The note of musk is one of the most commonly used notes in perfumery. Not only does it smell amazing, but its also an important factor in making fragrances last long. But what are the best musk fragrances for men?
What Is The Note Of Musk And How Does It Smell
In perfumery, there are many different types of musk used. However, some are more common than others. Usually, the note of musk either gives off a very clean, almost dry laundry-type scent or a more dirty animalic scent. Both are quite common and both are very likable when used correctly.
However, the note of musk is also a fixative. A fixative in perfume slows down the evaporation process, meaning the fragrance will last longer. This is a common use for the note of musk and also explains why not all fragrances that use the note of musk also smell like musk.
The fragrances listed below will be fragrances where you can actually smell the actual note of musk. Whether its a clean and fresh scent of musk or a more dirty and alluring musk, the fragrances below are all fantastic!
1. Kiehl’s Original Musk
Scent: Kiehl’s Original Musk is the quintessential musk fragrance. When you first spray this fragrance on, you’re greeted by a beautiful scent of clean fruits and florals. This clean scent of fruits and florals will continue on all throughout the fragrance, only to be accompanied by a gorgeous scent of musk. The musk in this fragrance is both clean and dirty, making it appear luxurious and up-scale. Overall, this is one of the best musk fragrances on the market and definitely deserves its spot on this list.
Notes: The top notes of Kiehl’s Original Musk are bergamot and orange blossom. The middle notes are rose, ylang ylang, neroli, and lily. The base notes are musk, patchouli, and tonka bean.
Best for: Kiehl’s Original Musk is a wonderful fragrance that can be worn all year long. This fragrance has such an inoffensive and clean scent that will work perfectly during the warmer, as well as the colder months. Throughout the year, you can either wear this fragrance formally or casually, as it will work great in either situation. If you’re looking for a high-quality, easy to wear musk fragrance, this might be the one. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
2. Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan
Scent: Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan is a musk fragrance through and through. This fragrance immediately opens with a dirty, animalic scent of musk, setting the tone for this fragrance. After the opening, some sweetness and spices are added, strengthening the initial musky opening. This is also the point where the note of civet starts to show itself, giving off an even stronger animalic scent. In the end, you’re left with a bold and daring fragrance that can actually be very delightful to wear.
Notes: The notes of Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan are caraway, vanilla, rose, musk, amber, patchouli, labdanum, ambrette, and civet.
Best for: Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan is an extremely bold fragrance with a strong and daring scent. Such a fragrance is best worn during the colder months where the lower temperatures will soften the scent. During the colder months, you’re best off wearing this fragrance casually, either during the day or at night. The boldness wouldn’t really fit in at the office, but it might work great in a formal as a show of character. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
3. Nasomatto Silver Musk
Scent: Nasomatto Silver Musk is an extremely nice fragrance with a very clean scent. This fragrance opens with a clean and fresh scent that’s best described as soapy and luxurious. This pure, soapy scent will continue on for a very long while, only to be accompanied by a beautiful scent of clean musk. From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much, leaving you with an overall simple, yet truly beautiful fragrance that perfectly embodies the clean side of musk.
Notes: The only listed note of Nasomatto Silver Musk is musk.
Best for: Nasomatto Silver Musk is an amazing fragrance that’s best worn during the warmer months. The freshness of this fragrance will fit in perfectly with those warmer temperatures and you can wear this one pretty much all the time. The clean and luxurious feel makes it perfect for the office or any other formal setting, but it will also work great in a casual setting. Just make sure you’re dressed nicely. Something like a white button-up will be the perfect match for this fragrance. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
4. Ferrari Essence Musk
Scent: Ferrari Essence Musk is a fantastic musk-based fragrance with a very fresh and lively scent. This fragrance opens with a burst of fresh citruses, supported by a strong base of sea notes. This immediately creates a fresh and vibrant scent that sets the tone for the remainder of the fragrance. After the opening, a cold scent of mint is added, strengthening the initial freshness. All the while, there’s a gorgeous undertone of clean musk present, leaving you with a clean, fresh, and vibrant fragrance.
Notes: The top notes of Ferrari Essence Musk are white grapefruit, sea notes, and mandarin leaves. The middle notes are lavender, mint, nutmeg, and watermelon. The base notes are vetiver, cedar, amber, and white musk.
Best for: Ferrari Essence Musk is a gorgeous fragrance that’s best worn during the warmer months. Here, the fresh scent will fit in perfectly and can be worn pretty much all the time. This fragrance has such an inoffensive and fresh scent that you can’t really go wrong with it. It’s great for the office, great for any other formal setting, but also perfect for casual daytime wear, whether you’re going to the beach or hanging out at home. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
5. Narciso Rodriguez For Him Musk
Scent: Narciso Rodriguez For Him Musk is a rather interesting fragrance with a fantastic scent. This fragrance opens with a bright and fresh scent of iris, giving off both a fresh and slightly powdery feel. Shortly after the opening, a clean scent of musk makes itself known, blending in beautifully with the iris from the opening. From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much anymore. Only some subtle sweet hints of red berries can be detected, although these stay relatively faint.
Notes: The notes of Narciso Rodriguez For Him Musk are iris, musk, and red berries.
Best for: Narciso Rodriguez For Him Musk is a gorgeous fragrance with a clean scent that still has some weight to it. This makes it perfect for the fall, winter, and spring where you can practically wear this wherever you want. It’s clean and inoffensive enough to wear to the office, luxurious enough for any other formal setting, but also interesting enough to just wear casually. If you’re looking for a high-quality, clean musk fragrance, you should definitely give this one a try. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
6. Bugatti Homme
Scent: Bugatti Homme is a fantastic fragrance with a rich and aromatic scent. This fragrance opens quite fresh with some citruses and green notes. However, this is quickly accompanied by a bunch of spicy notes. These blend together to create a rich and aromatic scent. After a little while, a clean and rich scent of musk makes itself known, giving the fragrance a nice base to thrive upon. In the dry down, the fragrance turns a little sweeter with the notes of tonka bean and vanilla.
Notes: The top notes of Bugatti Homme are pepper, pink pepper, mandarin, bergamot, and green notes. The middle notes are violet leaves, rose, nutmeg, and jasmine. The base notes are amber, cedar, vanilla, patchouli, musk, tonka bean, and vetiver.
Best for: Bugatti Homme is an incredible fragrance that’s best worn during the fall and spring. Here, the temperatures are on the cooler side, which is perfect for a fresh, yet rich fragrance such as this. During these months, there really are no limits to this fragrance. It’s perfect for casual daytime wear, but will also be great at night. On the other hand, it will also work great in a more formal setting as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
7. Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur
Scent: Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur is a fantastic fragrance with a warm and spicy scent of musk. This fragrance immediately opens with a warm scent of cinnamon, supported by some cloves. Along with the spices is the note of vanilla, providing the fragrance with a sweet undertone. All the time, there’s this beautiful scent of musk present, done in a dirty yet extremely likable fashion. The musk blends in beautifully with the other notes, leaving you with a true masterpiece.
Notes: The top notes of Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur are tangerine, lavender, and bergamot. The middle notes are cinnamon and cloves. The base notes are cedar, guaiac woods, amber, vanilla, musk, tonka bean, and sandalwood.
Best for: Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur is a gorgeous fragrance with a warm and sweet scent. Such a scent is best worn during the colder months, where it will provide you with a warm and welcoming feel. During the colder months, this fragrance is best worn in a casual daytime setting, or, better yet, at night. The sweetness, paired with the musk makes for a seductive and alluring scent that works perfectly during nights out or dates. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
8. Atelier Cologne Musc Imperial
Scent: Atelier Cologne Musc Imperial is a gorgeous fragrance with a fresh and fruity scent. This fragrance opens with a beautiful scent of sweet fig and blackcurrant, supported by some citruses. After a short while, a beautiful scent of clean musk makes itself known, blending in nicely with the fresh fruits and making for an overall lovely scent. When this fragrance starts to dry down, it becomes a little warmer, but overall, you get a fruity, juicy, almost tropical fragrance with a beautiful influence of clean musk.
Notes: The top notes of Atelier Cologne Musc Imperial are bergamot, black currant, and clary sage. The middle notes are leather, fig, and lavender. The base notes are cedar and ambrette musk.
Best for: Atelier Cologne Musc Imperial is a fantastic warm-weather fragrance, perfect for the spring and summer. During those months, the fresh and tropical scent will fit in perfectly with the higher temperatures, making for a fantastic everyday fragrance. Due to the juicy freshness, this fragrance will always be perfect in a casual setting, however, even formally it will work great. Just make sure you dress appropriately and match the casual classy feel. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
9. Escentric Molecules Escentric 03
Scent: Escentric Molecules Escentric 03 is an amazing fragrance with a fresh scent of woods and citruses. Immediately in the opening, you can start to notice a bright and vibrant scent of citruses. Added to the citruses are some fresh spices, giving the fragrance a nice edge. Shortly after the opening, a beautiful scent of woods make themselves known, giving the fragrance a slightly warm undertone. All the while, there’s this beautiful, clean and addictive scent of musk present.
Notes: The top notes of Escentric Molecules Escentric 03 are pepper, lime, and ginger. The middle notes are tea, jasmine, and iris. The base notes are leather, cedar, sandalwood, musk, and vetiver.
Best for: Escentric Molecules Escentric 03 is a wonderful fragrance with an incredibly likable scent. Due to the fresher nature, it’s best worn during the spring and summer, where you can wear it pretty much all the time. This is one of those fragrances that could easily be a signature scent for any man, as it will work wonderfully in a casual setting, but just as amazing in a formal setting. There’s just no going wrong with this one. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
10. Montale Musk To Musk
Scent: Montale Musk To Musk is another fragrance that perfectly embodies the animalic nature of the note of musk. This fragrance opens with a rich and dark scent of woods and what seems to be a leathery scent. Quickly added to the opening is a dirty, animalic scent of musk, creating a strong and daring scent. From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much anymore. Only a soft hint of nutmeg is added, which goes really well with the warm woods and strong musk.
Notes: The notes of Montale Musk To Musk are oud, woody notes, nutmeg, teak wood, musk, and amber.
Best for: Montale Musk To Musk is a fantastic fragrance to wear during the colder months. This fragrance is rather strong and daring and would be too overpowering for the warmer months. When it’s colder, though, it’s actually very likable. It has a seductiveness to it that makes it perfect for nighttime wear, especially on nights out or dates. However, you can also wear it casually throughout the day as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
11. l’Artisan Parfumeur Mure Et Musc Extreme
Scent: l’Artisan Parfumeur Mure Et Musc Extreme is a great fragrance with a fruity scent of musk. This fragrance opens with a beautiful scent of red berries and blackberry, immediately introducing the fruity aspect of this fragrance. Shortly after the opening, a clean touch of musk is added, blending in beautifully with the sweet berries. From here, the fragrance doesn’t really change anymore, leaving you with a simple but extremely pleasant fragrance.
Notes: The notes of l’Artisan Parfumeur Mure Et Musc Extreme are bergamot, red berries, blackberry, and musk.
Best for: l’Artisan Parfumeur Mure Et Musc Extreme is a fantastic fragrance that’s best worn during the warmer months. This is because of the fresh scent of the fruits that work best with the higher temperatures. During the warmer months, you can easily wear this casually all throughout the day. This fragrance has such an uplifting and inoffensive scent that just works great in a casual daytime setting. However, because it’s so inoffensive, it will also work nicely in the office as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
12. Gandini 1896 Blue Musk
Scent: Gandini 1896 Blue Musk is an interesting fragrance with a powdery and musky scent. This fragrance opens with an interesting scent of walnut and iris, immediately giving off a powdery feel. Added to the opening is the note of blackcurrant, which gives off a slightly sweet and fresh scent. From here, a beautiful note of musk is added, giving off a clean and soft scent. From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much anymore, leaving you with an overall gorgeous fragrance.
Notes: The top notes of Gandini 1896 Blue Musk are walnut, coconut, and blackcurrant. The middle notes are champaca, water lily, and iris. The base notes are musk, cedar, and teak wood.
Best for: Gandini 1896 Blue Musk is a fantastic fragrance that’s best worn during the warmer months. Here, a soft scent like this will be able to shine through and provide you with a gorgeous aroma. During the warmer months, you can easily wear this fragrance casually throughout the day, but it will also work great in the office as well. A fragrance with such a soft and inoffensive scent will work great everywhere you go, making it nog only smell amazing, but also versatile as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
13. Burberry Touch For Men
Scent: Burberry Touch For Men is a fantastic fragrance with a fresh and spicy scent. This fragrance opens with a soft scent of spices, supported by a fresh touch of violet leaves. The violet leaves give off a fresh and almost ozonic undertone, making the fragrance much more interesting. After the opening, a creamy scent of tonka bean makes itself known, as well as a clean scent of musk. These give the fragrance a smooth finish that works together perfectly with the soft, fresh and spicy opening.
Notes: The top notes of Burberry Touch For Men are mandarin, violet leaves, and artemisia. The middle notes are cedar, white pepper, and nutmeg. The base notes are white musk, vetiver, and tonka bean.
Best for: Burberry Touch For Men is a fantastic fragrance that you can actually wear all year long. Even though this fragrance is somewhat fresh, it also has some weight behind it that makes it work great with the lower temperatures. Throughout the year, this fragrance would be perfect for casual everyday wear. This is a great example of what could be a signature scent for any man. On the other hand, it will also work great in a formal setting as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
14. Creed Tabarome Millesime
Scent: Creed Tabarome Millesime is an amazing fragrance with a warm and rich scent. This fragrance opens with a fresh scent of citruses, supported by a spicy touch of ginger. Shortly after the opening, a warm scent of woody notes starts to appear. This gives the fragrance a rich feel without overpowering the citruses and ginger. When this fragrance starts to dry down, a green and subtle hint of tobacco starts to show itself. This makes the fragrance slightly sweeter, however, this fragrance is mainly about the woods and citruses. All the while, there’s this salty, musky undertone of ambergris present.
Notes: The top notes of Creed Tabarome Millesime are tangerine and bergamot. The middle note is ginger and the base notes are leather, tobacco, ambergris, sandalwood, and patchouli.
Best for: Creed Tabarome Millesime is a beautiful fragrance that will work great all year long. The perfect balance between the fresh citruses and warm woods makes for a fragrance that does well in all temperatures. Throughout the year, you can pretty much wear this whenever you want. It’s luxurious and inoffensive enough for the office or formal wear, but it also has enough character for casual everyday wear. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
15. Cartier l’Envol
Scent: Cartier l’Envol is a fantastic fragrance with a sweet and musky scent. This fragrance opens slightly fresh with some citruses but those are quickly overpowered by a sweet scent of honey. The citruses do balance out the sweetness, preventing it from becoming cloying and overpowering. After the opening, you’ll quickly notice a beautiful scent of musk that makes the fragrance a little creamier. In the dry down, a touch of guaiac wood can be noticed giving off a warm woody scent.
Notes: The top notes of Cartier l’Envol are citruses and artemisia. The middle note is honey and the base notes are musk and guaiac wood.
Best for: Cartier l’Envol is a fantastic fragrance that, although quite sweet, can be worn all year long. Throughout the year, you can easily wear this to the office, as it’s not too offensive. Just make sure you don’t overapply. However, this fragrance might be better for casual wear, either during the day or at night. The sweetness gives this fragrance a seductive edge that makes it perfect for nights out or dates, but it will work just as well in a casual daytime setting. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
16. The Body Shop White Musk
Scent: The Body Shop White Musk is a great fragrance with a safe and easy to wear scent. This fragrance opens rather aromatic with hints of geranium and lavender. Added to the opening is the note of tonka bean, which gives the fragrance a soft and rounded feel. After the opening, a nice scent of musk is added, giving the fragrance a clean and likable undertone. When this fragrance starts to dry down, it becomes ever so slightly sweeter and warmer.
Notes: The top note of The Body Shop White Musk is lavender. The middle notes are geranium and jasmine. The base notes are vetiver, musk, tonka bean, and sandalwood.
Best for: The Body Shop White Musk is an extremely easy to wear fragrance that will work great in every season of the year. Throughout the year, there’s also really not a time where you can’t wear this one either. It’s perfect for the office, perfect for casual daytime wear, and it even works great at night as well. In short, you really cannot go wrong with a versatile and easy to like fragrance such as this. And it’s also very affordable as well! If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
17. Jovan Musk For Men
Scent: Jovan Musk For Men is a classic musky fragrance that’s been around for a long time. This fragrance opens with a fresh and aromatic scent of citruses and floral notes, creating a slightly soapy feel. Shortly after the opening, a clean scent of musk makes itself known, blending in beautifully with the soapy fresh opening. When this fragrance starts to dry down, it becomes a little warmer. Overall, this is a fantastic fragrance with a musky clean scent and an old-school vibe.
Notes: The top notes of Jovan Musk For Men are lime, pepper, lemon, and carnation. The middle notes are mint, spices, amber, and lavender. The base notes are musk and woody notes.
Best for: Jovan Musk For Men is a fantastic fragrance that you can easily wear all year long. The combination of the fresh opening and the warm dry down makes it work perfectly in any temperature. Throughout the year, you can wear this fragrance either casually or formally, as it will work great in both kinds of settings. Whether you’re going to the office, hanging out at home, or going to dinner, this fragrance will be great. It’s also extremely inexpensive as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
18. Houbigant Monsieur Musk
Scent: Houbigant Monsieur Musk is a very nice fragrance with a warm scent of musk. This fragrance opens with a warm scent of spices, setting the tone for the remainder of the fragrance. Shortly after the opening, a slightly animalic scent of musk makes itself known, blending in nicely with the spices and creating a more daring scent. In the dry down, a touch of tobacco is added, making the fragrance even more daring, but also a little sweeter and warmer.
Notes: The notes of Houbigant Monsieur Musk are tobacco, musk, and spices.
Best for: Houbigant Monsieur Musk is a great fragrance to wear during the colder months. Due to the warm and daring scent, you can best wear this fragrance casually, either during the day or at night. The boldness wouldn’t really fit in well in a formal setting, but casually, it’s great. You can wear it throughout the day, but you can also wear it on a night out. And on top of all that, it’s also very inexpensive. If you’re interested, you can check out the current price over here on Amazon!