There are lots of colognes, and most of them are sold along the lines of ‘smell more masculine’ or ‘smell more manly’.
This is not the best thing for most people, as most people aren’t going for the manliest, manly smell.
If we were going to do that, we’d all buy Brut and go home.
No, what most people are looking for is a nice, refreshing fragrance that isn’t too overpowering.
A nice fresh forest smell, that is a mix of wonderful woods, like sandalwood or smoky mesquite.
In fact, most people we know really strive to find these types of cologne when they do go out to top up their bottle.
However, it is not that simple and colognes tend to focus far too often on one set of smells, instead of different, more diverse scents.
So, what are you to do in this scenario?
Well, in this list we hope to bring you a bunch of colognes that could make you smell like a Canadian forest in spring and that are easy to find.
OUR TOP PICK
Givenchy has a very clean and fresh scent that is very similar to whiskey in its tones.
This cologne is perfect for men who want a light, mature scent that is easy to find everywhere and can be used for any occasion.
It provides a woody scent with light undertones of fruits, very much like an aged whiskey.
It is also a great option for men who are more affordable and are looking to try their first cologne.
EDITORS CHOICE
Usher is not only one of the most iconic names in the fragrance and music business; the colognes he produces are one of the most popular choices for men.
It is a clean, citrus fragrance that is perfect for spring and summer.
The fragrance lasts a long time and the scent mixes hints of melon and pineapple with sandalwood and lavender, perfect for a summer party.
It is a great scent for all ages, including teenagers, who can wear it to give off a more mature, experienced vibe.
BEST VALUE
The Art of Shaving has been around for years and is one of the most iconic names in the shaving industry.
The company is known for creating great products and great scents, but Bourbon Amber is where they really take a dive into woody scents.
The scent is directly inspired by the smell of Bourbon whiskey casks, with the base scent of the cologne being amber and sandalwood with a herbal undertone of vanilla, lavender, and saffron laced throughout.
RUNNER UP
English Leather is one of the most classic, timeless scents, and it is an affordable option that is perfect for all seasons.
It uses a combination of wood and leather smells with citrus to create this timeless smell, that is sure to invoke imagery of a sophisticated but rural setting, a smell that makes you think of a farrier fitting a horse shoe to a new steed.
RUNNER UP
Unlike previous colognes on this list, No 09 Posala Odin takes its base notes not from whiskey or sandalwood, but from tobacco which acts as a base for the sweet subtle scents of peach and pear blossom to work off of.
This juxtaposition of a smoky, but subtly sweet smell gives it a classic earthy edge that makes it stand out from the crowd.
RUNNER UP
Calvin Klein Eternity is another one that doesn’t play on traditional scents.
Instead, when smelled it gives the imagery of a modern man, a person who is content in their existence as they are. It does this by having strong scents that evokes calmness.
Its base foundation is a kind of ocean breeze smell, being cool and calm, with hints of cucumber, lotus, citrus, lavender, sandalwood, and musk.
These all work subtly to provide a faint but intense smell.
RUNNER UP
While the price may stop people from buying it, if you can afford it, then we say go for it.
This cologne is one of the private collections of the Tom Ford range, and you really do get your money's worth.
You will be hard-pressed to find a cologne that combines earthy musk scents with sweet vanilla and heady amber profiles quite as well as this.
RUNNER UP
This cologne is all about getting back to the outdoors and truly smelling like nature.
They try to use all natural ingredients in the production of this cologne, and they do not use alcohol or other chemicals that may harm your skin.
Despite all this, they have managed to create a truly delightful cologne that creates a very light smell of a forest, like catching a whiff of the breeze.
This scent is balanced out with sweet notes of vanilla, to create a complex but well-rounded scent that isn’t overpowering.
RUNNER UP
If we were judging colognes based on intense and diverse scent profiles, then Royal oud would definitely be competing for the top spot on this list.
It lays a woody foundation of scents that are overlaid with copious amounts of fresh grass, smoke, sweet citrus, and tangy spice, that create a scent that announces your presence in a room.
While it is quite strong, it is designed to be lightly sprayed for casual events, so you don’t overwhelm your company.
RUNNER UP
Bath and Body Works goes hard on the woody smell, with this rich fragrance having a foundational scent of mahogany and black teak wood.
This combined with the light touch of lavender creates a powerful perfume that really makes you feel like you are standing at the edge of a vast forest and breathing in the air.
RUNNER UP
Guilty by Gucci is a top-selling cologne and honestly, it is easy to see why.
The fragrance is a bold, woody scent of cedar and vanilla that employs an undertone of a very seductive lemony scent that just touches the nose at the end of the smell.
RUNNER UP
This cologne, unlike guilty by Gucci, has a subtle smell of wood underneath everything, but relies mostly on its refreshing essential oils to create a fresh, spring smell without being overwhelming.
It uses bergamot and lavender as the top layer, fir as the middle layer, and mahogany as the base to create a multi-layered and beautiful scent.
RUNNER UP
Splendid Wood is a woody, strong fragrance from the house of Yves Saint Laurent.
The smell of this cologne is amazing and combines earthy smells with heavy wood and tangy spices to create a scent profile that is soft, but firm in its depiction.
RUNNER UP
St James is made and designed to be sophisticated.
The fragrance gives off a classic smell that is rich in its complexity and makes people think of high society clubs with leather chairs and smoking rooms.
Its elegance is crafted from sandalwood and bergamot, making a soft smell that tickles the nostrils.
Another bonus of this fragrance is that it doesn’t use chemicals which can harm the skin.
RUNNER UP
A favorite amongst many men and for good reason, eau d’aromes is a cologne that employs powerful scents like ginger, sage, and cardamon and tempers them with orange and bergamot to create a sinfully delightful scent, that is at home out on a club night and at a casual meetup with friends or acquaintances.
RUNNER UP
Essence uses wood as the forefront and main tone of the scent it produces.
A mix of cashmere wood, patchouli, and Tonka, creates an incredibly rich, woody base that combines notes of grapefruit and lavender to soften the overall scent into a delightful and charismatic cologne.
RUNNER UP
This is probably one of the strongest colognes on this list.
When sprayed, this little fire pot turns the room from an odorless waste to a cauldron of spicy cardamom and pepper that stings the nose before giving way to an earthy oud wood and fresh grassy smell.
Everything about this scent is extreme from its delivery to its lingering nature and for many that is why they love it.
RUNNER UP
We mentioned before that English Leather made you Think of a farrier. Well, eastwest bottlers moonshine will conjure up images of the Appalachians and the cowboys east of it.
It is a rugged cologne that is perfect for those wanting to feel comfortable in their own skin and scent.
It combines tobacco, pepper, leather, gin, and patchouli into a heady and wonderful mix of smells that make you feel more like you are on a dusty trail rather than n the heartlands of America.
Before You Go...
As you can see, there are many different woody colognes for you to choose from, and they each have their own unique qualities.
However - it would be a shame to pass up on the classic male fragrance, the one that is used so often in aftershaves and body washes? We've been able to hunt down a range of great colognes that incorporate the classic scent of sandalwood in new an innovative ways!
Check out our next article:
The Best Sandalwood Colognes For Men
Other Related Posts You May Like:
- Do Guys Wear Cologne or Perfume?
- Perfume Strengths - a Simple Guide
- Clean and Simple Smelling Colognes
Bonus Video!
All product names, logos, brands, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners