As the temperatures drop and the nights get longer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s not just sweaters and blankets that bring comfort – your choice of fragrance can also play a role in how you feel during winter. The best winter colognes should evoke warmth, coziness – even nostalgia – while making a statement.
From the luxurious sweetness of vanilla to the rich allure of tobacco, here are eight warm and cozy winter colognes, each offering something unique that can perfectly complement the colder months.
Remember that choosing a signature scent is about what feels right for you. So go ahead, spritz on those fragrances, bundle up, and indulge yourself this winter. Happy holidays!
AERIN ROSE COCOA by Estee Lauder
I recently visited the Estee Lauder counter at my local Macy’s to ask for winter cologne recommendations. The helpful representative directed me to a relatively new line (at least for me, though it was founded in 2012 ) called AERIN, that she told me was exclusive to Macy’s. Created by, and named for, Estee Lauder’s granddaughter, AERIN was inspired by her signature style.
The representative suggested the line’s more intense scents and sprayed a few of them on sample cards. What really caught my attention was this one – Rose Cocoa – part of the Rose Premier Collection. As Aerin Lauder noted, “The deep, rich notes of chocolate combined with the original rose notes are a perfect blend of my two favorite things.”
The brown bottle, adorned with a brown velvet bow, brought to mind a rich chocolate treat. After spritzing it on my arm, I was pleased to find that the chocolatey rose scent lingered throughout the day.
I’m not alone in my appreciation for this fragrance. One user commented that it was a romantic and “holiday vibe aroma,” echoing my own sentiments
Angels’ Share by Kilian
If you’re looking for a fragrance that embodies the festive spirit of the winter holidays, look no further than Angels’ Share by Kilian Hennessy. What makes Angels’ Share so distinctive is that it was inspired by the world of fine spirits. The name itself refers to the amount of alcohol that evaporates during the aging process in the oak barrels, known as “the angels’ share.”
Launched in 2020 by Hennessy, an heir to the French cognac family, it takes its place among Kilian’s Liquors scents – Apple Brandy, On the Rocks, and Old Fashioned – which Hennessy calls his “most personal creations.”
The perfume opens with a warm embrace of cognac extracted from the liquor. This gives the refillable bottle, designed to evoke the look of a vintage bar glass, a caramel hue. The cognac oil is balanced by oaky and cinnamon essences with a dash of sandalwood, praline, and vanilla.
Angels’ Share has impressive staying power, making it perfect for those long winter nights. It can be worn for holiday gatherings, cozy nights in, or even just to spark a festive mood. But wherever you wear it, Angels’ Share will leave a lasting impression.
Fir & Artemisia by Jo Malone
If you’re a fan of Jo Malone fragrances, like I am, then you definitely need to try this season’s new limited-edition winter cologne: Fir & Artemisia. Specially crafted for the holiday season, this unique scent combines the woody essence of fir trees with the herbal notes of artemisia for a refreshing fragrance.
“Every year at holiday time we have a new scent,” Marcelle, the Jo Malone manager at my local Bloomingdale’s, explained. “Fir and Artemisia is our scent for 2024.”
I noticed the fragrance elegantly displayed with a bow on the shelf, and it exuded a delightful holiday vibe. Marcelle sprayed some on a tester for me and the scent of fir wafted through the air. It made me think of the crisp air of walking through a pine forest on a cool morning. The Artemisia adds a touch of herbal sweetness.
Marcelle noted that as with all Jo Malone fragrances, Fir and Artemisia can be layered with others in the line for a scent all your own.
Fir and Artemisia is an ideal scent for those who love earthy, outdoor scents and wish to feel connected to nature, even in the cold months.
Ginger Biscuit by Jo Malone
Ginger Biscuit is another Jo Malone scent perfect for the holiday season.
It was the company’s 2023 limited-edition fragrance. And although it’s sold out on their website, Ginger Biscuit can be still found at certain online retailers and some Sephora stores. That’s where I found it, with the help of Inessa, my go-to beauty consultant there. And it’s so worth seeking out at this time of year.
“It’s very holiday-ish. You think of families being together and delicious desserts,” she said, as she sprayed some on a tester strip for me.
The fragrance begins with top notes of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon, creating a spicy yet sweet blend that evokes the essence of your favorite gingerbread treats and brings back memories of cold winter afternoons spent baking cookies.
In fact, the buttery smoothness of chocolate in the heart note of roasted hazelnut may just have you craving a cozy mug of hot cocoa
Meanwhile, the Tonka Bean base introduces warm hints of vanilla, almond, and a touch of tobacco. Light, yet with a piquant zing, Ginger Biscuit is ideal for winter outings, whether you’re holiday shopping or attending festive gatherings.
Replica By the Fireplace by Maison Margiela
In 2012, Maison Margiela launched Replica, its first fragrance collection. Replica showcases scents that evoke special places and times. What adds a touch of fun to the collection are the playful names like Lazy Sunday Morning, Autumn Vibes, and Bubble Bath.
By the Fireplace was introduced in 2015 and has since become a winter classic.
That’s not surprising. By the Fireplace captures smoky notes of burning wood and roasted chestnuts blended with warm vanilla, and hints of pink pepper and smoky clove oil. The bottle resembles a classic apothecary jar, and sports a cotton label, while the packaging is adorned with a photograph of a roaring fireplace.
At Sephora, I asked Inessa for her opinion of By the Fireplace. “It’s a wonderful gift this time of year. You really do think of the warmth of a fireplace when you use it,” she said. “The scent changes when it blends with the vanilla base note, exuding the sweetness of marshmallow.”
So, if you crave a fragrance that feels like snuggling up by the fire on a cold winter’s night, this warm and spicy unisex cologne is it.
THE TRAGEDY OF LORD GEORGE by Penhaligon’s
In my latest online browsing adventure, I stumbled upon a gem that caught my eye for its uniquely festive presentation. Enter The Tragedy of Lord George, a part of British perfumer Penhaligon’s Portrait Collection. The enchanting bottle, ornamented with a whimsical antlered deer head, instantly evoked the holiday spirit.
Lord George is a decidedly male fragrance that carries the “scent of shaving soap and warming rum.” According to Penhaligon’s website, Lord George, with its blend of sweet amber and musky undertones, “captures traditional masculinity and sophistication with a dash of mystery.”
One user described it as having “an amazing and regal fragrance that smells just as it’s described.” Adding that. “I wear this sometimes just to make me happy.”
So, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a special man in your life this winter, Lord George checks all the boxes. Not only does it come in a charming bottle, but it also offers an engraving option for a personalized touch, which makes the gift all the more meaningful.
TOBACCO VANILLE by Tom Ford
Tom Ford is undoubtedly one of my favorite perfumers. I wear his fragrances year-round, but I have a special fondness for his vanilla scents. The most intense of these, Tobacco Vanille, evokes the atmosphere of an English gentleman’s club, as Ford intended – or, for me, a cozy library filled with leather-bound books.
This unisex fragrance masterfully blends tobacco leaves, rich vanilla bean, and a subtle hint of cocoa, that I find comforting on chilly evenings. It’s warm, inviting, and just a tad exotic.
Michael, Tom Ford’s knowledgeable counter manager at my Nordstrom, described Tobacco Vanille as “sweet and smoky,” with honey notes that enhance its sweetness.
“It’s more of a winter scent, and it sells out during the holidays,” he said. In fact, it sold out almost immediately after singer Harry Styles revealed Tobacco Vanille was his signature scent.
Winter by Dasein
Winter, created by woman-owned and L.A.-based Dasein, was inspired by Big Sur and quickly gained a cult following in Los Angeles after its 2013 release. Made in small batches, it is one of their three perfumes named for the season. Winter highlights fir as the main note, along with a blend of blue spruce, black cardamon, and French lavender. The result: a coniferous scent, making it a seasonal favorite.
One reviewer noted that “this is the most perfect Christmas tree scent there is. It really reminds me of decorating the Christmas tree and hanging ornaments on it.”
While another said, “Winter is my go-to Christmas scent. It smells like a Christmas tree with sugar coating.”
Dasein’s fragrances are unisex, making them a shared favorite. They are also vegan, and free of parabens, glycols, and phthalates.
For a more intense version, Dasein also offers Winter Nights, which in addition to the cardamon and lavender notes also exudes wild musk.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Are you a fragrance lover? Which are your favorite winter fragrances? Have you found them in perfumes? Which colognes bring you to specific times and places in your life?
