15 Top-Shelf Colognes & Fragrances To Gift This Father's Day

Beauty editor Janetta Mackay sniffs out the latest men’s colognes to help you find a memorable match for your dad

Sunday Aug. 26, 2018

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1. Ralph Lauren Polo Ultra Blue 75ml eau de toilette $114

Crisp and fresh, with a jaunty sea breeze sensation as citrus, salt, green notes and woods combine.

2. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Italian Zest 75ml eau de toilette $102

Summery scent with a zesty citrus zing centered on bergamot and facets of pepper, rosemary, musk and oak.

3. Invictus Aqua by Paco Rabanne 50ml eau de toilette $115

Fresh and intensely Italian juxtaposition of marine notes and the embrace of amber and wood in a trophy bottle.

4. Jimmy Choo Man 50ml eau de toilette $97

Woody, aromatic and leathery, with fresh sage and sunny citrus smoothing down to warm sandalwood.

5. Amouage Imitation Man 100ml eau de parfum $515

Inspired by New York subcultures of the 1970s, this is an eclectic melding of spices, florals, incense, leather and patchouli.

6. Azzaro Wanted by Night 50ml eau de parfum $105

A woody and spicy oriental scent, this is a hedonistic mix of cinnamon, cedar and tobacco, suited to evening wear. (In store from Monday August 27.)

7. Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Absolu 40ml eau de parfum $120

A more intense marine-woody interpretation of the 1996 original Acqua.

8. Abel Green Cedar 50ml fragrance spray $185

A rare all-natural-in-origin fragrance based on cedar woods and spiced up with cardamom and a touch of magnolia.

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9. Bulgari Man Wood Essence 60ml eau de parfum $119

Matching the bottle there’s plenty of greenery here, with cypress and cedar woods and coriander leaf. Starts citrus fresh, ends in resinous depth.

10. D.S & Durga Burning Barbershop 50ml eau de parfum $247

Niche fragrance house imagining of a barber’s going up in smoke. Think blackened cologne with hints of mint, lime and spruce.

11. Byredo Pulp 50ml eau de parfum $202

Takes its name from exotic fruit teetering on the edge of lush ripeness. This unisex choice is laced with bursts of bergamot, fig and red apple.

12. Bottega Veneta Pour Homme 90ml eau de toilette $165

Cedar leaves and spicy cardamom give way to balsam and leather, with a seductive scent trail.

13. Coach Platinum 60ml eau de parfum $115

Sage and masculine florals including geranium, smoothly segue into refined woods and a leathery vanilla accord.

14. Yves Saint Laurent Y Man 60ml eau de parfum $137

Darker than Y eau de toilette, this opens with crisp apple amid citrus before ramping up the aromatics over amber and tonka bean.

15. Boucheron Quatre Absolu de Nuit 50ml eau de parfum $99

Vibrant contrasts of lemon, sage and lavender, spicy warmth, vanilla and sensual woody depths

STOCKISTS: From selected department stores and Life pharmacies unless otherwise stated. (Invictus from selected Unichem pharmacies also.) Boucheron, Bottega Veneta and Abel exclusive to Smith & Caughey’s. Bulgari Man from Smith & Caughey’s and selected Life pharmacies. Byredo and D.S Gurga from Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima stores, see Meccabeauty.co.nz. Amouage from World stores, see Worldbrand.co.nz

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