6 Best Versace Fragrances, According to GQ
GQ RecommendsFrom Eros to Eau Fraîche, these are the Versace fragrances that Adrian Clark thinks are more than worth indulging in.By Adrian ClarkDecember 6, 2024Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Scent can be subjective, but for those in the know, there's a lot to consider when discerning the best colognes in any brand's collection. From top notes to the quality of ingredients and even the intensity of the scent, GQ's Adrian Clark has over 25 years of experience assessing the very best fragrances for men. With a pedigree that spans back to 1981's Gianni Versace for Women, Versace's colognes are well-established as some of the most decadent you can indulge in. But which are worth a spot in your own rotation? Here are the six best Versace fragrances that are deserving of the distinction.The Best Versace Fragrances, At a GlanceBest Citrus Fragrance: Eros Energy Eau de Parfum, $115 $92Best Woody Fragrance: Man Eau Fraiche Eau De Toilette, $140 $66Best Spicy Fragrance: Santal Boisé Eau de Parfum, $163Best Fougère Fragrance: Eros Eau de Parfum, $115 $621/6Eros Eau de Parfum$115 $62 AmazonFragrance Family: FougèreConcentration: ParfumMotivation: Confidence-boostingUsing the Medusa’s head as its instantly identifiable branding, Versace has always had an affinity with Greek mythology. Makes sense, then, that its hero masculine fragrance was named after Eros, the Greek god of love. Originally launched as an EDT in 2012, this highly-concentrated parfum reformulation keeps all the best bits of the signature crowd-pleasing scent but turns the volume up to maximum. Punchy, passionate and audacious, it serves better as an evening fragrance and sits firmly in the amber olfactory family; sensual and rich. Opening with a sparkling cocktail of lemon, mandarin, and litsea cubeba (a unique perfumery ingredient with green undertones), it dries down to a woody and honeyed foundation of benzoin, cashmeran, patchouli, vanilla, and vetiver. In my opinion, this is the ultimate date night fragrance: It lasts the course, builds inner-strength and confidence, and has a kind of forbidden charm about it.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Scent can be subjective, but for those in the know, there's a lot to consider when discerning the best colognes in any brand's collection. From top notes to the quality of ingredients and even the intensity of the scent, GQ's Adrian Clark has over 25 years of experience assessing the very best fragrances for men. With a pedigree that spans back to 1981's Gianni Versace for Women, Versace's colognes are well-established as some of the most decadent you can indulge in. But which are worth a spot in your own rotation? Here are the six best Versace fragrances that are deserving of the distinction.
The Best Versace Fragrances, At a Glance
- Best Citrus Fragrance: Eros Energy Eau de Parfum,
$115$92 - Best Woody Fragrance: Man Eau Fraiche Eau De Toilette,
$140$66 - Best Spicy Fragrance: Santal Boisé Eau de Parfum, $163
- Best Fougère Fragrance: Eros Eau de Parfum,
$115$62
1/6Eros Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Fougère
Concentration: Parfum
Motivation: Confidence-boosting
Using the Medusa’s head as its instantly identifiable branding, Versace has always had an affinity with Greek mythology. Makes sense, then, that its hero masculine fragrance was named after Eros, the Greek god of love. Originally launched as an EDT in 2012, this highly-concentrated parfum reformulation keeps all the best bits of the signature crowd-pleasing scent but turns the volume up to maximum. Punchy, passionate and audacious, it serves better as an evening fragrance and sits firmly in the amber olfactory family; sensual and rich. Opening with a sparkling cocktail of lemon, mandarin, and litsea cubeba (a unique perfumery ingredient with green undertones), it dries down to a woody and honeyed foundation of benzoin, cashmeran, patchouli, vanilla, and vetiver. In my opinion, this is the ultimate date night fragrance: It lasts the course, builds inner-strength and confidence, and has a kind of forbidden charm about it.
2/6Santal Boisé Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Woody/spicy
Concentration: Eau de Parfum
Motivation: Sensual
Some designer brands (not mentioning names) launch niche, elevated fragrance lines to capitalize on revenue, whereas others do it because they have something to say. The Atelier Versace line, inspired by the fashion house’s couture business, fits safely into the latter. Its releases are complex and exclusive, use rare and precious ingredients, and are developed by a collective of different master perfumers. I’m a big fan of the entire range as they all bring something different to the party, but my favorite has to be Santal Boisé. Created by perfumer Christophe Raynaud, it's one of the more traditionally masculine parfums within the collection (the entire line is genderless) and is woody, spicy, rich, and warming, with a long-lasting effect. Milky and balsamic in signature, it has been crafted using the roots and heart of Sri Lankan sandalwood, cypriol (similar to papyrus), which adds a distinctive smoky and slightly oud-like note.
3/6Versace
Man Eau Fraîche
Fragrance Family: Citrus/woody/aquatic
Concentration: Eau de Toilette
Motivation: Uplifting
The oldest (surviving) scent from Versace men’s fragrance back-catalogue, Eau Frâiche makes the ultimate summer holiday fragrance. It's free-spirited and joyful, fresh and just a little bit wild. It has almost tonic-like benefits and literally puts a smile on your face; I’ve even been known to spritz this to change my mood when I am reluctant to do the household chores... A woody/citrus/aquatic, composed by perfumer Olivier Cresp, it's quite nonconformist and surprisingly refreshing; full of charisma and self-confidence. It follows a signature Versace path with white lemon and bergamot taking the lead. More unexpectedly, it's paired with effervescent star fruit, cardamom and noble Brazilian rose wood. The dry down uses cedar leaves, vibrant tarragon, clary sage and pepper before trailing off with skin-deep musk, saffron, comforting amber and sycamore wood. An absolute classic. Long may it reign.
4/6Versace
Eros Energy Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Citrus/aromatic
Concentration: Eau de Parfum
Motivation: Invigorating
As is the case with any successful franchise, Eros is now a fully formed family of men’s fragrances with adaptations to satisfy (almost) every palate. The latest to join the ranks, Eros Energy, is a pure rush of citrus fruits; an uplifting tonic that does exactly what it says on the tin. A completely new interpretation of the original scent, this screams “luxurious Italian vacation.” as it’s summery but still very sophisticated. Powerful, long-lasting and vibrant, in my opinion it benefits from being an eau de parfum concentration (citrus-focused scents are more commonly eau de toilettes). Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the Mediterranean coastline, it starts its journey with notes of lemon, blood orange, grapefruit, lime, Sicilian bergamot, and mandarin orange. Pink peppercorn and blackcurrant add fizz and crackle; white amber brings on its sensuality; patchouli adds richness; oakmoss offers up an earthy, green facet; and musk invites a warm embrace.
5/6Versace
Dylan Blue Eau De Toilette
Fragrance Family: Aromatic/fougère
Concentration: Eau de Toilette
Motivation: Sophisticated
Named after the Greek Island of Dylos, Dylan Blue pour Homme takes its inspiration from the wild and dramatic landscape of the Mediterranean coastline: It's a strong and typically masculine fragrance. I often get asked “What fragrance should I buy my dad for Christmas?” and this is always on my list. It's a perfectly balanced blend of fresh and spicy moments; a woody/aromatic that is both elegant and sophisticated. Opening with powerful aquatic marine notes and citrus hints of Calabrian bergamot and grapefruit, it's enriched with rare saffron, frankincense, and musk in its base. Fig leaves, black pepper, patchouli and ambroxan give it personality and stop it from becoming too generic. I would love to see what an EDP reformulation of this would look like.
6/6Versace
Pour Homme Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Aromatic/fougère
Concentration: Eau de Toilette
Motivation: Self-assured
Formulated in 2008 by master perfumer Alberto Morillas, it's a proper old-school scent which is aromatic, full of character and unapologetically traditionally-masculine: charming, understated, but still unique. When I first tried this fragrance it surprised me that (given Versace’s high-octane va-va-voom reputation) the brand would opt for such an easy-to-wear, versatile scent to sell the concept of the Versace Man. Self-assured and determined, the link becomes more obvious as the scent gets under your skin. The classic Versace high notes of citron and Calabrian bergamot are softened with rose de Mai and neroli, the heart is defined by its almost tactile mineral-floral aroma of blue hyacinth and clary sage. Connoisseurs may detect a touch of agar wood (oud) in its dry down; the perfect everyday scent.
