The house of Issey Miyake has steadily grown in popularity over the years – the release of their fragrance l’Eau d’Issey for women (and later a mens version) put the brand on the map. It sparked the released of many other fragrances in that line, which are also incredibly popular. So, it raises the question; what are the best Issey Miyake fragrances for men?
The House Of Issey Miyake And Its Fragrances
Issey Miyake is a Japanese fashion designer; he founded the company in 1970 and began his venture in women’s fashion. In 1992 he then branched out into fragrances.
Issey Miyake was born in 1938 in Hiroshima and survived the bombing of the city back during World War II. Miyake spent time in New York working with high-end designers and returned to Tokyo in 1970 and opened his company. His extensive knowledge of fabrics and technology resulted in the creation of various revolutionary garments.
The fragrance house has released nearly 100 fragrances for both men and women from 1992 up till now and will undoubtedly release more. They use gorgeous ingredients to create complex and witty scents that are diverse and intriguing.
They are known for their easy-to-wear, everyday scents, many of them flankers of their popular l’Eau d’Issey. A flanker is basically a different take on the original DNA of a scent, and with Issey Miyake fragrances, you’ll primarily find flankers. Below are some of the best Issey Miyake fragrances for men!
1. l’Eau Bleue d’Issey
This is a gorgeous woody, aromatic fragrance that has a huge amount of different fragrance notes that blend together perfectly. This is an immensely popular scent and even the bottle design has won awards – you cannot go wrong! This cologne was made by Jacques Cavallier and was launched in 2004.
- Top notes: Rosemary, Lime, Orangewood, Mandarin Orange, and Lemongrass
- Middle notes: Cypress, Juniper Berries, Ginger, Lavender, Pink Pepper, May Rose, Star Anise, and Nasturtium
- Base notes: Atlas Cedar, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Amber, and Ambrette (Musk Mallow)
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau Bleue d’Issey Smell Like?
Initially, this fragrance is very powerful; the citrus notes are intensely sour and aromatic with subtle fruity undertones. There are also aromatic herbs hovering in the background adding a touch of character.
The notes from the heart of the fragrance begin to become more powerful, in particular, the lavender; this is an aromatic floral note with strong green spicy undertones. We see the addition of an array of fresh spices that give the fragrance a real kick. The floral notes are more noticeable once the fragrance dies down a little and they inject a much-needed freshness.
The base notes provide a foundation of rich woody notes that add a warm earthiness and complement the spices wonderfully. The result of combining these notes is a natural scent reminiscent of walking through a forest during the summer.
This is a great scent to wear all year round and during the day or night and you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion. It’s a perfect fragrance to have in your collection and you won’t regret owning it!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Winter, Fall, Spring, and Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Strong
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
2. l’Eau d’Issey
l’Eau d’Issey for women is the scent that inspired the creation of many similar fragrances and this is the male equivalent of it. This woody, aquatic fragrance released in 1994 contains a huge number of notes to create a beautifully complex fragrance. This fragrance was made by Jacques Cavallier and launched in 1994.
- Top notes: Yuzu, Lemon, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Lemon Verbena, Cypress, Calone, Coriander, Tarragon, and Sage
- Middle notes: Blue Lotus, Nutmeg, Lily-of-the-Valley, Saffron, Ceylon Cinnamon, Bourbon Geranium, and Mignonette;
- Base notes: Tahitian Vetiver, Musk, Cedar, Sandalwood, Tobacco, and Amber.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey Smell Like?
The opening is refreshing and filled with juicy citrus notes that have gorgeous fruity undertones making the opening feel fun and revitalizing. The yuzu is particularly prominent with its dry, aromatic sourness. The citrus notes are supported by an array of herbs and spices, which add a real complexity to this scent early on.
As we progress into the heart of the fragrance, the beautiful florals come out almost like flowers blooming in the summer. The warm spices add a dash of mystery while the delicately light florals all work together to soften the sour opening.
The dry down engulfs us in a variety of rich, woody base notes, which are intense and warming with aromatic, spicy and green undertones. The tobacco adds a slight smokiness giving the dry down a very masculine feel.
Don’t be put off by the number of floral notes used, this is dark, rich, and woody with an overtly masculine feel. The development of citrus to woody notes with all the other notes in between is gorgeous and the crispness of this scent makes it perfect to use during the spring, summer and during the day.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
3. Nuit d’Issey
This woody, spicy fragrance radiates masculinity and incorporates strong spices and powerful base notes to create an intoxicatingly rich scent that lasts for hours on your skin. This fragrance was made by Dominique Ropion and Loc Dong and launched in 2014.
- Top notes: Grapefruit and Bergamot.
- Middle notes: Leather, Woodsy Notes, Spices, Black Pepper, and Vetiver.
- Base notes: Incense, Ebony Tree, Tonka Bean, and Patchouli.
What Does Issey Miyake Nuit d’Issey Smell Like?
As the fragrance opens, we are greeted with crisp citrus notes with a hint of aromatic sourness. The opening is fresh and vibrant but is quickly warmed by the intense spices hovering in the heart of the fragrance. We also have a subtle hint of earthiness from the woody base notes that drift up into the heart. The leather is the most powerful note giving the fragrance a thick, aromatically smoky edge.
The incense gains strength as the fragrance progressed; it supports the leather and woody notes wonderfully adding a thick, powdery texture to this complex scent. The dry down is dominated by the base notes and we’re left with a woody, earthy, spicy yet warm scent that remains strong for hours.
This really is a nighttime version of the original Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey. This one opens quite similarly, but ends much warmer and denser. The original DNA is still there, just a bit heavier.
The development of this fragrance is fantastic, the dry down smells totally different than the opening and it happens gradually and smoothly. This is definitely a winter and fall scent but can be used for casual as well as formal occasions.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Winter and Fall
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
4. l’Eau d’Issey Intense
This is a gorgeously rich, dark scent with heavy woody nuances and a variety of spices. This is very much a darker, smokier, and richer version of the earlier mentioned l’Eau d’Issey. This fragrance was made by Jacques Cavallier and launched in 2007.
- Top notes: Yuzu, Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Mandarin Orange.
- Middle notes: Nutmeg, Lotus, Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Saffron.
- Base notes: Incense, Papyrus, Ambergris, Benzoin, and Amber.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey Intense Smell Like?
l’Eau d’Issey Intense lives up to its name with its powerfully citrus opening. The yuzu is a particularly strong note as it’s bitter-sweet but very sour. However, the fruitiness of the other notes softens the sourness very quickly. The opening also has a slight aromatic spiciness, which blends with the citrus wonderfully.
In the heart of the fragrance lies a combination of various warm, spicy notes, which run in between the citrus adding a delectable richness. The sweet earthiness of the florals is also noticeable and adds depth to the mix.
As we progress into the dry down, we are hit with the powerful base notes, in particular the incense. This is a thick, smoky note and its richness supports the other notes perfectly. The papyrus is an unusual note with an aromatic woody aroma and strong leathery nuances and it complements the incense wonderfully.
Overall, this can be worn all year round and during the day or evening; so, whether you’re going to the office or out on the town, this fragrance will be the perfect accompaniment.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall
- Occasions: Casual and Formal
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Strong
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
5. l’Eau d’Issey Sport
Similar to the others, this fragrance also opens with citrus notes and quickly transforms into a woody aromatic fragrance that radiates character and sophistication. It’s a beautiful and gentle fragrance, perfect for the office and day-to-day wear. This cologne was made by Jacques Cavallier and launched in 2012.
- Top notes: Grapefruit and Bergamot
- Middle notes: Nutmeg and Leather
- Base notes: Vetiver, Virginia Cedar, and Ambergris.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey Sport Smell Like?
The opening of this fragrance is softer than others in this line; the citrus notes have a juicier fruitiness to them and although they retain their sourness, it’s not as powerful. The opening radiates warm summer and spring days as the citrus notes are vibrant with a slight aromatic edge, which adds a bit of character.
Not long after spraying, we feel the presence of the leather accompanied by spicy, sweet and earthy undertones. This sets the stage for the rest of the fragrance as it gradually becomes darker and richer.
After a while, the thick, woody base notes begin to make an appearance taking over the fragrance while still allowing the light fruitiness to come through keeping it crisp and fresh.
The notes balance wonderfully and almost seem to interchange between fresh citrus and soft woods. It’s the perfect scent for the spring and summer and everyday wear – this could easily become a signature scent, one you can always rely on.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 3-4 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
6. l’Eau d’Issey Noir Ambre
Noir Ambre is a bit different from most of the l’Eau d’Issey flankers as this one is primarily focussed around the warm note of amber. This cologne was made by Christophe Raynaud and launched in 2016.
- Top notes: Saffron, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Coriander.
- Middle notes: Leather, Cedar, Papyrus, and Vetiver.
- Base notes: Vanilla, Amber, and Tonka Bean.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey Noir Ambre Smell Like?
l’Eau d’Issey Noir Ambre opens citrusy like the original l’Eau d’Issey, but there’s a sweet influence present. This sweetness comes from the notes of cinnamon, tonka bean, and vanilla, and blends in rather nicely with the fresh and sporty scent of citruses.
Shortly after the opening, a smooth scent of leather starts to make itself known, adding a subtle richness to the scent that makes it appear much more sophisticated.
Along with the leather are a few woody notes and the note of amber. These ensure a warm, woody, and masculine finish to an already warm and sweet scent. This leaves you with an overall warm, sweet, and classy scent that’s actually much more different from all the other l’Eau d’Issey flankers.
Unlike most of the other l’Eau d’Issey flankers, this one is actually best worn during the colder months. This is because of the warm and sweet qualities of this fragrance, which make it a little too strong for the warmer months, but all the better for the colder ones.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual and Formal.
- Time of day: Daytime and nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
7. l’Eau d’Issey Wood & Wood
Unsurprisingly, l’Eau d’Issey Wood & Wood, launched in 2019, is a woody fragrance for men. This fragrance shows off Issey Miyake’s ability to perfectly balance woods and citrus notes to create an all-around stunning scent.
- Top notes: Grapefruit, Elemi, and Cardamom.
- Middle notes: Apricot, Ambroxan, Virginian Cedar, and Sandalwood.
- Base notes: Woody Notes, Haitian Vetiver, and Patchouli.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey Wood & Wood Smell Like?
In line with many of Issey Miyake’s fragrances, this opens with aromatic citrus notes, however they are much less powerful here as they’re immediately dampened by a bunch of spices. The woody notes make an appearance very quickly; they’re soft and rich and have a scent reminiscent of a damp forest floor.
There is a subtle fruitiness lingering playfully in the background while we also get a hint of musk drifting through. The musk adds a nice and clean scent to the mix but doesn’t take away from the scent that’s already there.
As the fragrance progresses, the woody notes become more powerful and have leathery nuances. The dry down is earthy and woody and retains the subtle spiciness and fruitiness acting as a support without overpowering the woods. The balance is absolutely perfect and this is a gorgeous scent.
This is what I would call a ‘safe’ fragrance; it’s not too overpowering and is great as an everyday fragrance for both the office and casual wear. This is a scent that can be worn all year round but it’s better suited to the spring and fall.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Winter, Fall, Spring, and Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime and Evening
- Longevity: 4-6 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
8. l’Eau d’Issey d’Ete Summer Edition
A summery edition of an already fresh fragrance, l’Eau d’Issey d’Ete Summer Edition is a wonderful cologne, launched in 2009. With its refreshing scent, you might find your new favorite summer cologne.
- Fragrance notes: Yuzu, Tangerine, Lemon Verbena, Lotus, Musk, Sandalwood, Cypress, Coriander, Saffron, Thyme, Geranium, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Amber.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey d’Ete Summer Edition Smell Like?
This cologne opens extremely fresh with the usual citrusy notes. Hints of sweet and sour yuzu, tangerine, and lemon are all present, creating a sparkling and juicy scent.
Added to the juicy, citrusy opening is an aromatic and herbal influence. This is coming from the notes of thyme, geranium, saffron, and cinnamon, all presenting some sort of fresh and aromatic quality. These add some depth to the scent and make it much more interesting.
As the fragrance dries down, not that much will change anymore. The scent will become slightly warmer, but the fresher reigns supreme. This cologne truly is all about the fresh and sparkling citruses, paired with the spicy aromatic undertones.
As the name of the fragrance suggests, this is a summertime fragrance through and through. The fresh, juicy, zesty, and sparkling scent perfectly fits in a warm and humid environment. Whether you’re going to the office, working out, or just relaxing at home, this fragrance will be there for you!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 4-6 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
9. l’Eau d’Issey Sport Polar Edition
The name of this fragrance is a mouthful, which seems to be a trend with Issey Miyake fragrances, but it smells amazingly fresh. This cologne was made by Christophe Raynaud and was launched in 2015.
- Fragrance notes: Lime and Grapefruit.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau d’Issey Sport Polar Edition Smell Like?
l’Eau d’Issey Sport Polar Edition only consists of two fragrance notes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be an interesting fragrance. The opening is fresh, bright, and zesty with hints of lime on the forefront.
The lime appears a little ‘cold’ and ‘frozen’, which gives the cologne a sharp edge. It also adds a different and unique layer of freshness to the overall scent. This cold feeling is also why this cologne is named ‘Polar Expedition’ as well!
Along with the lime is the scent of grapefruit, which adds a juicy and zest scent to the mix. Lime and grapefruit are two notes that aren’t used together that commonly, but when they are, they create something wonderful.
It should be without doubt that this is a summertime fragrance. It’s cold, fresh, and citrusy, so it basically has all the qualities you’d want in a summer cologne. And because of the rather simple scent, you can easily wear this one wherever you want!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
10. l’Eau Super Majeure d’Issey
l’Eau Super Majeure d’Issey, the last fragrance on this list, but definitely not the least. This is a slightly sweeter and more aquatic version of the original and was launched in 2018 and made by Aurelien Guichard and Fabrice Pellegrin.
- Top notes: Citruses, Clary Sage, and Rosemary.
- Middle notes: Sea Notes, Sea Salt, Cashmeran, Woody Notes, and Patchouli.
- Base notes: Smoke, Amberwood, Tonka Bean, Leather, and Vanilla.
What Does Issey Miyake l’Eau Super Majeure d’Issey Smell Like?
l’Eau Super Majeure d’Issey opens fresh and aquatic with a soft influence of citruses as well. This makes for a different type of fresh scent. Whereas most Issey Miyake fragrances are primarily focussed on the citrusy aspects, this one goes in a more marine-like aquatic direction.
Shortly after the opening, though, the fragrance becomes a little sweeter. Hints of patchouli and amberwood are responsible for the sweetness and they take the overall scent in a more modern direction. You can almost compare this scent to the likes of Paco Rabanne Invictus.
As the fragrance dries down, you’ll be left with this sweet aquatic scent. There will be both a fresh aspect and a sweeter aspect, but overall, this really is mainly a fresh cologne.
Fresh colognes such as these are amazing to wear during the warmer months, and due to the sweet and youthful vibe in this fragrance, it’s absolutely great for casual wear. You could even wear this one on nights out or even on a date!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Casual
- Time of day: Daytime
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours
- Projection: Moderate
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
Are Issey Miyake Fragrances Worth It?
The house of Issey Miyake has many great fragrances; most of them are safe and easy to wear with a combination of citrus and woody notes. The strength and price vary between fragrances so regardless of your taste, you’re sure to find something you love.
Most of these fragrances are spin-offs from L’Eau D’Issey for men, which, over time, has become a true classic. For this reason, many of the fragrances have similar notes, progression, and general aroma – most of them use citrus, woods, spices, and floral notes in various combinations.
However, it’s surprising how different they can smell depending on the choice of citrus and woody notes so there are very definitely distinctive aromas attached to each fragrance.
Besides smelling fantastic, they are generally very inexpensive so it’s a great way to explore which fragrances you love. You can also build up your collection quite easily making sure you have something for every season and every occasion.
You can’t go wrong with Issey Miyake’s fragrances; they’re safe, easy to wear, and smell wonderful. Now you have read about the fragrances, it’s time to go out and test them!