The 14 Best Musky Colognes for Every Occasion

Kiehl’s keeps it classic with a musk that gets the job done for just $50. Warm tonka nut, musk, and white patchouli mix with fresh florals and citruses for a captivating fragrance that’s sweet around the edges. It’s pretty lightweight and wears close to the skin—a subtle staple every guy should have in his collection.Fragrance FamilyWoody, floralNotesOrange blossom, bergamot, ylang-ylang, neroli, lily, rose, musk, tonka bean, patchouliSizes1.7 ozLess inspired by the animal itself than the idea of a lion (you know: powerful, regal, proud), this warm, spicy fragrance isn’t necessarily musk forward, but contains a healthy dose of the note in the base to give it an animalic quality. There’s also amber, patchouli, bergamot, and sandalwood to give it a powerful, can’t-tear-your-nose-away presence.Fragrance FamilyWoody, spicyNotesBergamot, lemon, labdanum, amber, patchouli, Madagascar vanilla, musk, sandalwoodSizes2.5 oz, 6.8 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowA uniquely fresh musk, Dossier’s Musky Oakmoss EDP layers juicy bergamot, rose, oakmoss, and patchouli for a deliciously clean and earthy scent. Underneath it all is a base of musk and amber, which grounds the scent in something a bit smoother and more masculine. As the bottle says, it really is the perfect blend of “quiet luxury and fresh masculinity.”Fragrance FamilyFresh, earthyNotesApple, pineapple, bergamot, rose, birch leaf, patchouli, musk, oakmoss, amberSizes1.7 ozThere’s a classically masculine edge to this bold, confident cologne that instantly puts a swagger in your step. While there isn’t a specific musk note, the combination of woods, orris, patchouli, and vetiver gives it an earthy quality that brings out the natural musk of your skin—and makes it better. It’s a bold one but still subtle enough for the office while being sexy enough to wear once the sun goes down.Fragrance FamilyWoody, spicyNotesClove, cinnamon, apple, cashmere wood, orris, labdanum, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla, birchwood, tonka beanSizes1 oz, 3.4 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowSophisticated and elegant, this is a very nuanced scent that has notes of bergamot, lavender, and pineapple leaves on top, with dry amber, oakmoss, sandalwood, and tonka bean at the base. It’s known for its fresh and fruity qualities, but the dry down is smooth and definitely musky.Fragrance FamilyFreshNotesLavender, pineapple, bergamot, lemon verbena, red apple, dried fruits, oakmoss, geranium, coumarin, rose, tonka bean, sandalwoodSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 6.7 ozLight, bright citruses mix beautifully with warm and cozy musks, and Tom Ford’s Soleil Neige EDP is the epitome of that. Inspired by warm sun on fresh alpine snow, it contrasts green, citrusy bergamot with soft, white florals and velvety musks for an elegant scent.Fragrance FamilyCitrusy, muskyNotesBergamot, musk notes, orange blossom, jasmine, benzoin resinoid, cistus labdanumSizes0.34 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you like your colognes to have a little sweetness to them, you’ll love this musky gourmand from artisanal Italian perfumery Giardini di Toscana. With notes of caramel, warm milk, and honey over a base of white musks, it’s so delectable you’ll want to eat it.Fragrance FamilyGourmandNotesCaramel, honey, coumarin, vanilla, white musksSizes3.4 ozAiry and electric, this unique skin scent from D’Orsay will surprise you. It begins with fresh aldehydes that lead into a soft, floral heart of iris and violet accord. At the base, ambroxan provides a warm, woody, almost salty contrast to the cool freshness, and it is of course grounded in white musk.Fragrance FamilyWoodyNotesAldehydes, iris, violet, ambroxan, white muskSizes0.34 oz, 1.7 oz, 3 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIn perfumery, musk has traditionally been used to evoke the sexiness of skin—especially skin-on-skin activities. It’s a potent, pungent note that can be overpowering, but this is subtle yet still carnal. Even though it’s inspired by the skin of a lover, it’s not overbearing, and because the musk notes are combined with ambergris, clary sage, white pepper, and okoume wood, it’s shockingly complex.Fragrance FamilyWoodyNotesMusk, ambergris, clary sage, white pepper, coriander, woody notes, amber, labdanumSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 ozThere’s a double helping of musk in this ultra-sexy scent (it’s in the middle and base notes), but there’s more to it than just that. Combined with amber, sandalwood, and vanilla, this deep, rich, very sensual fragrance is one of the most distinctive musk scents of all time.Fragrance FamilySpicyNotesLavender, tangerine, bergamot, coriander, neroli, cinnamon, cloves, orris root, rose, osmanthus, musk, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, guaiac wood, cedar, animal notes, patchouliSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIn this cologne that draws on rhubarb, the musk is earthy and poignant. Lantana (perennial flowering plants with a sharp, herbal aroma) and musk merge with vegetal notes to create a bold scent that can be somewhat polarizing, but if you love crisp rhubarb and smooth musks, this scent is for you.Fragrance FamilyFreshNotesRhubarb, red berries, lantana, white muskSizes3.3 ozNo scent inspired by the sweaty, smoky cowboy bars of 1970s-era Sunset Strip would be complete without musk, which gives a skin-on-skin quality to this sexy cologne. The base note includes black musk, as well as amber, suede, and cacao, which give it a grounded sensuality.Fragrance FamilyWoody, spicyNotesCinnamon, galbanum, orris root, whiskey, angelica root, tobacco leaf, amber, suede, black musk, cacaoSizes1.7 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIncredibly luxe and wildly sophisticated, Parfums de Marly draws on the tradition of musk cologne to make a fragrance packed with all the must-have ingredients, like bergamot, lavender, saffron, cedarwood, vetiver, leather, and musk.Fragrance FamilyWoody, freshNotesClary sage, lavender, bergamot, saffron, praline, oud, cedarSizes2.5 oz, 4.2 ozNot only does this new sustainable fragrance brand make all of its bottles refillable, but the fragrances themselves are vegan and eco-friendly. Think of this version as exactly what the name suggests: the smell of skin but better. A blend of white musks and “secret” botanical extracts is subtle but serves to enhance your skin’s natural smell—in a good way.Fragrance FamilyWoodyNotesPlant-based white musks, botanical base notesSizes0.85 oz, 1.7 oz