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Adam Hurly Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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Reviewed By Jane Sung
In the grooming world, few things say more about you than a signature scent. That’s what makes it so fun to spritz, sniff and determine the top new fragrances for men every year: They all provide something fresh and inspired, even if they aren’t always bucking trends (although sometimes they do that, too).
Speaking of trends, though, there are a few key shifts in the market this year, according to Eudora Nwasike, a London-based fragrance specialist certified by the Fragrance Foundation UK. From a glut of gourmands to an array of subtle, musk-like “skin scents,” there is much to explore in this category. Read on for the most exciting new colognes for men, all launched within this calendar year.
- Citrus Cologne: Diptyque Corail Oscuro
- Musk Cologne: Dior Sauvage Eau Forte
- Gourmand Cologne: Givenchy Gentleman Society Extrême
- Woody Cologne: Clive Christian E Cashmere Musk
- Spicy Cologne: Trudon Absolu
- Fresh Cologne: Byredo Desert Dawn
- Amber Cologne: Lacoste Original
- Leather Cologne: Arquiste Almond Suede
- Floral Cologne: Maison Crivelli Tubéreuse Astrale
- Patchouli Cologne: Santa Maria Novella Quercia
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Noteworthy New Fragrances For Men
Diptyque: A Deliciously Mean Green
Diptyque Corail Oscuro
Scent profile: Citrus green | Size: 3.4 ounces| Top notes: Bergamot, mandarin| Heart note: Green accords| Base note: Sandalwood
A summertime launch from the French fragrance house, this coral-inspired EDP turns heads for the right reasons. Its green heart and crisp top notes come together for a surprisingly spicy kick in the tail; to me, it feels like they’ve unlocked a new dimensionality in perfumery, managing to be both fresh and ferocious at the same time. I’ll be talking about this scent (and wearing it) for years to come.
Dior: A Water-Based Wonder
Dior Sauvage Eau Forte
Scent profile: Aromatic | Sizes: 2 ounces, 3.4 ounces| Top note: Resin| Heart note: Lavender| Base notes: Musk, wood
In fragrance circles, the latest Sauvage is causing quite a stir: Why would you take a best-selling scent and strip it of its alcohol base? Well, for one, it’s not as though the original Sauvage is going anywhere. And secondly, Dior’s nose is modern legend Francis Kurkdjian, so it’s bound to be hit.
And while purists may complain that Sauvage Eau Forte’s water base doesn’t merit their time, I point to the few friends who have responded to my wearing it: “That is incredible!” and “Wow… what is that you’re wearing? It’s so fresh.” Although it has the same roster of fragrance notes as the original, this version of Sauvage carves its own path, and is likely the first in a growing list of scents to add water-based remixes to their roster.
Givenchy: A Delicious Remix
Givenchy Gentleman Society Extrême
Scent profile: Woody gourmand | Sizes: 2 ounces, 3.4 ounces| Top notes: Nutmeg, peppermint| Heart notes: Coffee, orris| Base notes: Vanilla, sandalwood
Givenchy’s latest Gentleman flanker is a well-orchestrated, undaunted scent, says Nwasike, who especially likes it for the colder half of the year. “The dark coffee accord and powdery orris fuse seamlessly with a rich creamy vanilla and decadent woods," she says.
Clive Christian: A Regal Skin Scent
Scent profile: Woody aromatic | Size: 1.7 ounces| Top notes: Bergamot, ginger, pink pepper| Heart notes: Cashmeran, jasmine| Base notes: Musk, ambroxan, guaiac wood
Nwasike loves this intimately fresh floral for its musky forwardness, which makes it an assertive skin scent. “It is a luxurious and exhilarating experience,” she says. “The opening greets me with a burst of citruses—a fresh sweetness with a slight tartness as well.” As it begins to settle, though, the musk, wrapped in elegant woods, reveals a light powdery aroma, she adds.
Trudon: A Spicy Citrus Squeeze
Trudon Absolu
Scent profile: Spicy floral | Size: 3.4 ounces| Top notes: Mandarin, saffron, cardamom| Heart notes: Orange blossom, incense| Base notes: Tonka bean, cedar
The storied French brand’s latest launch has a bite: Those saffron, cardamom and incense notes define its depth, while the contrast of a floral opening and woody-gourmand base further showcase its range. Together, they make for a beautiful show of opposites, which also characterizes Trudon’s year: Its citrusy, island-time Isla EDP is one of 2024’s best, too.
Byredo: A Calming Olfactory Balance
Byredo Desert Dawn EDP
Scent profile: Woody aromatic | Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces| Top notes: Cardamom, rose petal| Heart notes: Carrot seeds, sandalwood| Base notes: Silk, musk, vetiver
Of the best new colognes for men, Desert Dawn is the one I’ll reach for most often. Balanced and fresh, this would suit just about every personality, season or situation. The beautiful, silky skin scent can calm anyone in its orbit with its layers of musk, spice and woods, which develop into a crisp fragrance that calls to mind the early morning hours.
Lacoste: An Affordable, Fresh Find
Lacoste Original EDP
Scent profile: Woody aromatic | Sizes: 3.3 ounces| Top notes: Bergamot, pink pepper| Heart notes: Clary sage, lavender| Base notes: Patchouli, sandalwood, amber
Lacoste keeps it simple with this EDP, a perfect first cologne for any rookies out there—as well as a terrific complement for anyone who wants to layer two scents together. It plays nicely with just about every other scent, adding levity to anything too hefty or dimension and depth to airy fragrances. There’s no ignoring its affordability, either.
Arquiste: A Sophisticated Almond Gourmand
Arquiste Almond Suede EDP
Scent profile: Leather gourmand | Size: 3.4 ounces| Top notes: Honey, bitter almond| Heart notes: Concrete, saffron, neroli| Base notes: Suede leather, pine tar, sugar, vanilla
While many gourmands can veer off the rails with their vanilla dosage, this one remains on course with a centering of bitter almonds balanced by the sensual smoothness of suede leather. The latter carries a certain smokiness too, which elevates Almond Suede to sophisticated heights—fitting for C-suites and first dates alike.
Maison Crivelli: A Carnal Cologne
Maison Crivelli Tubéreuse Astrale
Scent profile: Floral gourmand | Size: 1.7 ounces| Top note: Cinnamon| Heart notes: Tuberose, osmanthus| Base notes: Vanilla, musk
Of all the floral notes, tuberose always provides a warmth and spiciness. “The complexity of this scent focuses on the contrast between creamy, carnal tuberose and a velvety leather—accompanied by a peachy quality from the osmanthus,” says Nwasike. She credits the addition of carrot seed for a fruity essence, too.
However, spritz with caution. “This one’s potency gives it an eternal longevity, and the fragrance fills up a room. You are guaranteed to be the center of attention in any room you step into,” she says—so take that whichever way you read it.
Santa Maria Novella: Intense Yet Grounded Oak
Santa Maria Novella Quercia
Scent profile: Woody aromatic | Sizes: 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces| Top note: Lavender| Heart notes: Vetiver, patchouli| Base note: Oak
Our favorite Florentine luxury label has two new launches this year: the floral-fresh Acqua as well as this intensely oaky splash, Quercia. With its deep woody notes, it’s a nod to a towering tree on the storied Medici Villa di Castello, and wears as classic and timeless as you’d expect.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written dozens of grooming articles. These include topics like the best summer fragrances for men, the best colognes for men and more.
- Author of this piece Adam Hurly is a grooming reporter with 11 years of experience. He has personally tested the majority of fragrance picks highlighted in this article.
- All of the picks in this story were approved by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads the beauty and grooming vertical and has 15-plus years under her belt covering lifestyle topics.
- For thoughts on 2024’s core cologne trends, we tapped Eudora Nwasike, a fragrance specialist based in London, England who’s certified by the Fragrance Foundation UK.
How We Chose The Top New Fragrances For Men
There are hundreds of new colognes for men every year—so how did we arrive at this list of 10? In addition to simply testing them ourselves and choosing what we feel are the most universally appealing, we factored in a few other considerations.
- We wanted a handful of them to match some key trends of the year, so that the list feels like a snapshot of the industry.
- One scent in particular, Dior Sauvage Eau Forte, is also notable for the fact that a major luxury house is investing in alcohol-free, water-based scents—and is willing to do so for the world’s best-selling scent, no less.
- Our roster reflects a broad range of mass market, niche, indie and luxe labels, with price points, notes and seasonality to match a variety of needs and preferences.
Defining Cologne Trends Of 2024
As with all fragrances, certain attributes among colognes come and go in their popularity. Here are three key trends that have defined this year in fragrances, according to Nwasike.
- Skin scents: Subtle, aromatic-fresh notes like musk, cashmere and even ambroxan (a compound used for ambergris notes) make frequent appearances among this year’s new fragrances for men. Skin scents are built around intimacy, since you have to be in someone’s close orbit to sense the aroma. “They are easy to wear and ideal for people who detest strong or overpowering fragrances,” says Nwasike.
- Elegant gourmands: Gourmands smell like anything you might typically eat. “Usually, gourmand fragrances tend to focus on notes that reveal the mouthwateringly sweet aspect,” says Nwasike, noting that they have saturated the market this year more than ever. Think vanilla, chocolate, honey and coffee. There is an increase in savory notes too, she adds—this could be rice, sesame and even vegetables.
- Alcohol-free fragrances: Indie labels have long toyed with alcohol-free scents, whether they’re water based or pure oils; roll-ons and solid scents both fit this script. However, one banner scent in particular signals a cosmic shift: Dior’s water-based expression of the best-selling Sauvage. “The constant evolution of the fragrance industry brings about innovative accords that satisfies the appetite of consumers seeking unconventional fragrances,” Nwasike says. This includes mass-market approaches to reach new customers, like those who might be averse to the sharpness of most alcohol-based options.
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