Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Trade in Your Woodsy Cologne for these 5 Smokey Scents

Nothing captures the feeling of winter quite like sitting by a roaring fire, watching the burning embers glowing beneath a dancing flame sending sparks flying up through veils of smoke. That smell always takes you back somewhere special, to a place where there was little else to worry about other than the fire dying out. If you have been searching for a way to evoke those feelings through fragrance, but keep finding yourself with plenty of fuel, but no smoke, we have a selection of scents that will get your fire burning, and stay lit as long as you have it on.

What makes these fragrances special is that they aren’t the typical warm, woodsy colognes you come across. These fragrances capture more of the smokey realness of the fire and less of the wood that goes into it. While there are woody notes to wrap these fragrances in, the focus is much more on the result instead of the beginning. Notes like gun smoke, oak moss, and pine unfold in these fragrances, creating scents that are unique to you. Deep, earthy, smokey, and rich, these colognes are not for everyone, but for those of you who love the smell of a smoky retreat, it’s about time you be able to take it with you.

Recommended Videos

Cire Trudon Revolution, 100 ml – $190

Cire Trudon Revolution
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The smells of burning wood and gun smoke linger in this parfum from a fragrance house that has been delivering superior fragranced candles to royalty since 1643. Unlike many scents, which start bright and end with a woody dry down, this fragrance hits you hard upfront, instantly revealing its true depth. There is no hiding from this smokey revolt, and we’re all for it.

Buy Now

D.S. & Durga Burning Barbershop, 100 ml – $230

DS and Durga Burning Barbershop
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In 1891, the Curling Brother’s barbershop in Westlake, New York burned to the ground. With it burned the shaving tonics, lotions, and creams that men used everyday in their lavish and involved grooming routines. Spearmint, lavender, lime, and vanilla set ablaze is what you smell when breathing in the smokey intoxicating aroma of this parfum.

See It

Serge Lutens Fille En Aigulles, 50 ml – $150

Serge Lutens Fille En Aigulles
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Part northern pine forest, part log-cabin fireplace, this rich and complex scent sets it self apart by bring you through the lifetime of the wood itself. From young sapling, to mature pine, to crackling fire, to smokey ash, this is a balanced earthy fragrance that hits lighter than expected and dries down even deeper than you hoped. For those of you a bit more reluctant to start off so smokey and bold, the friendly beginning of this fragrance may be all it takes to change your mind.

Buy Now

Sonoma Scent Studio Fireside Intense, 34 ml – $100

Sonoma Scent Studio Fireside Intense
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The name says it all when it comes to this robust fireside fragrance. Handmade in Northern California’s Sonoma Valley, this is a true testament of what a burning fireside fragrance can be. Guaiac wood, Himalayan cedar, leather, and oak moss absolute are just a few of the notes that add to the complexity of this local, luxurious, and truly artisan fragrance.

See It

Orto Parisi Terroni Parfum, 50 ml – $195

Orto Parisi Terroni Parfum
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Some fires start small and burn slowly, others start with an explosion and leave a lasting impact. Alessandro Gualtieri, the perfumer behind this fragrance, says it smells just as the world did at the start: with an explosion. Earthen ash and volcanic rock inspired by Mount Vesuvius make up the foundation with a warm, slightly soapy smell to follow. There is a nice balance between charred and clean.

Buy Now

Barret Wertz
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff is a former contributor to The Manual. He is a fashion, grooming, and lifestyle writer based in Manhattan. He has spent…
Dermatologists say this is the only sunscreen rule that really matters
What's the best sunscreen for men? We asked dermatologists
man relaxing in sun sunbathing

Baz Luhrmann's song and speech reminded us to "always wear sunscreen." While the drumbeat around safe sun protection (and enjoyment) reaches a fever pitch in the spring and summer months — a time of more daylight and outdoor fun — dermatologists share that slathering on SPF is a year-round must. The grocery store and pharmacy have many options from brands you may have used in childhood.

The best sunscreen can vary, but ultimately, the rule of thumb is that "the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use," said Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, Ph.D.,  a dermatologist.

Read more
Yves Saint Laurent’s latest fragrance is a nod to the modern man
Yves Saint Laurent announces a new fragrance
close up on YSL fragrance bottle

Aside from being one of the standards in luxury, Yves Saint Laurent has made a name for itself in part due to its outstanding fragrance lineup. Now the brand is adding to its collection a new fragrance for men that’s all about celebrating the modern man. First introduced in 2023, the Myslf line has become a go-to for men looking for a mix of woody and floral, a true homage to the various emotions one faces in life. In its latest launch, YSL is taking this collection and turning it up another level for a new scent that’s even more intense than its predecessors. This new fragrance is meant to symbolize the beauty of being yourself; it is more than another scent; it’s a powerful reminder of one’s inner strength and beauty. 

Explore Yves Saint Laurent’s bold new Myslf L’Absolu

Read more
SPF 100 won’t save you: Expert busts the biggest sunscreen myths
The most common SPF misconceptions
a man in sunscreen with a sun on his shoulder

With lots of skincare and suncare talks this time of year, Dr. Suzanne Jagger of Aura Aesthetics reminds us of a few widespread misconceptions about SPF. Alarming statistics show that 1 in 5 Americans will face skin cancer at some point in their lifetime, highlighting just how important it is to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. According to Dr. Jagger, many fall victim to believing that high SPF numbers work, but there's more to suncare than an SPF rating. Below, Dr. Jagger sets the record straight, sharing the most common (and dangerous) misbelief surrounding sunscreen.

Common SPF myths

Read more