September isn’t just when the world kicks back into gear after summer—it’s also prime time for the fragrance industry to drop a slate of brand-new colognes. This month, niche indies, luxury heritage houses, and mass brands alike have dropped some stellar and very vibey colognes, with a few clear patterns: woods still reign, but with crisp, forest-leaning notes like balsam fir and cypress woven into blends layered with amber, frankincense, and resins.

Duality is everywhere, too, as perfumers pair woods with florals, citrus with spice, and even leather with fruit for colognes that feel refreshingly off-script. And, while some might say oud is old news, it’s anything but—in September, it’s been revived in nuanced, unique takes that keep the iconic note feeling fresh. Below, 14 of September’s standout colognes (plus a few August highlights) to spritz and smell fantastic as the air turns crisp.

I’ve noticed a distinct theme running through many of D.S. & Durga’s fantastic fumes (which tracks, since a signature undercurrent marks a great fragrance house). You can practically smell the tinctures, herbal infusions, and small-batch artistry woven into everything they create, and that same mojo is alive in the new, wildly addictive Cognac Reign. The mood board is as compelling as the juice itself—baroque soirées in Louis XIV’s grand halls and cognac swirling among floral-lined corridors and parquet-wood floors. The scent is lush and warming (slightly sweet, slightly powdery) where antique woods mingle with orris, caramelized bergamot, and a generous pour of cognac. It’s a cologne that will strike a chord with fans of florals, woods, gourmands, and indie connoisseurs alike. Put simply: Cognac Reign rules.

Few fragrance houses command respect quite like Amouage—crafted with the finest oils, ornate packaging, and masterful compositions that feel worth every penny. So when a new release drops, fans eagerly dissect every note, and this fall’s launch, Opus XVI Timber, feels destined for modern-classic status. The Opus line is built like a library—each scent a “volume” exploring spices, woods, resins, incense, leather, and amber—and Timber emerges as one of the more approachable entries (price tag aside). It’s regal yet easy to wear, a woody-lover’s dream layered with sensuality in spades. Spicy cardamom, a dusting of cocoa, and a flash of pink pepper open the scent before it settles into a crisp, inviting winter forest: fir balsam, frankincense, palo santo, cedarwood, cypress, sandalwood, and patchouli. The result is a long-lasting, luxurious, and layered forest fragrance that begs repeat sniffs but won’t beg for compliments—those will come naturally.

I feel like Aesop drops a new artisanal fragrance on a biannual cadence these days, and I’m not complaining. Even their more floral-leaning creations carry a distinct, botanical, and earthy undertone that appeals to my taste and stays true to the brand’s DNA. The latest, Above Us, Steorra, reads like an ecclesiastical dream: rich labdanum and frankincense swirl with spicy cardamom into an ambery base, softened by a vanilla accord. Yes, please. But, despite its depth, it wears surprisingly aromatic, making it just as fitting for daytime as for evening. And while its name translates to “star,” it’s vibes feels more terrestrial: a luminous cologne that shines (and smells) radiantly amid the bustle of the holiday season.

Oud Zarian is the latest (and much-hyped) launch from Parisian luxury heritage heavyweight Creed. For many, the house is synonymous with the confidence and sophistication that icons like Aventus, Millesime Imperial, and Green Irish Tweed cemented, but this time, oud takes center stage. The composition is woody and spicy, with layers worth savoring. A bright opening of bergamot and ginger gives way to a lush rose heart, before the dry down unfolds into pure indulgence: 80-year-aged oud anchored by patchouli, sandalwood, and myrrh, creating one of the most opulent interpretations of the note in recent memory. It’s a fragrance tailor-made for upcoming black-tie affairs and swanky gatherings. And while the price reflects Creed’s reputation for exceptional juice and beautifully crafted bottles, it’s the kind of indulgence that is very much justified.

Dior

Bois d’Argent Esprit de Parfum

Dior’s new Esprit line revisits classics from the coveted La Collection Privée, reimagined under the creative direction of perfumery GOAT Francis Kurkdjian. The idea is simple: Take the originals, amp them up with more concentrated formulas, and push them into more sensual territory. New for fall is Bois d’Argent Esprit, a richer, smokier take on the beloved floral-woody classic. The DNA remains (velvety woods and soft florals), but now as a more sultry, heady composition, where powdery Tuscan iris mingles with the smoldering sweetness of frankincense and honey. It’s the OG made more decadent: woody incense draped in honey, vanilla, and florals, and one of this year’s standout skin scents.

Hugo Boss

BOSS Bottled Beyond eau de parfum

Leather is having a moment (though really, when isn’t it?), and Boss builds its latest cologne around the duality of ginger and leather in a way that feels mass-appealing yet masterfully constructed—just as you’d expect from the renowned brand. Rather than following the usual top-heart-base pyramid, the fragrance pivots on two poles: spicy ginger, extracted with Boss’s new Superficial Fluid Extraction technique for extra longevity, and grained leather for a warm, smoky trail. Cedar and other woods add a creamy undertone, giving it a wearable, accessible edge with niche-inspired sensibilities. The result is a versatile, long-lasting daily driver with a touch of leather, spice, and everything nice, perfectly suited to crisp autumn air.

I’ve always loved Le Labo’s City Exclusives—those once-a-year drops where fragrances inspired by cities worldwide, normally exclusive to their corresponding boutiques, are briefly made available everywhere. The latest, Osmanthus, is rooted in Kyoto’s early winter, when most plants lie dormant and gardeners await this rare cold-season bloom. But don’t expect a straightforward floral—this wears more like an ecclesiastical dreamscape. Osmanthus is a fascinating note, sweet with subtle floral whispers that can lean hay-like; here, it is anchored by amber and frankincense, with lavender adding a calming, meditative touch. The result is an amber-hued winter floral swirl that slowly reveals its bloom and lingers beautifully. Don’t hesitate on this one, as it’s only available this month.

Tom Ford

Oud Voyager Eau de Parfum

Oud is unmistakable: warm, earthy, musky, animalic, yet also a chameleon that shifts with spice, woods, or florals. Tom Ford, no stranger to the note (Oud Wood is a stone-cold fall/winter classic), flips the script here with a floral-leaning take. The deep oud backbone remains, complemented by geranium and peony, spiced with saffron and cardamom, and grounded by patchouli and vetiver. Oud Voyager isn’t your standard oud combo—it’s a spiced, floral-tinged riff that feels uniquely and chicly Tom Ford. It’s sharp enough to turn heads at dinner, polished enough for the office, and guaranteed to make you one of the best-smelling folks in either setting.

Maison Crivelli

Cuir InfraRouge

My colleagues at the premier perfumery, Osswald NYC first put me onto Maison Crivelli, which has since become one of the buzziest Parisian houses. What sets the Maison apart IMO is its flair for contrast—pairing ingredients that shouldn’t work on paper but somehow do. Case in point: the latest launch, Cuir Infrarouge, a sweet, leathery stunner that feels like sipping a raspberry cocktail while pulling on a vintage Saint Laurent leather jacket at an indie show. Soft suede meets juicy raspberry for something sweet yet sensual. Vanilla adds gourmand warmth, cedarwood adds crisp grounding woods, and a whisper of oud deepens the whole composition into an intoxicating, fruit-tinged ride.

Penhaligon’s: The Cut

Luxe British apothecary house Penhaligon’s dropped what they’re calling a “fashionable fougère” this past August with The Cut (their words, but honestly, I couldn’t put it better myself). For the uninitiated, a fougère is a classic cologne family built around fresh, green, crisp notes, and The Cut reimagines that tradition in regal, refined fashion. It opens with a bright splash of mint and herbal greens, then softens into a creamy cypress note. As it settles, fir balsam adds crisp depth while clary sage reinforces a verdant backbone. It’s all about restraint: just a handful of notes, used with precision, creating a modern nod to classic colognes for today’s fashionable gent. Pair it with a velvet or cashmere double-breasted blazer and you’ll have the olfactory swagger to compliment any occasion this season.

Kilian

Angels’ Share on the Rocks

The original Angels’ Share from Kilian (the avant-garde, nightlife-chic house renowned for its liquor-laced elixirs) remains a modern classic. The new re-working flips that cozy, spiced gourmand warmth into a brighter, citrus-forward cocktail, served (ahem) on the rocks. It opens with a chilled splash of grapefruit and bergamot, softened by warm tonka bean. Aldehydes add a fizzy, sparkling lift, while a cognac accord keeps that signature Kilian vibe—reminiscent of Paradis but without the candied berry lean. If the original was formulated for velvet-rope nights, On the Rocks is its crisp daytime counterpart: chic, refreshing, and cocktail-lounge cool.

With Prada’s latest (and already wildly popular) launch, Paradigm, forget duality—it’s more like a full-on quaternity. On paper, it’s an ambery wood, but on skin, it’s an aromatic tug of war between warmth and freshness: opening bright with bergamot and heady musk before easing into a floral, slightly boozy heart of bourbon and rose geranium. The base dives deeper into rich benzoin, sweet Peru balsam, and smoky guaiac wood, creating a composition that evolves with every sniff. One moment it’s spicy citrus, the next glowing florals, before finally settling into incense-tinged woodsiness. For the price point, it’s impressively artisanal—a shape-shifting scent that keeps you leaning in for another addictive whiff.

Gabar

Nagar Min Eau De Parfum

Myanmar-based Gabar has carved out a signature with standout scents that capture nature in verdant, mediative tones. The house’s range spans from their Southeast Asian–inspired debut to a New York City–themed follow-up, and now comes The Deities Collection, rooted in the myths of three Southeast Asian beings—the Nagar Min, Balu, and Galone. Of the trio, Nagar Min might be one of the sultriest, spiciest, and most unique ouds I’ve ever smelled. This cologne is layered and fiery, opening with a flash of chili heat and sharp pepper before diving into rosewood (a criminally underused note) and heady labdanum. Much like the dragon it’s inspired by Nagar Min feels untamed—a scent you don’t just wear, but wrestle with. It’s best suited for seasoned scent heads or anyone who wants to smell downright mythical.

From last year’s elevated Essences collection to the smoky Orphéon this spring, Diptyque’s been on a hot streak—and now comes Lazulio, a floral chypre that’s all about contrasts. Inspired by lapis lazuli and the iridescence of a peacock feather, it’s as dimensional as its muses. The scent opens with a punch of tart green rhubarb, softens with a hint of sweetness, then drifts into resinous benzoin before earthy vetiver and plush rose add depth. On first spritz, it feels crisp and green but as it settles into the skin, it dries into a woodsy warmth with a touch of powdery flourish. All in all, it’s a fall floral—complex and layered, yet fresh enough to carry into early spring (assuming you don’t finish the bottle before then).