The 10 Best Tom Ford Colognes in 2024
Tom Ford is hands down one of my all-time favorite perfume brands. The scents are captivating, the bottles are ultra chic, the fragrance names are just too good, and the feeling you get after spritzing one on is peak bougie. But I also completely understand that the best perfumes from my favorite brand are v expensive, and making it to a Sephora or Nordstrom to give them all a sniff before buying isn't easy for everyone. The danger of wearing a cheap cologne is that it might make your eyes water. The danger of a high-end cologne is its price tag might do the same. While Tom Ford’s colognes certainly have a reputation for being expensive, they’re also known for being one of the best colognes for men, due to their longevity and the quality of their ingredients. Which of the brand’s many fragrances is right for you, though? We’ve rounded up the best Tom Ford colognes to make your nose happy.
Our top picks for the best Tom Ford colognes
Best woody Tom Ford cologne: Oud Wood
Was there really any other choice here? The name says it all, with incredibly fresh, woody top notes balanced out by the warmth of the oud (a fragrant oil derived from tree resin, just in case you were worried there wasn’t enough wood in this). “It’s an earthy and woody scent inspired by smoky, incense-filled temples and rare, precious oud,” remarks stylist and celebrity business strategist Nina Vargas. Lepore also has this as her top pick, describing it as, “Very dense and woody, with a little hint of spice.”
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 10ml, 30ml, 50ml, or 100ml
Lasting power: Mild to moderate
Price on publish: $70-$425
What we like:
Fresh
Versatile
What we don’t like:
Some customer reviews complain of poor longevity, and regard it as overpriced as a result
The bottom line:
A beautifully outdoorsy smell that also works perfectly for everyday office wear.
Best spicy Tom Ford cologne: Soleil Brûlant
Described by Vargas as, “spicy, with hints of amber, honey and orange,” this is a complex scent that blends its top notes of pink pepper, orange, and bergamot with a sweet middle layer of honey and orange blossom, all resting on top of a rich, earthy base layer of resin, amber, leather, and vetiver. It tends to be a bit of a “you love it or hate it” scent, but that’s what makes it interesting.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 10ml, 30ml, 50ml, or 100ml
Lasting power: Strong
Price on publish: $80-$595
What we like:
Complex
Interesting
What we don’t like:
Some may find the initial impression to be a little harsh or bitter
Very expensive
A rich, spicy scent that despite its summery name and appearance, might be better suited to autumn.
Best Tom Ford fragrance for winter: Tobacco Vanille
If you’re heading into the holiday season, it’s tough to argue with a scent that brings to mind festive evenings by the fireplace, sharing sweet treats, with a hint of some distant uncle’s pipe smoke lingering in the air (look, maybe we didn’t all get to live in a Norman Rockwell fantasy, but we can pretend, can’t we?) Described by Vargas as, “A warm and spicy eau de parfum that reinvents classic tobacco,” this is one of Ford’s most notoriously long-lasting efforts, so be prepared to live with the scent for a while.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 10ml, 30ml, 50ml, or 100ml
Lasting power: Very strong
Price on publish: $70 - $425
What we like:
Sweet
Festive
Long-lasting
What we don’t like:
Might be overpowering to some
A rich, sweet, and incredibly long-lasting fragrance that captures the holiday season impeccably.
Best Tom Ford fragrance for spring: Eau de Soleil Blanc
Vargas recommends this as the perfect fresh accompaniment to delightful, if unreliable, spring weather. Sunny yet subtle, it features citrusy top notes with a touch of pistachio on top of a highly floral middle layer, while the base notes are comprised of a richer, tropical blend of coconut, vanilla, and amber. You’ll be happy wearing this no matter how many surprise rainstorms you get caught in.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 10ml, 30ml, 50ml, or 100ml
Lasting power: Moderate
Price on publish: $50 - $225
What we like:
On the less expensive side (relatively speaking)
Beachy, but without smelling like sunscreen
What we don’t like:
Some customer reviews claim it’s a little too sweet for warmer weather
A fresh, well-balanced fragrance that works for spring while getting you in the mood for summer.
Best Tom Ford fragrance for summer: Costa Azzurra
Summer scents can be hit or miss, often straying too far into sweet or tropical territory, with the end result that you either smell like sunscreen or a discarded popsicle. That’s why Lepore likes Costa Azzurra, “A great summer scent that smells like fresh air with hints of salty amber.” With top notes of seaweed and driftwood layered over citrusy, floral heart notes and sweet, earthy bass notes, it’s pure, distilled vacation in a bottle.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 50ml or 100ml
Lasting power: Moderate
Price on publish: $155 - $225
What we like:
Fresh
Not your typical, overly sweet summer fragrance
What we don’t like:
Might not work for those who don’t enjoy more aquatic scents
An elegant, fresh, and aromatic fragrance that captures the spirit of summer travel.
Best Tom Ford fragrance for fall: Tuscan Leather
Vargas and Lepore agree on Tuscan Leather as the ideal fall scent, describing it as, “earthy and woody,” and, “a lovely, warm, and spicy fragrance with hints of saffron,” respectively. As an accompaniment to traipsing through crunchy, fallen leaves, it’s hard to beat, with its deep base notes of leather and suede offset by the brightness of its herbal top notes.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 30ml, 50ml, or 100ml
Lasting power: Very strong
Price on publish: $185 - $425
What we like:
Sophisticated
Distinctive
What we don’t like:
A minority of customer reviews regard it as too dry and smoky
An intense, complex fragrance that fades to a deep, rewarding, autumnal scent.
Best Tom Ford unisex fragrance: Cherry Smoke
It should be noted first that, really, all fragrances are unisex: The idea that some scents are for women and others are for men is wildly outdated. So whether you’re a lady who loves leather or a fella who loves floral, just go for it! All of that said, Lepore’s pick for the best unisex Tom Ford fragrance, Cherry Smoke, hits the sweet spot between the two traditional camps, pairing fruity cherry and apricot with more savory olive and saffron, with a smoky, woody base layer to finish it off.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 30ml or 50ml
Lasting power: Moderate
Price on publish: $250-$395
What we like:
Romantic
Elegant
Luxurious
What we don’t like:
Some users feel there’s not enough smoke for the name
A classic unisex fragrance with a touch of hedonistic luxury.
Best bold Tom Ford cologne: Fucking Fabulous
If you’re going to go bold, you may as well own it, right? That’s what Ford has done with Fucking Fabulous, Lepore’s preferred bold scent from the line, which she admires for being, “seductive and rich, with a long-lasting effect.” Its blend of lavender, sage, leather, almond, and caramel-y tonka bean doesn’t sound like it should work on paper, but it does—fabulously.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 10ml, 30ml, 50ml, or 100ml
Lasting power: Strong
Price on publish: $80-$595
What we like:
Unusual
Seductive
What we don’t like:
Very expensive
Not for everyone
Another divisive option, it may be too overpowering for some, but if you love it, you love it.
Best aquatic Tom Ford cologne: Mandarino Di Amalfi
Going by the sheer number of customer reviews that say this scent makes them feel like they’re sitting by the pool, this had to be our pick for the best aquatic scent. Lepore agrees, adding that it’s, “Very fresh and fruity–it smells like a beach breeze!” With citrusy, herbal top notes that turn beautifully musky in the dry-down, it adds a gentle kick of black pepper and coriander, just to stop you drifting off.
Specifications:
Fragrance type: Eau de parfum
Size: 50ml
Lasting power: Mild to moderate
Price on publish: $295
What we like:
Clean
Fresh
What we don’t like:
Not much longevity for a Tom Ford fragrance
Another ideal vacation scent that lives up to its Italian coastal name.
Best leather Tom Ford cologne: Ombré Leather
A more accessible scent than the aforementioned Tuscan Leather, this is a more straightforward, leather-heavy affair, with a little cardamon, patchouli, and amber rounding out its more traditionally masculine profile. “It smells like rich leather, with hints of floral tones and the desert,” according to Lepore, but it softens over time and becomes somewhat sweeter, thanks to the inclusion of jasmine in the heart notes.
Specifications:
Fragrance Type: Parfum
Size: 10ml, 50ml, or 100ml
Lasting Power: Very strong
Price on publish: $65 - $275
What we like:
On the more affordable end for a Tom Ford fragrance
Distinctive
What we don’t like:
A few reviews find it to be too strong or overbearing
A classic, rugged fragrance designed to evoke the bygone days of the American west.
How we selected the Best Tom Ford colognes
We made our selections by consulting with experts, thoroughly researching each scent on fragrance review sites such as Fragrantica to ensure universally positive customer feedback, and of course, whether or not each scent passed the good old fashioned smell test.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which Tom Ford cologne is best smelling?
This is entirely subjective, of course, but our experts were happy to weigh in. “I personally like to use perfume based on the occasion, but a crowd favorite has to be Black Orchid,” says Vargas. “Aside from the chic black and gold packaging, the scent is well balanced—it has a floral fruitiness that’s never too sweet, thanks to hints of patchouli that keep it grounded.”
Lepore, meanwhile, opts for Fucking Fabulous. “It smells like the name, it’s amazing!” she enthuses. “I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like this scent.”
Which Tom Ford perfume lasts the longest?
The general consensus is that the more vanilla-heavy fragrances have the greatest sillage and longevity, with Tobacco Vanille being the most notorious (Lepore claims it has a longevity of 16 hours, while some online reviews insist they can still smell it after three days).
“It’s often joked that you better love the Tom Ford cologne before you spray it on, as it’s meant to last,” says Vargas. “Going back to the famous Black Orchid, this perfume can easily last up to ten hours, thanks to its high concentration of perfume oils.”
Which Tom Ford cologne is the most popular?
Along with the aforementioned Tobacco Vanille, Tom Ford’s best sellers tend to include the earthy, smoky Oud Wood, and–perhaps at least in part due to its lower price point–the more classically masculine, spicy Ombre Leather.
Which Tom Ford perfume is seductive?
Again, this is entirely subjective, and browsing fragrance reviews will uncover a ton of wildly differing opinions. That said, numerous people and publications cite Black Orchid as one of the most traditionally seductive scents, with others claiming everything from Orchid Soleil to Jasmin Rouge. In terms of our own experts, Lepore leans towards Ombre Leather, while we already know Vargas is another Black Orchid fan.
Why are Tom Ford perfumes so expensive?
“It’s what’s known as Salon Perfume (the materials are expensive, the output is small, the price is high, and there is a strong creative style), plus, Tom Ford carries a lot of prestige and mystique in fashion circles,” says Vargas. “Although subjective, it’s easily said that of all the luxury brands creating scents, Tom Ford’s fragrance line is one of the best. They’re universally long-lasting, have unique ingredients, and are housed in stunning bottles that look gorgeous.”
Of course, this level of luxury comes at a price and these colognes are not cheap—even the most inexpensive colognes are at least the price of your typical designer cologne, if not more. However, the moment you first spray a Tom Ford cologne is like slipping on a perfectly tailored suit or sliding behind the wheel of a perfectly restored vintage sports car. Tom Ford fragrances smell like nothing else out there and not only do they give you instant confidence but they also immediately demand attention from those around you. “Oh this? It’s Tom Ford,” you’ll find yourself repeating all day long as people catch a whiff of your scent.
So yes, ranking them is hard because every single cologne in the collection is impeccable, but we did it for you anyway. We sniffed our way through the entire collection (tough job, right?) and found the absolute best for every man and every vibe.