American brand Ralph Lauren has nearly 100 perfumes for men and women to their name. The best Ralph Lauren colognes for men offer an all-American feel packed with preppy-chic freshness.
The brand was founded in 1967, starting out selling men’s ties. The company quickly snowballed, with its own boutique inside Bloomingdale’s and a standalone store in Beverley Hills within just a few years.
Ralph Lauren moved into fragrances in 1978, partnering with L’oreal to introduce the now-classic Polo Eau de Toilette. Although numerous fragrances have followed, all have stayed true to the Ralph Lauren vision.
- Best Ralph Lauren Colognes
- 1. Ralph Lauren Ralph’s Club Eau de Parfum
- 2. Ralph Lauren Polo Cologne Intense
- 3. Ralph Lauren Polo Eau de Toilette
- 4. Ralph Lauren Polo Deep Blue Eau de Parfum
- 5. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette
- 6. Ralph Lauren Polo Black Eau de Toilette
- 7. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense Eau de Parfum
- 8. Ralph Lauren Safari For Men Eau de Toilette
- 9. Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Eau de Toilette
- 10. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum
- 11. Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Eau de Toilette
- 12. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Rush Eau de Toilette
- Andrew’s Top Pick
- Conclusion
- Further Reading
Best Ralph Lauren Colognes
With fresh citrus colliding with woods and leather, the best Ralph Lauren colognes for men are fresh and masculine. Here are 12 fragrances to consider.
1. Ralph Lauren Ralph’s Club Eau de Parfum
Review
Ralph’s Club Eau de Parfum is an aromatic woody cologne that is smooth, fresh and well balanced. This masculine scent was launched in 2021.
A bright floral opening of lavender is duested with the sweet and herbaceous scent of clary sage. A heart of smooth Virginian cedarwood injects confidence and class.
Upon dry-down, vetiver introduces a dry, woody sweetness what works well with the lavender opening. Settles to an aromatic woody/lavender male fragrance.
Overall, Ralph’s Club Eau de Parfum is a versatile any-occasion fragrance that is stylish, easy-going and youthful. Smells similar to the Paco Raballe Invictus line of fragrances.
Top Notes:
Lavender, Clary sage
Mid Notes:
Virginia cedarwood
Base Notes:
Vetiver
Seasons & Longevity
This is such an easy-to-wear cologne, equally suited for day or night during any season in my opinion. You don’t need to wear a tux to enjoy this beauty so you can ignore the marketing!
You can expect 6+ hours of performance, with decent projection/sillade for at least 3 hours of that time.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
2. Ralph Lauren Polo Cologne Intense
Review
Launched in 2021, Polo Cologne Intense is a vibrantly fresh and aromatic green male fragrance packed with herbs and citrus.
This fragrance opens with a refreshing combo of sharp grapefruit and basil brighter further with spearmint. Herbs of thyme and clary sage in the heart keeps things manly, and violet adds a touch of powder.
Fresh smelling ambroxan dominates the heart, with musky/earthy patchouli and grassy vetiver also being noticeable. Settles to a minty-fresh aromatic freshie with citrus and herbs.
Overall, Polo Cologne Intense is a clean and modern daytime scent that keeps up the Polo tradition of preppie-fresh scents.
Top Notes:
Basil oil, Spearmint oil, Grapefruit oil
Mid Notes:
Clary sage leaf, Violet leaf absolute, Thyme oil.
Base Notes:
Patchouli, Ambroxan, Vetiver oil
Seasons & Longevity
This fragrance leans more daytime to my nose and most suitable for spring, summer and fall.
Polo Cologne Intense has reasonable sillage and projection. You can expect 4+ hours of wear before it becomes a skin scent and a topup will be required.
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
3. Ralph Lauren Polo Eau de Toilette
Review
Polo Eau de Toilette is a stunning woody chypre fragrance for men that was first launched in 1978. Developed by perfumer Carlos Beniam, this was the first cologne created by the brand.
This fragrance opens with crisp juniper berries and bergamot, spiced with caraway, artemisia, basil, and coriander. A heart of fresh pine and luxurious leather notes are supported by floral hints.
Upon dry-down, lush tobacco, smokey oakmoss and earthy patchouli are most prominent. Hints of cedar, vetiver, musk and amber are also present.
Overall, Polo Eau de Toilette is a classic, clean-cut male fragrance that settles into a dark and moody leather/tobacco combo oozing understated class.
Top Notes:
Juniper Berries, Caraway, Artemisia, Basil, Coriander, Bergamot
Mid Notes:
Pine Tree Needles, Leather, Chamomile, Pepper, Carnation, Geranium, Jasmine, Rose
Base Notes:
Tobacco, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Cedar, Vetiver, Musk, Amber
Seasons & Longevity
It’s a great classic fragrance for day or night and lends itself best to the cooler autumn and winter months, where the fragrance’s warmth can really shine.
Polo Eau de Toilette has a strong sillage decent projection. You can expect 6+ hours of wear, perfect for when you want your fragrance to be noticeable.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
4. Ralph Lauren Polo Deep Blue Eau de Parfum
Review
Polo Deep Blue Parfum is an aromatic aquatic fragrance for men that was launched in 2020. It was created by Carlos Benaim, responsible for the original Polo cologne back in 1978.
Opening fruity notes of green mango, grapefruit and bergamot mixes sweet and zesty. A heart of forest-fresh cypress soon dominates, with hints of clary sage and geranium.
Dry-down settles this fragrance into a salty-sweet combo of ambroxan and blue aquatic notes that really shine. Fir, musk and patchouli add discreet male confidence.
Overall, Polo Deep Blue is a feel-good fruity/fresh/aquatic male fragrance that’s similar to Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Profondo EDP.
Top Notes:
Green Mango, Grapefruit, Bergamo
Mid Notes:
Cypress, Clary Sage, Geranium
Base Notes:
Ambroxan, Sea Notes, Fir Resin, Musk, Patchouli
Seasons & Longevity
This is the perfect daytime cologne for the spring and summer months due to its fruitiness and marine notes. Ideal for casual lunches, running errands and is also office safe.
It has a moderate sillage/projection and lasts a reasonable 4+ hours so works well if you’re looking for something more subtle and easy to wear.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
5. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette
Review
A woody, spicy fragrance for men first launched in 2013, Polo Red Eau de Toilette was created by perfumer Olivier Gillotin. It’s described as a “ferocious and energising” fragrance that carries the scent of strength, masculinity and character. Sounds promising!
This fragrance opens with semi-sweet cranberry blended with sharp grapefruit and zesty Italian lemon. Spicy red saffron and herby sage add a manly edge.
Upon dry down, warming rich amber and fragrant coffee take centre-stage and work well with the opening berry notes. Touches of woody notes dance in and out but never dominate.
Overall, Polo Red Eau de Toilette has contrasting fresh vs warm makes this a decisive change from the sometimes overly generic vanilla crowd-pleasers. Very nice.
Top Notes:
Cranberry, Grapefruit, Italian Lemon
Mid Notes:
Saffron, Sage
Base Notes:
Amber, Coffee, Woodsy Notes
Seasons & Longevity
Polo Red Eau de Toilette works well for day or night pretty much in any season. Just the scent to wear to any casual occasion, office, or the gym.
It has a moderate sillage and projection and lasts 5+ hours – ideal if you want to wear your cologne and not the other way around.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
6. Ralph Lauren Polo Black Eau de Toilette
Review
Polo Black Eau de Toilette is a woody/fruity aromatic fragrance for men first launched in 2005. It was created by perfumer Pierre Negrin and is elegant and fresh, yet delicious.
The opening notes of tropical mango, tangerine and lemon was quite a surprise for a fragrance called ‘Black’. Heart notes of wormwood and sage add some herb-like depth.
Upon dry-down, sandalwood is most prominent, supported by patchouli and tonka bean. Dries to a tropical fruity/woody fragrance with a squeeze of orange.
Overall, Polo Black Eau de Toilette is not the dark and moody black fragrance you would expect. It’s fresh, juicy, and smells great. Recommended.
Top Notes:
Mango, Tangerine, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Wormwood, Sage
Base Notes:
Sandalwood, Patchouli, Tonka Bean
Seasons & Longevity
This cologne works well for most occasions – day, night and any season. It has a moderate sillage/projection and lasts 5+, making it a great all-round scent to wear.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
7. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Intense Eau de Parfum
Review
Polo Red Intense Eau de Parfum was created in 2015 by perfumer Olivier Gillotin. It’s a woody-spicy fragrance for men packed with amber, coffee and berries.
This fragrance opens with a fresh blast of juicy cranberry, blood grapefruit and lemon. Coffee and ginger dominate the heart, with gentle touches of lavender and sage.
Polo Red Intense dries to reveal warm amber and rich leather with woody touches. Amber, coffee and berries then dominate until it eventually fades.
Overall, Polo Red Intense is everything I expected from Polo Black. It’s initially fresh yet evolves into a deep and moody trio of warm amber, coffee and berries. Nice!
Top Notes:
Cranberry, Blood Grapefruit, Lemon, Saffron
Mid Notes:
Coffee, Ginger, Lavender, Sage
Base Notes:
Amber, Leather, Red Cedar
Seasons & Longevity
This cologne is another great all-rounder from Ralph Lauren that works well day or night and in most seasons. It is probably is a little more suited to the cooler autumn and winter months.
It’s really long-lasting at 7+ hours with a decent sillage and projection, further cementing it as an excellent choice for day-to-night wear.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
8. Ralph Lauren Safari For Men Eau de Toilette
Review
Time to get in a classic mood with Safari for Men Eau de Toilette. This is a woody aromatic fragrance for men that was first launched back in 1992.
Safari opens with bright lavender, and crisp bergamot notes are further elevated by aldehydes and a mix of herbs. A heart of cinnamon-dusted carnation is most noticeable, with other florals being lightly present.
Plush leather becomes the main note once this fragrance settles, and really compliments the lavender and other fresh notes. Oakmoss, musk and woods also make a fleeting appearance.
Overall, Safari for Men is an old-school blend of lavender, spice, wood and leather. Perfect to wear when you want to stand out from the crowd, emitting a retro vibe. Smells similar to Cartier Pasha EDT.
Top Notes:
Lavender, Bergamot, Aldehydes, Coriander, Green Notes, Artemisia, Neroli, Lemon
Mid Notes:
Carnation, Cinnamon, Tarragon, Rose, Cyclamen, Jasmine
Base Notes:
Leather, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Musk, Patchouli, Cedar, Amber
Seasons & Longevity
Safari for Men works day or night as a cologne that works well in autumn/winter/spring. It is a bit heavy for summer.
It has a decent sillage/projection but only lasts 3+ hours, so it will require topping up if you are wearing it all day.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
9. Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Eau de Toilette
Review
Polo Sport Eau de Toilette is a citrus-fresh green masculine fragrance that is sporty, fresh and energising. First launched in 1994, it was developed by perfumer Harry Fremont.
With refreshing notes of mint, aldehydes, lavender and bergamot, Polo Sport feels shower-fresh right from the start. A heart of seaweed and ginger introduce a spicy/marine vibe, with discreet flowers in the background.
The base of this fragrance is lightly musky and woody but never manages to dominate the sporty/fresh opening of mint and lavender. Effortlessly classy and casual.
Overall, Polo Sport Eau de Toilette is a fragrance that ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’. This a sporty fresh scent that’s ideal for keeping you shower-fresh.
Top Notes:
Mint, Aldehydes, Lavender, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Lemon, Artemisia, Neroli
Mid Notes:
Seagrass, Ginger, Jasmine, Geranium, Cyclamen, Rose, Brazilian Rosewood
Base Notes:
Musk, Sandalwood, Cedar, Guaiac Wood, Amber
Seasons & Longevity
It’s a good, easy daytime fragrance that’s light and suited best to spring and summer. It has a moderate sillage and projection with 4+ hours of staying power before becoming a skin scent.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
10. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum
Review
Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum is an oriental woody cologne first launched in 2017 and developed by perfumer Olivier Gillotin. Simple and uncomplicated, yet is more than the sum of its parts.
Polo Red Extreme opens with attention-seeking zesty blood orange that blends into a heart of rich coffee. The dry-down unleashes vibrant ebony wood. Perfect scent if you prefer something less complex but still striking
Overall, Polo Red Extreme is a dark, gourmet masculine fragrance that fuses coffee and wood with zesty orange. One of the deeper Polo fragrances.
Top Notes:
Blood Orange
Mid Notes:
Coffee
Base Notes:
Ebony Wood
Seasons & Longevity
This is a great evening fragrance and is best worn in the cooler autumn and winter months. It’s long-lasting at 6+ hours with a decent sillage/projection—excellent price/performance from this cologne.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
11. Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Eau de Toilette
Review
Polo Blue Eau de Toilette is an incredibly clean and fresh smelling masculine scent. It was first launched in 2003, following collaboration between perfumers Christophe Laudamiel and Carlos Benaim.
This fragrance opens with ultra-crisp cucumber and fresh melon sweetened by mandarin orange. Herb notes of basil and sage in the heart of this fragrance add bite.
Upon dry-down, rich, sumptuous suede adds a layer of luxury to the stand-out notes of cucumber and melon. Woody notes and musk are discreetly present.
Overall, Polo Blue Eau de Toilette is a super fresh male fragrance without a sweet note in its make-up. Reminds me of several Montblanc fragrances so check out my review.
Top Notes:
Cucumber, Melon, Mandarin Orange
Mid Notes:
Basil, Sage, Geranium
Base Notes:
Suede, Woodsy Notes, Musk
Seasons & Longevity
This is a great daytime scent that really suits spring and summer wear.
It lasts 5+ hours with moderate sillage and projection—no beast-mode frag but certainly not a skin scent neither.
Longevity
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
12. Ralph Lauren Polo Red Rush Eau de Toilette
Review
Released in 2018, Polo Red Rush Eau de Toilette is a bright combination of fresh mint and sweet fruits that settles into a light musky base. Not so much a Polo Red flanker, but rather a standalone fragrance in its own fight.
Opening notes of sweet pineapple are balanced by zesty orange, lemon and grapefruit. The heart is minty fresh and soon joined by crisp apple and discreet floral notes.
The dry-down is musky and unquestionably masculine. Hints of coffee and cedar come and go, but never dominate. Settles to a minty/fruity combo with a musk base.
Overall, Polo Red Rush is a different beast from the other Polo Red fragrances. Gone is the bittersweet cranberry/coffee combo. Instead, you are greeted by a fusion of mint, sweet florals and musk with mass appeal.
Top Notes:
Pineapple, Mandarin Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit
Mid Notes:
Mint, Red Apple, Saffron, Orange Blossom, Lavender
Base Notes:
Musk, Coffee, Cedar
Seasons and Longevity
Polo Red Rush is perfect for daytime wear in spring and summer, with a moderate sillage and projection that isn’t too overpowering. Longevity is 6+ hours.
Price & Reviews
You can check the latest pricing, see customer reviews and shop online:
Andrew’s Top Pick
Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Eau de Toilette
The best Ralph Lauren cologne has to be Polo Blue Eau de Toilette. Ultra-crisp cucumber, fresh melon and sweet orange lead to a heart of basil, sage and geranium. Dry-down reveals sumptuous suede and musk.
Conclusion
The best Ralph Lauren fragrances for men have really stood the test of time. Most are fantastic daytime fragrances that are light, refreshing and easy to wear. The presentation always looks bang-on, which is essential when buying a luxury men’s cologne.
The style of their colognes is undeniably in keeping with their all-American preppy roots. They’ve also kept things modern and fresh with new iterations of some of their best-loved classic scents, mixed with more contemporary scents.
Also read: 7 Best Cremo Colognes For Men: Budget-Friendly Luxury
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.
