5 Of Our Favorite Winter Colognes

The best fragrances for when the temperature drops

As we’ve said many times in the past, the final detail to any outfit is the perfect fragrance. And since fragrances are very much seasonal, now that it’s wintertime, you’re going to need to change up your game.

Here are our five favorite winter colognes.

A quick word on pricing

Before continuing, just one note. You will notice that the majority of these colognes are on the expensive side – i.e. significantly more than you’d pay at the regular big mall department store. There’s a reason for that. They’re generally from smaller houses and produced at not nearly the scale as many other big-name fragrances.

In some cases, you may also wonder how a 1-ounce bottle could be so prohibitively expensive. In at least one case, it’s because the fragrance is extremely concentrate. One spray will last 24 hours. No joke. And if you do wear them seasonally, one bottle will last for well over a year.

1. Frederic Malle Bigarade Concentree

A seasonal favorite. We’ve included this before in a round-up of fall fragrances. In my opinion, Frederic Malle Bigarade Concentree is a true transitional fragrance. It is dominated by bitter orange – a sort of aged take on a classic eau de cologne – which makes it a great fall to winter scent. It’s also a good day to night fragrance. If you have a date after work, this would be one to wear.

2.Le Labo Oud 27

Very much a classic oud from a great brand. This is what you expect to smell in a pure oud fragrance. Loaded with Agarwood, but with undertones of cedar, patchouli and black pepper. Don’t let those descriptors fool you, however – this has a lighter quality despite being unmistakable. Best for daytime wear.

3. Creed Royal Oud

If Le Labo Oud 27 is very much a classic oud, Creed’s Royal Oud is very much the opposite. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to identify any oud at all here. Though as you’d expect from the house of Creed, this is an absolutely stunning fragrance. Words that come to mind are elegant, refined and singular. Royal Oud is on the sweeter side and, in my opinion, is a perfect scent for an elegant evening affair.

4. Acqua di Parma Colonia Club

New from Acqua di Parma, Colonia Club is a sporty, woodsy take on the classic ADP fragrance. Rather than try to describe the scent, I think it more apropos to describe what it evokes. Think, wood paneled rooms adorned with portraits of great men and dog runs painted in oil. Tufted leather chairs surrounded by first edition leather-bound tomes adjacent to a bar cart stocked with the finest whiskies. This is your classy weekend daytime cologne.

5. Nasomatto Black Afgano

Nasomatto’s Black Afgano is also frequently on our lists of best fragrances. And its deep, rich scent makes it perfect for the cold and frigid winter. Supposedly, it smells like an opium den, but since we have no idea what an opium den smells like, we can neither confirm nor deny those suggestions. However, if sexy had a smell, this would be it. Hands down.

Have a favorite winter cologne? Chime in below!

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style