Fun fact: “musk” used to come from deer groins. No lie. The best musk colognes were products of a powdery pheromone-packed substance that musk deer stags used to attract their mates. These days, though, the “musk” used in musk-forward colognes and perfumes is synthetically made. The deer get to live in peace, and we still get scents built around musk's deep, sexy note—one that helps lighten up heavier scents (like leather or wood) or anchor ligher scents (like florals or citrus). Because while musk can play a supporting role, a musk-centric scent just feels unique among the broader world of men's colognes: primal, but—in the right hands (or noses)—still elegant.

Below are ten of the best musk colognes on the market right now for men.

Our Favorite Musk Cologne Overall

Montblanc

Explorer Platinum Eau de Parfum$115

Nordstrom

Scent profile: Woody-muskyKey notes: Cedarwood, musk, clary sage, cypress, violet leaf

Of all the colognes in Montblanc's terrific Explorer line, Platinum is my favorite yet. Cypress, cedar, and musk make it smell fresh as the powder at the top of the Alps, while making sure it keeps its fancy hiking boots firmly planted on the ground.

Best Musk Cologne for the Office

Henry Rose

Menace Eau de Parfum$120

Henry Rose

Scent profile: Aromatic Key notes: Cedar, geranium, resin, suede musk, patchouli

Oaire will earn you compliments with its soothing impression. And it just might draw people subconsciously to your cubicle for some watercooler gossip. Don't blame us when suddenly you're everyone's favorite coworker to hover around. This is olfactive catnip.

Best Musk Cologne for Summer and Fall

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Aqua Universalis Forte Eau de Parfum$275

Nordstrom

Scent profile: Floral muskKey notes: Jasmine, musk, lemon, wood, rose

Aqua Universalis is terrific for the warmer half of the calendar, especially late summer into fall. It has a citrusy start but ends up in the forest, with a musky-woody base that keeps it soft, like a pile of leaves.

Best Musk Cologne for Winter and Spring

Le Labo

Tonka 25 Eau de Parfum$322

Nordstrom

Scent Profile: Woody-vanilla-muskyKey Notes: Musk, tonka, cedar, vanilla

While Tonka 25 is a terrific pick for an every-day scent, since it's floral, crisp, and fresh, it's still a bit heftier than the first half of the sentence might lead you to believe. Partly because the "Tonka" in the name is a red herring—the vanilla-forward tonka beans are secondary to the cologne's powdery, musky notes and the weight they bring. We'd save this one for evenings and colder weather, and let it hibernate for summer.

Best Musk Cologne for Date Night

Henry Rose

Menace Eau de Parfum$120

Henry Rose

Scent profile: Aromatic Key notes: Marine notes, lime, cedar, musk, cypress

Henry Rose is one of the more exciting niche perfumers these days, and not just because Michelle Pfeiffer is at the helm. Menace is the brand's first "true masculine" scent. While we here at GQ don't believe in smells having genders, we're grateful for the new arrival: it's a sexy seaside scent that makes you feel like you're on the coast of northern California, getting whiffs of cypress and cedar. If it's menacing, it's only in a Pretty Little Liars kind of way.

Most Musky Cologne

Santa Maria Novella

Muschio EDC$150

Lucky Scent

Scent profile: Powdery-muskyKey notes: Musk, iris, lily of the valley

Muschio is powdery musk perfection. And as musk-forward as the scent may be (and it is musk-forward, in a great way), th fact that it's a low-concentration eau de cologne means it goes on light and fades in a couple hours. By necessity that makes it something of a scalpel in a line-up of blunter instruments, and great for moments where you want to make a first impression but not let a cologne carry the conversation all night.

Most Casual Musk Cologne

Bianco Profumo

Neroli Pomodoro Eau de Parfum$125

Bianco

Scent profile: Citrus-muskyKey notes: Neroli, tomato leaf, basil, amber, musk

Neroli Pomodoro, from new-kid perfumer Bianco Profumo, leads with tomato leaf and basil (hence the "pomodoro"), but the musk base note brings an all-day aromatic buzz.The guy who wears this scent smells every bit as sophisticated as a buttoned-up businessman, but the twist is that he owns a creative agency—or maybe just a painting studio in his backyard.

Best Musk Cologne for Weekends

Gallivant

Brooklyn Eau de Parfum$95

Lucky Scent

Scent profile: Citrus-muskyKey notes: Musk, orange, lemon, resin, amber

Gallivant's scents pay homage to the world's best cities, and this one pays homage to its namesake borough not with whiffs of slice shops and idling cars but with musk and ozone. It feels like the calm after the storm, when the rain's washed away the day's sweat and left behind a city filled with life and brownstones and tree-lined streets.

Best Musk Cologne for Travel

Fulton & Roark

Tybee Solid Cologne$60

Fulton & Roark

Scent profile: Woody-muskyKey notes: Amber, wood, musk

Solid colognes don't usually make our "Best Of" roundups, but this one from Fulton & Roark perfectly pairs musk with wood and amber notes. Apply a swipe daily to your wrists and neck, and take the little metal container with you if you need a re-up in the evening.

Most Intense Musk Cologne

Guerlain

Musc Noble Eau de Parfum$141

Amazon

Scent profile: Rosy-muskyKey notes: Musk, rose, saffron, leather, cedar

Leather, cedar, saffron, pepper, and rose sing in harmony while musk owns the spotlight. It's not for the meek: Musc Noble is the most powerful scent of our musk-forward favorites, so start with a half-spritz and go from there.

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Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQGQ RecommendsColognes and Fragrances