8 Best Sandalwood Colognes for Men

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. 

The presentation is typical of Le Labo’s minimalist style, with each bottle compounded and labeled with the creation date. The brand’s popularity is well-deserved, and I appreciate the personalized touch when getting a refill.

Sandalwood is blended with papyrus, leather, iris, violet, and cedar to produce a wonderfully sweet and floral scent. What stands out for me is the papyrus note, lending a distinct character alongside a touch of cipriol for a hint of smokiness.

Versatility-wise, it’s suitable for various occasions, but the niche price tag may make it a special-occasion choice for some. It’s undoubtedly unisex, and its cozy, spicy, woodsy vibe makes it perfect for those aged 25 and above.

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 I would say 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. 

The fragrance also boasts a comforting vanilla note and a touch of amber. It’s a woody-spicy masterpiece that leans toward a mature profile.

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. 

The simplicity of the notes doesn’t translate to a basic scent. It leans towards a masculine profile, though versatile enough for anyone to wear. The sandalwood has a fresh quality, steering clear of the overly warm and woody territory. Occasionally, I pick up a hint of a dill edge

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. 

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.

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. 

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

Over time the scent matures, losing the initial sharpness and gaining nuances of powdery, smoky, and creamy textures. The sandalwood brings in a woody, charred quality, while cinnamon adds spiciness.

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

Santal Royale is undoubtedly challenging for some and exciting for others. It has become one of my favorites in the Guerlain lineup, comparable to niche fragrances like Ombre Nomad from Louis Vuitton.

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.

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

In terms of uniqueness, Noir Absolute is daring, standing out in today’s fragrance landscape. Its pleasing scent is approachable, not overly challenging, but still distinct. Longevity spans seven to eight hours with strong projection initially. However, it softens into a skin scent after the sixth hour.

Acqua Di Parma Colonia Sandalo Eau De parfum Review

Sandalo, as the name suggests, emphasizes sandalwood, but it’s a complex journey. Initially, a strong lavender note grabs attention, delivering a clean and ultra-masculine vibe. There’s a darker, woody element, almost inky and bitter, adding a unique touch.

The triad of lavender, sandalwood, and tonka bean creates a distinct blend. Lavender cuts through with its sharpness, while sandalwood brings a soothing, calming quality. It’s not overly sweet, more on the mature, woody side, perfect for special occasions or a suited-up vibe.

The longevity is impressive, lingering until the next day, making it an intense fragrance.

In terms of seasons, it’s versatile, balancing dark woody notes with freshness. Sandalo has an elegant, classy feel, making it great for signature scents. It’s a must-try for those who appreciate less sweet, masculine, and sophisticated fragrances.

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.

Unlike some Sandalwoods that veer into pickle territory, Santa Blush features a velvety, creamy, and rich Sandalwood note. The addition of resinous benzo and a touch of earthy oud rounds off the base, creating an exotic flavor without overpowering the composition.

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

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, I’d choose oud wood every time.

Guerlain Heritage Eau De Parfum Review

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

That’s why I’m 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. I sense a connection between Heritage and Shalimar, another Guerlain classic. Both exude sophistication and are often considered a perfect fragrance couple.

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