AS WINTER ARRIVES, a chill enters the air and outerwear comes back into fashion, we enter a time of change. During this period, your choice of fragrances should also change. Now’s when you should shelve the fragrances of autumn, with their hybrid scent profiles that attempt to tread the line between summer and winter.
What kind of scent is seasonally suitable for winter, you ask? Our advice is to stick to something warm with woody or spicy notes. A tobacco-based fragrance is also a fairly safe bet. The goal here is to create a warm and musky smell that is naturally heavier and will last longer on skin or clothes, providing the necessary heat to warm up the winter.
When it comes to winter fragrances, there are plenty of options. The best fit for you will depend on your tastes, style and honestly, your personality; because a good fragrance should complement the kind of man that you are. To help guide your search, here are our picks of the ten best new winter fragrances.
The best winter fragrances for men in 2025
Dior Sauvage Elixir
With Elixir, Dior takes the beloved Sauvage DNA and plunges it into darker territory. You still get the familiar ruggedness, but now it’s infused with smoky incense, spicy black pepper and a tonka-rich base that lingers long after you leave the room. It’s the kind of scent that thrives after sundown and is perfect for nights out.
Tom Ford Myrrhe Mystère
Nobody does winter quite like Tom Ford, and Myrrhe Mystère is proof. An indulgent blend of resinous myrrh, smooth suede and a creamy swirl of vanilla, Myrrhe Mystère is warm, enveloping, and frankly, a bit sexy.
Penhaligon’s Halfeti Leather
Rich, spicy and exotic, Halfeti Leather takes you on a journey through dark woods and bustling spice markets. It opens with grapefruit and cardamom, before diving into a heart of rose, saffron and a smooth leather note that gives the fragrance its name.
Creed Absolu Aventus
Absolu Aventus is a reimagined version of the classic Aventus, offering a burst of citrus energy with bergamot and grapefruit, followed by a heart of pineapple and patchouli. With all that citrus, what makes it work in winter, then? The addition of warming spices and smoky Haitian vetiver do the trick.
Le Labo Santal 33
An intoxicating unisex fragrance that blends wood, spices and leather, Santal 33 is warm, musky and sincerely addictive. It’s Le Labo’s most popular scent and is designed to bring to mind the rugged American West. Perfect for winter, if you ask us.
Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF
MYSLF walks a fine line between brightness and depth. The orange blossom at its heart adds a burst of energy, but it’s grounded by warm amberwood and earthy patchouli that give it a sensual undercurrent. It’s youthful and modern, ideal for events where you want a scent that’s simply magnetic.
Polo Red
A newcomer to the fragrance game, Polo Red is crafted with a mix of rich, natural woods. You’ll notice hints of ginger, lavender and aromatic sage, leaving a lasting sense of sophisticated warmth. Lando Norris serves as the face of the fragrance, and you can do a lot worse than smelling like an F1 driver.
Acqua di Parma Signatures of the Sun Oud & Spice
Oud can be divisive, but Oud & Spice makes it feel fresh and wearable. This is a refined, Italian take on the Middle Eastern staple, where warm cinnamon and pink pepper cut through the intensity of agarwood. It’s a quietly confident choice for everyday wear in colder months, especially under a wool overcoat or layered with knitwear.
Hermès H24
Hermès H24 Eau de Parfum offers a fresh and aromatic profile with notes of clary sage, narcissus, rosewood and sclarene. Its crisp and green character makes it a good choice if you don’t want all that heavy warmth in winter, and instead prefer a lighter fragrance.
Diptyque L’Eau Papier
Not every winter scent has to be heavy. L’Eau Papier offers a softer, more cerebral alternative with its delicate mix of mimosa, white musk and steamed rice accord. It’s powdery and contemplative, the olfactory equivalent of curling up with a notebook in a sunlit café.
