The Best Bergamot Fragrances Smell Like a Summer Breeze

It’s entirely possible to rank the best bergamot fragrances without knowing what bergamot actually is, but as with selecting an oud, vetiver or other fragrance note, it sure as hell can help. We here at GQ love bergamot for its intensely citrusy, Earl Grey tea overtones, as lovingly used by a great number of your favorite perfumers. Bergamot perfumes have even been said to be the finest from the citrus family. The bergamot essential oil is a boon for perfumers looking to create an uplifting and invigorating scent; one that pairs well with comparable aromas such as orange blossom and green tea, and that contrasts beautifully with spice and amber. But what is it, actually?

“Bergamot is considered to be the finest of the citrus notes,” says perfumer Roja Dove. “Whilst it is very fresh, it is much richer and more rounded, making it a highly prized ingredient.” A key component in any cologne, bergamot is a common bedfellow with its relations: neroli and petitgrain. It is also the headline act in his scent, Risqué, and also in the latest offerings from Tom Ford and Ermenegildo Zegna, plus a host of modern classics. Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best bergamot fragrances.

The Best Bergamot Fragrances, at a Glance:

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Best Overall

D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What EDP

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The All-Day Pick

Yves Saint Laurent Myslf Eau de Parfum

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The Office-Friendly Pick

Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza EDC

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Best Bergamot Fragrance Overall: D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What

D.S. & Durga

I Don’t Know What EDP

If you don’t know what scent to wear, we would suggest I Don’t Know What. It’s not a joke. The scent, which D.S. & Durga considers a “fragrance enhancer,” is sure to be a crowdpleaser, defined more by what it can do when you layer it with other scents rather than what it smells like on its own—which is a delicious mix of bergamot, vetiver, and florals, by the way. It’s a super subtle scent that offers subtle reminders throughout the day that you’re wearing something, but overall, it’s sure to elicit many “What are you wearing” questions, which is sure to lead to some fun wordplay.

Best All-Day Bergamot Cologne: YSL Myslf

Yves Saint Laurent

Myslf Eau de Parfum

With uplifting citrus and a more moody earthen scent, Myslf is the perfect scent to transfer from day to night without missing a beat. The YSL fragrance has been a smash hit since its release, offering both men and women an intoxicating fragrance that runs the gamut of popular fragrance notes—though, of course, bergamot reigns supreme in this complex concoction. For the trained nose, this is a delight for the senses, both yours and those around you.

Best Office-Friendly Cologne: Acqua Di Parma Colonia

Acqua di Parma

Colonia Essenza EDC

No one really wants to be in the office, but if you coworkers start to notice how great you smell, it’s surely going to be a new perk they’ll add to future job listings. Acqua Di Parma’s Colonia offers an inoffensive scent that’ll last all day despite its EDC designation, which in this case just means it won’t assault the senses of your deskmates. Bergamot pairs nicely with light florals, and just a touch of patchouli keeps things interesting.

Best Citrusy Bergamot Cologne: Laboratorio Olfattivo Bergamotto

Laboratorio Olfattivo

Bergamotto Parfum Cologne

A top pick for parfum purists is Bergamotto. Launched in 2021 by niche Italian perfumery Laboratorio Olfattivo, it’s a true celebration of the lemon-orange hybrid after which it’s named, and harvested in the fruit’s native region of Southern Italy, to boot. The zesty essence of bergamot leads the charge in this fragrance, which boasts a parfum cologne concentration that will add superior longevity to your scent. Bitter orange and a subtle cardamom heart add a warm spice, but thanks to its punchy citrus top notes, if it’s bergamot you’re after, it’s bergamot you’ll get here.

Best Woody Bergamot Cologne: Le Labo Bergamote 22