5 Colognes Every Modern Man Should Own

Gents – The sense of smell is a powerful thing. The right fragrance at the right time can convey everything from light and playful to power and authority.

Today, we’ll help you sift through or should I say sniff through some of the top colognes for modern men on the market today.

There are hundreds of different colognes available to buy, all of them claiming to be the best. So, it can get a tad confusing when choosing what to buy.

Colognes range from hard, masculine scents to fragrant selections, and it can be a bit of a challenge to pick the one that best suits your personality.

For all the girls I might take home. I got the Johnson’s Baby Powder and the Polo Cologne”. – Slick Rick

Whatever you decide, we recommend starting out with the scent you like best.

If it’s a scent you’re already familiar with, it can trigger nostalgia that will make you feel empowered and confident. There are also various scents for work, social occasions, and of course, dates.

To help you decide from the myriad of offerings out there, we’ve sniffed out some classic choices. These are the staple colognes that you and every other guy should own.

In no particular order, let’s get started!

Paco Rabanne 1 Million

This is one of the most recognizable colognes of the 21st century, and with good reason. Introduced in 2008, Paco Rabanne 1 Million entwines Indian patchouli and masculine leather with notes of mint citrus, grapefruit, cinnamon, blood orange and more.

The flamboyant fragrance is perfect for the modern man whether in his twenties or older. Everyone wants to look and smell like a million dollars.

Not only does its scent fluctuate between woody and oriental notes; it is also powerful and lasts long. Though the fragrance is a tad overwhelming, it is still incredibly appealing in small amounts. It’s also a hit with many women.

Dunhill Icon

This is arguably the best fragrance for fall. Dunhill describes Icon as aromatic woody. This is because of the cologne’s accord, which blends wood-based resins with herb and aromatic notes.

More specifically, it blends notes of neroli, black pepper, cardamom absolute, silver sage, oakmoss, vetiver, oud, Orris-leather accord, and more.

At just $50, Dunhill Icon feels like a fragrance that should cost a lot more. Before the oily resins come out, the cologne’s cycle phase lasts a good while—mainly because of the neroli and cardamom.

It’s also an “Eau de parfum”, which lasts longer and is stronger than “Eau de toilette” fragrances.

Also, for you “Car Guys” out there, consider Dunhill Icon Racing. This one is considered to be more dapper with distinctive notes of Bergamot and Cardamom scent in a refined British racing green bottle.

Giorgio Armani Code

If it’s winter and you’re going on a date, you won’t find a better cologne. Giorgio Armani Code has a composition that includes a citrus head, woods, and various spicy and oriental notes.

More specifically, it contains head notes of lemon, bergamot, and black pepper, heart notes of vanilla, olive blossom, and star anise, and base notes of amber, tonka bean, guaiac wood, and labdanum.

They blend together to form an understated but seductive profile that women love. The scent also manages to merge youthfulness with sophistication.

Giorgio Armani Code isn’t the longest-lasting. However, if used in the winter, it will last longer. Furthermore, if you use it for a date, then the duration won’t be a problem.

Pour Un Homme De Caron

This is a classic that every man should own, regardless of your preference or age. Introduced in 1934, it’s a vintage that still holds up to this day and trades blows with the best offerings from other brands.

Widely regarded as the first men’s fragrance, Pour Un Homme De Caron is subtle and elegant. It opens crisply and refreshingly with mild bergamot and a blend of lavender and rosemary.

Once those notes subside, it reveals vanilla, clary sage, and sandalwood. And after entering the base, the lavender and vanilla coalesce with musk, oakmoss, and tonka bean.

The cologne is unique compared to other masculine fragrances. It’s not overbearing or brash, and in fact, it’s considered one of the best all-time fragrances.

Terre d’Hermès

Terre d’Hermès is an excellent choice for the office. It’s mature and elegant, and it won’t suffocate your colleagues or clients.

It’s not just good for the office; virtually any working environment will work. And you can even use it on a date, for a scent that’s a little different.

It’s a woody spicy fragrance, but that’s not all. It also has harmonious notes from a wide range of families.

It kicks off with a fragrant blast of grapefruit and oranges, followed by peppers and geranium.

Finally, it ends with notes of benzoin, patchouli, cedarwood, and vetiver.

Conclusion: 5 Colognes Every Modern Man Should Own

If you’re like most men, you probably wear cologne for two main reasons — to smell good and to attract women. A dab of cologne also, makes us feel more confident and adds the finishing touches to our overall swag.

A few notable mentions are Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue, Gucci Guilty, Bvlgari Man, and of course the classic Polo by Ralph Lauren.