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Aspen cologne is a classic staple that has been on drug store shelves since 1989. It’s a Coty fragrance, and Coty has a reputation for having aromatic fragrances at affordable prices. If you’re like me, you tend to associate Coty fragrances with something a parent would wear: a scent that isn’t too trendy and won’t make a statement.
But there is a reason that Coty stands the test of time and is still such a popular go-to fragrance for those who are experimenting with cologne or those die-hard fans of Aspen’s scent. Its popularity has indeed come in waves in its lifespan. Some years it does incredibly well in sales, and some years, it’s not as popular.
There’s something about Aspen cologne that keeps men coming back. I’ll walk you through the scent’s notes and Aspen’s lesser-known variation: Aspen Discovery Cologne. I’ll also offer some alternatives to Aspen with similar notes.
Aspen by Coty for Men is a men's fragrance that possesses a blend of outdoorsy, adventurous scents including woods, citrus, and spices. Recommended for daily wear, this masculine fragrance, evocative of a silent forest, is sure to become your signature scent.
About the Brand
Coty first came on the fragrance scene in 1905 in France. Before the turn of the 20th century, perfume was a luxury only the most wealthy could afford. If the working class could get their hands on a bottle of perfume or cologne, it was in a boring, plain bottle. Francois Coty was one of the first people to recognize the need for accessible quality fragrance in a beautiful and luxurious bottle.
Coty has developed over one hundred perfumes from its inception through to today. Its most recent fragrance came out in 2020, and Coty still dominates the fragrance industry. Even as other brands set fragrance lines of their own, many brands seek inspiration from Coty’s massive collection.
Aspen by Coty Cologne: The Fragrance Notes
Aspen is a fougère fragrance – meaning fern-like – one of the leading fragrance families. With its woody scent, it’s an ideal spring and summer scent. You can also get away with it in fall, but it’s not something that suits winter. It’s more suited as an everyday cologne rather than something to spray for a night out. For the evening, you’ll want something a little bolder.
You can easily find Aspen by Coty in your local drugstore, but if you prefer your shopping come to you, you can also buy it online through a drugstore or Amazon.
Main Accords: aromatic, woody, fresh, spicy, green, citrus, fresh, lavender, mossy, and conifer.
Top Notes: green notes, bergamot, lemon, and galbanum.
Middle Notes: lavender, juniper, geranium, cyclamen, coriander, orange blossom, and jasmine.
Base Notes: balsam fir, cedar, oakmoss, musk, and amber.
Who Should Wear It?
Don’t be daunted by the floral notes in this fragrance and assume it’s too girly. The spice and wood scents are perfect for the rugged outdoorsman who is not so into cologne. It’s aimed at the type of guy who isn’t a cologne snob and isn’t impressed with labels like Hugo Boss, Givenchy, or Giorgio Armani. It’s a manly fragrance for the simple guy with a low-maintenance lifestyle.
Try Before You Buy
Like all fragrances, doing a test on your skin is a useful technique to see how the cologne will react with your skin chemistry. You would be surprised at how good something can smell from the bottle but be completely different on your skin.
Stores don’t often have testers available with Aspen cologne and most Coty fragrances. Because it’s such an inexpensive cologne and not as big of an investment as a designer brand would call for, most stores don’t see the benefit. Since it’s such a low-budget fragrance, it isn’t necessary to try it on your skin. The stakes aren’t as high in this case. If worse comes to worst and you hate it, you can always pass it on to someone who likes it better.
Longevity of the Cologne
There is more to look for in a cologne beyond the notes. Don’t get me wrong, the aroma itself is important, but it’s also helpful to know what to expect for longevity. Aspen cologne falls in the middle of the spectrum; it lasts moderately long. You may need a refresh once or twice throughout your day, but otherwise, it can last.
Value for Your Money
Coty is notoriously cost-effective. The company’s original goal is to create affordable fragrances accessible to everyone has endured over the last century.
Unlike name-brand designers whose colognes can range in the hundreds, Coty has consistently maintained low prices and tend not to exceed $50 per bottle. So, if you’re on a budget or just don’t want to invest in cologne that you don’t use often, Aspen by Coty offers excellent value for your dollar.
Pros
- Affordable, quality purchase.
- A simple scent that’s not overpowering.
Cons
- Its reputation of being a ‘dad’ cologne is hard to shake.
Aspen Discovery Cologne
This version of Aspen by Coty, Aspen Discovery Cologne, is more subdued. It has fewer notes, and they’re far lighter. Aspen Discovery is a bit tougher to track down in-store and online. Though it looks like it’s in the process of being discontinued, here are its notes and features to compare to my list of alternatives to Aspen Cologne.
Main Accords: citrus, lavender, woody, musky, fresh, fresh spicy, powdery, and aromatic.
Notes: citruses, lavender, woody notes, and musk.
There is still a bit of spice and wood scent, but it’s far less intense than the original Aspen cologne. It’s suited well to daytime wear in the spring or summer.
Who Should Wear It?
Aspen Discovery is the perfect compromise if you’re looking for masculine freshness that won’t overpower you. It has fewer notes, so it’s more subtle. It’s like walking in the fresh outdoors without living in the forest.
Longevity of the Cologne
Just because Aspen Discovery Cologne is lighter, that doesn’t mean that it will fade more quickly. It lasts just about as long as its original counterpart. You may need a few extra spritzes throughout the day, but for its value, it lasts a long time.
Value for Your Money
Similar to other Coty fragrances, it’s incredibly affordable. If you’re tempted to try this fragrance, you can feel comfortable knowing that you’re not taking a huge gamble.
Pros
- This lighter version of Aspen by Coty can be more appealing to those new to the world of fragrance.
Cons
- It may be tough to track down a bottle because it’s on its way out of Coty’s fragrance catalog.
Crisp and refreshing, Aspen Discovery was introduced by the design house of Coty in 2000 as a spicy and sweet aroma for men. This masculine scent possesses a blend of citrus, fressia, lavender and musk. 
Alternatives to Aspen by Coty Cologne
If you’re a fan of Aspen by Coty but want to take it up a notch, here are some similar fragrances that offer a little something extra.
La Nuit de L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent
Looking for an extra spicy alternative? La Nuit de L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent takes the woody masculine scent that you love and turns up the intensity. It’s the perfect option to carry into autumn and winter because of its dark, powerful notes that bring contrast to the aroma.
Main Accords: aromatic, warm spicy, lavender, woody, fresh spicy, and citrus.
Top Notes: cardamom.
Middle Notes: lavender, Virginia cedar, and bergamot.
Base Notes: vetiver and caraway.
Who Should Wear It?
This fragrance is the epitome of mystery and strength. It’s fresh yet elegant and sensual, making it an evening perfume perfect for an event or date night. Since its debut in 2009, it’s been a favorite at YSL and is similar to Aspen cologne, just extra spicy.
Longevity of the Cologne
Wearers rave about the cologne’s lasting power. Not too overpowering, there is no need to reapply. Once it settles into the skin, the fragrance notes will follow you all night. As the night passes, the fresh base notes will become the most prominent, turning the dark spicy aroma into a rich freshness.
Value for Your Money
Yves Saint Laurent is a luxury brand, and its products have a price tag to match. Luckily, there will always be a tester at a store to try (and they may even have samples!) The fragrance comes in three sizes at Sephora and department stores, so there are cost options. You can get the most miniature bottle to test it out or for travel, or you can buy one of the two larger bottles for a more economical purchase.
Bright, masculine freshness combines with sophistication and nonchalance to create a fresh, yet deep and mysterious scent with notes of cardamom, cedar, and coumarin—a structure of contrasting forces.
London for Men by Burberry
With similar top notes to Aspen cologne, London for Men changes the middle and base notes to add leather and tobacco for a warm, comforting scent. It’s a fitting scent for fall and winter, anytime, day or night. It’s an incredibly alluring scent, whether you’re the wearer or catching the scent in the air.
Main Accords: tobacco, sweet, cinnamon, warm spicy, woody, leather, lavender, amber, fresh spicy, and animalic.
Base Notes: cinnamon, lavender, and bergamot.
Middle Notes: leather and mimosa.
Base Notes: tobacco leaf, opoponax, Guaiac wood, and oakmoss.
Who Should Wear It?
London for Men is a sensual fragrance made with the sophisticated modern man in mind. Perfectly paired with a well-tailored suit, this fragrance aims to draw out the most polished and elegant part of any man. It’s a stylish scent that will warm your senses.
Longevity of the Cologne
You can expect this cologne to last all day. From six to eight hours, the scent will still be going strong. Depending on whether you like the scent strong with the top or middle notes, you may need to refresh. As the day passes, you’ll be left with lingering base notes.
Value for Your Money
Burberry fans are always happy with the value of their fragrances. Burberry has an excellent reputation for perfumes and colognes and generally has pricing that falls between high designers and Coty fragrances like Aspen cologne. Since this cologne lasts as long as it does, a bottle can last much longer, which saves money over time.
A sophisticated scent with top notes of bergamot, lavender, and warm cinnamon. Lower tones combine heady tobacco leaves and dense oak moss to complete this distinctive and refined fragrance. 
Bleu de Chanel by Chanel
Moving back to freshness, Bleu de Chanel draws out aromatic woody scents in a timeless cologne. This fragrance is incredibly versatile, and you can wear it day or night through spring, summer, and autumn. You can complete this scent collection with a shaving set or deodorant in the same scent.
Main Accords: Citrus, woody, warm spicy, aromatic, amber, fresh spicy, smoky, balsamic, green, and fresh.
Top Notes: grapefruit, lemon, mint, and pink pepper.
Middle Notes: ginger, nutmeg, and jasmine.
Base Notes: incense, vetiver, cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, labdanum, and white musk.
Who Should Wear It?
Chanel created this scent with the rule-breaker in mind. A determined and independent man who has a touch of sophistication. If you need a powerful scent to boost your confidence or make you feel more powerful, this scent has the power. On a date, this cologne will be the perfect scent to draw in your partner.
Longevity of the Cologne
Those that wear this cologne love its long-lasting power. When you apply in the morning, there’s no need to reapply throughout the day. You’ll still smell great to yourself and others around you. It will keep your confidence high as you move throughout your day.
Value for Your Money
This is the most expensive cologne on this list, which may be a deterrent. Even their 50ml bottle is over $100 at department stores. But it will last. If you’re still new to the world of cologne and are in the beginning stages of trying to figure out what you like, it’s best to hold off on making this purchase. You can move up to this cologne once you have a better idea of your preferences.
Top notes: Lemon, orange, grapefruit, Bay Rose, peppermint, nutmeg. Heart notes: cedar, dry, Vetiver, ginger, jasmine Notes. Base notes: Patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense, Labdanum. 
FAQs
Question: What does Aspen Cologne smell like?
Answer: The scents you’re more likely to notice in this refreshing masculine scent are the lavender, spicy, woody, citrus notes. It smells like taking a walk into the forest and the smell of the trees around you. It’s a slightly spiced scent with amber mixed in to create a contrasting mix for the outdoors lover.
Question: Does Coty still make perfume?
Answer: Coty Beauty still offers perfumes and colognes at different prices through nearly 40 separate brands. In their fragrance base, they have 107 perfumes and colognes that they have developed over a span of 115 years. Their most recent release was in 2020, so they’re likely not stopping anytime soon.
Question: What fragrances are owned by Coty?
Answer: Coty has been around the beauty industry long enough to acquire many big fragrance names. They own Clavin Klein, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, and Davidoff, to name a few. Their portfolio is constantly growing to include massive brands, but they still hang on to their smaller, more affordable brands to appeal to everyone.
Aspen Cologne Review: Bottom Line
Coty fragrances like Aspen cologne are tried and true products. They’re affordable, easy to find in stores, and can be an introduction to the world of colognes. If you or your partner are not as deep into fragrances as I am, this can be an excellent middle ground between Sephora or department store colognes and nothing at all.
I tend to gravitate towards Burberry anything, and London for Men is no exception to that rule. As wrong as it may be, I still categorize Coty colognes as ‘dad’ colognes.
It’s not true, of course. Many younger people (and non-dads) wear Coty colognes without anyone noticing the difference. It depends on the investment you want to make into your cologne. If you’re a growing cologne enthusiast, I highly recommend branching out to the more prominent brands instead.
Aspen by Coty for Men is a men's fragrance that possesses a blend of outdoorsy, adventurous scents including woods, citrus, and spices. Recommended for daily wear, this masculine fragrance, evocative of a silent forest, is sure to become your signature scent.