Summer 2012 is here, and what better way to help enjoy it than to try out some new summer fragrances for men. We have collected list of 09 hot summer fragrances to check out – some of them are brand new, some of them have been around for a while. We’re not just going to list everyone’s summer 2012 fragrance and call it a day – that can be hit and miss. Sometimes, the originals are superior to the new ones that get released for the big fragrance buying season.
We tried to put together an eclectic group, so everyone can find something that is right for them. We also took into consideration that it will be easier to find these fragrances since they are pretty common brands.
So check out these 09 Summer Fragrances 2012 for Men!
01) Versace Man Eau Fraiche
Versace Man Eau Fraiche was created in 2006, to be a fresher, aquatic alternative to the original. It is clasified as a woody aquatic, and its main accords are citrus and woody scents.
Top Notes: bergamot, lemon, rosewood, cardamom
Middle Notes: tarragon, sage, cedar, pepper
Base Notes: amber, saffron, musk, woody notes
The notes that stand out more are definitely the lemon and bergamot, but after a while the cedar and woodsy notes come to the forefront. This is one of the more complex fragrances we’ll be listing today.
02) Davidoff Cool Water Pure Pacific for Him
Pure Pacific is a new twist for 2012, on the classic Cool Water which was introduced in 1988. The original Cool Water was basically a more linear, mainstream version of Green Irish Tweed by Creed, which sells for around $300 a bottle. The original is a very nice scent of course, but some may find it to be overpowering and too strong. The Pure Pacific version is a more ‘tamed down’ version of the original. It maintains its important accords up front, but adds a citrus accord to make it more modern and appropriate for summer 2012.
Cool Water Pure Pacific is an aromatic aquatic, and its main accords are fresh spicy, citrus, and green.
Top Notes: grapefruit, lemon, mandarin orange
Middle Notes: sage, mint, ginger flower, basil
Base Notes: vetiver, sandalwood, juniper
The citrusy top notes disperse pretty quickly, leaving the base of the middle herbal notes behind. It blends with the woodsy base notes for a fantastic, long lasting scent. It is my personal summer fragrance for 2012.
03) Dior Homme Sport 2012
Dior Homme Sport is a reformulation of the 2008 original, and is now more flowery with some powdery notes. It is a woody aromatic, and its main accords are citrus, woody, powdery, and fresh spicy.
Top Notes: citron, ginger flower
Middle Notes: iris
Base Notes: cedar, green notes
You will definitely notice the citron notes as soon as it is sprayed, but if you look for it, the powdery iris will come through. This is a much more mature, relaxing scent than the first few we have listed, so you might want to take that into consideration when looking for your summer fragrances 2012 for men 
04) Allure Homme Sport by Chanel
Introduced in 2004, this is Chanel’s alternative to Allure Homme, and has a sharper, fresher scent. It is a woody spicy fragrance, and being Chanel, is of course heavy in aldehydes. Its main accords are citrus, aldehydic, and marine.
Top Notes: aldehydes, sea notes, orange, blood mandarin
Middle Notes: pepper, neroli, cedar
Base Notes: amber, vanilla vetiver, musk, tonka bean
As you can tell, it is another very complex fragrance. You will instantly notice the citrus accords on top of the aldehydes, but the base notes of vanilla and musk are also very noticeable. Another complex, mature fragrance for those who are interested. There is actually a newer version for this summer – Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme, but I would stick with the original this year.
05) Chrome Azzaro
Although a summer version exists, the original citrus aromatic is still far superior, and perfect for summer. Its main accords are citrus, woody, and spicy scents, with some floral and sweet accords that linger. Created way back in 1996, it is the oldest fragrance we’re listing today. Many missed it due to its unfamiliar brand however, so if you haven’t yet, check it out for summer 2012!
Top Notes: rosemary, pineapple, bergamot, lemon, neroli
Middle Notes: cyclamen, coriander, jasmine, oakmoss
Base Notes: sandalwood, tonka bean, musk, cedar, sandalwood, cardamom
The main notes you’ll get at first spray are definitely the lemon, followed by rosemary. These settle down, and allow you to pick up on the woodsy cedar and oakmoss notes. This is a strong fragrance, but not in an overpowering way. More that it is for strong, masculine men, but despite it is over 15 years old, it is not old fashioned.
06) Calvin Klein Eternity for Men Summer 2012
Going back to the “new fragrances for summer 2012″ we have one that was a pleasant surprise for me – Eternity for Men Summer 2012 by Calvin Klein. There are about a million and a half versions of Eternity, each one less intriguing than the last, seemingly. But this one got my attention when I tried it. It is an aromatic fougere fragrance, and its main accords are woody, watery, fresh spicy, and ozonic.
Top Notes: melon, juniper berries, chamomile
Middle Notes: lavendar, cedar, mimose, violet leaf
Base Notes, musk, guaiac wood, amber, patchouli
I expected the top notes to punch me in the face like most CK fragrances tend to do, but actually the melon/flowery notes are quite pleasant. It really shines once it dries however, when the woodsy cedar notes come through, along with the other ferny/leafy/green scents. Probably the best Calvin Klein fragrance since CK Be.
07) F by Ferragamo Free Time
“Free Time” was introduced in 2011 as an alternative to “F by Ferragamo Pour Homme”. It carries some of the same earthy, musky, woody accords, but only after the main citrus accord dries away. This is a woody aromatic, and is basically like getting two completely different fragrances in one.
Top Notes: ginger, lemon
Middle Notes: cardamom, pepper
Base Notes: vetiver, musk, cedar
When you first spray it, you will get a blast of fizzy ginger and lemon – very invigorating and refreshing. These notes last for about an hour, and give way to the very strong classic vetiver and musky notes. Free Time is like a Jeckyll and Hyde fragrance – it starts out as a trendy poppy citrus scent, but turns into a refined, classic woodsy musky scent. If you try it out for yourself, be sure to give it the time it needs to work on you.
08) Diesel Fuel for Life Denim Collection Homme
This was actually introduced for summer 2011, but is absolutely worth considering this year as well, especially if you missed it last time. It is an aromatic fougere, and its main accords are sweet, fruity, and citrus.
Top Notes: citrus
Middle Notes: lavender, raspberry
Bse Notes: woodsy notes
As you can tell, this is a pretty straight forward scent. You will mostly notice the raspberry and citrusy notes working together to make this a very sweet fragrance for the younger crowd. But the base of woodsy notes keeps it masculine. Not so much a ‘beach scent’, the sheer sweet freshness of it makes it a perfect fragrance to wear in the summer when shopping and dining outdoors.
09) Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue pour Homme
Dolce & Gabbana Blue was one of my all time favourites, and has unfortunately been discontinued. Its replacement is a citrus aromatic which was introduced in 2007. Light Blue’s main accords are citrus, fresh spicy, woody, and balmy.
Top Notes: Sicilian mandarin, juniper, lemon, bergamot
Middle Notes: rosemary, rosewood, pepper
Base Notes, musk, oakmoss, incense
If you are looking for a purely sexy fragrance for summer 2012, this is it. The citrusy bergamot and lemon top notes are what give it the fresh summery feeling, but lurking underneath are the seductive pepper and incense notes. This is the type of scent that lies close to the skin, not one that will turn heads when you walk by. That’s what makes it seductive and subtle. Not for the “hey look at me” crowd, but if you are already close to someone, they will appreciate it.