The Best Winter Colognes Cut Through the Chill

Best Date Night Winter Cologne: Tom Ford Bois Pacifique

Bois Pacifique carries the depth you would expect from one of Tom Ford’s renowned Private Blends, but in a more approachable profile that still imbues the house’s signature sexiness and polish. Frankincense, oak, and cedar weave together to evoke a crisp, resinous forest, while an amber base adds richness, vanilla lends gourmand warmth and sweetness, and cardamom with turmeric bring a subtle zest. The buzz is well deserved in this wearable wood spice, tailor-made for date nights. And, of course, the ribbed glass bottle is every bit as chic as the scent it holds.

Best Elegant Oud Winter Cologne: Parfums de Marly Haltane

Oud, with its unmistakable aura, can still be divisive to some palates, but here the renowned noses at Parfums de Marly refine it into a remarkably smooth and sophisticated fougère-gourmand-oud hybrid. It opens with fresh bergamot and clary sage before a rich praline warmth settles in, while patchouli, vetiver, leather, and a hefty dose of agarwood create a woody, polished finish. Haltane ranks among the top five colognes of all time for many and remains a cold-weather modern classic for most, quietly confident in its intoxicating charm.

Best Gourmand Winter Cologne: Les Eaux Primordiales Ambre Superfluide

This fragrance is, in a word, scrumptious. A heady amber meets comforting edible (think: rich foods) composition with texture for days. A honeyed top note brings warmth, while apple, cinnamon, and bergamot evoke one of the finest pies you have ever smelled. As it dries down, dewy rose and cardamom add a spicy flourish, with a hint of fir balsam for crispness. Everything rests on a base of vanilla, tobacco, rum, amber, and benzoin for a decadent, delicious blend.

Best Leather Winter Cologne: Arquiste Nanban

As with all things Arquiste, Nanban is steeped in rich historical narrative, a scent inspired by a 1618 voyage in the hull of a galleon, the air thick with spice and Spanish leather. A ship’s manifest of pepper, saffron, coffee, sandalwood, myrrh, and frankincense weaves through in heady waves, with sultry leather always in the background. One of my favorites from the niche-luxe heavy hitter, this leathery, spicy gem is wonderfully complex and artisanal, with a subtle animalic aura that deepens gracefully through the drydown. Throw on your finest patinaed leather jacket and let its journey unfold.

Best Daily Driver Winter Cologne: Horace Vintage Vanilla

Vintage Vanilla is both exactly and nothing like its name suggests. Meaning, it is vanilla, but not of the cloying or overly sweet variety, moving here to its own retro-inspired olfactory rhythm. It leans spiced and softly leathery with a refined edge that works beautifully as an everyday scent. Think: classic, mid-century tailoring; a worn leather chair; and the quiet warmth of aged wood. Cumin and nutmeg bring spice, while labdanum and leather add heady depth over a smooth vanilla base. Amber-toned and subtly sweet, this is vanilla with depth and character.

Best Indie Winter Cologne: Fischersund No. 23

Noses know Fischersund is one of the most distinctive fragrance houses around, with an atmospheric spirit rooted in Iceland’s breathtaking landscape. There is a noir energy to the house, with music and art woven into its DNA. I adore No. 23, the flagship fragrance and the first I experienced in their Reykjavik boutique. It opens dark and smoky, almost charred, then softens into resinous woods, spice, and a subtle animalic tone with a citrus tinge. You can sense the misty harbor, gray sea humming, warm light glowing from cottage windows as damp earth mingles with crisp, winter air. Yes, it is that good, but it is not for everyone. No. 23 is for the artful wearer who wants to smell as unique as their carefully curated indie vinyl collection.