11 Sophisticated Colognes That Esquire Editors Love

Subtly sweet, citrusy, and warm—The Carlyle is a fresh August day bottled up for you. This scent is as elegant and chic as the iconic hotel its named for, with notes of honeysuckle and citrus dancing off of a hint of rose, grounded by masculine sandalwood. It’s fresh, timeless, and decadent—just like the man who wears it.

When I think of sophistication, I think of a grand library, pages and pages of ink-strewn words in leather-bound books. If you can relate, Bibliothèque is calling your name. Byredo’s iconic scent is all about capturing the classics, with a dark, woody scent. Warm spices, vanilla, and cinnamon are balanced by plum, violet, and leather accords for a dynamic, nuanced result.

It’s exactly what the name says: This cologne is fucking fabulous. Warm, spicy, and slightly nutty, this is a decadent concoction that’s uninhibited in its sophistication. Leather and floral orris accord mingle with almond and iris heart—it’s the best of everything, a cologne that wants for nothing.

In the right doses, two things are always sophisticated: lavender and smoke. This fragrance brings the two of them together in a fantastical melting pot, enhanced by woody iris, fresh juniper, and luxe cashmeran. Is it soft? Is it sweet? Is it strong? Is it smoky? Yes to all of the above.

Consider this sophistication in a bottle. Unlike L’Etiquette above, which balances lavender with sharp, natural notes, Endymion Concentré spins lavender into a deeply masculine scent. This is less floral than you’d imagine, and much more embedded in notes of warm, rich coffee, fresh suede and leather, and vibrant, tropical geranium.

Sometimes, sophistication is dark and heady and wild and intense. Other times, it’s light, airy, fresh, and free. Jo Malone crafts a luxurious, smooth cologne that’s distinctly the latter. The smell is enchantingly crisp; English pear partnered with sweet pea, underscored with a strong—but not overpowering—white musk.

The Hamptons on the first day of summer, the lakehouse you love in New England, a light lager and brand-new leather sandals. Sailing Day captures and bottles the best of summer—a cool, salty breeze, a bright blue sky. This scent is fresh and aquatic, but elevated and refined, too; coriander, iris, and juniper mingle with essences from the sea for something refreshingly brilliant.

A woody cologne that’ll have you standing as tall as the mountains it takes inspiration from. With cedarwood oil drawn from the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, the Atlas Mountains in Africa, and the Himalayas in Asia, this is a dignified, worldly scent for a man who embodies that, too. Black pepper punctuates the earthiness with sharp spice, rounded out by juniper and bergamot essence for something deep, rich, and natural.

This is a warm, inviting scent that you’ll just want to bask in. It’s as sophisticated as Timothée Chalamet, clad in leather and directed my Martin Scorsese—in other words, it’s very sophisticated. Bleu de Chanel invigorates the senses with citrus, vanilla, and sandalwood; it’s deep and heady, but not too overpowering, tempered with tonka bean, woody cedar, and sweet, aromatic labdanum.

Don’t think I forgot about you floral-leaning guys. You can have the best of both worlds—bright and elevated. Black Citrus is a citrusy scent, obviously, but in my books, this is a true floral at heart. Violet and mate leaves mingle with birch, producing an aroma that’s handsomely sweet, airy, and light, grounded by cardamom, vetiver, and patchouli.

Sophistication is all about harmony; never too much of something, never too little. That’s what Eau Duelle embodies; the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, warm vanilla and hot peppercorn, smooth incense and cypriol, sharp calamus blended in. This scent is the best of both worlds; it’s sugary, smoky, and elegant all the way.