If you’re looking around for the best spicy colognes, it’s probably because you want a scent that won’t leave you blending into the background. In this olfactory neck of the woods, the headlining notes—cardamom, pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg—pull people in by channeling delicious warmth. But where each perfumer goes from there is what makes things special. The right spicy scent may be sexy, or playful, or mysterious. But it always gets attention, for the right reason.
Technically, spicy fragrances aren’t even one of the official fragrance categories—they’re a subset of the “amber” family, and generally considered to be cold-weather fragrances, along with leather-based colognes and tobacco scents. But we’re not in a lab, and just like so-called fashion rules, some perfume taxonomy isn’t going to get in the way of you wearing what you like, when you like. Especially since a spice note can add depth to an otherwise-refreshing spring and summer scent, or team up with lighter floral notes for dimension.
And once you get into our favorites of the genre down below, you might notice that most of the best spicy colognes are “eau de parfum.” That means they’re more potent than the average eau de toilette, and they’ll last longer through the day. Keep that in mind the first time you spray one on. Like in cooking, spice is good—but too much can ruin a dish. Here, now, are the best spicy scents for men. And if you’re looking for more options, you can always visit our favorite scents overall for men.
In This Guide
Best Spicy Cologne: Dior Sauvage Elixir Parfum
Dior
Sauvage Elixir Parfum
You simply cannot talk about colognes without Dior’s Sauvage coming into the conversation. However, this isn’t just Sauvage, rather it’s its spicier cousin Sauvage Elixir. This fragrance builds on top of the OG’s fresh, citrusy notes with layers of licorice and baking spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. The lingering aroma, the one that’ll last the most, is one of sandalwood and vetiver, which give part to a healthy dose of lavender and patchouli.
Best Date Night Cologne: Givenchy Gentleman Society Ambrée EDP
Givenchy
Gentleman Society Ambrée Eau de Parfum
For date night, get something that’s sultry on the front but gives part to something a tad more sweet. Gentlemen Society Ambrée checks all those boxes, opening up with juniper berries and nutmeg, before it gives part to sandwal wood, tobacco, and vanilla. It’s basically like a three course meal in a bottle: from a gin martini to a porterhouse and then a creme brulee.
Best Spicy Sweet Cologne: D.S.Durga Rum Bay Rum
For its first mens-focused line of colognes, D.S.& Durga cooked up Rum Bay Rum, which feels like a tropical vacation in a bottle. With heavy baking spice notes, the fragrance feels like a warm and cozy hug that’s softened by fresh greens and citrus. If you wanted to drink a mojito by the beach but can’t find the time to take off, this is a close second.
Best for Spring and Summer: Valentino Born in Roma Yellow Dream
Valentino
Born in Roma Yellow Dream Eau de Toilette
Ginger headlines this sweet-but-spicy blend, which also subtly blends in pineapple, cedar, and mandarin. It’s a love letter to Valentino’s hometown, from the crispness of Italian mandarin to the golden color that evokes glowing lights.
Best for Fall and Winter: Parfums de Marly Althaïr
Parfums de Marly
Althaïr Eau de Parfum
Althaïr could have just as easily landed on our best musk colognes list, too, but its deliciousness really steered it to the top of the spicy set. Along with musk, this one feels practically edible thanks to vanilla, praline, cardamom, and cinnamon. And it’s those last two that elevate it above most other vanilla scents. This one comforts like dessert, making it perfect for the colder months.
Best for the Office: Acqua di Parma Zafferano
Acqua di Parma
Zafferano Eau de Parfum
“Zafferano” translates to “saffron,” the subtle, sought-after note at the center of this eau de parfum. It makes the cologne a conversation starter that also wears light, so that it won’t dominate a room (or an elevator). It’s a terrific unisex option, and a great his-and-hers scent for anyone who likes to share with their partner.
Most Powerful Spicy Scent: Aesop Marrakech Intense
Aesop
Marrakech Intense Eau de Parfum
If you’re looking for a signature scent that won’t get lost in the bar—let us introduce you to Aesop’s spicy potion. True to the name, Marrakech Intense evokes the stunning sensory overload of a Moroccan spice market. Cardamom, clove, and sandalwood aren’t shy, but they’re evened out by a supporting cast of floral and citrus notes. What you get is a scent that skews toward the cold weather months, but still wears handsomely year-round.
More Spicy Colognes We Love
Common Fragrance Notes
Meaning “wood” in Arabic, oud smells exactly like you think it would: woodsy. It’s a commonly beloved fragrance note for men, but when paired with something sweeter or more floral, it helps to add a depth that’s great for all people.
What’s bitter in taste is actually quite sweet and delicious on the nose. Bergamot offers a fine citrus note that’s fresh on the nose, and when it’s paired with something like oud, there’s a wonderful dissonance that makes you think about your fragrance all day long.
Often considered a “manly” scent, vetiver has a distinct smoky aroma to it that’s often compared to incense or cigar smoke.
Why would you want to smell like leather? The same reason that “leather” is a positive attribute when describing wine. Think more vintage sofa than ratty old handbag though, and that’s what you’ll get when you douse yourself in this intoxicating scent.
Musk, which was once harvested from the glands of the musk deer, is now created artificially, and it’s often described as earthy and sweet.
Another citrusy scent, neroli offers more of a “green” tinge than bergamot, so it smells like freshly cut grass that might’ve seen an accident of spilled orange juice.
With a bit of a spicy-sweet aroma, patchouli is often associated with bad smells. But these days, patchouli-forward scents are a complex blend of wood, musk, and spice.
One of the more floral fragrance notes there is, orris has a sweet flower-like aroma that can be balanced out by some darker, heavier notes to cancel out any reminders of grandma’s old perfume.
We describe a lot of scents as sweet, but between florals and citruses, that can mean anything. When it comes to tonka bean, you’ll get something that leans more vanilla, with a hint of baked goods.
