Fall's Finest Fragrances
The season's best colognes channel classic, masculine sex appeal with leather, liquor and smoke.
There's no denying how impactful scent is on your memory. In fact, Duke University researchers found that the part of the brain that processes scents is indeed a key part of forming long-term memories. Perhaps that's why old school cologne is so appealing—it's nostalgia in a bottle. Even if you don't have a personal connection to the fragrance, there's an inherent old school vibe to these scents, which separates them for the modern bottles found at the cologne counter. Which gives you a unique advantage in a way—after all, who wants to smell like everyone else? And the bonus is these classically masculine combinations tend to work on a range of guys (and cost less than the new releases). Herewith, six fragrances that might've been off your radar, but are definitely worth a look.
$49.54 by Penhaligon's
Inhaling Blenheim Bouquet today, it's hard to imagine it was created over a hundred years ago. First blended for the Duke of Marlborough and worn by countless icons over the years, the bracing blend of citrus, woods and spicy black pepper has been rightly described as the olfactory equivalent of a well-tailored suit.
$49.54 by Penhaligon's
Named after the label's address on London's famed Jermyn Street, Floris' No. 89 is a quintessentially English fragrance and has become synonymous with suave gentlemen—in fact, it's the preference of James Bond himself. What starts out bright and citrusy with touches of florals dries down into a distinctive spiced woody character.
$80 by Floris
$80 by Floris
$8.95 by Old Spice
Before the "Old Spice guy" memes and viral videos, this buoy-shaped bottle was known as the quintessential American cologne. While the initial burst is a shock of cinnamon, sage and orange peel, it fades to a subtle musk with hints of cedar and vanilla.
$8.95 by Old Spice
This lightweight fragrance by Christian Dior has a refined, grassy scent (thanks to the vetiver) mixed with earthy herbs like rosemary and basil. Grown up, though not stuffy, it's definitely a rich scent, but it's not overpowering. And even after five decades, it's still one of the best-selling colognes in France.
$54.95 by Christian Dior
$54.95 by Christian Dior
$22.99 by Geoffrey Beene
When Geoffrey Beene personally developed his signature cologne in 1975, he became the first designer to offer men's fragrances in America. It's fresh and grassy at first spritz without being overly soapy, thanks to bitter citrus and green herbs. It then dries into a warmer tone with touches of cedar and leather.
$22.99 by Geoffrey Beene
A classic "chypre" fragrance (typically a warm combination of woods, moss and spices like patchouli), this is a bold, punchy scent that's ideally suited for cooler evenings. The masculine notes of cedar and sandalwood are balanced by lighter pops of citrus and smooth leather.
$60 by Aramis
$60 by Aramis
Just a reminder that some of these old school scents are more, shall we say, aggressive than most of the colognes released these days. Remember, it's a personal fragrance, not an air freshener for the whole room.