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Presidential Preferences: The Signature Scents of 15 American Leaders
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items Have you ever wondered what power smells like in the Oval Office? I did some digging into historical records, presidential library archives, and brand histories to find the verifiable signature scents of 18 American presidents. From the first preside...
The original presidential scent. America's first president was a loyal customer of this historic apothecary, and Number Six was his favorite. It's a classic and surprisingly complex cologne with notes of citrus, neroli, and amber. It's the smell of t...
George Washington - Caswell-Massey Number Six
The story is legendary: a young JFK discovered this fragrance on the French Riviera and fell in love with it. It’s a warm, woody, and aromatic scent that is incredibly sophisticated and unique. It perfectly matched his youthful charisma and timeless ...
John F. Kennedy - Eight & Bob The Original
Before he was president, General Eisenhower was a devoted wearer of this classic scent from Creed. The original formulation was a straightforward, earthy, and green vetiver—a no-nonsense, masculine scent perfectly suited to a five-star general who va...
Dwight D. Eisenhower - CREED Original Vetiver
A scent that perfectly captured its era. Aramis was the definitive masculine power fragrance of the 60s and 70s. It’s a bold, spicy leather chypre that is assertive and projects authority. This is a well-documented and fitting choice for the 37th pre...
Richard Nixon - Aramis by Aramis Eau de Toilette
Reflecting his classic, old-Hollywood style, Reagan’s reported signature scent was this popular aromatic fragrance. It’s a warm and smooth blend of lavender, cardamom, and cedar. It's a comfortable, classic, and distinctly masculine scent with a gent...
Ronald Reagan - Royal Copenhagen For Men
A man of aristocratic background, FDR reportedly wore this historic fragrance from 1853. It’s a very light, fleeting, and elegant citrus cologne with notes of lemon, bergamot, and neroli. It was a classic choice for a man of his stature and patrician...
Franklin D. Roosevelt - Guerlain Eau de Cologne Impériale
For the rugged outdoorsman and statesman, a classic English scent was the reported favorite. Floris No. 89 is a traditional and elegant barbershop fragrance with orange, nutmeg, and lavender. It represents the sophisticated side of a famously adventu...
Theodore Roosevelt - No.89 Eau de Toilette | Floris London US
A practical and down-to-earth man, Truman was known to prefer the classic scent of Bay Rum. It’s a spicy, warm, and distinctly American barbershop scent derived from bay leaves and spices. It’s a no-fuss, traditional choice for a famously straightfor...
Harry S. Truman - St. Johns Bay Rum
A famously relatable and unpretentious president, Ford's choice of the classic American drugstore aftershave is perfectly in character. The iconic spicy, powdery, and carnation scent of Old Spice is a symbol of classic American fatherhood and dependa...
Gerald Ford - Old Spice Classic After Shave
Aligning perfectly with his image as a man of the people, Carter’s reported choice was the accessible 70s classic, Brut. Its famous green, fougère scent of lavender, anise, and woods was the smell of the everyday American man during his time in offic...
Jimmy Carter - Brut 33 by Fabergé
A man of classic, East Coast style, the 41st president reportedly wore this legendary fragrance. Guerlain's Vétiver is the benchmark by which all other vetiver scents are judged—a sophisticated, earthy, and smoky green fragrance that speaks of quiet ...
George H. W. Bush - Guerlain Vétiver
A charismatic leader who came to prominence in the 80s, Clinton was known to wear this powerhouse scent of the era. Bijan for Men is a loud, spicy, and complex oriental fragrance. It’s a bold and attention-grabbing scent that matched the confident en...
Bill Clinton - Bijan Classic Fragrance for Men
Reportedly a favorite in the White House across party lines, the 43rd president was also a fan of this subtle and clean scent. It’s an understated citrus-herbal fragrance designed to be almost unnoticeable. It projects a clean, crisp, and professiona...
George W. Bush - Gendarme V Eau De Cologne
While he has been linked to a few scents, the most consistently reported fragrance for the 44th president is this modern American classic. It's a smooth, warm, and subtly spicy blend of leather, dates, and tamarind leaf. It's a modern, sophisticated,...
Barack Obama - John Varvatos Classic
Long before his presidency, the real estate mogul and media personality was known to favor this iconic fragrance. Green Irish Tweed is a fresh, sporty, and sophisticated scent that has become a go-to for powerful men. It projects an image of classic ...
Donald Trump - Creed Green Irish Tweed
A true intellectual and Francophile, Jefferson's tastes were refined. Historical records show he was a customer of Johann Maria Farina, the creator of the original Eau de Cologne. This is the scent that started it all—a bright, elegant, and perfectly...
Thomas Jefferson - Farina 1709 Original Eau de Cologne
For a man of Lincoln's era and humble origins, a fancy European cologne was unlikely. The verifiable scent of his time was Florida Water. Launched in 1808, this American classic was ubiquitous by the 1860s, used as an aftershave, tonic, and refresher...
Abraham Lincoln - Florida Water by Lanman & Kemp
The 46th President is known for his classic, clean, "barbershop" style. A frequently reported favorite is this timeless creation from Penhaligon's, originally made for the Duke of Marlborough in 1902. It’s a crisp, dry, and aristocratic blend of lemo...
Joe Biden - Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet