Unlike fragrance categories such as aquatic, leather or citrus, woody fragrances span a wide spectrum from fresh, crisp pine to rich, heady oudh, as well as being present as base notes in many other fragrances. It’s common to find scent notes like vetiver, cedarwood, sandalwood, and pine in other fragrance families, with these ingredients lending scents a well-rounded quality and increasing longevity. With that in mind, fragrances not typically classed as woody can still appeal to those who favour the almost universally pleasing notes.
Overview of the best woody fragrances for men
- Best overall woody fragrance: Comme Des Garçons Wonderwood
- Best daily driver: Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Eau de Parfum
- Best old-world luxury woody fragrance: Atkinsons James
- Best true woody fragrance: DS & Durga Bowmakers
What are woody fragrances?
Woody fragrances typically feature aromatic or citrus top notes; crisp, dry woods in the heart notes; and rich, resinous base notes. Due to the broad nature of the woody fragrance category, woody perfumes can be divided into subcategories of woody oriental, woody leather, woody chypre, woody aromatic, woody spicy, woody fruity, and woody floral. The best woody fragrances for men are warm and earthy, redolent of time spent in nature without being too overpowering. While the woody category is inextricably linked to a sense of quiet masculinity, their versatile nature lends them universal appeal, with many woody scents working equally as well on women.
What are the best woody fragrance notes?
The best woody perfumes contain notes like sandalwood (creamy and seductive), patchouli (earthy, smoky, and spicy), pine (crisp, bright, and fresh), vetiver (dry, smoky, and verdant), cedarwood (soft and aromatic with a touch of citrus), and oudh (heavy, heady, and nuanced).
The best woody fragrances for men in 2024
1. Clive Christian 1872 Masculine
A woody citrus fragrance, Clive Christian 1872 Masculine sees mossy woods meet herbaceous aromatics to form an invigoratingly fresh yet mysterious scent with more than a hint of old-world elegance.
Brand: Clive Christian
Scent notes: petitgrain, rosemary, grapefruit, lime, nutmeg, bergamot, black pepper, clary sage, jasmine, marigold, cyclamen, freesia, sandalwood, cedarwood, frankincense
2. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Eau de Parfum
A unique take on a woody fragrance, the Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Eau de Parfum shifts the focus from the forest to the sea. Mineral notes recall the rugged cliff faces, which intermingle with the woody undertones of sage.
Brand: Jo Malone London
Scent notes: seaweed, sage, sea salt, ambrette, grapefruit
Related: His, Hers, Theirs; The Best Gender-Neutral Fragrances Made For Sharing
3. Kiehl’s Original Musk
A contemporary take on a Kiehl’s scent from the 1920s, Original Musk is the ideal genderless fragrance. Powdery white florals meet subtle resins in a surprisingly nuanced formula that smells slightly animalic on some.
Brand: Kiehl’s
Scent notes: rose, lily, ylang-ylang, neroli, tonka, white patchouli, musk
Related: 10 Best Nuanced Woody Floral Fragrances For Complicated Sensorialists
4. Atkinsons James
Equal parts fresh and warm, this scent was inspired by the founder of the heritage British fragrance house. Bright bergamot, pink peppercorn, and sage catch the nose first, making way for warm amber and white florals, underscored by a rich, earthy, and slightly sensual base of patchouli, musk, and vetiver. Masculine without being overpowering, it’s a scent for the contemporary gent.
Brand: Atkinsons
Scent notes: bergamot, finger lime, pink peppercorn, clary sage, elemi, white flowers accord, violet leaves, vetiver, patchouli, musk, akigalawood
5. Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire
Although vetiver isn’t actually a wood (it’s a grass), its intoxicating dry, earthy, sharp notes lend it to use in many great woody fragrances. In this elegant expression, it meets bright citrus and pink peppercorn, alongside refined base notes of myrrh, cedarwood, oakmoss, and musk.
Brand: Frederic Malle
Scent notes: bergamot, bitter orange, vetiver, pink pepper, clove, sandalwood, cedar, oakmoss, musk
6. Tom Ford Oud Wood
One for the true wood lovers, this scent contains intense oud(h) wood, tempering it with warm, spicy notes of cardamon, pepper, and vanilla to create a genderless scent that makes a strong statement.
Brand: Tom Ford
Scent notes: oudh wood, sandalwood, pepper, cardamom, rosewood, tonka bean, vetiver, amber, vanilla.
7. Dior Fahrenheit
Mandarin, violet leaf, cedarwood, and leather come together to create an alluring scent that’s warm, spicy, and just a little dirty — the latter care of the oily, leathery notes.
Brand: Dior
Scent notes: nutmeg flower, lavender, cedar, chamomile, mandarin orange, hawthorn, bergamot, lemon, violet leaf, nutmeg, cedar, sandalwood, carnation, honeysuckle, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, leather, vetiver, musk, amber, patchouli, tonka bean
8. Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace
It’s all in the name here. Warm and cosy, this fragrance opens with bright pink peppercorn, orange blossom, and clove, before settling into spicy, woody notes. Vanilla and cashmeran linger on the skin for a sweet, comforting finish. The scent of contentment.
Brand: Maison Margiela
Scent notes: pink peppercorn, orange flower petals, clove oil, chestnut accord, guaiac wood, cade, vanilla accord, Peru balsam, cashmeran.
9. Comme Des Garçons Wonderwood
Dry, fresh, and clean, Comme Des Garçons Wonderwood is one of the best woody fragrances for men — a veritable celebration of the category. The olfactory equivalent of strolling through a forest, sans the usual green, herbal notes.
Brand: Comme Des Garçons
Scent notes: vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, guaiac wood, cedarwood, oudh, cypress
10. Burberry Hero
Ruggedly masculine. Sitting in the sensory space where the ocean meets the rocky shore, Burberry Hero exudes masculinity courtesy of pine needles and a trio of cedarwood oils, while possessing a smoky, sweet, comforting quality thanks to vanilla and benzoin.
Brand: Burberry
Scent notes: incense, bergamot, benzoin, juniper, pine, cedarwood
11. Kilian Sacred Wood
An alluringly mysterious take on a woody fragrance, Kilian Sacred Wood sees creamy Indian sandalwood meet spicy balsam and myrrh. A milky, creamy quality lingers on the skin in this interesting interpretation of sandalwood.
Brand: Kilian
Scent notes: ambrette seed, amyris, mysore sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, tolu, copahu balm
12. Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician
Cedarwood meets vetiver in this scent from one of our favourite atypical fragrance houses. Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician leans into the resinous side of vetiver, accenting it with the creaminess of chestnut and cedarwood. Base notes of gum resin and vanilla contribute to its sweet stickiness which contrasts nicely with the traditionally fresh, sharp profile of vetiver.
Brand: Etat Libre d’Orange
Scent notes: black pepper, elemi resin, cedarwood, vetiver, opoponax, myrrh, vanilla
Related: Vetiver Is The Elegantly Masculine Scent Note You Need To Know About
13. L’Occitane Baux
One for the old world gentleman. The addition of pink pepper, cardamon, and vanilla in L’Occitane Baux make it a scent that’s masculine while still being warm and inviting.
Brand: L’Occitane
Scent notes: bergamot, cardamom, pink pepper, cypress, incense, cinnamon, vanilla, tonka bean, cedar
14. Diptyque Orphéon
A clean woody chypre fragrance, Diptyque Orphéon is soft and comforting. Recalling the scent of a bar of yesteryear, creamy woody notes are accented by gin-like juniper and white florals. Fizzy, creamy, and powdery, it’s a more delicate take on a classic woody scent.
Brand: Diptyque
Scent notes: juniper berries, tonka beans, cedarwood, jasmine
Related: The Best Clean Girl Fragrances Smell Like Your Skin, But Better
15. Aesop Hwyl
The olfactory equivalent of forest bathing, Aesop Hwyl is redolent of a stroll through a Japanese forest. Hinoki and cypress woods are tempered with resin and spice, as well as dark verdant, earthy, and slightly medicinal notes of thyme, vetiver, and frankincense with a touch of smoke.
Brand: Aesop
Scent notes: thyme, elemi, pink pepper, cypress, suede, geranium, vetiver, frankincense, cedar
16. DS & Durga Bowmakers
Inspired by the scents found in the shops of 19th century string instrument craftsmen from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, DS & Durga Bowmakers is a decidedly rugged woody fragrance. Sawdust, maple shavings, aged walnut, and mahogany are accented by slightly industrial notes of polish and varnish. One for the true woody fragrance lovers, the woody notes in DS & Durga Bowmakers are relatively unadorned and unembellished making for an authentic take on the popular fragrance note.
Brand: DS & Durga
Scent notes: violin varnish, mahogany, outdoors accord, amber pine rosin, maplewood, cypress, spiced tree resin, cedar, moss
Words by Theo Rosen
