Woody scents are generally considered more masculine and are often associated with strength, sophistication, and a connection to nature. This is not to say that woody fragrances can’t be feminine. On the contrary, with the industry evolving so rapidly and the lines between what is considered feminine and masculine blurring more each day, we have more room to explore in perfume creation. This is one of the many reasons why unisex fragrances are gaining popularity.
But what are woody scents? Woody scents in perfumery refer to fragrances that produce the scent of wood, forests, or related natural elements. They are characterized by notes derived from trees, resins, mosses, and other woody materials. These scents can be warm, dry, smoky, or creamy, and often form the base notes of a fragrance, providing depth and longevity.
Here are some of our favorite woody fragrances for men. I also added a couple of unisex options to the list.
1. Gucci Guilty Absolute EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Gucci |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Notes | Top: Leather Middle: Cypress and Patchouli Base: Woody Notes and Vetiver |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Alberto Morillas |
Starting with a scent beloved by many, Gucci Guilty Absolute by Gucci. I would recommend checking out both the male and female versions of this scent, as they are all exquisite, and you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t try them at least once.
The woody notes in the base notes ground this scent and enhance its longevity. This men’s fragrance also carries a hint of sweetness, which some might or might not like, but makes it the ideal date night perfume. I would like to mention that this scent has undergone a reformulation, and some users have been complaining about its performance, while others are stating that the complaints are an over-exaggeration. While the reformulation has made this scent less pronounced than before, it causes it to sit closer to the skin, and the performance isn’t at all bad.
2. Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hugo Boss |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Aromatic |
| Notes | Top: Apple, Cinnamon, Sage, and Mandarin Orange Middle: Lavender, Rosemary, and Patchouli Base: Sandalwood and Olive Tree |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Projection | Moderate – High |
| Perfumer | Hugo Boss |
I would recommend this for anyone just starting their perfume collection or as a gift for a younger male relative, as it is a solid, basic perfume to own. It is strong on the lavender, which is well-blended with fresh and woody notes, creating a pleasant scent.
Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite is an excellent eau de toilette for everyday wear. I would also highly recommend it for office wear as it is non-offensive and easy to wear.
3. D&G Devotion Pour Homme EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dolce & Gabbana |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Spicy |
| Notes | Top: Lemon Middle: Coffee Base: Patchouli |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Olivier Cresp |
Dolce & Gabbana has launched the pour homme version of Devotion, and I am thrilled about it. I almost always recommend the women’s version of Devotion, and I’m glad to say that the men’s version is just as good.
Devotion pour homme is very coffee-forward, which I love. You can also catch a light hint of walnuts and lemons, giving the overall scent an intimate, boozy quality. Keep in mind this niche scent isn’t a crowd pleaser, so don’t come at me if you don’t like it.
4. Montblanc Explorer Platinum EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Mont Blanc |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Aromatic |
| Notes | Top: Violet Leaves Middle: Clary Sage Base: Cedarwood |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Bruno Jovanovic |
Montblanc Explorer Platinum is another masculine staple. Violet dominates the other notes in this perfume, accompanied by a soft wood note that lasts for half a day.
While this is a fragrance marketed to men, I would say it could pass as unisex. Some say they get fruity notes, such as pineapple or coconut, although these are not listed among the main notes. So don’t be surprised if you do too.
5. Arabian Eagle 222 Extrait De Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Arabian Eagle |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Leather |
| Notes | Top: Raspberry, Saffron, and Thyme Middle: Olibanum and Jasmine Base: Leather, Suede, Woody Notes, and Amber |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Bruno Jovanovic |
222 by Arabian Eagle is a unisex perfume that is super sensual and rich. This is not a clean leather scent. You have to like dirty, smoky, woody leather to like this.
222 is a balanced woody leather scent, with a greater emphasis on the leather accord. It is dark and mysterious yet slightly fruity, sweet, and floral. I would recommend this for winter and colder evenings as it could overwhelm you in the heat, and it’s definitely not a daytime fragrance.
6. Kilian Sacred Wood EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kilian |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Notes | Top: Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Carrot Seeds, and Pink Pepper Middle: Sandalwood, Milk, Amyris, Copahu Balm, Elemi, and Caraway Base: Atlas Cedar, Tolu Balsam, Incense, Mysore Sandalwood, Myrrh, and Amber |
| Release year | 2014 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Calice Becker |
Sacred Wood by Kilian is an amazing woody scent that is a crowd pleaser for the most part, which is why I decided to end the article with it.
This here is a slightly lactonic scent with a blend of woody notes that stand out. You can tell that there is cedar and sandalwood in this blend, but the cedar stands out to me more. While it smells stronger at the opening, it becomes more subtle and wearable as it dries down, making it easy to wear as long as you don’t feel threatened by the initial scent. You can find all these fragrances at V Perfumes, your premier fragrance destination, offering the best prices in the UAE and the Gulf region. Shop now in-store and online and don’t miss out on exclusive deals.
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