UrbanUpdate

Just like the season itself, the best fall cologne has a “best of both worlds” kind of uncertainty: The fragrances are shapeshifters, falling squarely between the crisp, floral, and aquatic notes of summer scents, and the warming, sensual, spicy fragrances of winter.

They tend to skew towards woody, musky, and patchouli notes (and maybe a hit of leather), though you’ll find plenty of citrus and green ingredients in the mix. You know how some winter scents can be too heavy and aggressive, some spring ones too soft or bright—even when considering only the best colognes for men? These fall picks will wear well in nearly every occasion, from the professional to the passionate. So whether you want something seasonal to take you to Christmas, or a heavier year-round perennial as your new signature, check out the best fall cologne for a guaranteed hit.

The Best Fall Colognes Shopping GuideThe Best for Brisk Mornings: Aesop "Erémia" eau de parfum, $195The Best for (Brisker) Evenings: Malin + Goetz "Leather" eau de parfum, $95The Best for Happy Hour: Mind Games “Grand Master” extrait de parfum, $347The Best for Date Night: Arquiste "Indigo Smoke" eau de parfum, $205The Best for the Honeymoon: Parfums de Marly “Oajan” eau de parfum, $350The Best for the Office: Calvin Klein "CK One" eau de parfum, $58Best for a Big Night Out: Tom Ford “Fougère D'Argent” eau de parfum, $295The Best for Brisk Mornings: Aesop “Erémia” eau de parfum

Aēsop

"Erémia" eau de parfum$195

Nordstrom

Scent profile: Citrus and musk Top Note: Yuzu Middle Note: Mimosa Base Note: Patchouli

Erémia is powdery-citrus perfection—perfumer Barnabé Fillion crafted it in the imaginary mold of a futuristic wasteland, wherein wildlife sprouts around decaying concrete. It uses notes of resin, iris, yuzu, and patchouli to create something grounded yet effervescent.

The Best for (Brisker) Evenings: Malin+Goetz “Leather” eau de parfum

Malin+Goetz

"Leather" eau de parfum$95

Nordstrom

Scent profile: Dry woods Top Note: Lotus flower Middle Note: Orchid Base Note: Leather

While this one is obviously leather forward, it's a light layer supported by sandalwood and cedar notes. A peppering of polar-opposite florals and spices gives a surprising heft. It has a powdery quality, too, and settles on the senses like that first sip of a cocktail after a long day.

The Best for Happy Hour: Mind Games “Grand Master” extrait de parfum

Mind Games

“Grand Master” extrait de parfum$347

Neiman Marcus

Scent profile: Floral Top Note: Black currant Middle Note: Rose Base Note: Myrhh

Most new fragrance brands will launch with a product or three, but Mind Games is not most fragrance brands. They're a powerhouse out of the gate with their top-shelf 10-piece collection, each designed like a reflective chess piece. The odds-on fan favorite is a toss up between the sweet and floral bourbon-tinged Checkmate, and the coffee-incense hybrid Grand Master. It's the latter we'll wear in colder months, perhaps out of gratitude for finding a coffee-forward scent that we actually love. (The note typically plays a terrific supporting fiddle, but in Grand Master it stars in a mood-boosting lead role.)

The Best for Date Night: Arquiste “Indigo Smoke” eau de parfum

Arquiste

"Indigo Smoke" eau de parfum$205

Arquiste

Scent profile: Spicy Top Note: Bergamot Middle Note: Apricot accord Base Note: Maté tea

Every year, Arquiste tosses one of its fragrant grenades into the field of new scents, and its recent launch is its most arousing yet, with a heady brew of maté, pine tar, and incense. Layer a couple spritzes on before the big night and be sure to impress your lucky date.

The Best for the Honeymoon: Parfums de Marly “Oajan” eau de parfum

Parfums de Marly

"Oajan" eau de parfum$350

Nordstrom

Scent profile: Gourmand Top Note: Honey Middle Note: Amber Base Note: Vanilla

Sustaining a lifetime of bliss may take work, but this perfume can help with the heavy lifting. With expertly blended notes of sweet honey, amber, and creamy vanilla, applying a layer of the heartwarming “Oajan” will remind you of the excitement that comes with the arrival of a new season—and new chapter.

The Best for the Office: Calvin Klein “CK One” eau de parfum

Calvin Klein

"CK One" eau de parfum$58

Amazon

Scent profile: Fresh Top Note: Green tea Middle Note: Rose Base Note: Amber

This mall classic is a morning pick-me-up that keeps going long after the Slack notifications have been silenced. The fresh, citrusy, no-frills blend of green tea and amber can be spritzed on top of a crisp button-down before heading to the office and doubled-up on after signing off for the evening—without becoming too overpowering.

The Best for After Hours: Tom Ford “Fougère D'Argent” eau de parfum

Tom Ford

"Fougère D'Argent" eau de parfum$295

Nordstrom

Scent profile: Earthy & Woody Top Note: Mandarin Middle Note: Lavendar Base Note: Ginger

This one's for the sweet tooth. If the first whiff of fall calls to mind a prompt beeline to your local watering hole for a spiced anything, you'll love this perfume's intoxicatingly creamy blend of sweet citrus and spicy ginger. Here's to having your cake and wearing it, too.

Plus 7 More Fall Colognes More We Love

Penhaligon's

"Halfeti" eau de parfum$130

Neiman Marcus

Notes of grapefruit, spice and black rose mingle together for a scent that's equal parts refreshingly crisp and seductively warm. Spritz on in the early hours and watch the scent take on new depth as the day progresses.

Maison Margiela

"'REPLICA' Autumn Vibes" eau de parfum$160

Sephora

Smells like sipping your favorite fall spiced drink while stomping around on the crispest leaves. You know the vibes.

Hawthorne

"Play" cologne$50

Amazon

This Grooming Award winner playfully subverts the typical “fall scent" by mixing the classic combo of lavender and bergamot with sweet tonka and musky cedarwood.

St Johns

"Vetiver" cologne$60

St Johns

With summer in the rearview, this vetiver-tinged Virgin Islands scent will tide you over until the next out-of-office email goes up with its spicy, woody, ambrous, and musky notes. And only $55 too!

Burberry

"Hero" eau de toilette$103

Sephora

You might not be the only guy swapping this in as your new daily go-to this fall, but you're all but guaranteed to get many a compliment for its crowd-pleasing and lightly layered aroma. This one combines juniper, bergamot, and pepper, all riding notes of cedar into salt water.

Ex Nihilo

"The Hedonist" eau de parfum$225

Saks Fifth Avenue

The aptly named Hedonist stirs up indulgence—its wearer promises a memorable time, be it the waning hours of the night or the last stretch of the workday. The scent leads with vetiver and cedarwood, but its spicy ginger and arousing musk are what define the scent. 

Amouage

"Opus VII Reckless Leather" eau de parfum$360

Neiman Marcus

If you can pull off a leather jacket, then this is the scent to go with it, no matter the season. Its recipe oozes everything spicy and enrapturing: resins, musk, frankincense, nutmeg, smoke, patchouli, cypriol, cardamom, pink pepper, and of course, leather to envelop it all.More Great Grooming Recommendations from GQ

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Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagram

Michella Oré is GQ's commerce writer covering all things style and grooming. Her writing has been published in Vogue, Allure, i-D, 10 Magazine, Barron's, and WWD. Michella holds a B.A. in political science from Williams College and an M.A. in fashion journalism from Central Saint Martins.Commerce WriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQColognes and FragrancesGrooming