The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (2024)

Even if you're an amateur in the world of fragrances, you've probably heard the term musk before. Musk is an ingredient secreted from male deer specifically used in perfume making, but more than that it's become a larger, broader term to describe scents that are quite warm and woody, often with hints of florals or citrus. It also smells fuckin' delicious.

Unlike most other perfume scents—fruity, floral, spicy, earthy—that are essentially made up of the same handful of popular ingredients layered with different notes, musky colognes encompass an expansive breadth of scents. There are musky colognes bottled with lavender and musky colognes bottled with leather; a musky cologne that smells of sweet summer fruit and a musky cologne that smells of dark, spicy rum. Really it's a strong and sweet odor (how else would male deer attract female deer?) that blends perfectly with many other ingredients to make a sophisticated, intoxicatingly delicious scent. Mmm.

So really it doesn't quite matter what your taste in fragrances is, as long as you like to smell amazing. If that sounds like you, then there's a whole variety of different types of musky scents to choose from, and 15 of the best ones are right here.

best classic musky cologne

Tom Ford Ombré Leather Parfum

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (1)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (2)Sophisticated yet wearable
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (3)Good for every day
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (4)Long-lasting
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (5)Some may find it too strong

A no-nonsense musk, this scent perfectly balances the light and the dark with a floral fragrance that still manages to be masculine thanks to notes of black leather and cedarwood alongside violet leaf.

Fragrance FamilyLeather, spicy
NotesCardamom, leather, jasmine sambac, amber, moss, patchouli

best everyday musky cologne

Dossier Musky Oakmoss

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (6)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (7)Versatile for day and night
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (8)Smells more expensive than it is
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (9)Very affordable
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (10)Doesn't last very long

A uniquely fresh musk, this one layers bergamot, rose, oakmoss, and patchouli for a deliciously clean scent.

Fragrance FamilyFresh
NotesApple, pineapple, bergamot, rose, birch leaf, patchouli, musk, oakmoss, amber

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best minimalist musky cologne

Kiehl's Musk Eau de Toilette Spray

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (11)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (12)Classic and wearable
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (13)Long-lasting
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (14)Very affordable
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (15)Some may find it overpowering

Kiehl's keeps it classic with a musk that gets the job done for under $50. Warm tonka nut, musk, and white patchouli blend with fresh florals and citruses for a captivating fragrance that's sweet around the edges.

Fragrance FamilyWoody, floral
NotesOrange blossom, bergamot, ylang-ylang, neroli, lily, rose, musk, tonka bean, patchouli

best affordable musky cologne

Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla Cologne

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (16)

Spice and black vanilla—does that not sound delicious? Dip your toe in the world of musk with this affordable fragrance that won't cost a pretty penny.

Fragrance FamilyWood
NotesCardamom, cashmere wood, bourbon, vanilla, vetiver

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best complex musky cologne

Montblanc Legend Eau De Toilette Spray

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (21)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (22)Elegant
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (23)Good for formal occasions
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (24)Long-lasting
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (25)Lots of people wear it

Sophisticated 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.

Fragrance FamilyFresh
NotesLavender, pineapple, bergamot, lemon verbena, red apple, dried fruits, oakmoss, geranium, coumarin, rose, tonka bean, sandalwood

best elegant musky cologne

Penhaligon's The Tragedy of Lord George Eau de Parfum

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (26)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (27)Sophisticated
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (28)Good for day and night
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (29)Unique but not aggressive
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (30)Expensive

If any perfumer knows how to do a regal scent, it's Penhaligon (the go-to brand of Princess Diana). This masculine fragrance, aside from it's insanely cool bottle, smells warm and sharp, with notes of lavender, rum, and tonka bean atop cedarwood, ambrox, and vetiver.

Fragrance FamilyWoody, spicy
NotesWoody notes, brandy, amber, tonka bean

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best crisp musky cologne

Hermès Eau de Rhubarbe Écarlate Eau de Cologne Spray

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (31)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (32)Fresh and bright
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (33)Good for summer
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (34)Unique
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (35)Doesn't last a long time

In this cologne that draws on rhubarb, the musk is earthy and poignant. Lantana and musk merge with vegetal notes to create an exotic and bold scent.

Fragrance FamilyFresh
NotesRhubarb, red berries, lantana, white musk

best western-inspired musky cologne

D.S. & Durga Sweet Do Nothing Eau De Parfum

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (36)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (37)Fresh and natural smelling
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (38)Great for warm weather
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (39)Good for every day

Inspired by a slow Texan lifestyle, this is the southern cologne that's sweet as molasses and sharp as a cactus. Top notes of green coyote chola, desert pepper, and neroli balance out orange flower, incense, and water musk in the base.

Fragrance FamilyWoody, floral
NotesCactus, incense, fig, creosote bush, orange blossom, Texas cedar, pepper, neroli, musk

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best high-end musky cologne

Parfums De Marly Haltane Eau de Parfum

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (41)

Now 29% Off

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (42)Sophisticated
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (43)Good for every day
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (44)Long-lasting
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (45)Expensive

Incredibly 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, fresh
NotesClary sage, lavender, bergamot, saffron, praline, oud, cedar

Best Designer Musky Cologne

Chanel Le Lion de Chanel Eau de Parfum

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (46)

Now 10% Off

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (47)Distinctive yet wearable
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (48)Good for cold weather
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (49)Long-lasting
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (50)Expensive

Less 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, spicy
NotesBergamot, lemon, labdanum, amber, patchouli, Madagascar vanilla, musk, sandalwood

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Best Smoky Musky Cologne

Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy Extrait de Parfum

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (51)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (52)Subtle but distinctive
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (53)Great for daytime wear
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (54)Long-lasting
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (55)Expensive

No scent inspired by the sweaty, smoky cowboy bars of 1970's-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 gives it a grounded sensuality.

Fragrance FamilyWoody, spicy
NotesCinnamon, galbanum, orris root, whiskey, angelica root, tobacco leaf, amber, suede, black musk, cacao

Best Eco-Friendly Musky Cologne

Altra Altra Skin

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (56)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (57)Designed to mix with your skin's natural scent
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (58)Refillable
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (59)Great for everyday wear
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (60)Ships from the UK

Not 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 FamilyWoody
NotesMusk

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Best Intense Musky Cologne

Edition de Parfums Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur Parfum

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (61)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (62)Iconic and distinctive
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (63)Versatile
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (64)Long-lasting
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (65)Some may find it overpowering

There'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 FamilySpicy
NotesLavender, tangerine, bergamot, coriander, neroli, cinnamon, cloves, orris root, rose, osmanthus, musk, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, guaiac wood, cedar, animal notes, patchouli

Best Romantic Musky Cologne

Arquiste Peau

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (66)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (67)Subtle but distinctive
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (68)Mixes well with the scent of your skin
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (69)Long-lasting
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (70)May be too musky for some

In 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 FamilyWoody
NotesMusk, ambergris, clary sage, white pepper, coriander, woody notes, amber, labdanum

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Best Bold Musky Cologne

Amouage Gold Man

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (71)

Pros
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (72)Very luxurious
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (73)Conversation starter
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (74)Great for dates or formal occasions
Cons
  • The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (75)Expensive

Not all musky colognes have to be subtle. This bold fragrance (developed for royalty) announces itself in the best way with a strong punch of florals at the top that dries down to an elegant mix of myrrh, jasmine, sandalwood, ambergris, and, of course, white musks. It's the scent of power and best reserved for special occasions.

Fragrance FamilyWoody, floral
NotesLily-of-the-valley, rose hip, incense, jasmine, orris root, myrrh, civet, musk, oakmoss, amber, sandalwood, patchouli, cedar

Why Trust Us

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (76)

We're not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire's roundups is carefully curated by our grooming and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to fragrance, one of the most important grooming items a man can have, you can rest assured that we're hand-selecting scents that we've personally tested, tried, and loved. Our grooming editor Garrett Munce, along with the rest of the style team, has spent years spritzing, spraying, wearing, and test-driving hundreds (thousands!) of colognes, and we are confident that these are the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists) comes from these years of testing. We know that no two tastes are the same, no two men are the same, and the way you want to smell may vary from someone else's. But if you're looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

The 15 Best Musky Colognes, Tested by Our Expert (2024)

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