10 Best Smelling Sandalwood Colognes for Men

Anyone who has ever wondered what colognes are imbued with the heavenly scent of sandalwood might want to pay attention to the following products.

That’s because we looked both high and low to find the best sandalwood colognes available, and we believe that we have found the best one available. The test of a great sandalwood fragrance is its ability to use that scent without being overpowered by it, and we feel the below colognes do a good job of doing just that.

Each of the following colognes uses sandalwood as their central scent, but they’re all still capable of retaining their true individuality and present something fresh and new to the wearer.

What is a good sandalwood cologne?

10. Penguin Original Premium Blend Cologne

Even though this is a cologne that has the most subtle infusion of sandalwood in it, it just so happens to be the best sandalwood cologne.

That’s because it doesn’t overpower the wearer with the scent of sandalwood and instead slowly works it in as it slinks into its base. This cologne has top notes mint, lime and bergamot; heart notes of sea salt, rosemary and violet leaves; and has base notes of sandalwood, driftwood, and musk.

The resulting elixir is one that is reminiscent of the Mediterranean sea and can be worn for both formal and casual occasions.

9. Proraso Red After Shave Lotion & Cologne

Anyone who thinks that an aftershave can’t match the sillage and projection of cologne has never tried Proraso Red. This aftershave not only splashes on smoothly, but it helps to build a lovely sandalwood scent profile that lingers with the man for most of the day. And this product doesn’t just have a nice smell to it, but it also helps to sooth razor-burned skin.

It’s no wonder so many barbershops use this product to treat their customers. Once applied, this product makes the person feel like a true gentleman, a man among men who has enough class to use this product daily.

8. Stetson Preferred Stock Cologne For Men

Anyone who thinks that this sandalwood cologne is merely for cowboys and ranch hands better think again. That’s because this scent is well-rounded enough to be enjoyed by any man that enjoys adventure and wants to project an aura of confidence.

This fragrance starts with notes of leather, green grasses, and cool running streams that cement its masculine scent profile. It then moves into the citrus, vetiver and sandalwood notes that can be found at its heart.

And by the time it finally settles down into its base, the wearer will be able to enjoy the muted scents of musk and resin.

7. Stetson Caliber Men’s Cologne

Compared to some of the other sandalwood colognes on the market, Stetson Caliber is a fairly recent addition to the lineup.

It was only introduced in 2014, so it hasn’t been around as long as some of the colognes by the big design houses. Even so, however, it’s still managed to make an impact and to draw its fair share of fans. That probably has a lot to do with the way this fragrance is crafted.

It takes the aromatic wood smell of sandalwood and mixed with western-inspired fragrances such as American sequoia, key lime, black pepper, and nutmeg. All of which makes this the perfect cologne for the modern cowboy.

6. Drakka Noir By Guy Laroche

Originally launched in 1982, this cologne by Guy Laroche was once considered a throwback to the heavy colognes of the 1980s and a scent that’s too dated.

However, over the past few years, it has begun to make a comeback and men are once again appreciating this fragrance classic blend of scent notes. This scent has top notes of basil, mint, lemon, bergamot, and lavender. It also has heart notes that include carnations, coriander, jasmine, and wormwood.

And finally, at its base, this cologne has notes of sandalwood, leather, patchouli, and cedar. It has a scent profile that’s can once again be appreciated by men who love an aromatic fragrance.

5. Blazing Saddle Solid Sandalwood Cologne

Although some colognes use sandalwood to either create a more sophisticated scent profile or one that has more of an outdoor vibe, this solid cologne does things a little bit differently.

It uses sandalwood to try to capture the essence of the Old West and they may have just succeeded in their quest. That’s because this quality solid cologne not only has a strong sandalwood smell to it, but it also has several traditional western scents that reinforce it.

These include the scents of sagebrush, leather, and gunpowder. It’s an interesting scent profile for sure, and it is handmade in small batches to ensure quality.

4. Cool Water By Davidoff For Men

Before they try this scent, some men erringly believe that it’s a citrus-based scent, which is understandable considering its name. After all, most colognes with water in their name have citrus or salt-based notes to them.

This one is a little bit different, however. Although it does have green notes for its top notes, it’s a lovely smelling sandalwood scent.

This fragrance starts with top notes of mint, seawater, and green notes; quickly move into heart notes of sandalwood, geranium, and jasmine, and then finally settle into its base notes of oakmoss, cedar, tobacco, and amber.

3. Taylor Of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Aftershave

This sandalwood aftershave not only has a masculine scent but also helps to sooth razor-burned skin after shaving. It’s a scent that feels elegant and classic but isn’t stuffy like some other sandalwood colognes can be.

That’s probably because it starts with top notes of amber, geranium, rosemary, and lavender before it moves into its more sophisticated core notes.

At its heart, this fragrance has notes of ferns, carnations and orange blossoms, and at its base, it has notes of sandalwood, musk, cedar, patchouli, and vetiver. All of these scents come together to make a fragrance that’s as classy as it is masculine.

2. L’Instant De Guerlain EDT Spray For Men

First released in 2003, this cologne is one that’s been going strong for the past 17+ years. That’s because it not only has the great scent of sandalwood at its base but is also formulated with several other exciting notes that complement its woody base.

These include top notes of apples, bergamot and Mandarin oranged; heart notes of iris, magnolia, ylang-ylang, and jasmine; plus base notes of honey, vanilla and tonka beans to complement the great sandalwood scent. It all comes together to create a cologne that’s very masculine at its core but doesn’t take itself too seriously.

1. Captain’s Choice Sandalwood After Shave

Even though this product from Captain’s Choice is technically an aftershave and not a cologne, it’s fragrance was too alluring to not put it on this list.

When splashed on the skin, this product not only leaves the wearer with a fresh from the barbershop smell to them but will also help to replenish and sooth razor-burned skin. It’s made with all-natural ingredients and is contained within a glass bottle that doesn’t contribute to the plastic waste problem.

And since each bottle sold helps support the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, it’s not only a great sandalwood aftershave but it also does a whole lot of good, too.

Sandalwood Cologne Guide

One of the most iconic smells out there, Sandalwood can be paired with a variety of scents to make a quality cologne. This is why the market is bursting with products that try and tell you theirs is the best. This makes it hard to tell what to look for so you might be forgiven for looking for a little help.

That’s exactly what the following sandalwood cologne guide is for. It is designed to prevent you from wasting money on sub-par products or to just be sure this s the right scent for you.

What To Consider In A Sandalwood Cologne

Value

No one wants to get ripped off, especially when it comes to luxury items. A sandalwood cologne might not be a huge purchase in the same way a car is, but you need it to be good value. This means finding a decent bottle size, and a cologne that has the strength to last the night or throughout the day.

There is no point in wasting money on a product you use within a month or two because you’re dashing to reapply every hour or so.

Occasion

Your work colleagues don’t need to know you’re wearing a sandalwood cologne from the other side of the office. If you want to buy a new scent for daily use, find something appropriate for the environment you’ll be in most of the time. This means finding a product that isn’t as powerful (less cedarwood perhaps) and more of a light feel.

If you want it to see you through a night out, something that packs a bit of a punch will do just fine.

The Season

For a lot of people, one cologne isn’t enough. A musky smell might be better suited to the colder months or longer nights whereas a fresh scent with floral notes is often a great hit during summer. That being said, sandalwood cologne comes in a variety of notes so whatever season you are planning on wearing it is, there is a product out there.

Look for the type of scent as well as a product that contains sandalwood before purchasing.

Brand Reputation

In a way, the brand’s reputation is going to represent you when you wear their sandalwood cologne, so make sure it’s a good one. This being said, the more reputable the producer, the easier it is to find a better product.

Low-quality brands often water down their products so you aren’t going to get a cologne that lasts all night. They can also include below par ingredients which is not what you want when trying to impress at the bar.

Alcohol Content

Although this is mostly tailored towards men with sensitive skin, not everyone likes to use brands with high alcohol content. If this is a concern for you, or you often come up in a rash when using cologne, it might be best to look for something a little more niche that is kinder on skin.

Concentration

This is one of the more important aspects and will determine the strength of the sandalwood cologne. The concentration is how high the oil content is. It will also influence the price although you can still get a lot of value.

• Parfum – A universal term for both men and women’s fragrances, it is the highest concentration at around 20 – 30%. Expect it to cost more and last a lot longer.
• Eau de Parfum – With a concentration between 10 – 20% most of the time, it still lasts a while for most people.
• Eau de Toilette – One of the most common of concentrations and it ranges between 5 – 12% generally. It is a good way of getting a big brand name for a lower price although some people will need to reapply.
• Cologne – This is the weaker of concentrations and is anything between 2 – 5%.

Frequently Asked Question