It’s no surprise that most men want the best pine cologne in their repertoire. Crisp, coniferous, and fresh, a spritz of piney goodness will make you feel like you just took a long, invigorating walk through a cool forest.
I think men are drawn to colognes with woody notes like pine, cedar, and fir because they feel inherently masculine. They embody what it means to be solid and reliable, all while maintaining that sensual side. They conjure up images of exploration in the great outdoors, or the coziness of curling up with your loved ones at Christmas.
All that lovely poetry aside, finding the best pine cologne presents an interesting challenge, because even though they all have woody accords, they’re certainly not all the same. Smooth and velvety, leathery and strong, or bright and fresh with a hint of spice, each of the best men’s pine colognes bring something different to the table. Which one will you prefer?
Let’s take a look at the top 6 best pine colognes below.
Key Takeaways
To bring you the top pine smelling cologne, I pored over dozens of fresh and woody scents. I discovered that the best pine scented cologne should smell coniferous and fresh, with inherently masculine undertones that feel approachable.
Polo Ralph Lauren is a top pick for its distinctive and inviting character, complemented by its strong performance. This underrated classic is known for its ability to draw compliments all year round.
In contrast, Lacoste Red offers a unique experience with its dynamic blend of fresh green apple and Siberian pine, balanced with the warmth of patchouli. This fragrance, characterized by its exotic, fresh, and mysterious aura, is designed to energize and boost confidence, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a dynamic and multifaceted pine scented cologne.
Why it’s Great: I’ll be straight-forward: If I smell this on you, I might bury my face in your neck. It’s sexy, masculine and inviting—and happens to be my ex’s signature scent. People always loved it and remembered it, and probably still do. That’s because there’s lots of strength here, with notes of leather, pine tree needles, and tobacco. Aromatic spicy hints from coriander, basil, and patchouli give it that deliciousness. The only even remotely floral note here is chamomile, but it’s grassy—in a fresh-cut way.
How to use it: If you’re interested in longevity and an intense trail, you’ll love it. Debuting in 1978, Polo is considered a classic, yet it’s somehow underrated, which is great if you want to smell a little different from everyone else. It’s strong and confident, and popular with mature men, but it’s also perfect for the younger guy who craves a distinctive scent. Great in all seasons, day or night.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: While it has excellent performance, you’re in trouble if you over-do it. You don’t want to overpower people. Two or three spritzes should do.
Top Notes: Juniper berries, basil | Middle Notes: Pine tree needles, leather | Base notes: Tobacco, patchouli, cedar | Size: 4, 8oz | Type: Eau de Cologne | Season: All | Longevity: Strong
Why it’s Great: Sometimes you need a simple, straightforward scent, especially during the dog days of summer. Lacoste colognes are known for their easy, sporty vibe, and Red is their delicious take on pine. It’s bright, clean, and fruity at its opening, like taking a bite out of a crisp apple. As for the dry down, it’s all pine-y freshness, with a rather youthful approach.
How to use it: Because it’s not very risky, it’s a great starter scent. However, any guy under 50 who wants to lean into their playful side should give it a spritz. A green, woody, aromatic scent that’s one of the best scents for casual summer wear.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Unfortunately, Red doesn’t last very long on the skin. 5 hours is probably the most you’ll get here, but that doesn’t mean you should over-spray. If you want to wear it all day long, reapply at lunch time.
Top Notes: Green apple | Middle Notes: Pine tree | Base notes: Patchouli, vetiver | Size: 4.2 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring/Summer | Longevity: Moderate/Weak
Why it’s Great: If you’ve ever wanted to elegantly glide into a room with all eyes on you, Bottega Veneta Pour Homme is the best cologne for you. The best word to describe it is lovely, which may seem odd for a pine scent, but not so. A fresh and woody opening from pine and juniper mellows into a beautiful resinous aroma with lots of leather—but in a soft, bright way, like a delicate leather handbag. Overall, it’s charismatic, modern, and smooth. I can see it as a tastemaker’s signature scent.
How to use it: I find it pretty approachable to wear all year long, but the notes of leather, patchouli, and pine make the most sense in fall and winter. However, it’s not a heavy scent. Rather, it’s soft, airy, and light on the skin. A great choice for any guy, regardless of age.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Many reviewers note that it doesn’t linger as long as it used to or as expected. To make it last longer, smear a little Vaseline on your pulse points before applying.
Top Notes: Siberian pine, juniper, calabrian bergamot | Middle Notes: Canadian fir, clary sage, pimento | Base notes: Leather, patchouli, labdanum | Size: 3.4 oz | Type: Eau de toilette | Season: Fall/Winter | Longevity: Moderate
Why it’s Great: Like drinking a glass of crisp iced tea in summer, Eau de Cèdre is light and fresh. I don’t often find myself drawn to tea-forward scents, but this one is so easy to wear and seems to be universally appealing, especially to women. And yet, there’s something unique here, and slightly ethereal. Inspired by the scent of a man’s velvet jacket, it’s aromatic, woody, and green, with aquatic notes. From a big brand, it’s a rather niche smell. I like that.
How to use it: All together, it’s soft and elegant. Perfect dressed up with a suit, but easy enough for all-day wear. There’s something slightly delicate about it, which makes it great for the shoulder months.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Great longevity, but not much projection. This scent doesn’t demand attention. Some wearers feel it’s quite linear with not a lot of depth, but find it intriguing overall.
Top Notes: Sage, bergamot, lemon | Middle Notes: Amber | Base notes: Rose | Size: 1.7, 3.4 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Winter | Longevity: Strong
Why it’s Great: Gather the picnic blanket and take your beloved into the woods for a romantic afternoon—but don’t forget to spritz on Aramis Devin Country cologne first. It’s warm, sensual, and classy with a stimulating sensation from a spicy floral heart, with just the right touch of masculinity. It opens with a whiff of citrus and aromatics and dries down beautifully to a subtle woody base. Interestingly, like Polo, it debuted in 1978, and has been considered a classic ever since. You get a lot here for under $25.
How to use it: A little bit preppy and a whole lot distinguished, I picture it most on the mature man, or at the very least, the sophisticated younger man. There’s enough warmth here that I believe it’s best in winter, spring, and fall. I love the way it glows in the daytime, but it’s easy enough for night.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: It might be a little musky for some, but I find it to be nothing short of classy.
Top Notes: Bergamot, lemon, orange | Middle Notes: Pine needles, cinnamon, jasmine | Base notes: Leather, musk, cedar | Size: 3.4, 3.7 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Summer | Longevity: Moderate to Long
Why it’s Great: Above all else, Tonka Imperiale is smooth. Here is the best pine fragrance to spritz on if you want a hug—wrapped in an elegant cashmere sweater, that is. It’s an amber, fresh, woody scent, with nutty notes that feel cozy and familiar. There’s a creaminess here too, from sweet amber, almond, and vanilla, and a floral freshness from jasmine at its heart.
How to use it: Great with a glass of red wine on a crisp fall afternoon with enough longevity to lead you into night. Ultimately, it’s a mellow scent that smells very natural. Pricey, but worth every penny.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Smooth and creamy is the predominant sensation here, but I do wish the backbone had a little more wood for depth. However, it’s plenty strong, with a soft, roundness to it that makes it feel approachable, yet unique.
Top Notes: Bitter almond, rosemary, bergamot | Middle Notes: Tonka bean, tobacco, jasmine | Base notes: Incense, cedar, pine | Size: 3.38 oz | Type: Eau de Parfum | Season: Fall/Winter | Longevity: Moderate-Strong
Buying Considerations for the Best Pine Colognes
Price
You never want to break the bank when purchasing cologne, but you also don’t want a cheap, synthetic scent. Tonka Imperiale aside, all of the colognes that smell like pine on this list provide pretty good value, with Aramis Devin coming in as the budget pick. Ultimately, you want your best pine cologne to fall in your price range but last long enough to make the purchase worth it. Which brings me to my next point…
Longevity
The best cologne will envelope you for a good 6 hours, but if you’re wearing Polo, maybe even longer. For a scent to really be worth it, you want it to last on your skin for at least 5 hours. That being said, spraying more of a scent onto your skin doesn’t impact its longevity, so resist the urge to overspray. Pine can be pungent.
Season
I love men’s colognes that smell like pine trees because they’re seasonless. Pine trees are evergreens that live all year round and never lose all of their leaves at once. So, pine makes a great base note for men’s colognes. It’s the note that you pair it with that dictates the season it works best for. Most of the time, they’re great all year long.
Why you should trust us
As a fashion and grooming writer for Fashionbeans, I use my years in the industry and my penchant for research to bring you the very best of the best, especially when it comes to the best pine cologne. I poured over dozens of scents, thousands of reviewers, and even combed through my own olfactory archive to deliver you the best pine scents. I guarantee there’s one on this list for you.
Final Verdict
When searching for the best pine cologne, look for a scent that’s woody, fresh, and well-balanced. Your ideal pine scent should be masculine yet approachable, and set you apart from the crowd, like Polo Ralph Lauren. This cologne is delicious and boasts excellent performance.
FAQ
-
-
Pine smells woody, earthy, and fresh, like taking a walk through a beautiful evergreen forest.
-
Because it’s reminiscent of the outdoors, pine is a great scent for smelling fresh and masculine in a clean, bright way.
-
