renard
- Perfume Concentration: Edt
- Release Date: 1994
- Age group: 30+
- Main Notes: Patchouli, Tobacco, and Cinnamon
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Spring, Fall, and Winter
- Occasions: Business
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Karl Lagerfeld Classic (My work choice)
The reasons to pick Classic: Here’s another newcomer that I haven’t mentioned up until this point.
Yes, it doesn’t smell like it has been released during the last 20 years, but it has one secret weapon of its own.
If you want to experience a wonderful amber scent on the cheap while not leaving the whole paycheck on a fragrance, then, try out Classic.
- Fragrance Type: Oriental Spicy
- Perfumer: Ron Winnegrad
- Perfume Concentration: Edt
- Release Date: 1978
- Age group: 30+
- Main Notes: Tobacco, Amber, and Musk
- Longevity and Projection: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Business
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 9/10
Lalique Pour Homme (My work and nighttime scent)
The reasons to pick Pour Homme: This one took me by surprise. Done by one of my all-time favorite perfume noses, Maurice Roucel, it made me think twice about buying expensive perfumes.
I got my tester bottle of 75 ml for only 13 USD, and the scent quality was nothing less than spectacular.
Great fougere style perfume with Lavender, Sandalwood, and Oakmoss in the far dry down.
Many have compared this one with the 20x times more expensive Creed Bois du Portugal, and I agree with this one. Thumbs up!
- Fragrance Type: Woody Aromatic
- Perfumer: Maurice Roucel
- Perfume Concentration: Edp
- Release Date: 1997
- Age group: 30+
- Main Notes: Lavender, Cedar, and Sandalwood
- Longevity and Projection: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
Salvatore Ferragamo Uomo (My only sweet choice)
The reasons to pick Uomo: If you are young, love sweet fragrances, and have a limited budget, I recommend trying out Uomo.
The scent profile is sweet with touches of ambroxan in a vein of Sauvage.
What separates this perfume from others in the same sweet genre is the addition of the unique tiramisu note that is full-bodied and rich.
It may get a little juvenile for folks over 30 years of age.
- Fragrance Type: Spicy Woody
- Perfumer: Alberto Morillas and Aurelien Guichard
- Perfume Concentration: Edt
- Release Date: 2016
- Age group: 18+
- Main Notes: Coffee, Sweets, and Ambroxan
- Longevity and Projection: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Leisure and Romantic
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 8/10
Conclusion
These 10 choices were my most worn perfumes in 2020. As you saw, most of these picks are within the reach of most frag-heads.
Hopefully, this year will be even better since there is hope that all the health measures will slowly but surely loosen up.
From this year I expect to explore many new fragrances and giving them a proper test in the public when rules for wearing a face mask finally become a part of history.
You can find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists, and other helpful reviews via links below:
REVIEWS
- Terre D’Hermès
- Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur
- Etat Libre D’Orange Fat Electrician
- Lalique Encre Noire A L’Extreme
- Chanel No 5
- Guerlain Heritage
TOP LISTS
- Best Winter Fragrances For Men
- Best Men’s Fragrances Of All Time
- The Best Books About Perfume
- Best Office Colognes
- Sexiest Men’s Fragrances
- Best Cheap Perfumes For Men
SCENT GRAIL LEARNING CENTER
Until next time, have a great time and choose your scent wisely!
Best,
Marin!
#scentgrail #scentgrailtribe
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