Gentlemen, the best fragrance season is upon us. The summer is gently fading away, and the temperatures are calming down. Best fall fragrances for men article is dedicated to all of us who enjoy the bells and whistles of this time of year.
Coincidentally or not, the first-ever top list I created was the Autumnal list – unisex edition. While I am proud of what that article did and presented, I believe that with more experience now, and a slightly different creative direction, I can offer more by separating it into two different articles – for men and women.
This first one of two is for men since I have more experience with fragrances targeted to men, and I would like to do some further testings of those for ladies, before choosing the ultimate Top 10 – female edition.
What will make both of these two articles different from a bunch of other similar-themed ones is the fact I have tested everything you see here in a bunch of different seasons, and occasions, and most importantly, it is not another random list of fragrances only included to be sold.
Also, looking back at my previous article, I’m quite pleased with most of what I did there and will include, and improve what I believe was already good there.
Come and join me, as we explore the ultimate list of Scent Grail’s Top 10 best fragrances for men, selected by yours truly.
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What is a fall perfume
So, you may ask yourself what is actually a fall perfume or how can I know what to look for? Well, since the fall is a season which is between summer and winter, these types of perfumes are here to close the gap in this area.
While some days can still get hot as during the summer, at times the temperature can really drop, that’s why I have added even the extreme ends which are generally considered pure summer and winter scents.
Fall perfumes have a tendency to make you feel cozy, comforting, warm, and at times mysterious. These perfumes are not heavy and are not light. They sit in that sweet spot between those two and work fantastically.
In the end, you should wear what you like, not what anyone else says. The fine balance between choosing the right season for perfume, and how one projects around you is an art of its own.
Fall fragrance notes
When it comes to fall fragrance notes in the best fall fragrances for men category, there is an easy rule to follow. In my opinion, the fragrance world is interconnected with colors. A rule of seasonal colors, for fall are Brown, Orange, Red, Black, and Yellow.
By following this rule, you can simply guess where to follow your nose and remove the doubt. Here are some notes you can expect to find in fall scents:
WOODY NOTES
- Patchouli
- Vetiver
- Cedar
- Agarwood (Oud)
- Oakmoss
WARM NOTES
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Honey
ANIMALIC NOTES
- Musk
- Amber
- Leather
- Ambergris
- Tolu Balsam
Note that there are other note variations and that the list is a basic guideline that you can follow on Woody, Warm and Animalic rule.
What are fragrance notes and accords?
Simply explained, notes are perfume indigents, and accords are “fantasy” notes made from several other notes to get one distinct accord(note) that couldn’t be recreated otherwise.
Such accords are leather, amber, and marine notes, while notes can be bergamot, rose, and vanilla. But, while it may sound as simple as this, there are some other things to consider as well.
Smelly alcohol-water known as perfumes are made from multiple notes and accords which are made from a mixture of natural and aroma-chemical indigents to form a general scent profile.
These notes and accords are separated into three different classes known as the perfume pyramid:
- Top Notes
- Middle Notes
- Base Notes
Each of the separate pyramid stages is carefully created by perfumes to evaporate accordingly.
For example, top notes such as citruses evaporate faster than for instance, Sandalwood and Agarwood found in the middle or base stage of the perfume.
In modern perfumery, accords are a vital part of creating a harmonious blend of two or more notes into a distinctive smell.
While this process is more complex than it may sound, it’s always good to know how are your perfume composed and when can you expect more natural indigents rather than synthetics.
So, to conclude the fragrance term referred to as “notes” and “accords” are often used as marketing to explain approximately what consumers may expect when smelling a particular perfume.
Read more about this topic here.
What are fragrance strengths & perfume concentrations?
Intertwined together, both terms refer to raw material oil concentration. As such, these concentrations vary from perfume to perfume and affect sillage and projection, among other things.
Depending on the brands, and their blending quality, it is not uncommon to find that eau de toilette projects much better than Eau de Parfum.
This is because the perfume oil “breaths” and performs much easier when less perfume oil is diluted in alcohol within the fragrance bottle.
Furthermore, most Western-style perfumes rarely contain fragrance essence only and also include perfumers’ alcohol, sometimes purified water, perfume oils, and aromatic compounds.
Besides shower gels and deodorants, all fragrant products fall into some of these main categories:
- Eau Fraiche 1-3%
- After Shave/Mist/Splash 1-3%
- Eau de Cologne 2-4%
- Eau de Toilette 5-15%
- Eau de Parfum 15-20%
- Pure Parfum/Extrait de Parfum 20-40%
It is good to know that not all perfumes perform exactly the same, just based on their aromatic compounds.
It is truly a remarkable thing that you can sometimes find lower-concentration perfumes that perform equally well or better than the highest-concentration Extrait de parfum.
This is because the perfume industry has not yet standardized the perfume’s concentrations intensities and differences.
Read more about this topic here.
Best fall fragrances for men: The list
This year’s edition of best fall fragrances for men will be with a twist. Not all fall seasons are equally cold, nor are always warm.
Thus, I have included some summer choices that make this weather transition much smoother. I have included only one fragrance previously mentioned and made sure to give you choices both from the designer and niche specter side of perfumery.
1. Dior Fahrenheit
My experience with Fahrenheit: Dior’s masterpiece is probably in the top 3 continuously mentioned fragrances on Scent Grail, and I will continue to place it in every list it seems to fit in. Why?
It is because even in this world of niche trend-setting perfumery, a big name from the ’80s is still as unique as ever, and more often than not, better than 95% of new releases.
The scent is dominated by petroleum-like violet/leather notes that cannot be explained by simple words. I can understand if you don’t like it at first but do give it a couple of tries during the next couple of months. You might be surprised how our taste adapts to new, and unusual things.
The longevity and projection are still good with the current formulation, and you owe it to yourself to check out the best black leather perfume on the market.
Read the full review here.
- Perfumer: Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Michel Almairac
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Floral Leather
- Release Date: 1988
- Most dominant notes: Violet, Leather, and Musk
- Age Group: 30+
- Seasons: Any season
- Occasions: Business and leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 hours with moderate projection
- Compliments: Medium
- Likeability: Medium
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Black, Purple, White
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
2. Tom Ford Costa Azzurra
My experience with Costa Azzurra: I’m basing my experience on the latest edition of Costa Azzurra, re-released in the signature line in 2021, but for collectors, you might want to purchase this edition while it’s still available.
The two are practically indistinguishable one from another, and if you don’t care in which bottle does juice comes with, just go for the latest Costa Azzura which in my opinion has a much prettier bottle than before.
When looking at notes, one might be thinking what the heck was Tom Ford thinking about naming the fragrance Costa Azzura and mixing Oud, Incense, Olibanum, and other heavy notes into the mix.
In reality, this blend is somewhere between the original Tom Ford Man, and Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio Profumo, but better blended. The scent just works, anywhere, and anytime.
Nothing new, but I can almost guarantee that this might become your favorite woody/aquatic scent of all time. Enough said.
- Perfumer: n/a
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Woody Aquatic
- Release Date: 2014
- Most dominant notes: Lemon, Sea Notes, and Driftwood
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Any season
- Occasions: Business and leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 hours with moderate projection
- Compliments: Medium
- Likeability: High
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 9/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Yellow, Blue, Brown
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A
3. Mancera Instant Crush
My experience with Instant Crush: I like Instant Crush because it serves its purpose well like rarely any other fragrance.
This beast from Mancera is created to be a compliment magnet and to endure the most heated scenarios like clubbing.
The big elephant in the room is talking about Instant Crush being a dupe of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540. If you smell the fragrance from the sprayer, then yes, I do agree.
But, after the initial spray, and the first minute or two, the fragrance goes in a different direction while still keeping the famous Baccarat “latex glove” smell throughout the fragrance wake.
Those who like oriental-based middle eastern fragrances will 100% love Instant Crush with Vanilla and amber dominating the scent. Just don’t expect to get a replacement for Baccarat Rouge 540 for half a cheaper price.
- Perfumer: n/a
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Floral Oriental
- Release Date: 2019
- Most dominant notes: Saffron, Vanilla, and Woods
- Age Group: 18+
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Romantic and dating
- Longevity and Sillage: 12+ hours with great projection
- Compliments: High
- Likeability: High
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 9/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Red, Brown, Orange
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A
4. Hermès Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
My experience with Un Jardin Sur Le Nil: I have previously talked about Un Jardin Sur Le Nil in a very positive way, but let me warn you. It takes experience to truly enjoy and understand this masterpiece perfume.
In my opinion, it’s probably one of the best summer scents of all time but wait for a second. How could this citrus/green and incense scent be worn in the fall?
The answer lies in its eternal transparency. The whole floral-green-citrus combination didn’t sound appealing to me at all, and from the notes, it seemed like a fragrance that would better suit a woman rather than a man.
On the initial spray, it was a full-on grandma’s garden, but surprisingly, the scent has a fantastic development and feels more like an experience rather than a simple scent. I have never been on a riverbank by the Nile, but I sure do believe it smells something like this.
- Perfumer: Jean-Claude Ellena
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Floral
- Release Date: 2005
- Most dominant notes: Green Mango, Tomato Leaf, and Musk
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Any occasion
- Longevity and Sillage: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- Compliments: Low
- Likeability: Medium
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 9/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Green, Orange, Pink
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A
5. Boucheron Jaipur Homme Eau de Parfum
My experience with Jaipur Eau de Parfum: Here is a great cheapie you can get for around $30 dollars. A fragrance that sweeps you from your feet.
From the bottle in the style of the Taj Mahal, and the fragrance that celebrates Asian culture, and life itself, Jaipur is also my favorite scent from Annick Menardo.
Some fragrance websites list just a couple of notes for the Eau de Parfum version, in my experience, it shares the complete note breakdown as Eau de Toilette.
So, what does Jaipur smell like? Imagine walking through the spice market in a country like India and you get the essence of Jaipur.
The base is gummy/woody while keeping the high quality that is present from the start. Absolutely amazing, and luxurious.
Jaipur gets my stamp of approval for being the best cheapie fragrance ever released.
- Perfumer: Annick Menardo
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Spicy Oriental
- Release Date: 1997
- Most dominant notes: Cinnamon, Benzoin, and Cloves
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Romantic and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 12+ hours with great projection
- Compliments: Low
- Likeability: Medium
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Orange, Yellow, Brown
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A
6. Narciso Rodriguez for Him
My experience with for Him: In a perfect world, this perfume would be one of the most talked-about ones and a top seller.
In reality, for Him has been discounted for some time now, but is still available. I do not believe that this is because it sucks, or it lacks quality. Most likely, it was released at a time when a lot of other great fragrances came out in the same year.
One other thing that didn’t go in favor of Him is the fragrance community, unfortunately. If you heard that something smells like wet concrete, would you even bother trying it if you weren’t into weird niche smells? I guess, we know the answer to that question.
For me, Narciso Rodriguez for Him had the potential to be the first perfume to succeed the great Dior Fahrenheit, as they do share a similar leathery/flower note of Violet. The musk is tame but present with a touch of sweetness.
While we cannot bring it back from the dead, you can do yourself a favor and pick a bottle before the prices skyrocket in the near future.
- Perfumer: Francis Kurkdjian
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Woody Fougere
- Release Date: 2007
- Most dominant notes: Musk, Violet, Patchouli
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Occasions: Business
- Longevity and Sillage: 6 -8 hours with good projection
- Compliments: Low
- Likeability: Medium
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Green, Brown, White
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
7. Viktor and Rolf Spicebomb Extreme
My experience with Spicebomb Extreme: Have you ever wondered why Spicebomb Extreme is so much talked about when it comes to dating and clubbing scents during the colder seasons?
It is much simpler than one may think. Spicembomb Extreme is easily the best designer tobacco vanilla scent out there. I would go as far as to place it just below the grandiose Tobacco Vanille from Tom Ford. Yes, it is that good.
The performance is great, the scent is even better if you know what you are getting into since it does not smell like a designer fragrance. That’s why the price is what it is.
Just forget about Paco Rabbane’s and Azzaro’s spin-off on this genre. Keep it simple, and choose Spicebomb Extreme. You won’t regret it.
- Perfumer: n/a
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Oriental Spicy
- Release Date: 2015
- Most dominant notes: Tobacco, Vanilla, and Black Pepper
- Age Group: 18+
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Dating and Clubbing
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with great projection
- Compliments: High
- Likeability: High
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 9/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Brown, Red, Yellow
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
8. Tom Ford Ombre Leather
My experience with Ombre Leather: Is there anything that hasn’t been said about Ombre Leather already?
My favorite designer perfume of all time and I rarely claim something like this, but I do believe that Ombre Leather is the best designer release of the 2010s by far.
Raspberry, cardamom, and suede are enveloped into this gentle amber accord so good, I always tell myself how good I smell each time I wear it.
Like I said a couple of days ago in my other article: “You owe it to yourself to get your nose on Ombre Leather. There wasn’t a better time to try Ombre like it is now, and to see why Tuscan Leather has often been coined by many as one of the best perfumes ever created.”
- Perfumer: Sonia Constant
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Leather
- Release Date: 2018
- Most dominant notes: Raspberry, Leather, Amber
- Age Group: 20+
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Business, Romantic, and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 24+ hours with great projection
- Compliments: High
- Likeability: High
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Dark Brown, White, Red
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
9. Maison Margiela Replica by the Fireplace
My experience with By the Fireplace: One thing that fascinated me about by the Fireplace is its enormous popularity that has gone so far, that many claim it to be one of the best niche perfumes of all time, even if it’s a designer.
People say it smells like roasted chestnuts, but I digress. The scent is a combination of high-quality smoke combined with delicious dusty vanilla and creamy guaiac wood, and it does smell more expensive than it costs which is still not cheap.
If you want to get one of the best cozy scents for the upcoming fall season, look no further. Ladies adore this fragrance. But, if you want to get a real idea of how roasted chestnuts smell like, visit Europe during October and November.
- Perfumer: Marie Salamagne
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Woody Oriental
- Release Date: 2015
- Most dominant notes: Smoke, Vanilla, Guaiac wood
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Romantic, and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 hours with moderate projection
- Compliments: High
- Likeability: High
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 8/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Brown, Yellow, Red
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: B+
10. Yves Saint Laurent Body Kouros
My experience with Body Kouros: A true blast from the past, Body Kouros was one of my first fragrance loves that I recently rediscovered again.
Don’t be scared by the notes of eucalyptus and incense, since they are blended in such a way, no note jumps out.
Fans of the original Kouros know that Body does not smell anything like the original beast from the 80s which is, funnily enough, great news for the younger generation.
A very powdery-smelling scent with a sweet vanillic and woody dry down. Some might not know this, but this was the first fragrance released by Tom Ford era during his time as a creative director at Yves Saint Laurent.
Although Body Kouros is now kinda forgotten by the mainstream, you can get that familiar and edgy DNA found in the future of Tom Ford’s scents. If that wasn’t enough, the fact you’ll smell great and like almost no one else during this fall is enough reason for you to try Body Kouros as soon as you can.
- Perfumer: Annick Menardo
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Woody Oriental
- Release Date: 2000
- Most dominant notes: Benzoin, Eucalyptus, and Incense
- Age Group: 18+
- Seasons: Fall and Winter
- Occasions: Romantic, Business, and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 hours with moderate projection
- Compliments: Medium
- Likeability: Medium
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 8/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Brown, Yellow
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
Conclusion
There you go. These were my top 10 best fall fragrances for men I believe are worth checking out this year.
The last thing left to do besides smelling good is to adjust your outfits, dust off those leather boots, put your coat on, and conquer the day.
Have you tried any of the perfumes on this list? Let me know in the comment section below and let’s start a conversation.
In case you are in wonder whether you should consider buying any of the perfumes on this list, it’s always good to take a look at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide.
It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume buying guide on the web. This way, you can check out if a particular fragrance is worth checking out, and potentially find your signature perfume.
If you have enjoyed this post, find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists, and other helpful reviews via links below:
REVIEWS
- Hermes Terre D’Hermès
- Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza
- Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum
- Karl Lagerfeld Lagerfeld Classic For Men
- Dior Homme 2020
- Armaf Club De Nuit Intense Man
TOP LISTS
- Top 10 Designer Perfume Brands
- Best Men’s Fragrances Of All Time
- Best Books About Perfume
- Best Office Colognes
- Best Signature Scents For Men
- Best Cheap Perfumes For Men
SCENT GRAIL LEARNING CENTER
- Perfume Testers Vs. Retail Boxed Fragrances
- Perfume Shopping Tips
- How To Buy Vintage Perfume
- How To Start A Perfume Collection
- History Of Perfume
- Fragrance Addiction
Until next time, have a great time and keep smelling like a million bucks!
Best, Marin!
#scentgrail #scentgrailtribe
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– Marin Kristic
