The 9 Best Chypre Colognes That Bring the Forest to Your Fragrance Shelf

Like I said earlier, the very first chypre fragrance was made by François Coty all the way back in 1917. While the original Chypre parfum was discontinued in the mid-20th century, Infiniment Coty Paris released a new chypre fragrance in 2024 called Aristo Chypre, which is a modern twist on the classic Coty fragrance. This version emphasizes the rose and patchouli elements, adding essential oils of both on top of the fragrance house’s famous chypre accord. It’s stronger than your typical floral or earthy cologne, so it’s better for those who prefer bolder scents.Fragrance FamilyChypreNotesChypre accord, patchouli, roseSizes2.5 oz, 5 ozCommonly referred to as Polo Green, Ralph Lauren’s Polo EDT adds some spice to the classic woody chypre. It’s got the bergamot, florals, oakmoss, and patchouli typical of a basic chypre fragrance, but it’s punctuated by caraway, coriander, and juniper berries up top. Smooth leather and spicy tobacco are also woven throughout the heart and base of the scent, making it more rich and masculine than other chypres.Fragrance FamilyChypre, spicyNotesCaraway, artemisia, coriander, juniper berries, basil, bergamot, carnation, leather, chamomile, pepper, jasmine, rose, pine tree, geranium, amber, patchouli, musk, oakmoss, vetiver, tobacco, cedarSizes4 oz, 6.7 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowEarthy, woody scents can be just as elegant as lighter, fresher scents, and YSL proves that with its Tuxedo fragrance. Like the name suggests, it’s meant to be worn to fancy events. Here, the patchouli is what really stands out; it turns the chypre fragrance into something with a little more smoke, a little more power.Fragrance FamilyChypre, spicyNotesViolet leaf accord, bergamot oil, coriander seeds oil, rose oil, lily of the valley accord, black pepper oil, ambergris accord, patchouli heart, vanilla bourbonSizes1.18 ozGris Dior is one of the most popular fragrances from Dior’s La Collection Privée, and for good reason. It’s a complex fragrance that can’t be classified as simply one thing or another, which is why it’s named after the French word for “gray”—it lives in that in-between gray area. Yet it is classified as a chypre thanks to top notes of bergamot, heart notes of rose and violet, and base notes of oakmoss and patchouli. Rich amber gives it a nice, smooth finish, and cedarwood and sandalwood ground the scent in a woody foundation.Fragrance FamilyChypre, floralNotesCalabrian bergamot, citrus, Turkish rose, violet, oakmoss, patchouli, amber, cedarwood, sandalwoodSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 6.8 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhile many chypre colognes place the spotlight on their deep, mossy bases, Penhaligon’s takes a lighter, fresher approach to chypre with Quercus. This cologne instead centers bright bursts of lemon, lime, bergamot, and mandarin orange along with a fresh and herbaceous hint of basil. It then takes the classic chypre route of moving into a heart of florals and spice and a base of oakmoss, patchouli, woods, and amber.Fragrance FamilyChypreNotesAmalfi lemon, lime, bergamot, mandarin orange, basil, jasmine, lily of the valley (muguet), cardamom, oakmoss, sandalwood, galbanum, musk, amber, patchouliSizes1 oz, 3.4 ozWe can’t talk about chypre without mentioning Chanel’s very first men’s fragrance: Pour Monsieur. The EDT was released in 1955, and this EDP is a more intense rendering of that original fragrance. It’s an elegant woody chypre with a burst of spices at the heart and rounded out by smooth Madagascar vanilla at the base.Fragrance FamilyChypre, woodyNotesSicilian lemon, lavender, petitgrain, neroli, bergamot, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, coriander, basil, vetiver, oakmoss, cedar, Madagascar vanillaSizes2.5 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowArquiste is a niche fragrance house known for its complex, unique fragrances inspired by historical events and sites. L’Etrog takes inspiration from medieval Calabria, specifically the harvests of citrus fruits and the wooden cabins that covered the region. It has a gorgeous opening of fresh citrus notes; a sweet, resinous heart of date fruit, jasmine, and pistachio tree resin; and an earthy, woody base of vetiver, patchouli, and cedarwood. There’s truly nothing like it.Fragrance FamilyChypre, citrusNotesCalabrese citron (cedrat), calabrese bergamot, Sicilian lemon, myrtle, Smyrna date fruit, North African jasmine, pistachio tree resin (lentisque), vetiver, patchouli, Lebanese cedar woodSizes1.7 ozFresh and woody notes combine in this calming chypre cologne by Nonfiction to evoke the scent of a forest after rainfall. With juicy bergamot and a blend of spices at the top; breezy geranium, rose, and violet at the heart; and a blend of woody, earthy notes at the base, it really makes you feel like you just walked through the most beautiful forest.Fragrance FamilyChypre, woodyNotesBergamot, black pepper, cardamom, coriander seed, nutmeg, geranium, rose absolute, violet, chypre, oakwood, patchouli, vetiver, cypriol, olibanumSizes1.6 oz, 3.3 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowOne of the most interesting scents I’ve tried lately is Granado’s new Framboesa Noir. It’s undeniably fruity with a burst of raspberry and green apple at the top, but it opens up to a floral, woody heart and ends with the unmistakable scent of smooth leather. It’s certainly an unexpected combination, but it works better than you’d expect—and is one of the coolest takes on a chypre that I’ve tried.Fragrance FamilyChypreNotesRaspberry, green apple, jasmine, cedarwood, lavender, geranium, rum, labdanum, leatherSizes2.54 oz