This Cologne Is Denzel Washington's Favorite—and It's a Must-Try

Name: Tommy Hilfiger 'Tommy Boy'
Brand: Tommy Hilfiger
Price: 28 USD

Want to smell as good as Denzel? I’ve got the answer

Author image: Screenshot 2024 03 04 at 4.32.14 PM

By Jael Rucker

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Published May 7, 2025

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fragrances-to-smell-like-denzel-hero-image

Walmart

Don’t ask how I know this, but Denzel Washington reportedly smells very good. His secret? None other tthan Giorgio Armani Code ($65), which has become quite popular over the years for its intoxicating notes of olive blossom, guaiac wood and tonka bean. The scent was originally launched in 2004 as a follow-up to the brand’s Acqua di Gio fragrance ($80) and has since taken on a life of its own. As we all know, Denzel Washington is an icon (and who doesn’t want to smell like an icon?!), so I’ve put together a list of fragrances that are similar to the actor’s fave.

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Walmart

1. Giorgio Armani Code

Giorgio Armani

Of course, I’ve got to start with what Denzel himself actually uses. Armani Code has been dominating for nearly two decades, first starting off as one of the staple fragrances in the early 2000s. Containing top notes of lemon and bergamot, alongside tonka bean, guaiac wood and tobacco, this is a scent that can really become your go-to. Or as one shopper writes, “I bought it for my boyfriend as a gift for his birthday, and he loves it! It smells great! I love it when he wears it!”

Fast Facts

Top Notes: lemon, bergamot
Middle Notes: olive blossom, guaiac wood, star anise
Base Notes: tonka Bean, leather, tobacco
Sizes: 2.5 ounces
Type: eau de toilette

$65 at Walmart

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Amazon

2. Armani Acqua Di Gio

Giorgio Armani

If you don’t go with Code, you can opt for the fragrance it was inspired by —Acqua Di Gio, and has a similar note mixture. You’ll notice a blend of white musk, cedar and patchouli and it’s known to last all day. “A scent that stands any test of time,” raves one buyer, who adds, “It’s fresh, masculine and perfect for day and nighttime use to elevate the senses. The bottle is designed to be attractive, practical and easy to transport.” There are multiple sizes to choose from as well, including the smaller 1.7 ounce bottle you can use as a tester.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: lime, lemon, bergamot, jasmine, orange, mandarin orange and neroli
Middle Notes: cyclamen, coriander, violet, nutmeg, rose, mignonette, jasmine, calone, peach, freesia, rosemary, hyacinth
Base Notes: white musk, cedar, oakmoss, patchouli and amber
Sizes: 1.4 ounces, 2.4 ounces, 4.3 ounces
Type: eau de parfum

~~$94~~; $80 at amazon

Tom Ford

3. Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

Tom Ford

Washington's son, John David, is one of the faces of Tom Ford Beauty, which means the brand is family-approved. Featuring a combination of tobacco leaf and spicy top and middle notes, you get the ultimate balance of sugar and spice courtesy of sweeter base notes like vanilla and cacao. Buyers also love the longevity of the scent, and how it isn’t too overbearing despite tobacco leaf being its primary ingredient. “My man absolutely loves this,” writes one girlfriend who is clearly satisfied with the scent. “Not overpowering at all. It is strong at first but warms up to this masculine sweet-but-musky scent. He’s gotten so many compliments and is now one of his top favorites.”

Fast Facts

Top Notes: tobacco leaf, spicy notes
Middle Notes: tobacco blossom, cacao, vanilla, tonka bean
Base Notes: woody notes, dried fruits
Sizes: 0.3 ounces, 1.0 ounces, 1.7 ounces, 3.4 ounces
Type: eau de parfum

from $75 at tom ford

from $75 at amazon

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Ulta

4. Coach for Men

Coach

Coach offers a musky scent similar to Armani Code, and comes personally recommended by beauty and cultures editor Chelsea Candelario's brother, Christian.“It has a light scent, which I appreciate for those warmer days," he writes, which comes as no surprise considering reviewers describe this scent as being "yummy." Plus, there are two different sizes available, including the smaller 2.0 ounce bottle ($90) if you aren't quite ready to make the full jump.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: bergamot oil, cardamom
Middle Notes: geranium, cedarwood
Base Notes: safiano,vetiver
Sizes: 2.0 ounces, 3.3 ounces
Type: eau de parfum

from $90 at ulta

Sephora

5. Ralph Lauren Polo 67

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren's Polo 67 is a sexy scent reminiscent of the 1990s, which is the era where Washington's acting career really took off. It's also another favorite of Christian, who notes, “It has a fruity fragrance that's perfect for the summertime.” That fruity smell is exactly what makes this fragrance so amazing, and it features an earthy blend of bergamot and pineapple accords. If you’ve been looking for an affordable fragrance that works for all occasions, this is your best bet.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: bergamot essence, aquatic accord, lavandin heart
Middle Notes: pineapple, geranium, sunflower seeds accord, clary sage essence heart
Base Notes: Haitian vetiver, sandalwood essence, patchouli heart
Sizes: 2.5 ounces, 4.2 ounces
Type: eau de toilette

from $95 at sephora

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Walmart

6. Tommy Hilfiger 'Tommy Boy'

Tommy Hilfiger

Don’t sleep on Tommy Hilfiger either, as it’s another quintessential throwback to the 1990s and early 2000s, and has that dreamy bergamot top note similar to Armani Code as its signature, defining ingredient. I must admit, I’ve even worn ‘Tommy Boy’ a few times as the scent has a bit of a sweetness that also works for women. That’s thanks to its lavender, cranberry and apple blend of ingredients that smell amazing. Also, there’s definitely a bit of nostalgia at play here too, as my late father wore this scent during this same time period when I was growing up. If you’ve been looking for an affordable fragrance that works for all occasions, I highly recommend scooping this one up.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: lavender, mint, grapefruit, bergamot
Middle Notes: cranberry, rose, apple
Base Notes: cactus, amber, cotton flower
Sizes: 3.4 ounces
Type: eau de toile

~~$69~~; $29 at walmart

Jael Rucker

Associate Commerce Strategist

Covers all things commerce and entertainment
Has over a decade of editorial experience in both fashion and entertainment, and was previously with ONE37pm before joining the PureWow team in March 2024
Studied journalism and marketing at Columbus State University in Georgia

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