8 Best Sandalwood Colognes for Men

Best Sandalwood Colognes for Men 1

We review products independently and our recommendations are genuine. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Sandalwood is one of the most masculine smellings ingredients, along with other woody masculine ingredients such as Oud and Tonka bean.

Notes of Sandalwood are often bitter, slightly creamy, and warm. Although Sandalwood is often associated with masculine scents, it’s also used in many popular floral fragrances. 

Sandalwood is one of many enhancing ingredients that are used to help shape a fragrance’s character, instead of being the main ingredient a particular fragrance is built around. 

Some of the best fragrances which include Sandalwood give off the perfect balance of creamy, woody, and sensual notes. Aficionados describe the ingredient to be buttery and softly woody, with an emphasis on being a soft woody ingredient, never aggressive or polarizing.

In this article, we’ll explore the best sandalwood fragrances and colognes for men that are made with high-quality natural ingredients and offer incredible aromas. 

What are the Best Men's Sandalwood Colognes?

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
Best Natural Cologne
Le Labo Santal 33
  • A strictly natural scent
  • Raw and masculine
  • Excellent sillage
Best Masculine Cologne
Tom Ford Oud Wood
  • Perfectly seductive
  • Intensely woody
  • Perfect for formal and casual wear
Best Spicy Cologne
Comme Des Garcons Blue Santal EDP
  • Youthful and lightly expressive
  • Light and expressive
  • Perfect for layering
Most Invigorating Fragrance
Guerlain Les Absolus D’Orient Santal Royal EDP
  • Bold and invigorating
  • Excellent longevity
  • Rich with different notes
Best sweet cologne
Valentino Uomo Noir Absolu EDP
  • Sweet and polarizing
  • Seductive character
  • Great party or going-out cologne
Best fresh sandalwood cologne
Acqua Di Parma Colonia Sandalo Eau De parfum
  • Pleasant creamy character
  • Light and expressive
  • Special distinctive sandalwood notes
Best Unisex Cologne
santal blush
  • Easy to wear
  • Good balance of green and woody
  • Exotically spicy
Best Classy Cologne
Guerlain Heritage Eau De Parfum
  • Soft transitioning of notes
  • Rich with different ingredients
  • Mature and sophisticated

Back To Contents

What we love about sandalwood fragrances

Top-quality sandalwood is usually imported from Vietnam and Cambodia, while the cheaper alternative is the synthetic nonsense you find in value-oriented fragrances. 

These natural quality ingredients allow you to enjoy an invigorating and polarizing experience without any irritation or discomfort for you or anyone around you. 

In aromatherapy, sandalwood is known to calm your mind and body and put you in a meditative state where you can find inner peace. 

Because of these properties, it is known to be a natural healing option for those who may have anxiety, nervousness, and depression. 

Not only does sandalwood help with mental clarity in its aromatherapy use, but it’s also known to have sedative effects, helping in the soothing of migraine or headaches. 

Perhaps it’s these aromatherapy effects that make it such an in-demand ingredient!

Back To Contents

In-Depth Men's Sandalwood Cologne Reviews

Best Natural Cologne

Le Labo Santal 33

A long-lasting and invigorating natural sandalwood fragrance that works well all year round, even for the warm seasons.
Scent
3.5
Projection
5
Longevity
4
Versatility
4.5
Value
3

Le Labo Santal 33 Review

Le Labo Santal 33 is our go-to sandalwood fragrance and is one of the best raw, natural-smelling sandalwood colognes. 

It’s a unisex sandalwood fragrance from one of the most highly-acclaimed luxury perfumers, that leans more toward the masculine side of things. 

Sandalwood is blended with papyrus, leather, iris, violet, and cedar to produce a wonderfully sweet and floral scent, but its longevity makes it stand out.

Aside from this fragrance standing out with its natural, all-quality ingredients, Le Labo Santal is also a fragrance you can wear to any and every occasion. 

One of the more unique aspects of santal 33 is that it defies gender. The woodsy and sweet smell makes it appealing to almost everyone.

The middle layer of notes in Santal 33 is spicy and floral. Cardamom, iris, and violet combine to lend a softness to this perfume.

There is a pleasing balance between the floral elements and the more masculine wood aspects of this scent making it unisex

Top Notes: Orange, Calabrian Bergamot, Lemon, Petitgrain

Middle Notes: Lavender, Cardamom

Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Amber

What we liked

  • A strictly natural scent
  • Raw and masculine
  • Excellent sillage

Back To Contents

Best Masculine Cologne

Tom Ford Oud Wood

A compliment-getter, confidence booster, and perfect representation of masculine excellence, Tom Ford Oud Wood is a masterpiece of its own.
Scent
4
Projection
5
Longevity
4
Versatility
4.5
Value
3

Tom Ford Oud Wood Review

Tom ford Oud wood is by far one of the best masculine fragrances in today’s market, along with the infamous Tom Ford Ombre Leather. 

Sensual, seductive, and playfully formal, this is one of our top fragrances that can be worn both casually and formally for special occasions. But we think it’s best worn as a fall/ winter fragrance, as it will give off the feeling of leathery warmth and calming woody essences. 

It’s not quite as intense as you may expect it to be, compared to other Tom Ford colognes and perfumes, but certainly one of the best-smelling ones. 

This cologne is a descendant of the Private bled collection, featuring a few other masterpieces, like Tom Ford Bitter Peach, and Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry. 

With a rugged rock n roll soul, and a warm soft aura of sophistication, this sandalwood cologne projects expensive taste and excellence. It’s a noble creation that will probably be popular for centuries to come.

Oud wood can almost be considered ageless, but leans more towards the mature side of things, projecting at a balance of bass/formal. 

Top Notes: Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood

Middle Notes: Cardamom, Vanilla, Sichuan Pepper, Tonka Bean

Base Notes: Brazilian Rosewood, Vetiver, Amber, Leathery Undertones

What we liked

  • Perfectly seductive
  • Intensely woody
  • Perfect for formal and casual wear

Back To Contents

Best Spicy Cologne

Comme Des Garcons Blue Santal EDP

Refreshing and lightly expressive while maintaining its true masculine character, this woody special is perfect for the warm summer or spring wear.
Scent
4
Projection
5
Longevity
4
Versatility
4.5
Value
3

Comme Des Garcons Blue Santal EDP Review

Comme Des Garcons Blue Santal is a subtly unusual Eau De parfums on this list.

An outlaw creation rebel that disguises itself as a light conformist sandalwood cologne for any and every occasion. 

It is mostly sandalwood in its different disguises, through drying down we get an opening of light sandalwood, then a boozy blend accompanied by the creamy smell at its dry-down. 

There is an energizing tanginess that comes out in its opening and follows on to make this fragrance slightly similar to the Tom Ford Santal Blush. 

However, for a better comparison of what this fragrance smells like, it’s similar to Tam Dao by Diptyque in its cedar note base notes. 

The metallic tinge of the sandalwood isn’t the only difference: Blue Santal has less cedar than Tam Dao, which I think is a good thing if one is looking to buy a sandalwood fragrance.

The heart of incense, intertwined with one of the finest sandalwood complexions out there, this Eau de parfum, projects many different faces to Sandalwood.

It’s natural smelling and clear of anything synthetic or irritating, making it one of the best sandalwood colognes for him, and is best worn as a light summer energizer.

Top Notes: Light Airy Sandalwood, Pepper

Middle Notes: Pine, Spicy notes

Base Notes: Black Pepper, Juniper Berries

What we liked

  • Youthful and lightly expressive
  • Light and expressive
  • Perfect for layering

Back To Contents

Most Invigorating Fragrance

Guerlain Les Absolus D’Orient Santal Royal EDP

Extremely invigorating and thanks to its character of Extrem level woodiness; this fragrance is the best representation of intensified sandalwood.
Scent
4
Projection
5
Longevity
4
Versatility
4.5
Value
3

Guerlain Les Absolus D’Orient Santal Royal EDP Review

If Guerlain was good at doing one specific thing, it’d be making overpowering intense fragrances, and we love it. 

Shrouded in mystery, this bewitching note is exalted in a new woody oriental fragrance, a study of subtle contrasts.

Balancing dark notes of leather and oud wood, and the luminous floral notes of jasmine and rose. 

For the lovers of intensity and dark notes, is a creation that inspires an aura of leathery smokey vibes, a perfect complement of bold personalities. 

Everything from the exotic blend to the packaging of this sandalwood fragrance screams excellence and royalty. 

Santal Royal is a deep, rich, and opulent perfume. What it lacks is originality as it can easily be replaced by other similar fragrances in today’s market. 

But it makes up for it in quality and craftsmanship. It also offers decent performance and high value for money for a niche fragrance

Strictly only a cold-season cologne, and more of a formal fragrance than it is anything else, this Eau De Parfum from Guerlain is the boldest sandalwood cologne on this list.

Top Notes: Jasmine, Neroli

Middle Notes: Rose, Cinnamon, Peach

Base Notes: Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood, Leather, Amber, Musk

What we liked

  • Bold and invigorating
  • Excellent longevity
  • Rich with different notes

Back To Contents

Best sweet cologne

Valentino Uomo Noir Absolu EDP

A sensual seductive cologne that’s most appropriate for the winter season, and reminds us the slightest of Bad Boy by Calorina Herrera and its flankers.
Scent
4
Projection
5
Longevity
4
Versatility
4.5
Value
3

Valentino Uomo Noir Absolu EDP Review

The fragrance starts with an incredibly intense and heavy/creamy sweetness which is not easy to classify, as it is not just synthetic as is often the case nowadays.

After a while, the sweetness decreases slightly and the sandalwood becomes more present, the two notes combine very well and flow into each other. 

So although this fragrance is intense and present, it is very rounded, which enhances the creaminess and makes it very balanced.

Special in its own way, but it will not appeal to everyone and especially not to people who dislike sweet intoxicating fragrances. 

The sandalwood backs up notes of vanilla sweetness making this fragrance even better and bringing out more of the sandalwood’s true notes. 

However, the santal or sandalwood in this best Valentino cologne isn’t by any means pure or close to purity, meaning you can’t smell you won’t be able to detect it or describe it. 

It’s definitely a date night kind of fragrance, but one that you would get tired of smelling if worn too frequently, or sprayed in excess.

Top Notes: Cinnamon, Pepper

Middle Notes: Incense, Olibanum

Base Notes: Sandalwood

What we liked

  • Sweet and polarizing
  • Seductive character
  • Great party or going-out cologne

Back To Contents

Best fresh sandalwood cologne

Acqua Di Parma Colonia Sandalo Eau De parfum

A citrusy special, enhanced with a long-lasting prominent Sandalwood note, infused with a bitter character, and an uplifting touch of green.
Scent
3
Projection
4
Longevity
3.8
Versatility
5
Value
3

Acqua Di Parma Colonia Sandalo Eau De parfum Review

Along with the dominant notes of sandalwood is a bold character of lavender at its middle notes, differentiating this fragrance from other sandalwood colognes of woody characters. 

The sweeter elements of the lavender are toned down by the addition of cardamom, a spice that gives a rocky, rugged touch to the sandalwood’s softness. 

The citrusy contrast holds all notes to their perfect balance and makes this top sandalwood cologne a perfect wear in the summer or spring. 

Although there is a lot more than just sandalwood in this fragrance, we rank it as one of the best sandalwood colognes for its flawless blend of different notes. 

Seductive, professional, and better off as a formal wear cologne, Acqua Di Parma Colonia Sandalo is a fragrance bound to impress and turn heads. 

If you love sandalwood and are looking for a sandalwood fragrance you can rock throughout warmer weather, then this one is for you.

Top Notes: Orange, Calabrian bergamot, Lemon, Petitgrain

Middle Notes: Lavender, Cardamom

Base Notes: Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Amber

What we liked

  • Pleasant creamy character
  • Light and expressive
  • Special distinctive sandalwood notes

Back To Contents

Best Unisex Cologne

Tom Ford Santal Blush

Unlike most Tom Ford colognes and perfumes, Santal Blush is a real blend of unique spicy notes coupled with rich creamy sandal notes.
Scent
3
Projection
3
Longevity
3
Versatility
2
Value
2.5

Tom Ford Santal Blush Review

Santal Blush, with its sharp, sweet, woodsy opening upon barely-there florals, is quite a light sandalwood fragrance that makes a great casual wear or office cologne.

It’s also acceptable to be worn all year round if you do not get tired of the spicy woodiness. It’s a scent the ladies would enjoy and can be considered seductive to a degree. 

It smells just like a pure Santalum Album before It mellows into a warm, creamy, sweet, buttery santal that floats around.

Moving just out of reach if you try to smell it directly: but your skin still smells like precious wood. 

By comparison, Tam Dao is like the average of the notes in Santal Blush: equally gorgeous, but less multifaceted, in addition to touches of greener notes. 

However, if we were to compare this magnificent cologne to Tom ford Oud wood, to find the better sandalwood cologne, we’d choose oud wood every time.

Top Notes: Gardenia, Orange Blossoms

Middle Notes: Green grassy notes

Base Notes: Patchouli, Musk

What we liked

  • Easy to wear
  • Good balance of green and woody
  • Exotically spicy

Back To Contents

Best Classy Cologne

Guerlain Heritage Eau De Parfum

Guerlain Heritage is a sandalwood classic from the golden age, that intertwines simplistic ingredients, and is bold, clean, and classically masculine.
Scent
5
Projection
3
Longevity
4
Versatility
4.5
Value
3

Guerlain Heritage Eau De Parfum Review

We know that our list of the best sandalwood perfumes included a range of highly diverse and ingredient-rich sandalwood colognes. 

That’s why we’re wrapping it up with a fragrance for the people who just want sandalwood and did not ask for all of the extra fluff around it. 

Opening on notes of sandalwood and lavender, it has the perfect calming characteristics giving you a mind-calming boost of confidence upon wearing. 

While Guerlain Heritage is more of a mature grounded man’s perfume, it can still be pulled off by young men with formal wear. 

Although this best sandalwood fragrance may not be as popular or as recommended as the other sandalwood fragrances on this list, it will give you the best idea of what pure sandalwood smells like.

Its simplicity and projection remind us of the Issey Miyake fragrance collection, as they are as natural as raw notes get, and project highly on any bold personality. 

What we love about this best sandalwood cologne is the balance of endless ingredients all in one natural-smelling cologne. 

A perfect all-year fragrance, and an amazing 80’s classic to add to your vintage cologne collection or gift to your old man.

Top Notes: Lavender, Juniper Berries, Aldehydes, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Lemon, Violet

Middle Notes: Patchouli, Carnation, Coriander, Orris Root, Balsam Fir, Pepper

Base Notes: Amber, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Musk, Cedar

What we liked

  • Soft transitioning of notes
  • Rich with different ingredients
  • Mature and sophisticated

Back To Contents

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top