There’s something to be said about menswear brands pumping out fragrance lines, mainly because they know exactly what guys really want. Case in point are the best Dunhill colognes for men, dripping in attractive masculine notes that turn heads and stand out.
Some of the colognes on this list have been fan favorites for twenty-plus years, andothers are more niche options that are just as worthy of esteem. To help you determine the best Dunhill cologne, I’ve rounded up seven of the top options that are varied, versatile, and well worth considering.
Keep reading to find out which colognes made the cut. Your signature scent awaits you below.
Key Takeaways
After reading hundreds of reviews and talking to some experts, I’ve made up my mind. Dunhill does one thing very, very well, and that’s concocting manly colognes for all walks of life.
For the absolute best option, Icon Racing Red strikes an impeccable balance of bright, deep, and oh-so-masculine that’s ideal for daily wear throughout the four seasons. For a more affordable alternative, Dunhill Desire Red is a crowd-pleaser with punchy notes balanced out by deep woods for a wearable and, quite frankly, irresistible fragrance.
Discover more of the best Dunhill colognes for men below.
Why it’s great: Racing Red encapsulates all of the power of Dunhill’s Icon fragrance line, with a touch of sun-kissed luxury. Rather than deep and mysterious like Icon Absolute, Racing Red puts emphasis on dazzling notes like juicy citrus, enticing cypress, and cozy moss and musk.
The resulting fragrance is one that’s well rounded and gentlemanly. Think cruising through coastal mountains on a hot summer day. It’s also a noteworthy alternative to Armani Pour Homme.
Who is this for? To embody the spirit of summer, this is the ultimate Dunhill cologne for men. It’s a captivating, sexy fragrance that works well for four-season wear. Plus, the cylindrical red bottle will capture as much attention as the gorgeous scent itself.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although the cologne is capital-N-nice, it’s nothing remarkable or overly distinctive.
Top Notes: Solar accord, black pepper, grapefruit, mandarin, petit-grain | Middle Notes: Cypress, geranium, pepper | Base Notes: Amber, cedarwood, tonka bean, musk, moss, vetiver | Type: Eau de Parfum
Why it’s great: For a sweet fragrance that makes a statement, Desire Red by Dunhill hits the mark every time. It’s refreshing and long-lasting and has a cult-like following, despite being nearly 25 years old. It’s punchy and fruity and finished with deep woods for a slight oriental spin on an otherwise fresh cologne.
Who is this for? Looking to make an impact with your cologne? This is the best pick to rack up compliments. Whether you wear it to the bar or on a first date, it’s a head-turner as a cologne women love, especially given its lasting power.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Dunhill actually discontinued this cologne, but it’s still available at select retailers like Amazon for all the die-hard fans (of which there are plenty).
Top Notes: Apple, bergamot, lime, neroli | Middle Notes: Rose, patchouli, teak | Base Notes: Vanilla, white musk | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: Herbal fragrance lovers rise up. This is the top Dunhill cologne for men who want to capture the magic of the French countryside in summer. It’s giving expansive lavender fields, wood-filled olive groves, and crisp drinks on a sun-drenched patio. What more can a man ask for in this life?
Who is this for? For the man who doesn’t want to smell like everyone else, this Dunhill cologne will serve you well. With notes of saffron, lavender, and guaiac wood, it’s a nice change from the overwhelmingly citrusy summer fragrances that saturate the market.
Flaws but not deal0breakers: This is one of the more expensive Dunhill colognes for men, compared to the more common colognes under $50.
Top Notes: Saffron | Middle Notes: Lavender | Base Notes: Guaiac wood | Type: Eau de Parfum
Why it’s great: The best way to describe this Dunhill cologne is crisp and juicy. It captures attention with bright top notes of green apple and bergamot before taking a spicy turn with black pepper and warm teakwood. This blue cologne has a little bit of everything — freshness, a bit of a kick, and a sophisticated deepness that gives it a leg up on generic drugstore fragrances.
Who is this for? Any guy seeking a warm weather cologne will eat up Driven Blue. It’s sweet, tangy, and reminiscent of evenings at the beach. The bottle also has plenty of counter appeal, so don’t be afraid to put it on full display.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: As an Eau de Toilette, this fragrance isn’t as long-lasting as an Eau de Parfum. It settles into the skin nicely but doesn’t project super well, especially after about an hour of wear. This is pretty common for colognes that smell like the beach.
Top Notes: Lemon | Middle Notes: Orange blossom | Base Notes: Teakwood | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: For a deep, masculine scent, this is one of the best smelling colognes for men. Rather than light and bright like most of Dunhill’s scents, this one has a darker twist with oud, tobacco, and Tuscan leather. This gives it a manly air and is especially effective for evening and cold weather wear.
Who is this for? If you’re after more depth in your cologne, then this is a remarkable pick. To balance out the heavier notes, Icon Absolute has fragrant florals and spices for plenty of sophistication.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: You may find this cologne a bit intense for daytime or warm weather wear.
Top Notes: Saffron, black rose, jasmine | Middle Notes: Bergamot, black pepper, cardamom | Base Notes: Oud, tobacco, leather | Type: Eau de Parfum
Why it’s great: This Dunhill cologne lives up to its name by perfectly capturing the essence of the Amalfi Coast. Picture wandering under lemon trees, sitting on terraces with a view, and chowing down on peppery pasta. When you consider summer in a bottle, this cologne is a front-runner.
Who is this for? If you want to smell like an Italian summer year round, then this cologne will be your best friend. Although it’s certainly on the brighter side, it still works for evenings and cooler weather, considering that the hefty dose of citrus is evened out with warm cardamom and vetiver.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: To a handful of wearers, this Dunhill cologne has a slight powdery smell, which isn’t appealing to some guys.
Top Notes: Lemon, mandarin | Middle Notes: Cardamom, musk | Base Notes: Vetiver | Type: Eau de Parfum
Why it’s great: This best-selling Dunhill cologne is a bright treat for the senses. Dripping in juicy citrus scents and grounded in warm wood notes, it’s a standout year-round fragrance and the ultimate choice for a signature scent for the contemporary gentleman.
Who is this for? If you gravitate towards fresh fragrances, then this is the best Dunhill cologne for men. It’s prime for daily office wear and lingers on the skin, exuding a clean, refined scent.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: In my (humble) opinion, this scent is a bit generic. To me, it smells like every other clean cologne. But that said, it’s an awesome budget-friendly alternative to Acqua Di Parma’s citrusy scents.
Top Notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin | Middle Notes: Sandalwood, olibanum | Base Notes: Neroli | Type: Eau de Parfum
Buying Considerations for the Best Dunhill Colognes
Scent
The main consideration when choosing the top Dunhill cologne is the scent. Unlike many fragrance brands, the majority of Dunhill’s cologne line is easy to wear, with versatile scents and foolproof choices to reach for, no matter the fragrance you choose. In other words, you don’t have to worry too much about unapproachable scents. The brand is a pretty safe bet for blind buys.
That said, some Dunhill colognes embody more powerful scents than others. For example, Icon Absolute has a deeper twist that makes it better suited to evenings rather than daytime wear. Conversely, the Signature Collection, with scents like Amalfi Citrus and Valendsole Lavender, is much more appropriate for when the sun is out.
Season
The Dunhill cologne you choose plays into when it’s appropriate to wear it, so it’s worth selecting an option that embodies the seasonality you’re gunning for. Lighter, punchy scents like Icon Racing Red and Century are ideal for year-round wear. On the other hand, choices like Icon Absolute are best for colder seasons, and scents like Amalfi Citrus are most effective during summer.
Price
Dunhill colognes come in various price points that make them accessible for most budgets. The offerings fall in a solid mid range, hovering between $100 and $150 for a 100 milliliter bottle of the cologne.
If you’re seeking the brand’s more affordable colognes, then opt for best-selling Century or the Driven line. For more high-end options, like Dunhill’s Signature Collection, the price climbs slightly, with fragrances like Amalfi Citrus and Valensole Lavender as the most expensive options on this list.
However, a 100-milliliter bottle of cologne has the potential to last quite a while, so regardless of what you choose, you can consider your purchase an investment.
How We Chose
Dunhill is no stranger to quality colognes, but to choose the very best options, I used the following criteria:
Customer Reviews: Dunhill has plenty of colognes to choose from, but the ones on this list are the highest rated and have the best customer reviews. Sure, I have my own feelings about the Dunhill cologne line, but understanding what others think about each scent led to the creation of this master list. There’s truly something for everyone here.
Longevity: No one wants a fragrance that fades to nothing only an hour after a liberal spritz. All of the colognes on this list are long-lasting to keep you smelling your best for the duration of any day.
Ease of Wear: Similarly, no guy wants a cologne that he can wear only once or twice a year. Each scent you discover here was chosen for its versatility, allowing any man to wear it at any point in time.
Why Trust Us?
Jane dreams of the day when every guy in the world has his own signature scent. Until that time comes, she happily provides cologne and fragrance advice to men around the world in hopes of helping them discover cologne that truly speaks to them. Nothing boosts confidence quite like the right cologne, which is only one reason that Jane is so passionate about sharing her knowledge through her articles.
If you’re hunting for your next scent, then you can check out related posts by Jane, which cover the best manly colognes and best selling colognes. Everything she writes comes from a place of meticulous research, testing, and interviews to truly understand and determine what’s worth the buy (and, of course, what’s not).
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for the best Dunhill cologne for men to wear daily throughout the year, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than Icon Racing Red. This cologne stands out, with fresh notes of citrus, cypress, and moss for a well-rounded, clean fragrance.
If you want to lean into the bright side of Dunhill colognes, then a solid runner-up is Desire Red, with zingy fruit notes balanced out with a distinct woody aspect. But the bottom line? Any Dunhill cologne you choose will be the backbone of your fragrance rotation.
FAQ
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Dunhill cologne smells excellent, especially if you’re seeking versatile, masculine scents. The brand often uses citrus notes in its fragrance for a blast of freshness and grounds out the colognes with manly additions of wood, tobacco, and spice.
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Dunhill Desire Red has a sweet, warm smell balanced by wood scents. It’s often considered an oriental fragrance with notes of teakwood, patchouli, and rose.
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Dunhill is considered a luxury brand for men. It specializes in high quality menswear for guys from all walks of life. The brand’s fragrances follow the same ethos, with ready to wear scents for the modern man.
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