6 Best Bourbon Colognes for the Brave and the Bold in 2024

Finding the right fragrance is a challenging endeavor since you’re riddled with thousands of options.

Each bottle has a unique scent appropriate for certain events or even seasons.

One can make you smell seductive, the other clean and fresh.

What if you want something that can make you stand out? An aroma that speaks directly to your rugged personality and gentlemanly charisma, like a good cold glass of bourbon?

I explored hundreds of options all over the internet, looking for the best bourbon colognes, whether you’ll wear them to woo someone or use them for a special occasion.

Read more to find the ultimate solution you’ve been looking for.

Key Takeaways

To properly locate the best bourbon colognes, I combed through various Amazon listings and judged the top six based on their smell, season, and style. The C.O. Bigelow Elixir Black Pepper Cologne stands at the top for its timeless and masculine scent and long-lasting performance. It’s followed by the budget-friendly Cremo Bourbon & Oak Cologne Spray, which comes with tantalizing notes that invoke a smooth and lively scent.

Why it’s great: The C.O. Bigelow Elixir Black Pepper cologne for men blends rich notes of bourbon, black pepper, sandalwood, vanilla, and musk to create a unique yet elegant, long-lasting fragrance. It takes just a few sprays on the pulse points, and you will smell magnificent all day.

Despite its sweet mixture, it’s not overpowering. Anyone who catches your scent will feel charmed and might turn you irresistible. The Elixir Black also doesn’t skimp on aesthetics. It comes in a beautiful glass bottle and a luxurious gift box, making it perfect to give to anyone during special occasions.

Who is this for? Perfect for guys looking for manly colognes to wear daily.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: This bourbon cologne has a watery texture.

Top Notes: Whiskey | Middle Notes: Black pepper | Base Notes: Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk | Type: Eau de Cologne

Why it’s great: The Calvin Klein Eternity Fresh cologne features a spicy and green aroma that evokes a sense of adventure to wearers. Its distinctive natural essence comes from the infusion of lentisk anchored by the warm bourbon geranium base topped with spice and ginger accords.

The opening of this bourbon cologne comes a bit strong, giving you a soapy aroma, but it will settle down to a sweet, crisp apple scent on the dry down. The fruity fragrance can keep you cool and refreshed during a hot summer day, but it’s also versatile enough to wear in spring and fall. It also has average longevity and projection, usually around four to five hours max.

Who is this for? A cool choice for people who want clean, sweet-smelling perfumes.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: Doesn’t last quite as long as other brands.

Top Notes: Ginger essential oil, Noreenal | Middle Notes: Lentisk absolute, Cardamom | Base Notes: Moss accord, Orcanox, Lorenox | Type: Eau de Toilette

Why it’s great: Coming off as an affordable fragrance solution, the Cremo Bourbon & Oak cologne spray enhances your masculinity with its uncommon mix of spices, smoked bourbon, and oak. Priced a little under $25, it produces a sexy and seductive aroma that can captivate people in your immediate area.

This bourbon cologne starts with a nice liquor smell and draws you in with a sweet and creamy aroma. This Cremo variant also lasts quite a while. One spray can last up to six hours, making it a total steal. It does tend to come out strong during the first two, but it’ll settle into a pleasant olfactory sensation on the dry down.

Who is this for? A good option for guys who want cheap bourbon perfumes.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: The projection isn’t great after three hours.

Top Notes: Spices | Middle Notes: Whiskey | Base Notes: Oak | Type: Eau de Toilette

Why it’s great: If you want a perfume to bring the cowboy side in you, then try the Tru Western Yellowstone Ride men’s cologne. It’s the official fragrance of Paramount Network’s record-breaking hit series Yellowstone. Designed for the rough and tough outdoorsman, it features notes of raw bergamot, clary sage, smoked whiskey, charred vanilla, and tobacco.

Handcrafted to perfection, the Ride lasts all day, from the moment you set out for the day to the time you come home to waiting arms. This cologne also comes in a sleek bottle with a stylish letter “Y” at the center. You won’t just smell good, you’ll look great with every spray, too.

Who is this for? The best cologne for the hardworking man.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s not that strong for a masculine cologne.

Top Notes: Raw bergamot, Clary sage | Middle Notes: Smoked whiskey, Charred vanilla | Base Notes: Rough cut tobacco | Type: Eau de Cologne

Why it’s great: The Mistral Bourbon Vanilla is a luxurious men’s cologne with an original fusion of amber, black patchouli, citrus, and warm wood notes. It’s highly concentrated but not overbearing. A couple of sprays are enough for its masculine yet sweet aroma to seduce anyone who comes near you.

This bourbon cologne will treat you to an explosive olfactory journey that’s fit for a charming gent. What sets the Mistral apart from other brands is their cruelty-free practice. Each item is tested on men and never on animals. It’s also free from phthalates, so the fragrance won’t irritate the skin.

Who is this for? Anyone who desires a top-quality, everyday cologne should try this bourbon cologne.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: It comes with an expensive price tag.

Top Notes: Vanilla, Cumin, Orange Blossom | Middle Notes: Almond, Ambrox, Cedarwood | Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli, Sandalwood | Type: Eau de Parfum

Why it’s great: If you want to smell warm and charming in cold weather, then go for the Dr. Squatch Fireside Bourbon cologne. It gives the impression of freshly opened liquor and casually sipping it while you’re casually lounging in a log cabin by the fireplace. Designed for champions, it boasts unmatched longevity projection through its enticing notes.

Just hold the bottle three to six inches away from you and spray once or twice on the pulse points, and you’re good to go. Crafted from naturally sourced ingredients, this bourbon cologne doesn’t have any harmful chemicals like phthalates or polyclinic musks that cause irritation.

Who is this for? Excellent for men who want warm colognes to wear for the winter.

Flaws but not deal-breakers: It tends to fade into a baby powder smell after a while.

Top Notes: Virginia cedar, cloves | Middle Notes: Patchouli | Base Notes: Geranium | Type: Eau de Cologne

Buying Considerations For the Best Bourbon Colognes

Smell

Different brands have varying blends of bourbon cologne, but they have distinct and consistent scents. It comes with a woodsy, oak-barrel aroma that reminds you of a gentleman’s bar. Knowing that, all you need to do is match the odor with your preference. If you want to smell seductive, then find blends that combine this accord with tobacco or sweet notes. Floral accords will give a cleaner sensation that is perfect for everyday wear.

Season

Not all perfumes are versatile. Some match specific seasons more like how flowery fragrances are perfect for spring, whereas marine and citrus accords are best for summer. Colognes that have warm, spicy ingredients will serve you better in winter. Keep this in mind when buying fragrances, especially if you plan to buy more than one.

Style

Your personality and style will also dictate the right bourbon cologne for you. Do you want to appear tough and rugged? Then, go for options that have a woodsy and whiskey smell. Fruity aromas tend to lean more on simple and minimalist guys, whereas those with citrus blends are more playful and youthful.

How We Chose

A lot of brands will claim that their colognes are made from the finest ingredients and offer top-quality scents. Unfortunately, they offer little evidence to back them up. To accurately gather the best bourbon colognes, I selected them based on the following factors:

Purpose: Will you use it as a travel perfume or for a romantic date? I chose bottles that can cater to specific individual needs.

Customer Reviews: User feedback offers valuable insight into a product’s quality. Their first-hand experience played a major role in creating this list.

Price: No one should recklessly spend on the most expensive fragrance, more so if the affordable alternative is more than enough. To give a reasonable compromise, I balanced quality and price when making these suggestions.

Why Trust Us?

Unraveling the best bourbon colognes requires meticulous research methods, attention to detail, and the right knowledge. Joe Niehaus’s approach includes studying the products’ features and judging the ingredients using the expertise he gained as a fashion writer, lifestyle blogger, and product reviewer for notable websites like Travel+Leisure and Men’s Health.

His strong background in men’s fragrances comes from tackling similar categories, such as finding top Jimmy Choo and Tom Ford perfumes. He also considers customer reviews as part of his criteria for assessment. Combined, readers will get tailored recommendations based on credible information and real-life testimonials. This will allow them to make informed decisions that will benefit them the most.

Final Verdict 

The best bourbon colognes offer a classy and elegant olfactory experience. The C.O. Bigelow Elixir Black Pepper Cologne for Men offers a unique, rich, and intoxicating aroma that’s also pleasant to wear daily. Its unique blend, long-lasting performance, and more than 1,000 positive reviews prove that it’s a must-try.