The 9 Dior Colognes Every Guy Needs to Know About

The original Sauvage remains one of Dior’s best sellers for one simple reason: It’s just that good. Since its debut in 2015, there have been a thousand imitations, but the unique scent of Sauvage will always stand out. The fresh top and middle notes of Calabrian bergamot, lavender, and geranium are uplifting and energizing while the base of warm Ambroxan and woody cedar anchor it to your skin as the three different types of pepper offer a spicy kick. It’s a cologne that’s as versatile as it is singular.Features at a GlanceFragrance FamilyEarthy, woodyNotesCalabrian bergamot, lavender, geranium, pepper, ambroxan, cedarSizes1 oz, 2 oz, 3.4 oz, 6.7 oz, 10 ozElixir is a darker, sexier take on the classic Sauvage EDT and EDP. It dials up the spice in a big way but also adds a bit of warmth that turns it into a more mature, seductively masculine cologne than the more versatile original. It’s bolder and more concentrated, so it will last longer on your skin and creates a sillage that’s noticeable but not overpowering. Think of this as the mature older brother of the Sauvage family. Wear it at night for optimal effect.Features at a GlanceFragrance FamilyEarthy, woodyNotesNutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, grapefruit, lavender, licorice, sandalwood, amber, patchouli, Haitian vetiverSizes2 oz, 3.4 oz, 5 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowThe word sport in men’s cologne-speak is always code for “fresh,” which this scent is—very much so. The lemon and bergamot at the top are sharp and zingy and give it a bit of a kick to the nose, but what keeps it from being too literal are the aldehydes, which give it a clean soapiness that also lends an elegance to the citrus. The dry-down—which reveals warm amber, smoky olibanum, and masculine woody notes—lasts for hours (and we mean hours). It’s one of those colognes that you keep coming back to, because it’s not just easy to wear; you actually want to keep smelling it.Features at a GlanceFragrance FamilyFresh, citrusNotesLemon, bergamot, aldehydes, elemi, pink pepper, woody notes, olibanum, amberSizes2.5 oz, 4.2 oz, 6.8 ozThis new unisex fragrance is anything but mainstream. It’s deceptive in its simplicity, with a top note of clean, crisp aldehydes, which are usually used more as background players than as the lead role. As it dries, the smoky, smooth frankincense and warm amber reveal themselves and help it stick closer to your skin, but it never loses a slightly sterile aspect that’s unexpected and utterly unique. Inspired by the couture designs that put the House of Dior on the map, this scent is definitely niche but so attention-grabbing that people can’t look away.Features at a GlanceFragrance FamilyFloral, woodyNotesAldehydes, frankincense, amberSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 6.8 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowThis version of Dior Homme, reimagined in 2020, is a modern take on the classic woody men’s cologne. Crisp cedar and smooth cashmere wood take center stage through the entire fragrance, but the freshness of bergamot and pink pepper in the opening perk up your senses at the first spray. The dry-down, while still very wood forward, slowly reveals a skin-like white-musk note. It’s not as aggressive as some of your more traditional woody colognes, but that’s the point. It’s a modernized take that’s incredibly easy to wear for nearly every man.Features at a GlanceFragrance FamilyWoodyNotesBergamot, pink pepper, elemi, Atlas cedar, cashmere wood, patchouli, Iso E Super, Haitian vetiver, white muskSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 5 ozOne of the most exciting fragrance launches of this summer was Dior’s newest Sauvage expression: Extrait. This is not a fragrance for those who want to fly under the radar—it’s the most intense version of Sauvage, and with the highest concentration. With a formula of nearly 50 percent oil, Sauvage Extrait has just enough alcohol and water to be considered an extrait de parfum and not a scented oil. That said, it really is a special scent; it’s quite masculine and rugged, and woody and earthy with its inclusion of oud and patchouli.Read our interview with Francis Kurkdjian for the full story on how he created the boldest Sauvage scent yet.Fragrance FamilyWoodyNotesBergamot, Provence lavender, ambroxan, Vietnamese oud, Indonesian patchouli, Madagascan vetiver, Virginia cedar, Atlas cedarSizes1.7 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowOne of the most popular scents from Dior’s La Collection Privée, Gris Dior is an elegant chypre fragrance that, instead of being just one thing like black or white, lives in that alluring gray area. At least that’s the inspiration behind it and the reason for its name. It begins with a burst of citrus from Calabrian bergamot, then introduces a floral heart of rose and violet. The base is more classically masculine, with woody notes and smooth amber along with earthy oakmoss and patchouli. If you want an even more concentrated version of the scent, try the Gris Dior Esprit de Parfum.Fragrance FamilyWoody, floralNotesCalabrian bergamot, citrus, Turkish rose, violet, oakmoss, patchouli, amber, cedarwood, sandalwoodSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 6.8 ozWidely considered one of the masterpieces of perfumery, the original Eau Sauvage is all about vintage vibes (it debuted in 1966, after all). Think of it as what Dickie Greenleaf would wear while tooling around on his Vespa—crisp, fresh, herbaceous, and refreshing with a slight undertone of a fresh barbershop shave. Not only is it the quintessential summer fragrance, but it’s also extremely gentlemanly. It’s subtle and never aggressive and is appropriate for every occasion. It’s professional but somehow also alluring at the same time. And even though it’s not the most modern cologne on the market, it’s the perfect example of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”Features at a GlanceFragrance FamilyCitrus, woodyNotesLemon, bergamot, basil, rosemary, jasmine, coriander, patchouli, sandalwood, rose, lavender, oakmoss, vetiver, musk, amberSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 ozAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowThis cologne can be polarizing because it is old-school (we’re talking “released in 1988” old-school). But for those who like a deep, dark, traditionally masculine cologne, this is one of the best. It’s very much a leather fragrance, and some say it has a sharp gasoline quality (also very polarizing). It’s sharp at first but dries down quickly to a leathery, musky, warm, skin-type scent that’s bold but not overpowering. It’s the type of cologne you can imagine an ’80s Wall Street power broker wearing on a night out, and honestly, who doesn’t want to harness some of that energy every once in a while?Features at a GlanceFragrance FamilyWoody, muskyNotesNutmeg, lavender, cedar, Sicilian mandarin, sandalwood, carnation, jasmine, violet, leather, vetiver, musk, amber, patchouliSizes1.7 oz, 3.4 oz