When it comes to a fragrance for older guys, there’s so much choice out there. So what are the best fragrances for 40 year old guys?
The key is picking out fragrance which suits your style. This could be a more refined and mature aftershave, which is usually a darker style of scent.
These are the best fragrances for 40 year old guys.
- Best Signature Scent: Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
- Best Fragrance For Day: Acqua Di Gio Parfum
- Best Fragrance For Evening: Boss Bottled Absolu Parfum Intense
- Best Date Night Fragrance: Gucci Intense Oud
- Best Unique Fragrance: Tom Ford Tobacco Oud
- Best All Rounder Fragrance: Terre D’Hermes Pure Parfum
Acqua Di Parma Oud
One of the best Oud’s on the market, Acqua Di Parma Oud is one of my favourites. I smelled it several years ago and I finally pulled the trigger and got it, and it’s brilliant.
A super warm, woody and intoxicating smell that’s brilliant for guys in their 40’s looking for a scent for the night.
Top Notes – Bergamot, Orange
Heart Notes – Haitian Amyris Oil, Russian Coriander, Oud
Base Notes – Cedarwood, Leather accord, Patchouli Oil, Sandalwood, Musk
Bleu De Chanel L’Exclusif
The strongest, darkest and most mature in the line, this is Bleu De Chanel L’Exclusif. Released in 2025 it’s the grown up gentleman in the line, keeps the Bleu de Chanel DNA but adds an intoxicating creamy leather to the mix.
A true gentleman style of fragrance, it’s a top pick for all older guys.
Notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Labdanum, Woody Notes
Armani Acqua Di Gio Parfum
When it comes to long lasting fragrances for the day, you can’t look past Armani Acqua Di Gio Parfum. A light, fresh and mostly citrus style, it has staying power which makes it a great fragrance to wear to the office.
Smell good for the whole day wearing this daytime scent.
Top Notes – Bergamot, Ginger
Heart Notes – Clary Sage, Rosemary
Base Notes – Patchouli, Incense
Boss Bottled Absolu Parfum Intense
A beautiful fragrance which I loved from the first spray, it’s Boss Bottled Absolu Parfum Intense. One of the best scents which was released in 2024, it gets compliments and is a really inviting scent perfect for an evening.
It gets called a niche scent with designer bottle, which is high praise indeed.
Top Notes – Incense, Leather
Heart Notes – Myrrh, Patchouli
Base Notes – Cedarwood, Davana
Dior Sauvage Elixir
For the modern day masculine gent, Dior Sauvage Elixir has to be near if not top of the list. It’s got that dark sensual smell that work well on all guys, but is a mature scent.
This is the one to wear on formal and dressed up occasions, to save for something special or wear when you really want to smell good.
Top Notes – Grapefruit, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Cinnamon
Middle Notes – lavender
Base Notes – Sandalwood, Liquorice, Patchouli, Amber, Vetiver
Tom Ford Tobacco Oud
One of my favourite oud fragrances and a fantastic scents for older guys, Tom Ford Tobacco Oud is a brilliant choice for guys over 40.
It’s very strong oud scent, with boozy, woody and dark spicy notes which are really strong and perfect for an evening for any man.
Top Notes – Whisky
Heart Notes – Spicy notes, cinnamon, coriander
Base Notes – Oud, Tobacco, Incense, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Benzoin
Gucci Intense Oud
Another oud and personally my favourite, Gucci Intense Oud is fast becoming one of my favourite men’s fragrances of all time. It’s got that dark and inviting style to it, really sophisticated and is definitely suited more to older guys.
The leather and amber notes in this make it a good fragrance for men in their 40’s.
Notes: Oud, Incense, Olibanum, Leather, Amber, Woodsy Notes
Bleu De Chanel Parfum
The latest version of a modern day classic, Bleu De Chanel Parfum is the grown up version of the original EDT. It’s less sharp, spicy and fresh, but more soft woody which makes it a more mature choice.
It has the subtle hints of a good smell without being in your face, and is a good choice for a night out.
Top Notes: Lemon Zest
Heart Notes: Lavender, Geranium
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cedar
Jean Paul Gauliter Le Male Le Parfum
The latest version from the Le Male line up, Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Le Parfum is a sweeter and slightly more woody version of the original.
You can smell the vanilla straight off, and as it settles it works into a really inviting grown up smell.
Top Notes: Cardamom
Middle Notes: Iris, Lavender
Base Notes: Vanilla, Woody Notes
Issey Miyake Nuit D’Issey Parfum
A warm woody scent, Nuit D’Issey Parfum is another modern masculine scent. This one has hints of leather and incense along with woody notes, making it one good manly but modern scent.
Top Notes – Bergamot, Grapefruit.
Middle Notes – Leather, Spices, Woods, Vetiver
Base Notes – Patchouli, Incense, Tonka bean
Dior Homme Intense
When it comes to light woody scents that are seductive, Dior Homme Intense is a good choice. I get light woody notes along with creamy notes from vanilla and an all round aromatic type of fragrance.
Top Notes – Lavender
Heart Notes – Iris, Ambrette seed
Base Notes – Virginia cedarwood, Vetiver, Vanilla
Tom Ford Noir
I would say that Tom Ford Noir is a modern manly fragrance which is made for a good night out. It blurs the lines between formal and casual, and will work in both settings.
Noir is inviting and seductive, and there’s no doubt this is one of the most attractive fragrances you can wear.
Top notes: Italian bergamot, verbena, caraway, baie rose (pink pepper), violet flower.
Heart notes: black pepper, nutmeg, Tuscan Iris resin, Egyptian Geranium, Bulgarian Rose, Clary Sage.
Base notes: Opoponax, amber, Indonesian patchouli, vetiver, civet, vanilla
Terre D’Hermes Pure Parfum
One of my favourite fragrances of recent times has to be Terre D’Hermes Pure Parfum. This is a super universal scent which not only works day and night, but for all ages too.
This includes older guys, so is a good choice to wear when you want to smell good without thinking about it. The zesty orange notes work perfectly with the woody notes delivering an inviting scent.
Top Notes: Orange, Grapefruit, Shiso
Middle Notes: Flint
Base Notes: Woodsy Notes
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
The grown up fragrance for the daytime, Tom Ford Grey Vetiver EDP is the perfect choice when it comes to fragrances for the day time. It will work in a formal setting such as an office, or if you’re out walking around the city.
Top Notes – Grapefruit, Orange Blossom, Sage.
Middle Notes – Nutmeg, Orris Root, Pimento.
Base Notes – Amber, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Woody Notes.
Armani Acqua Di Gio Profondo
Armani have a lot of good fragrances, but one of my new favourites has to be Profondo. Once again it’s quite universal making it a good choice for any guy, and works well in all situations.
This is a marine aquatic type of scent, which I think is best suited to the day.
If you own the original Aqua Di Gio, this is a more green style of scent while the OG is more citrus. Both are good, but I am starting to prefer Profondo these days.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Green Mandarin
Middle Notes: Rosemary, Lavender, Cypress, Lentisk
Base Notes: Patchouli, Musk, Mineral Amber Accord
Dior Sauvage EDT
You’re never too old to party, and if you’re going for a big night out you can’t look past Dior Sauvage EDT. It’s one of the best fragrances in recent times, and is still going strong.
No doubt a compliment getter, and even though it’s aimed at a younger crowd, you still can’t beat it for any age in the right setting.
Notes: Bergamot, Ambroxan, Geranium, Pepper, Lavender, Vetiver, Patchouli
Bleu De Chanel EDT
Another more youthful fragrance, but universal enough so you’ll be able to pull it off in the right setting. Bleu De Chanel EDT is a fresh spicy scent with a kick that gets compliments from everyone.
I’d usually recommend this for an evening, but older guys can wear this during the day without causing too much of a fuss.
Top Notes: Lemon, Mint, Pink Pepper, Grapefruit
Heart Notes: Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine, Iso E Super
Base Notes: Labdanum, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedar, White Musk, Vetiver, Incense
Valentino Born In Roma Purple Melancholia
A bit of a curve ball, but if you’re looking for a men’s summer fragrance for over 40’s, Valentino Born In Roma Purple Melancholia is a sweet coconut scent that’s perfect for a sunny day.
It has that summer feeling as soon as you spray it. It’s sweet and creamy but has an ambery style to it which makes it a brilliant scent to take on holiday or to wear to the beach for older guys.
Top Notes – Cardamom
Heart Notes: Lavandin
Base Notes: Coconut Accord
Tips For Picking A Fragrance For 40 Year Old Guys
- Choose A Fragrance For The Occasion
- Pick Mature Scents Over Youthful Ones
- Don’t Overspray (Here’s how to spray cologne properly)
And that’s the best fragrances for 40 year old guys. There’s lots to choose from, but the more mature, woody and seductive styles of scent work best on the night, with modern citrus or fresh scents working during the day.
You can take a look at more aftershaves in the fragrance blog if you’re looking to add to your collection, want a signature scent or just to read fragrance reviews.
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About Michael
Michael Adams is the founder and editor of Michael 84, blogger from Newcastle, UK. Sharing men's fashion tips, style advice and lifestyle information for all guys.
