What better way to start the morning than with a good coffee. It’s hard to say which coffee perfume is the best, as they are ranging wide in style. So how about 10 coffee fragrances, with an alternative pick for each? Most of these I find equally great on men and women (coffee is a very unisex note).

Akro AWAKE
Awake is still my favorite option for a real coffee-centered fragrance. There’s some citrus and nutty sweetness, but the coffee is front and center. The alternative has more (subtle) distractions like tobacco and leather and feels a bit more demanding to wear.

Alternative: Strangers Parfumerie SM CAFE

Maison Tahite COFFEE BOMB
One of my favorite discoveries of last year. Coffee Bomb simultaneously has more coffee and a better rose note than the ever popular Intense Cafe.

Alternative: Montale Intense Cafe

Versatile Paris CROISSANT CAFE
A little pastry on the side never hurt and Croissant Cafe does it really well. The coffee makes way for a more woody base, but it’s sweet and cozy nonetheless. The alternative Cafe Cabanel is more lactonic and soft.

Alternative: Teo Cabanel CAFE CABANEL

Kilian BLACK PHANTOM
Even though I get more edible, marshmallowy gourmand from Black Phantom, you can’t leave it off a coffee list. The alternative Insomnia is a nearly direct copy of it.

Alternative: Faviol Seferi INSOMNIA [#AD]

Cherigan IRIS COFFEE
Iris Coffee is my favorite Cherigan and it offers a great mix of the namesake notes. The alternative I-Ristretto may be more gourmand, but also has a violet note added.

Alternative: Maison Tahite I-Ristretto

Teone Reinthal BITTER SWEET NEGRONI
The amount of coffee in this as the wear progresses seems to build, making this an excellent coffee choice with a brighter opening. Alternative Balcafe remains more of a mix of citrus and coffee throughout.

Alternative: Balint BALCAFE [#AD]

Kilian Intoxicated
Sticking to Kilian for a while longer, Intoxicated has a very distinct smell that reminds me of both coffee and shaving foam. For a cheap alternative, check out Zara Intense Dark Exclusive, but as a bonus the 2023 Dusita reminded me of this as well.

Alternative: Dusita LA RHAPSOIDE NOIRE

One Day SEOUL [#AD]
My latest discovery on this list and one of my favorites. A dark, but very airy coffee, like just the vapors, with a greener vetiver base. More refined and soft than the alternative, with a much clearer coffee opening.

Alternative: Eight & Bob Nuit de Megeve

Strangers Parfumerie BURNING BEN
These have a bit more distractions. In Burning Ben coffee is just one facet. Imagine drinking it in a bar with booze and smoke everywhere (I do prefer it over Strangers’ SM Cafe). The alternative Caravanserail leans heavy on the spices and an earthy drydown.

Alternative: Nicolai Caravanserail Intense

Tom Ford CAFE ROSE
Cafe Rose is a nice scent, but I have not found any coffee in it. Neither in the 2023 version pictured, nor in the old version (which I do prefer). The same goes for the lovely white floral alternative Cortile.

Alternative: Milano Fragranze CORTILE