6 Best Winter Colognes That GQ Editors Love (2025)
GroomingFrom the party-starting colognes to the mood-lifting eau de toilettes, see the bleak midwinter through with some of our favorite men's fragrances.By Adrian ClarkJanuary 10, 2025Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.The scents one wears in the coldest months of the year — henceforth referred to as “winter fragrances” — do an awful lot of social and mental heavy lifting. In the twinkly-lights phase of winter, before the solstice, they're party aromas that guide you nose-first through Christmas to-dos and awkward family gatherings. In phase two, following the metaphorical end of the aforementioned twinkly lights, they're there to give you a much-needed mental boost.Even among the best fragrances for men, then, winter colognes are some of the more important aromas in your arsenal. They're your wingman, then your shoulder to cry on; your moonshine, then your medicine. With this deeply complex brief, we tasked fragrance expert Adrian Clark with choosing from among the best winter fragrances for men. Scroll on for GQ's pick of the best winter fragrances for men…The Best Winter Fragrances for MenD.S & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus Eau de Parfum1/6Big Sur Eucalyptus Eau de Parfum $210 NordstromOlfactory Family: Woody/aromaticConcentration: Eau de ParfumPersonality: UpliftingWhen winter really bites there are two fragrance approaches: those that give you a warming embrace or those that champion the great outdoors. Big Sur Eucalyptus fits into the latter category: it's balmy, green, woody, and seasoned with just a sprinkling of cold spice. Inspired by the eucalyptus groves that dot the Northern Californian coastline, it has a pine-fresh, winter forest aura. Clean, crisp, and (in my opinion) a bit magical, I find it also helps clear brain fog on days when you need a bit of a pick-me-up. Composed by perfumer David Seth Moltz, it features notes of wet wood, eucalyptus globulous, cardamom, rosemary, and a base of dried leaves, cypress, and eucalyptus cone. All that's left to do is add a plaid flannel and a log cabin.Pros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsLong-lastingBrings the outdoors insideConsThere isn't oneKilian Paris Old Fashioned Eau de Parfum2/6Old Fashioned Eau de Parfum$275 By Kilian$275 Neiman MarcusOlfactory Family: Amber/spicy/woodyConcentration: Eau de ParfumPersonality: NostalgicKilian Hennessy has an olfactory family of fragrances titled ‘Liquors’: each is inspired by booze, from a sip of absinthe in the 19th century Parisian cafes (Fièvre Verte) to a gin on the rocks (Roses on Ice). His latest creation, Old Fashioned, evokes the purest and most refined whisky: a single malt. From the first spritz, this refillable EDP transports you to a welcoming fireplace on a gentrified Highlands family estate; a mix of misty moors and woody aged whisky barrels. Opening with a wheat absolute accord and davana essence, it dries down to a base of long-lasting styrax and Tolu Balsam. Warm, spicy, sweet, and ambery in tone, it reminds me of a fragrance from another era.Pros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsRefillableLong-lastingEye candy for the bathroom shelfConsIt's priceyJo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Cologne3/6London Pomegranate Noir Cologne $118 Nordstrom$118 Jo MaloneOlfactory Family: Woody/aromatic/fruityConcentration: ColognePersonality: SeductiveI can honestly say there are very few colognes to have remained a permanent fixture in my fragrance wardrobe for more than a decade. Pomegranate Noir, though, is one of them. A seductive and intensely woody composition, it is the scent I turn to when I need comforting — but I only ever wear it in winter because its rich, plum-like pomegranate fruit notes warmed with patchouli and smoky guaiac wood seem to suit the colder months better. Dark and enigmatic, it is full-bodied and rich (think mulled wine), with accents of Casablanca lily and crackling pink pepper; connoisseurs will probably also detect some clove and Virginia cedar. Originally created in 2005, for me it is the ubiquitous Jo Malone London fragrance; a timeless classic that has stayed the course and transcends the ever-fluctuating trends in perfumery.Pros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsGives a feel good sensationWarms you up like a hot toddyConsThere isn't oneHermès Bel Ami Eau de Toilette4/6Bel Ami Eau de Toilette$105 AmazonOlfactory Family: Chypre/leatherConcentration: Eau de ToilettePersonality: DistinguishedWhen it comes to fragrance notes, nothing says winter better than leather. Rich, protective, and masculine, it has become a go-to ingredient for perfumers in need of something that will be both warming and familiar. Created in 1986, Bel Ami is one hell of a leather fragrance. Created as a provocative departure from the fougère (mossy/green/aromatic) fragrances that dominated at the time, it is refined and elegant but with a subversive si
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The scents one wears in the coldest months of the year — henceforth referred to as “winter fragrances” — do an awful lot of social and mental heavy lifting. In the twinkly-lights phase of winter, before the solstice, they're party aromas that guide you nose-first through Christmas to-dos and awkward family gatherings. In phase two, following the metaphorical end of the aforementioned twinkly lights, they're there to give you a much-needed mental boost.
Even among the best fragrances for men, then, winter colognes are some of the more important aromas in your arsenal. They're your wingman, then your shoulder to cry on; your moonshine, then your medicine. With this deeply complex brief, we tasked fragrance expert Adrian Clark with choosing from among the best winter fragrances for men. Scroll on for GQ's pick of the best winter fragrances for men…
The Best Winter Fragrances for Men
D.S & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus Eau de Parfum
1/6Big Sur Eucalyptus Eau de Parfum
- Olfactory Family: Woody/aromatic
- Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Personality: Uplifting
When winter really bites there are two fragrance approaches: those that give you a warming embrace or those that champion the great outdoors. Big Sur Eucalyptus fits into the latter category: it's balmy, green, woody, and seasoned with just a sprinkling of cold spice. Inspired by the eucalyptus groves that dot the Northern Californian coastline, it has a pine-fresh, winter forest aura. Clean, crisp, and (in my opinion) a bit magical, I find it also helps clear brain fog on days when you need a bit of a pick-me-up. Composed by perfumer David Seth Moltz, it features notes of wet wood, eucalyptus globulous, cardamom, rosemary, and a base of dried leaves, cypress, and eucalyptus cone. All that's left to do is add a plaid flannel and a log cabin.
Pros & ConsPros- Long-lasting
- Brings the outdoors inside
Cons- There isn't one
Kilian Paris Old Fashioned Eau de Parfum
2/6Old Fashioned Eau de Parfum
- Olfactory Family: Amber/spicy/woody
- Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Personality: Nostalgic
Kilian Hennessy has an olfactory family of fragrances titled ‘Liquors’: each is inspired by booze, from a sip of absinthe in the 19th century Parisian cafes (Fièvre Verte) to a gin on the rocks (Roses on Ice). His latest creation, Old Fashioned, evokes the purest and most refined whisky: a single malt. From the first spritz, this refillable EDP transports you to a welcoming fireplace on a gentrified Highlands family estate; a mix of misty moors and woody aged whisky barrels. Opening with a wheat absolute accord and davana essence, it dries down to a base of long-lasting styrax and Tolu Balsam. Warm, spicy, sweet, and ambery in tone, it reminds me of a fragrance from another era.
Pros & ConsPros- Refillable
- Long-lasting
- Eye candy for the bathroom shelf
Cons- It's pricey
Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Cologne
3/6London Pomegranate Noir Cologne
- Olfactory Family: Woody/aromatic/fruity
- Concentration: Cologne
- Personality: Seductive
I can honestly say there are very few colognes to have remained a permanent fixture in my fragrance wardrobe for more than a decade. Pomegranate Noir, though, is one of them. A seductive and intensely woody composition, it is the scent I turn to when I need comforting — but I only ever wear it in winter because its rich, plum-like pomegranate fruit notes warmed with patchouli and smoky guaiac wood seem to suit the colder months better. Dark and enigmatic, it is full-bodied and rich (think mulled wine), with accents of Casablanca lily and crackling pink pepper; connoisseurs will probably also detect some clove and Virginia cedar. Originally created in 2005, for me it is the ubiquitous Jo Malone London fragrance; a timeless classic that has stayed the course and transcends the ever-fluctuating trends in perfumery.
Pros & ConsPros- Gives a feel good sensation
- Warms you up like a hot toddy
Cons- There isn't one
Hermès Bel Ami Eau de Toilette
4/6Bel Ami Eau de Toilette
- Olfactory Family: Chypre/leather
- Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Personality: Distinguished
When it comes to fragrance notes, nothing says winter better than leather. Rich, protective, and masculine, it has become a go-to ingredient for perfumers in need of something that will be both warming and familiar. Created in 1986, Bel Ami is one hell of a leather fragrance. Created as a provocative departure from the fougère (mossy/green/aromatic) fragrances that dominated at the time, it is refined and elegant but with a subversive side; unmistakably for men, but a bit ambiguous. I first discovered this fragrance back in the day: I actually bought my first bottle the year it launched. I’ve never grown tired of it since it gives that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from a woody/chypre/leather scent, but is classy and never overbearing; stealth luxury in the form of fine fragrance. Composed by perfumer Jean-Louis Sieuzac in close collaboration with Hèrmes, it launches with hesperides notes of clary sage, cardamom, and mandarin, leaving a memorable trail of leather, vanilla, and patchouli.
Pros & ConsPros- Surprisingly intense for an eau de toilette
- Smells more expensive that it is
Cons- There isn't one
Chanel Platinum Égoïste Eau de Toilette
5/6Platinum Égoïste Eau de Toilette
- Olfactory Family: Woody/spicy
- Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Personality: Hedonistic
As a lover of scent, there is nothing I like more than introducing forgotten fragrances to a new generation. While the big perfume brands obviously want to push what is shiny and new, the unsung heroes from the past can often get overlooked. Égoïste, created in 1990 by Jacques Polge (head perfumer at Chanel between 1975 and 2015), is one of these timeless classics. As with most men’s fragrances launched in the early 90’s, it’s ballsy, intense and full of seductive power-dressing energy. Defined by its tempting blend of spicy woods and vanilla, it opens with Sicilian mandarin and coriander before exploring a heart of oriental rose and touching base with sandalwood and ambrette seeds from the Seychelles. Originally with limited distribution, but now available nationwide, it will forever be a firm favorite of mine; it’s determined, unapologetic ,and has fire in its belly.
Pros & ConsPros- An icon, now with wider distribution
Cons- Better as an evening fragrance
Tom Ford Black Lacquer Eau de Parfum
6/6Black Lacquer Eau de Parfum
- Olfactory Family: Amber/woody
- Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Personality: Dark and mysterious
This latest addition to Tom Ford’s Private Blend collection takes a walk on the dark side; a love-it-or-hate-it perfume that’s incisive and uncompromising. Inspired by the art of lacquering precious woods, it features two Tom Ford exclusive ingredient innovations: an incandescent black lacquer accord, which offers smoky, textured opulence, and a Makassar ebony wood note that evokes aspects of birch combined with leather. Perfect for winter, beneath its glossy surface blooms a mysterious dark peony accord, seasoned with black pepper and drenched in rum; elemi resin and olibanum highlight its undertones of incense. Created by perfumer Guillaume Flavigny, it’s not going to be to everyone’s taste, but fans of smoky, woody, resinous, slightly ecclesiastical scents will wonder how they ever survived without it.
