8 Incredible Gucci Colognes for Men

The test of a good designer fragrance is whether it still smells modern and wearable years after it comes out. The original Gucci Guilty, which debuted in 2011, is one of those—still just as cool and wearable now as it was back then. The opening, while unmistakably floral thanks to the lavender and orange blossom, is also fresh and dries down to a base of cedar, patchouli, and vanilla. It’s a modern take on masculinity that brings out a softer side while still being versatile enough for every man.

This bolder, deeper version of Guilty is woody and musky in a bad-boy way, but it’s not so deep that you can’t wear it pretty much every day. In fact, it’s surprisingly versatile, mostly thanks to the opening notes of lavender and lemon, which bring a freshness that quickly disappears to reveal the musk and patchouli notes. They’re surprisingly subtle—don’t expect this one to have a ton of projection—but instead deliver an interesting scent that smells like your skin, but Gucci-fied.

Speaking of bad-boy scents, this spooky concoction—which is part of the luxury Alchemist’s Garden collection—calls to mind mischievous autumn nights and general after-dark shenanigans (call it a Halloween scent if you must). It’s woody and smoky, like the pop and fizz of crackling logs on a bonfire. It’s absolutely a nighttime scent that pairs perfectly with a leather jacket and a crafty twinkle in your eye.

This new version of Guilty is here to capture a moment: namely the current moment that is all about vanilla. It’s a warm, slightly smoky, slightly clean vibe that definitely reads vanilla, but isn’t cloying or sweet thanks to the base note of patchouli, which aids the dry down by giving the vanilla-forward base note an earthiness. It’s new, it’s surprising, and it’s very Gucci.

The Alchemist’s Garden collection is all about high-concept, luxurious fragrances that tell a story. This one, which smells of wet earth, woods, and spice is autumnal, like you’re taking a walk through a forest as the leaves are almost completely off the trees. There’s a hint of petrichor (the smell of earth right after it rains) but what you mostly get is smooth, deep woods with a crackling hit of cinnamon. It’s a unique take on a fall fragrance that pairs incredibly well with a cashmere sweater and a stone fireplace.

The name here is a bit of a misnomer because this cologne is overwhelmingly green. The fresh, clean opening hits with lavender but then evolves to reveal green, herbal notes with floral neroli to add a touch of sweetness. It dries down fairly quickly, allowing the cedar and patchouli to shine through without losing any of the green quality. It’s surprisingly light and subtle and while it doesn’t have the most longevity, it’s ideally suited to warm months when you want a fresh, clean, nature-y vibe to go with the warm weather.

Oud is a polarizing note: you either love it or you hate it. It’s also very hard to formulate fragrance with because it tends to take over (one of the reasons people feel so strongly about it). Its deep, earthy, resinous, musky scent is unmistakable and it’s what makes this EDP so distinctive. The unique name is meant to evoke not only the sound but also the smooth, sultry way a snake slides across the ground; the blend of oud and patchouli in this cologne captures that slippery, sinuous, sexy vibe perfectly. It’s a bold, aggressive fragrance that’s not for the faint of heart. But for oud fans, it’s a home run.

Like all Gucci fragrances, this one is all about contrasts. The opening is rose forward, to the point that if you’re not a rose guy you might not be prepared for it, but it quickly blends with the other top notes to add a spicy, mineral layer to the floral vibe. The dry down reveals a darker story as the cedar and patchouli shine through without completely overwhelming the floral notes. It’s an interesting and masculine mix of florals and woods that’s unexpected but at the same time very wearable.