The best men’s aftershaves and colognes for autumn

The arrival of the cold season is the perfect time to update your fragrance arsenal. The light, fresh scent you wore throughout summer simply won’t cut it for the winter months. What you need is a rich warming scent that can stand up to the elements and won’t get lost in all your layers.

Whether you’re a risk-taker or like to play it safe with the classics, here are five scents that will see you through winter.

Tom Ford Tobacco Oud

Much like his luxury garments, Tom Ford’s Private Blend fragrances are dripping with elegance. A spicy-aromatic fragrance with notes of rare oud wood, patchouli and sandalwood, Tobacco Oud explores a secret history of addictive Arabic passions. It opens with spice and smoke before leading to a delicate musky finish. Though it is described as a unisex fragrance, we think this a powerfully masculine smell that’s more suited to men. It stays long on the skin and is great for evening wear.

£155, John Lewis, Buy it now

Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men

Dolce and Gabbana launched ‘The One for Men’ following the great success of the female version of this perfume, known for its bold notes and complexity. With notes of grapefruit, cardamom and cedarwood, this is a really intense scent for the sophisticated man who loves to be noticed. It quickly sinks into the skin and is moderate in strength, making it ideal for everyday wear. Housed in an elegant glass bottle, it’s reasonably priced at £57 for 50ml.

£57, Boots, Buy it now

Givenchy Gentleman

The enduring Gentleman by Givenchy was first released in 1974 and remains a popular choice for its distinct patchouli smell. A woody-floral blend that exudes warmth and class, it opens with aromas of lavender, patchouli and leather – which lead to a soft dry down of civet. It’s brimming with masculine spices that make it instantly noticeable, but also reveals the freshness of pear. A true classic that’s best suited to modern-day gentlemen.

£39.45, Feel Unique, Buy it now

​Penhaligon’s Roaring Radcliff

Penhaligon's Portraits is a collection of luxury fragrances that each has a fictional story. Described as a hedonist with a love for fast cars and faster women, Radcliff is a man who knows how to live life to the full – and this fragrance represents his rebellious lifestyle. A heady scent boasting notes of rum, tobacco and spicy gingerbread, it certainly packs a punch. The bottle, with its striking lion head and easy to hold-shape, will no doubt look a treat on your bedside table too.

£178, Penhaligons, Buy it now

Acqua di Parma Colonia Quercia

A sophisticated scent with a twist. Part of the luxury brand’s popular Colonia range, Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Quercia captures the mossy and woody notes of the noble oak tree. An opening of citrusy lemon and bergamot quickly leads to cardamom and cedarwood – it’s certainly not for someone who wants something light. Encased in a deep-brown art deco bottle, it comes in two sizes from £170 for 100ml – so you’ll need to be prepared to splurge.

£170, Selfridges, Buy it now

VERDICT:

If want to switch to something quite new on the men’s fragrance scene, then you can’t go wrong with Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Quercia. It’s elegant, stylish and has a spicy muskiness that lingers for hours. Our favourite classic for the cold season has to be Gentleman by Givenchy – the full-bodied masculine scent remains a hit with the modern man.