Hey there! Welcome to my most complimented colognes review for 2023.
After hours and hours of researching and testing the most admired fragrances, I landed on nine that perform well, have an irresistible scent combination, have great feedback, and give you a nice price range.
These are by far the fragrances that received the most compliments.
You can pay a little or a lot for your cologne, and the compliments will begin pouring in with little effort on your part. Choose one of these fragrances, and you’ll get second glances, spontaneous hugs, extra cuddles, and possibly pleasurable activities between you and another consenting adult.
Ready to become a compliment magnet?
Here we go!
The 9 Most Complimented Fragrances for Men
The fragrances listed below can give you that extra bump of confidence by making you smell so wonderful that others can’t help but let you know. They’re arranged from most affordable to most expensive.
Although there’s an emphasis on masculine-smelling fragrances, a couple of scents on this list would be considered unisex as well.
1. Most Complimented Vintage Fragrance: Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche
No products found.
Year Released: 1982
Fragrance concentration: Eau de toilette
Fragrance family: Aromatic fougère
Best seasons: Winter, fall, spring, early summer
Ideal occasion: All day; casual wear
Longevity: 6+ hours
Bottle size: 100 mL (3.4 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲
While some scent preferences fade over time, this scent is still very much a compliment magnet. Its sillage is familiar, even if you didn’t know exactly what you were smelling at the time.
Drakkar Noir’s longevity is impressive for an affordable cologne.
Top notes
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Green mint
- Verbena
- Lavender
- Lemon
Middle notes
- Angelica
- Wormwood
- Juniper
- Coriander
Base notes
- Oak moss
- Patchouli
- Cedar
- Pine needle
- Balsam
As you can tell from this list of scent notes, Drakkar Noir is truly an aromatic fougère. Most of its aromatic notes sit on the top layer – a combination of herbal and citrus notes.
The middle layer is herbal, musky, and sweet, balanced by the pungent, green-scented wormwood. Juniper is a distinct scent that’s piney but also has sweet balsamic notes while coriander adds a peppery kick.
As Drakkar Noir dries down, you’ll smell even more balsamic, piney, sweet, musky, along with woody and earthy notes.
This is an irresistibly classic fragrance that you wouldn’t wear if you want to stand out. But, if you choose to try Drakkar Noir, you’ll quickly realize how effective this fragrance is for garnering compliments.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Vintage but not stuffy
- Strong, sensual scent
- It’s a classic fragrance
Cons
- It’s a common, familiar fragrance
- The smell is too strong for some wearers
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2. Most Complimented Light & Delicate Fragrance: H24 by Hermès Paris
- Type: Eau De Toilette
- Perfect for spring or summer wear
- An aromatic green fragrance for men
- Clean, spicy, soft, warm & intoxicating
- (Playback Language)
Year Released: 2021
Fragrance concentration: Eau de toilette
Fragrance family: Aromatic Green
Best seasons: Spring, summer, early fall
Ideal occasion: Morning and afternoon casual events
Longevity: 8+ hours
Bottle size: 100 mL (3.38 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲
As an aromatic green, H24 is lighter and fresher than Drakkar Noir, which is why it’s best worn during warmer months and earlier in the day.
Clary sage and narcissus are undeniably aromatic due to their herbaceous and green freshness, but narcissus brings more edge to the mix. Rosewood lends subtle, sweet woody notes. Sclarene is a synthetic note that further enhances the modern element of this fragrance by incorporating metallic notes that also lend warmth to the fragrance overall.
This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s the subtlety of H24 that draws in all the compliments. It’s gently alluring, and fresh scents are hard to resist.
Pros
- Subtle attraction
- Bright and airy fragrance
- Fair price for a luxury brand
- Memorable fragrance
Cons
- Use is limited to warmer months
- Smells too metallic-like for some wearers
3. Most Complimented Fragrance for Young Guys: L’Homme by Lacoste
- Elegant masculine composition
- Top notes: mandarin and rhubarb accord
- Heart notes: black pepper and ginger
- Base notes: cedar wood
- Composition: mandarin, rhubarb, black pepper, ginger, cedar wood
Year Released: 2017
Fragrance concentration: Eau de toilette
Fragrance family: Woody Spice
Best seasons: Spring, summer, and fall
Ideal occasion: Workday; casual day events
Longevity: 6+ hours
Bottle size: 47 mL (1.6 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲
L’Homme is a pleasant fragrance ideal for younger guys under the age of forty. Lacoste describes it as a scent that’s “Elegantly ignoring the rules to be free of conventions.” It’s an unusually bold fragrance tamed by sweet and woody notes.
Its projection is moderate, making it appropriate for enclosed spaces. L’Homme can last more than 6 hours on the skin, which is slightly longer than what would be expected for an eau de toilette.
Top notes
- Rhubarb
- Mandarin
- Sweet orange
- Quince
Middle notes
- Black pepper
- Ginger
Base note
- Cedarwood
- Amber
- Vanilla
- Musk
- Akigalawood
You’re introduced to L’Homme with pungent, sweet, and citrusy notes. A double dose of spiciness dominates the heart of this fragrance. But as it dries down, sweet amber, musk, and vanilla notes add warmth and creaminess to soft cedarwood notes. Akigalawood is not only earthy, but also spicy with hints of patchouli – for an elegant finish.
As far as compliments go, you’re more likely to get them from those in your intimate space, but not every environment can accommodate scents with huge projection, so L’Homme is appropriate in those settings.
Pros
- Lovely, gentle scent
- Safe but memorable fragrance choice
- Reasonably priced
- Pretty long lasting for an EDT
Cons
- Scent dry down straightforward, ordinary
- Limited projection
4. Most Complimented Sexy Sweet Fragrance: Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male Intense
- It is long lasting fragrance
- For all skin types
- It is recommended for casual wear
Year Released: 2015
Fragrance concentration: Eau de toilette intense
Fragrance family: Amber fougère
Best seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Ideal occasion: Partying; late nights out
Longevity: 8+ hours
Bottle size: 74 mL (2.5 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲
Most of the attraction generated by this scent is sensual, so if you don’t want to get compliments for smelling sexy, then don’t wear this fragrance.
Described as “an arm wrestle between power and greed,” Ultra Male Intense fragrance layers include:
Top notes
- Pear
- Lavender
- Mint
- Bergamot
- Lemont
Middle notes
- Cinnamon
- Clary sage
- Caraway
Base notes
- Vanilla
- Amber
- Patchouli
- Cedar
Due to its intensity, this fragrance has been called the “clubbing cologne” but it can be worn in other settings during the evening so long as they’re spacious because the scent can be overwhelming while in tight spaces.
Although the overall sentiment of this fragrance has remained the same over the years, there’ve been lots of reports of Ultra Male Intense smelling slightly different between batches, and not always performing as expected.
Pros
- Sweet, alluring scent
- Perfect for long nights out on the town
- Long lasting fragrance
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Too sweet for some wearers
- Too much variance between batches
5. Most Complimented Fresh but Sophisticated Fragrance: Luna Rossa Ocean by Prada
- Launch By the Designer house of Prada
- This is a fusing, neo-fresh, and aquatic fragrance, encapsulating a burst of bergamot contrasted with the extreme sophistication and sensuality of vetiver and elegant iris notes
Year Released: 2021
Fragrance concentration: Eau de toilette
Fragrance family: Aromatic fougère
Best seasons: Spring, summer, fall, early winter
Ideal occasion: Casual daytime activities
Longevity: 8+ hours
Bottle size: 100 mL (3.4 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲💲
There are multiple Luna Rossa variations but Ocean offers pleasant freshness that can’t be found in most fragrances that have aquatic notes.
Luna Rossa Ocean isn’t an “on the water” fragrance like Nautica Blue or Voyage. This is more like a “beach community” scent where you can still smell the saltiness in the air, but you’re far enough away from the water to encounter other fragrances nearby.
Although it’s more of a daytime scent, Ocean will last into the evening. Compliments come in the form of intrigue. Fresh scents tend to get many compliments anyway, but the nuances of Luna Rossa Ocean open the door to even more inquiries and attraction.
Top notes
- Bergamot
- Pink pepper
- Artemisia
Middle notes
- Saffron
- Suede
- Iris
- Lavender
- Sage
Base notes
- Vetiver
- Musks
- Patchouli
Pros
- Fresh, but not overly aquatic
- Can be used most of the year
- Intriguing scent draws people in
- Simple, yet complex
Cons
- Ocean might be a misnomer
- Limited projection
6. Most Complimented Everyday Fragrance: Y Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent
- A spicy woody fragrance for young men(Generation Y)
- Fresh, bright, juicy, elegant, complex & appealing
- Top notes of white aldehydes, bergamot & ginger
- Heart notes of sage, geranium absolute & violet leaf
- Base notes of ambergris, incense, fir balsam, cedar & musk
Year Released: 2018
Fragrance concentration: Eau de parfum
Fragrance family: Fresh & woody
Best seasons: Spring, summer, fall, early winter
Ideal occasion: Casual or formal
Longevity: 10+ hours
Bottle size: 100 mL (3.3 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲💲
While Y eau de parfum isn’t the most unique fragrance, it will have you frequently saying “thank you” throughout the day due to non-stop compliments. But, this scent makes its presence known without offending those nearby.
Top notes
- Apple
- Ginger
- Bergamot
Middle notes
- Sage
- Juniper berries
- Geranium
Base notes
- Amberwood
- Tonka bean
- Cedarwood
- Vetiver
- Frankincense
Fresh, sweet, and woody, the performance of this fragrance is off the charts, so if you find that it doesn’t tend not to last as long on your skin, try one of these suggestions. Another benefit it that there are parfum, eau de toilette, and eau fraiche intensities of this fragrance. All of them are slightly different but invite compliments as well.
Pros
- Exceptional performance
- Versatile fragrance wear
- Compliments don’t stop coming
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Smells too sweet for some wearers
- May not perform as well of you have dry skin
7. Most Complimented Wood Fragrance: Cedrat Boise by MANCERA
- Launched by the design house of Mancera in the year of 2011
- This aromatic fougere fragrance has a blend of sicilian lemon, black currant, bergamot, spicy notes, fruity notes, patchouli leaf, water jasmine, cedar, leather, sandalwood, vanilla, white musk, and moss
- It is long lasting fragrance.
Year Released: 2011
Fragrance concentration: eau de parfum
Fragrance family: Fresh & Woody
Best seasons: Spring, summer, fall, early winter
Ideal occasion: Mostly casual day events
Longevity: 8+ hours
Bottle size: 120 mL (4 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲💲💲
With a bold opening, Cedrat Boise can be an initial turn off for some people, others love it, but once the top notes evaporate, most agree this scent evolves into an attractive fragrance that garners many compliments.
Top notes
- Sicilian citrus
- Black currant
- Cold spices
Middle notes
- Aquatic jasmine
- Patchouli leaves
Base notes
- Woody notes
- Leather
- Oak moss
- Vanilla
It’s refreshing, spicy, woody, and sweet. The dry down is especially nice with powdery oak moss notes combined with woods and seductive vanilla. It was designed for both men and women to wear.
Most importantly, this scent has remained the same over time. There isn’t any variance between batches, which is atypical for a scent that’s been out this long.
Pros
- Refreshing woody unisex scent
- Middle and base notes are especially attractive
- High performance fragrance
- Consistent across batches
Cons
- Higher price point
- Some dislike the top layer
8. Most Complimented Unique Fragrance: The One Luminous Night by Dolce & Gabbana
Year Released: 2021
Fragrance concentration: Eau de parfum
Fragrance family: Amber woody
Best seasons: Fall, winter, early spring
Ideal occasion: Formal evening events
Longevity: 6+ hours
Bottle size: 100 mL (3.4 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲💲💲
For those of you who not only want compliments but prefer to wear unidentifiable fragrances, then you have to try The One Luminous Night Edition.
Since it’s an exclusive edition release, you simply have to buy it when you see it, if the pricing is within your means. It’s unlikely that you’ll be disappointed. This scent is truly mesmerizing, and compliments might be paired with invasion of your personal space just so that they can inhale the scent once more.
Top notes
- Black pepper
- Basil
- Bergamot
Middle notes
- Dates
- Sage
- Geranium
Base notes
- Amber
- Incense
- Sandalwood
Some fragrances gain compliments because they release a familiar scent that multitudes of people enjoy smelling. This fragrance will attract compliments because it’s an unfamiliar scent. Its mysteriousness is what passersby will be drawn to learn more about.
Pros
- Truly unique fragrance
- Sillage is strong
- Strong projection
- Might attract too many compliments
Cons
- Limited availability
- Moderate longevity for the price
9. Most Complimented Smoky Fragrance: Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford
- TOM FORD "TOBACCO VANILLE" EAU DE PARFUM.
- SIZE 50 ML (1.7 OZ)
- NEW. FACTORY SEALED.
- UNISEX SCENT.
- OPULENT. WARM. ICONIC.
Year Released: 2007
Fragrance concentration: Eau de parfum
Fragrance family: Warm & Spicy
Best seasons: Fall and winter
Ideal occasion: Casual evening or day wear
Longevity: 12+ hours
Bottle size: 50 mL (1.7 fl oz)
Approximate price: 💲💲💲💲💲
Not too masculine or feminine, this fragrance is well balanced and adored by men and women. This is a scent that’s either loved or strongly disliked, but of those who love it, they’ll be sure to let you know.
This fragrance is also layerable, so you can create an even more unique and memorable fragrance that gets you compliments.
Top notes
- Tobacco leaf
- Spices
Middle notes
- Vanilla
- Cacao
- Tonka bean
- Tobacco blossom
Base notes
- Dried fruits
- Woody notes
Although there are multiple forms of tobacco notes, those accords don’t dominate this fragrance. At the same time, you wouldn’t want to wear this scent during warmer months because those notes would be overwhelming.
Its limited use also reduces its value due to the retail costs but for some people it’s worth it. Tobacco Vanille is spicy and smoky but also smooth, fruity, and sweet.
Pros
- High quality fragrance
- Highly attractive scent
- Balanced unisex fragrance
- Lasting performance
Cons
- High price point
- Limited use
Thoughts on Wearing the Most Complimented Colognes
When you walk out the door knowing that you’re presenting your best to the world and smelling nice in the process, that can make you feel good inside. While you don’t want to hinge your self-worth on flattery, hearing compliments from those you know or strangers, can feel even better.
Actually, it can feel good to give compliments as well. And researchers have found that it’s healthy to graciously accept compliments whether they’re from strangers or those we know.
Importance of Receiving (and Giving) Compliments
Genuine compliments can help us remember some of the best things about ourselves.
When you can hear, and more specifically, receive kind words from others, this can mean that you’re willing to accept those positive parts of yourself.
Many times, people don’t even realize how good they can make others feel when they give them a compliment. But this simple act has been shown to have a major positive impact on all involved.
When It’s Challenging to Receive Compliments
Receiving compliments can make some people feel uneasy, especially if you have been frequently mistreated or have survived traumatic experiences.
If you’re used to people assigning negative characteristics to you or pointing out all the things that they believe to be wrong about you, then hearing a compliment might sound as though you’re hearing someone speak an unfamiliar language.
Only you know your situation, but if moments like this are descriptive of you, then it’s okay to smile, say thank you, and then unpack that experience once you feel you’re in a safe space.
Benefits of Wearing the Most Complimented Fragrances
It can sound superficial to want to wear a fragrance that generates compliments, but it’s a meaningful exchange.
Ultimately, that person is highlighting the fact that you’ve found a personal fragrance that sits well on your skin and makes them feel nice when they experience the scent you’re wearing.
There’s nothing wrong with being present in that moment and taking in those words, as long as you keep a balanced perspective and refuse to let those words cause you to feel better than anyone else.
Conclusion
The clear winner in this roundup is Y Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent. I choose this one because it’s such a versatile fragrance that can be dressed up or down.
You’ll get a lot of value for the cost, yet it’s a unique enough scent that you won’t smell like everyone else around you.
