The 15 Manliest Smells in the World
When putting together a list of manly smells, you have to consider that there is manly (ugh) and then there’s manly (yum). As men leave their teens and canned body sprays behind (we’re looking at you, Axe), men journey down a path of collecting the weirdest, oddest, and in some cases, most wonderful smells.
And let’s not forget that manliness is in the eye, or rather nose, of the beholder. So, here are 15 of the manliest smells in the world. Some of which we like, and a few we could do without - But all guaranteed to be manly.
1) Eau de Garage/Motor Oil/Gasoline
Pumping your own gas, working on your car, changing your own oil – the scent created from the combination of gasoline and motor oil brings back the memories of one of the manliest pursuits. No matter what you do, there’s always an underhint of this marvelous mixture that says you know how to fix things. That’s pretty manly.
2) The Aroma of Freshly Cut Grass
Most men (and women, tbh) despise mowing the lawn. Much like laundry or doing the dishes, it’s a chore that is never really done. But most of us enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass. Maybe it’s because it’s a sign of a job well done. If you love the smell of fresh cut grass, or someone you love loves it on you, try CK Be by Calvin Klein. It’s fresh notes give that freshly mown lawn smell without the underlying hint of gasoline.
3) There Really Is Something about an Aqua Velva Man
There’s definitely something about an Aqua Velva man that’s hard to define. This is many men’s introduction to the adult world of shaving and applying cologne. If this smell does it for you, try Kenneth Cole Black. Its similar fragrance has a warmer smell and feel.
4) The Dusty, Musty Scent of the Hardware Store
If you were to take all the manliest smells you could think of and put them together, you’d have hardware store smell. Paint, fertilizer, wood, metal – it’s all in there. And it all says “I’m a man and I must buy tools.”
5) The Scent of the Great Outdoors
It’s hard to describe the scent of the "great outdoors," and why it is so manly. It’s like sweat, only cleaner. Like summer, or a walk in the woods that ends at a cool mountain stream. (Without bears.) Powerful, wild, and delicate at the same time, just like nature, L’Homme Ultime by Yves Saint Laurent captures the manly fragrance of the great outdoors.
6) The Old-Time Smell of the Barber Shop
Nowadays, men go to stylists, but once upon a time they used to go to barber shops. Perhaps that’s why the barber shop, with its notes of barbicide, shaving cream, and cheap coffee, is on this list. And if it’s a true, old-time barbershop, there will be a hint of tobacco in the mix, from when men would smoke while getting a haircut and put their butts out on the ashtray in the chair’s armrest.
7) The Scent of a Pipe
Ever walk past a tobacco shop and take in the sweet smell wafting from its doors? The scent of tobacco often promises more than it delivers: when you light a cigar or cigarette the smoke is often acrid and obnoxious. Not so much with pipe smoke. With pipe smoke, you get a whiff of cherry wood or clove that brings to mind images of sitting by a cozy fire with your faithful dog (and a good set of slippers) nearby. If you like the manly smell of pipe smoke, but don’t want to actually smoke a pipe, try Herrera for Men by Carolina Herrera to get that clove-y, woody, musky smell.
8) The Smell of Well-Worn Leather
Have you ever seen leather connoisseurs take in the bouquet of leather goods the way wine aficionados take in the bouquet of wine? Yeah, it’s like that. Except that well-worn leather - you know, the kind you find in your father's closet - takes on a manlier scent. And some of the manliest clothes and accessories are made of leather – leather boots, leather jackets, leather briefcases – all adding to the allure. For a leather scent of magnetic manliness, try Boss the Scent for Men by Hugo Boss.
9) The Aroma of Charbroiling Meat
Tear open a bag of charcoal and let the scent hit you in the nose. That’s a manly smell. When you toss a match on those little black briquettes, it smells even better. It says “I cook with fire.” And lets the whole neighborhood know when you are doing so.
10) The Rich, Warm, Smoky Smell of Aged Scotch Whiskey
There’s nothing like the rich, warm, smoky smell of aged scotch. It’s a strong, distinct smell – just like the men who drink it. The combination of smoky, fruity, and spicy leaves you with a scent that will put hair on the chest of any man. And that’s pretty manly.
11) The Scent Men Steal from Their Fathers
Any man who has rummaged through his father’s closet found the scent that made their father smell the manliest. That would be Cool Water for Men by Davidoff. This eclectic mix of the manliest notes will always stay in demand.
12) The Smell of Woodshop and Sawdust
Even if you’ve never worked with wood, you’ve always wanted to, right guys? This one goes along with gasoline and hardware store aromas. It’s a little less aggressive but still manly. There’s something refreshing about woody scents, influenced by nature; they have tons of depth and character. For a sophisticated woody scent with a masculine edge, try the refreshingly unisex fragrance Tom Ford Oud Wood.
13) The Aroma of Horses or Stables
Closely aligned with leaders (because reins and saddles) the smell of horses, dried manure, hay, sweet feed, and wet saddle blankets merge into a smell that says ‘I’m all man.” Luckily, that scent stays in the stables.
14) The Fragrance of Drug Store Shaving Cream
The scent of shaving cream means you are now a man, you have control over your appearance. And you weren’t afraid to use a sharp blade. Beard, beardless, longer beard. That’s manliness.
15) The Smell of Cleanliness
There’s nothing more manly in a man than the smell of cleanliness. And there’s no fragrance that captures that better than Dylan Blue for Men by Gianni Versace. This cologne is unafraid, powerful, and reveals the true essence of a man. Not too sweet, not too musky, this is an easy go-to fragrance for when you want to smell manly anytime, anywhere, and on any occasion.
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