Have you ever wondered what the best smelling cologne for men is?
Are you ready to finally see a list of fragrances that are PROVEN to get you compliments?!
Or maybe you’re just curious if your signature fragrance actually receives compliments!
Answers to these questions are why We Heart Boho finally took the guessing out of what fragrances are the best smelling.
When it comes to cologne, choosing one that matches you can be very difficult due to the variety of them that exist on the market today. No matter how many people tell you that this cologne is the best or that other one is the best, the bottom line is, it all comes down to one’s tastes. Sweet, spicy, and casual, all the colognes smell great to certain people, but choosing a perfect one based on the smell is difficult. All the houses that create perfumes every year like Gucci, Armani, Paco Rabanne, and others have “great noses”, as the people that create perfumes are named, and they all do their best to create the best smelling colognes of the year. But which one is the best one of them all?
According to the reviews, the best smelling men’s cologne is “One Million” by Paco Rabanne. It is the number one cologne that women love and ultimately, one of the most popular colognes of the year.
Our list is generated from 100% of user voters and feedback. Sorry Jeremy Fragrance, but this is not a list that we personally have received compliments from. Not everyone is as dashingly handsome as you are and we all don’t receive nearly the amount of compliments you do from day to day.
SO I REPEAT, THIS LIST IS NOT MADE UP! It is generated from YOUR votes on what fragrances smell the best. At the bottom of the page, you will see a spot where you can vote for the cologne you’ve received the most compliments on, and if you don’t see it, write it in! It’s that simple!
Here are the standings so far…
The Making of The Best Smelling Cologne For Men List
If you are wondering how we created this list, we would love to tell you.
You see we looked at some of the greatest sites on fragrance like Fragrantica.com, Basenotes.net, Parfumo.net, Bodybuilding.com, and other miscellaneous sites that have REAL guys talking about REAL compliments they receive from ladies.
We put all the answers into a list and came up with approximately 300 fragrances men have received compliments by wearing.
We only used compliments received for roughly the past 2 years.
We tallied up the responses and created a list of winning fragrances that receive WAY MORE compliments than others.
To create this list, it took us WEEKS to compile all the information so we hope you enjoy it and can find a fragrance that will work for you.
Lastly, we are now conducting our own poll to add to our results. So if you’ve worn a fragrance and received a compliment, WE WANT TO KNOW. Take our poll at the bottom of the page so we can get our list continuously updated.
As you can see from looking at the table, we loaded the top 36 fragrances that men have received compliments from. We have data for almost 300 colognes, but due to the sake of keeping it simple, we decided to leave them out.
The Top 11 Ultimate Best Smelling Cologne For Men To Get You Compliments
Alright lets see just what these top fragrance compliment getters are all about. If your fragrance didn’t make the list, change it! You can vote for yours by taking the poll at the bottom of the page. We update this list about once a month!
Let’s start off with a few honorable mentions. Versace Pour Homme, H.M. by Hanae Mori, L’eau d’issei, and Fahrenheit by Dior all have received some pretty exciting compliments. They are all on the verge of breaking into the top 10/11 so give them your votes on the poll if you want to see them there.
In total, we have about 500 compliments that were dished out. These are the ones that received the most.
#9. – Tie – Cool Water by Davidoff – 13 Total Compliments
If there is a perfect fragrance to kick off the best smelling cologne for men list, Cool Water by Davidoff (full review here) is it. This fragrance was created in 1988 and took the world by storm.
In the late 80s and early 90s, everybody wore Cool Water, and if you didn’t, you weren’t getting any action.
What I love about this smell is that just one sniff of it takes you back to the 80s. It’s an unexplainable phenomenon that just paints a picture of that decade along with the early 90s.
Notes you’ll smell
- Sea Water
- Lavender
- Mint
- Green notes
In Summary
If you’re looking for a fragrance that will take you back to the 80s or 90s and may end up giving you some compliments on the way, Cool Water may be the right fragrance for you.
Should be primarily for guys that were in high school in the early 90s and are going after ladies that are similar to that age. So 35 years of age or older.
Think Cool Water should be higher/lower on the list? Vote for your favorite fragrances here!
#9. – Tie – Armani Code by Giorgio Armani – 13 Total Compliments
When Armani Code is given compliments, it tends to be during colder temperatures in the fall and winter. This fragrance steps away from the usual complimented cologne as it has notes that are different than what some would expect to see on this list.
Although I have not personally received a compliment from Armani Code, I understand why it does. The warmth it brings alone is attractive to both the wearer and the person lucky enough to smell it. It’s intimacy makes people nearby inch in just a little bit closer
Notes You’ll Smell
- Leather
- Olive Blossom
- Star Anise
- Tobacco
- Lemon
- Tonka Bean
Here are just a few compliments;
In Summary
Armani Code is one of the easiest fragrances to find ladies talking about how amazing it smells.
Although it is complimented by lots and lots of people, part of its success can be credited to how main stream and popular it is. If you’re looking for a fragrance that will get you through the colder months and you don’t mind smelling like someone’s ex-boyfriend, brother, or guy friend, this one could be the one for you.
Ohh…. and if you’re under the age of 30 would probably make sense to wear it too.
Think Armani Code should be higher/lower on the list? Vote for your favorite fragrances here!
#7. Tie – Millesime Imperial by Creed – 15 Total Compliments
Millesime Imperial is listed as one of the best summer scents money can buy. It’s a fresh, crisp, scent that one person said, “MI goes beyond smelling great, it speaks to your soul”. Others have said, “The best fragrance ever made”.
The complaints being echoed throughout the fragrance world is the longevity. People complain that their fragrance lasts lest than 4 hours where others around 8. Body chemistry does play a factor so before dropping a few hundred bucks on this one, maybe purchasing a sample from an authorized retailer like Nordstroms wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Notes you’ll notice
- Fruity
- Sea
- Sea salt
- Citrus
And here are a few compliments;
In Summary
Millesime Imperial is a no doubter compliment getter.
For the last decade, men have reported that this particular fragrance has received some of the most compliments from their collection. The only drawback with this one is the price tag that comes with it and the longevity. Otherwise, wear it as a summer scent and you won’t be disappointed.
You can find where I buy mine by clicking here.
Think Millesime Imperial should be higher/lower on the list? Vote for your favorite fragrances here!
#7. Tie – Allure Homme Sport by Chanel – 15 Total Compliments
Allure Homme Sport has been mentioned as the masterpiece of fragrances for athletes and hot, humid, weather. It has a light, creamy citrus that has just enough sharpness to be refreshing. Although it is simple, it has great balance between longevity and appeal without going over the top.
What is impressive about AHS, is that it’s fairly expensive so it deters many main stream fragrance wearers from trying it on and yet it still is one of the most complimented fragrances around. Whenever a fragrance like this comes along, my interest is immediately peaked. Several online women reviewers will claim this is their favorite scent to smell on a man.
Notes you’ll notice
- Orange
- Sea notes
- Aldehydes
- Vanilla
- Tonka Bean
And here are a few compliments;
In Summary
Allure Homme Sport by Chanel is a no doubter when it comes to receiving compliments. It’s a universally liked scent so you’ll RARELY find anyone that straight up hates the smell of it. Of all the fragrances on this list, it might be the safest choice you can make if you’re going to make a blind buy and randomly choose one.
Even if you don’t LOVE it, you will most likely like it enough to wear for casual events and since it’s one of the most complimented fragrances around, you’ll at least make the people surrounding you a little happier.
If you have your own Allure Homme Sport by Chanel compliment story, please drop us a comment below so we can share it with the world. We’d love to make you famous!
#6. Sauvage by Christian Dior – 18 Total Compliments
Sauvage is an exciting fragrance that has come alive in the last year. Because it is so new, it doesn’t have the benefit of receiving several more compliments compared to its competitors that have been around for decades.
With the amount of traction and popularity Sauvage has been gaining over the past year, I fully expect to see it in the top 5 or higher in the next few months or year. Everyone that loves fragrance is talking about it and better yet, everyone that is smelling it on men wearing it, is complimenting Sauvage.
Notes you’ll notice
- Ambroxan
- Bergamot
- Pepper
And here are a few compliments;
“I have been on a few dates using this cologne and every girl has loved the scent. It is incredibly warm and masculine. Smells amazing, like a man should!”
If you think Sauvage should be higher or lower on this list, make sure you take our poll by clicking here!
#5. Green Irish Tweed by Creed – 19 Total Compliments
Green Irish Tweed was born in 1985 and is still one of the signature scents for Creed. This fragrance was created so a person could “walk through the Irish countryside” no matter where they reside and Green Irish Tweed does it masterfully.
Since this fragrance was created in the 80s, the people that wear it will say that it smells like it too. They mention fragrances it smells like and one of them in particular is actually on this list! Although people speak about how simple it is, they also talk about how sophisticated it is simultaneously.
People will continue to say it is a timeless scent that was built for winners. Only time will tell if it continues to roll in the compliments.
Notes you’ll notice
- Lemon Verbena
- Violet Leaf
- Iris
- Sandalwood
In Summary
GIT is a nice blast from the past for anyone that grew up in the 80s. Although it is compared to other fragrances around that time period, people still say that GIT has the sophistication and class to outshine the others.
Since Creed is made from the most genuine ingredients, a trained nose and fragrance expert can detect the difference.
If you have your own GIT compliment story, please drop us a comment below so we can share it with the world. We’d love to make you famous!
#4. La Nuit L’homme by Yves Saint Laurent – 21 Total Compliments
La Nuit by Yves Saint Laurent (full review here) is one of the best smelling fragrances that casual fragrance wearers don’t wear. It has one of the lowest popularity rating among it’s competitors with only about 400 searches per month.
So despite La Nuit not being super popular, it still continues to gather compliments from the small number of people that wear it which makes it one of the best kept secrets in the fragrance world.
Professional fragrance reviewers like Jeremy Fragrance, Fragrance bros, and many more, do give La Nuit some love however so it’s only a matter of time before casual wearers start figuring this one out and wearing it everywhere they go and telling their friends about it. Until then, do what I do and wear it regularly. This is a great signature scent and can be worn in almost any situation.
Notes you’ll notice
- Cardamom
- Lavender
- Bergomat
- Caraway
- Virginia Cedar
- Vetiver
In Summary
La Nuit is a hidden gem in the main stream audience when it comes to fragrance. People that live and die by how they smell own it and are receiving compliments rather easily from it.
If you’re looking for a fragrance that not many people wear but are receiving tons of compliments on, La Nuit might be right for you.
If you have your own La Nuit compliment story, please drop us a comment below so we can share it with the world.
#3. Bleu de Chanel by Chanel – 22 Total Compliments
Bleu is another fragrance by Chanel that receives a ridiculous amount of attention from complimenters. It’s a fragrance that is a little higher in price, but it has the smell of sophistication to back it up according to the people that wear it.
Not only is this fragrance sophisticated, Bleu de Chanel smells like romance. It doesn’t necessarily have a sexy vibe to it, but rather smells like something you would go on a date wearing. Afterwards heading back to your house to Netflix and chill.
Notes you’ll notice
- Grapefruit
- Incense
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Mint
- Vetiver
In Summary
Bleu is something that is made to help you smell wealthy and sophisticated, and ultimately win unsolicited compliments.
Although it has a slightly higher price tag, there is evidence that people around you will enjoy it.
If you have your own Bleu de Chanel compliment story, please drop us a comment below so we can share it with the world
#2. Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani – 29 Total Compliments
It was only a matter of time before Acqua Di Gio showed up on this list. Perhaps the most famous and most worn fragrance of all time makes it’s mark at #2 on the best smelling cologne for men list to get you compliments.
When you smell Acqua Di Gio, it is so popular that people are associating the smell with sexiness, power, money, and perhaps a few others.
My girlfriend straight up told me she gets excited just from smelling this and has ever done some double takes when walking by someone wearing it.
Notes you’ll notice
- Sea notes
- Lime
- Lemon
- Jasmine
Here are some of the compliments given to Acqua Di Gio;
In Summary
Acqua Di Gio is the most popular fragrance around today so there is no doubt that it will continue to receive compliments because of the sheer volume of people wearing it.
With that being said, if you don’t mind wearing something the dude next to you might be smelling like, this one is a pretty good option.
If you have your own Acqua Di Gio compliment story, please drop us a comment below so we can share it with the world. We’d love to make you famous!
#1. Aventus by Creed – 62 Total Compliments
The winner of the most compliments from an individual fragrance is Aventus by Creed by a ridiculously large margin! When you see a top list out of any kind, usually between the top 3, it gets pretty competitive, but Aventus is by far the clear cut winner of the most compliments.
The only drawback with Creed is that it is one of the most expensive fragrances you can buy. A bottle from a Creed boutique or authorized dealer is from $200 – 400 depending on what size you wish to purchase. There are some sweet deals on Amazon if you wish to give them a shot. Reading through the reviews, some people have had good experiences and others have had terrible saying it’s fake. You decide on whether it’s worth it or not if you would like to try it.
Anyways, if you’re interested in trying to find a way to get a sample of this before you bite the bullet and just buy it, make sure you check out our page on finding cologne samples and see if that helps.
The bottom line with Aventus is this… If you want to be noticed, complimented, or just purchase a fragrance that will generate results, Aventus is a no doubt your pick.
Here are some of the notes you’ll notice;
- Pineapple
- Birch
- Musk
- Black currant
In Summary
My initial reaction to Aventus is the same as many others. I just can’t comprehend why so many people just adore this love juice. But I also know the results are real. This fragrance absolutely dominates the compliment contest. So even though it may not smell good to you, people that are around you will adore it.
For this reason alone, I’m gonna give it a shot and see what happens.
If you have your own Aventus by Creed and have a compliment story, please drop us a comment below so we can share it with the world.
We are always searching for great compliment stories and we love to hear them!
Leave a Reply