As with most things in life, not all leather scents are created equal. While the best leather fragrances smell timeless, masculine and utterly luxurious, others can be a little too ‘musty old books’ for mass appeal.
Owning a well-balanced leather scent is a must for any guy who is serious about his fragrance collection. The leather note not only works well with spicy, woody and tobacco notes, but it adds an undercurrent of luxury to fruits and florals too.
- 12 Best Leather Fragrances For Men Reviewed
- 1. By Kilian Royal Leather Eau de Parfum
- 2. Parfums de Marly Godolphin Eau de Parfum
- 3. Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau de Parfum
- 4. Dunhill British Leather Eau de Parfum
- 5. Dior Homme Parfum
- 6. Molton Brown Russian Leather Eau de Parfum
- 7. Chanel Cuir de Russie Eau de Parfum
- 8. Bvlgari Man In Black Eau de Parfum
- 9. Carolina Herrera CH Men Prive Eau de Toilette
- 10. Acqua di Parma Leather Eau de Parfum
- 11. Byredo Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum
- 12. Gucci Guilty Absolute For Him Eau de Parfum
- Conclusion
- Further Reading
12 Best Leather Fragrances For Men Reviewed
Here is my take on the best leather fragrances for men. Each fuses quality leather notes with complimenting fruits, spices and woods that are confident and manly. Enjoy!
1. By Kilian Royal Leather Eau de Parfum
Review
By Kilian Royal Leather Eau de Parfum is first up. This is a decadent masculine leather fragrance that is bold, luxurious and effortlessly classy.
A warm spicy opening of exotic black tea and musky/floral hawthorn draws you to a heart of sumptuous leather and powdery heliotrope, with oud and patchouli in the base.
This high performing autumn/winter fragrance settles into a nicely balanced dark leather and woody combo with an undercurrent of powdery floral tones. Jump straight to the full review of this fragrance in our fantastic 10 Best Kilian Fragrances For Men article.
Top Notes:
Black Tea, Hawthorn
Mid Notes:
Leather, Heliotrope
Base Notes:
Oud, Patchouli
2. Parfums de Marly Godolphin Eau de Parfum
Review
Parfums de Marly Godolphin Eau de Parfum is a thoroughbred of a leather fragrance with a cheeky fruity twist that balances things beautifully.
Sweet/musky saffron and sweet mixed fruits are soon joined by a heart of rose, iris and jasmine that remains masculine. A base of glamorous leather shines and is supported by vanilla and musk.
This unique autumn/winter/spring leather scent performs well. The addition of dried fruits and saffron ensures the leather note is not too linear. Don’t forget to check out the full review of this fragrance in our Top 10 Parfums de Marly Colognes article.
Top Notes:
Thyme, Saffron, Mixed Fruits
Mid Notes:
Roses, Iris, Jasmine
Base Notes:
Amber, Vanilla, Leather
3. Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau de Parfum
Review
A fragrance that needs little introduction, Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau de Parfum is a modern take on the classic leather scent. A must for any serious collector.
Warm saffron leads the charge with support from raspberry and thyme. The heart reveals balsamic olibanum and touches of sweet jasmine, with a luxurious leather/suede base hints of amber and light woods.
Settles to a full-on leather fragrance with hints of fruit, spice, and woods ideal for autumn/winter. Excellent performance as you would expect. Jump straight to the full review of this fragrance in our 12 Best Tom Ford Fragrances For Men article.
Top Notes:
Saffron, Raspberry, Thyme
Mid Notes:
Olibanum, Jasmine
Base Notes:
Leather, Suede, Amber, Woody Notes
4. Dunhill British Leather Eau de Parfum
Review
Don’t overlook Dunhill British Leather Eau de Parfum. This spicy and woody leather-fest fragrance is enticingly warm and incredibly manly.
A clean opening of citrus and juniper is nicely spiced by cardamom. Cypress and pepper mix with the bitter note of mate in the heart. Expensive smelling leather soon stamps its authority and supported by intoxicating patchouli.
Settles to a classy any-season leather scent with a fantastic bitter edge that’s arguably one of the best price/performance leather fragrances available. Jump straight to the full review of this fragrance in our 10 Dunhill Fragrances For Men Review.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Cardamom, Juniper, Hazelnut, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Violet Leaf, Orange Blossom, Pepper, Mate
Base Notes:
Vetiver, Cypress, Leather, Patchouli, Sandalwood
5. Dior Homme Parfum
Review
Dior Homme Parfum was created by perfumer legend Francois Demachy and is a masterful fusion of rich leather, wood and powdery notes for a truly stunning, almost niche-like masculine fragrance.
Zesty orange and powdery Tuscan iris join forces to lift the luxurious leather heart of this scent. Cedar and sandalwood in the base are sophisticated and refined, with hints of musk also thrown in. Classy!
It settles to an incredibly manly, complex and elegant leather fragrance that works so well with the powdery iris. Ideal for dressy autumn/winter evenings when you want to smell as good as you look. You can jump straight to the full Dior Homme Parfum review as it’s in our list of High-Performance Men’s Fragrances.
Top Notes:
Orange, Tuscan Iris
Mid Notes:
Leather
Base Notes:
Musk, Cedar, Sandalwood, Oud
6. Molton Brown Russian Leather Eau de Parfum
Review
Molton Brown Russian Leather Eau de Parfum is a refined, rich and confident leather scent that smells far more expensive than its price tag.
The opening is deep, with resinous elemi, black pepper and a zesty twang of bergamot. Geranium, birch and pine add green freshness to the heart. Sumptuous leather notes rise from the base with vanilla close behind, adding some sensual sweetness.
Settles to an aromatic leather/resin combo with fresh pine and crowd-pleasing vanilla that’s ideal for autumn/winter evenings. This EDP version performs quite well and smells far more expensive than it is. Jump straight to the full review of this fragrance in our 10 Best Molton Brown Fragrances article.
Top Notes:
Elemi, Bergamot, Black Pepper
Mid Notes:
Lavender, Geranium, Birch, Siberian Pine
Base Notes:
Leather, Cade Oil, Vanilla, Vetiver, Amber
7. Chanel Cuir de Russie Eau de Parfum
Review
Originally created back in 1924 (and relaunched in 2016), Chanel Cuir de Russie Eau de Parfum is a charming leather scent that blends florals, fruits, resins and even tobacco.
A feminine opening of orange blossom, bergamot and orange are greeted by exotic ylang-ylang and jasmine in the heart. This fragrance soon pivots with manly leather in the base mixed with pipe tobacco and warm resin.
Dries to a smokey leather fragrance with attention-seeking florals, light woods and resin that just smells Chanel. Equally wearable day or night in autumn/winter and performs well too. Full review of Chanel Cuir de Russie Eau de Parfum.
Top Notes:
Orange Blossom, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange
Mid Notes:
Ylang-Ylang, Tobacco, Jasmine, Rose
Base Notes:
Leather, Birch, Resins
8. Bvlgari Man In Black Eau de Parfum
Review
I personally see Bvlgari Man in Black Eau de Parfum as an excellent ‘gateway’ leather fragrance as it’s not too full-on leather. Spice, tobacco, wood and of course, leather all play their part.
The opening is a no-nonsense fusion of tobacco, dark rum and spice that sets the scene for luxurious leather, iris and tuberose in the heart. The finish is woody, resinous and a hint of medicinal.
Dries to a boozy, spicy, leather fragrance with woody edges that freat for autumn/winter/spring. Not a beast mode frag, but the performance is fair. Jump straight to the full review of this fragrance in our 10 best Bvlgari Fragrances For Men article.
Top Notes:
Tobacco, Spices, Rum
Mid Notes:
Leather, Tuberose, Iris
Base Notes:
Guaiac Wood, Benzoin, Tonka Bean
9. Carolina Herrera CH Men Prive Eau de Toilette
Review
Another manly boozy/leather fragrance is Carolina Herrera CH Men Prive Eau de Toilette. Vanilla and cardamom bring a sweet vs spicy battle that keeps things interesting.
Sharp grapefruit opens with contrasting whiskey that is soon balanced by a heart of bright lavender, cardamom and sage. Leather soon dominates, followed closely by tonka bean, wood and resin.
Settles to a confident and sexy booze coated trio of leather, tonka bean and cardamom that’s ideal for autumn/winter/spring evening wear. Check out the full review of CH Men Prive Eau de Toilette plus a load more boozy fragrances.
Top Notes:
Whiskey, Grapefruit
Mid Notes:
Cardamom, Lavender, Sage, Red Thyme
Base Notes:
Leather, Tonka Bean, Benzoin, Woody Notes
10. Acqua di Parma Leather Eau de Parfum
Review
The name says it all. Acqua di Parma Leather Eau de Parfum is a masculine smelling leather fragrance with woody notes plus an unusual raspberry and citrus twist.
The opening of lemon, bitter orange and raspberry lead to a floral heart dusted with herbs. Dry-down unleashes smokey leather and wood to ensure a manly scent that oozes self-confidence.
Once dried fully, this is a classic leather gentlemen’s fragrance with rich woods and a cheeky raspberry note that’s perfect for autumn/winter formal wear. Jump straight to the full review of this fragrance in our 12 Best Acqua di Parman Fragrances For Men article.
Top Notes:
Brazilian Orange, Sicilian Lemon, Raspberry
Mid Notes:
Red Thyme, Honeysuckle, Petitgrain, Rose
Base Notes:
Leather accord, Cedar, Paraguayan Guaiac Oil
11. Byredo Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum
Review
Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum is my favourite fragrance from Byredo as it blends an old-school classic smelling leather note with dark fruits and powdery florals.
The scent opens fruity plum and peach that leads to a heart of powdery violet and peony. Dusty/musky leather in the base gets more intense as the hour’s pass. Hints of vanilla also appear.
Finally descends to a dusty/musky leather fragrance with fruity edges that smells uncannily like a library of leather-bound books. A casual and easygoing casual autumn/winter/spring scent. Byredo Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum full review plus more Byredo scents.
Top Notes:
Peach, Plum
Mid Notes:
Peony, Violet
Base Notes:
Musk, Patchouli, Leather, Vanilla
12. Gucci Guilty Absolute For Him Eau de Parfum
Review
I wanted to end this leather fragrance round-up with a bit of a wildcard. Gucci Guilty For Him Eau de Parfum is a masterpiece from perfumer Alberto Morillas.
The opening is leather straight from the start, but it’s initially delicate and almost like musky pencil shavings. Cypress and patchouli in the heart add pine and musk in equal measure. More leather and wood in the base crank up the macho dial to 11.
After an hour, Gucci Guilty Absolute For Him becomes an incredibly masculine leather and woody combo. One for autumn/winter when you are doing some dirty man-work. Grrrr.
Top Notes:
Leather
Mid Notes:
Cypress, Patchouli
Base Notes:
Woody Notes, Vetiver
Conclusion
Well, this leather fragrance round-up has sadly come to an end. If you are relatively new to leather fragrances and making your first purchase, I would go for something a little balanced. Dunhill British Leather Eau de Parfum, as it’s a great value introduction to leather scents.
Just like a connoisseur of fine wine, the deeper you dive into the world of leather fragrances, the purer you will want them. Should you find yourself way down the rabbit hole, then Tom Ford Tuscan Leather is most certainly a step in the right direction.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, luxury accessories and more.
