Brut

Dreamful potion, far before the current idle and non-descriptive period of generic boredom. This could be the cheap, nostalgic line of a boomer in search&rescue of a golden age never existed. And I believed so, until when recently I consistently retested on an a everyday use Brut, in a completely different context, and after more than a decade of disillusionment about the current rendition (so strange are our senses, and our mind in processing information!). By steps, and to start with, Brut is possibly- as many from the X generation- a first memory, an imprinting feel hardwired in the collective imaginary. This was the quintessential perfume for male, beloved son of a grand French tradition, conjuring lush undertones as from the bois in the outskirts of Paris (please have a walk in a French Forest and you will understand). Distilled from extracting genial ideas and discernment from Karl Mann, and Cary Grant’s commitment, casted an aura of refinement and became music for the masses, without losing charme - and this as the middle class and the bourgeoisie spirit was well alive in the ‘60es and decades thereafter, and a cologne could have been niche while widely distributed. This is for sure part of the spell. The ladies could immediately identify it as archetypical Fougere male odour, and men use it with confidence as signature- so personal while so well distributed and accessible. Coming to the recent Brut- this is not a pale copy of the past! Unilever did a formidable job and I deem it very much depends more on the olfactory context we dwell in. I am now in the Le Berger hotel in Brussels- it’s the city where I rediscovered Brut in more recent years. The Art Deco’ hotel is a remnant of a former rendez-vous house, with chiselled decoration and adhering to the Belle Époque fascination, recalling Brut’s bottle logo. Brut opulence here makes perfect sense and shines -maybe it’s the climate, temperature or context. Street odours are from last century indeed- urinal smell, some dirtiness and confusion, fried chips whiffs and stale beer. The beast here It is in its perfect habitat, as a clean backdrop - playing on this contrast (not by chance perfumes from last century “smelled clean” on purpose and in a medicinal way, whereas the context was for the most part dirty and insecure). I really enjoy it much as safe, cozy office scent, but also can see a clearly romantic appeal. I receive appreciation from colleagues, and it makes a subtle statement, crying out “ I am here, boy, still, don’t be afraid, you found me back”. So this is a cautionary tale about all the shame&blame onto the industry. Sometimes we have to admit- our senses change upon the given context. I could never safely wear Brut in Italy, to be clear- where the background odours do not align with the scent. But in more conservative settings- oh, there is nothing any better than Brut. Caveat. Maybe the bottle I have aged a bit. Maybe I added a few mint essential oil drops, who knows. But the jewel is back, resurrected from the mist of the time. PS this staple cologne was in every family toilet (as per Nottingh Hill’movie scene with Grant displaying Brut deodorant on the shelves) -then it went disrupted by the tastier colognes (yes- Brut’s brainchildren in the likes of Paco Rabanne pour Homme, Azzaro and Drakkar Noir sweeping by large the ‘80es). I do hope it will be brought back to a new renaissance. In comparison to what Brut is and was, highly regarded pearls like Beau du Jour of TF are just kids pretending to be adult working. PPS I have both the Brut Parfums Prestige Paris 1965 (Unilever) version and the “Special Reserve” (Made in the US), green bottle with collar. Both are nice still different. The Unilever rendition delivers the better basenote and seems more loyal to the original version. The Special Reserve one seems more similar to the greener and crispier Brut 33.

Many reviews I've read on this focus on comparing it to how it was back in the day. It was, as far as I understand, very iconic decades ago and many people grew up with this. I, however, am a child of the 90s and born in a country where it was never popular to begin with, so I have no nostalgia for it. It's also, at present, the oldest fragrance formulation I own (yes, I know it's been reformulated, I'll talk about that later). So, let's see how it stacks up in the 2020s regardless. My first impressions actually weren't that great. I ordered this in a box with a couple of other frags, and this came without cellophane and had leaked out all over the box. It wasn't that the bottle was broken, the fragrance was leaking out of the top. Then I noticed that it was a screw-on top that wasn't secured in place very well. A half-turn was all it took to take the atomizer completely off. How many fragrances have screw-on atomizers these days? Well, I grabbed some plumbers tape and wrapped it around the threads before screwing it back on. Then I noticed the cap fit very loosely. Some more plumbers tape fixed that issue as well. I have to say, having to DIY a fix for my fragrance bottles isn't something I'm used to doing. To date, it's the only bottle I've ever tried to fix, as anything that comes with a leak is usually an instant return for me. Well, I decided to give it a chance anyway. And guess what? I loved it. No nostalgia, just joy. It's a very fresh, uplifting, lemony and citrusy BARBERSHOP fragrance. And when I say barbershop fragrance, I really do mean it. There are a few places still around that are actual barbershops - i.e. do actual shaving and not just hairdressing. This is what it smells like when they're done with you. It's the closest I've seen a fragrance get to the smell of a barbershop. Makes me wonder if they actually just use BRUT aftershave. In any case, I've found myself going back to this one again and again. Sometimes I just spray it on during the day for no other reason than I want to smell BRUT. I find it very pleasant and very energizing. The fact I'd choose this one over any of the other ones in my collection tells me a lot. It's very classic, old-fashioned, yet also very versatile and easy to like. Very inoffensive, unless you have PTSD from a barbershop. Most of the reviewers seem to agree it's a great casual scent, but I don't think that's where its versatility ends. What's wrong with smelling like you've just groomed to perfection at a more formal occasion? Now, would I wear this to the Oscars? Well, maybe, but probably not. Still, I really don't see any issue whatsoever with wearing this in both casual and formal occasions. It's very office safe. The performance is also surprisingly good. Many of the reviewers by guys that used to have this back in the day mention how strong it used to be and how weak it apparently is now. I don't doubt that it's been reformulated dozens of times since the 60s and that, with so many fragrance ingredients being banned or restricted, that it is considerably weaker now than it used to be. However, if you think that this is an objectively weak fragrance, as opposed to just weaker than before, then perhaps it's also time to accept that perhaps your olfactory sense might have changed, too. It might not be "beastmode", but it's definitely strong enough to last me at least 6 hours. I'm told the old formulation used to last approximately 6 weeks, so definitely a change, but still very usable. Well, they were definitely rocking it in the 60s, and I'd say this deserves to be rocked even today. They say classic style doesn't get out of fashion, and this is definitely a classic. Considering they're selling it for basically nothing, it's a safe blind buy. And I guess you can reuse the bottle for something else after you've finished it. Try it out, you might be surprised.

It's interesting... I've been kind of working my way through barbershop fragrances - a process involving some detective work and some drugstores - and recently ran into the glass bottle of 'Brut Classic' (circa 2008). I was surprised... I'd tried the plastic-bottled aftershave and something called 'special reserve'; neither of them are half as good as this. Sillage is fairly potent for the first 2-3 hours, and longevity is decent in this formulation ('classic') at 5+ hours. It's surprisingly confidence-inducing in that fougere manner, both pleasant and discreet at work if not over-applied. It takes some work to set aside the cultural baggage you may have, depending upon your age (I'm 44, probably the generation most likely to be haunted by the ghosts of authority figures past), but if you can, this is a surprisingly wearable scent... What's in it? The abstract herbal freshness conveyed by mint and basil are brief and inviting, the lavender refreshing (the mint and basil are separate from the lavender, but coordinate well), and the geranium quite pronounced, and tantalizingly citrus-springy. The yang-ylang and jasmine can take some getting used to, the former smelling a bit like plastic-wrapped hard candy, and the latter bringing in the indole of stale flower water, but - weirdly enough- this can become addictive, forming an almost honey-like accord with the well-known woody sweetness of the tonka bean. There are even hints of sandalwood and patchouli notes peaking through, producing moments of actual delight or deliciousness as the scent reacts to body heat. Anisic aldehydes keep things wet, fresh and a little bitter for the first couple of hours, easing in to a pleasant powdery-soapy-waxy continuum that emerges as a skin scent with a ghost of clean laundry musk. There is something kind of clashing in the blend of fresh, sweet, musky and medicinal, but that may well be part of the appeal, depending on your perspective. Personally, I can only wear this in spring... During any other month it does not mesh gracefully with my surroundings. Overall, I have a funny feeling people appreciate this (when you've applied it moderately) more than they realize. So what is the verdict? This particular formulation is probably no more of a 'cheapie' scent than the current state of Azzaro Pour Homme, Puig Quorum or Sung Homme (take your pick of macho masculines that have hit saturation in mass market sales.) It is probably not as well-constructed a scent as the original Old Spice; but, like Old Spice, Brut classic presents a composition that, even with its materials incrementally absented or synthesized, still possesses a legible premise and undeniably personable appeal: worth owning for reference, worth wearing for solid pleasure (or is it the pleasure of solidity?) It is friendly, affirming, sturdy and versatile in a workmanlike way; a reference scent that is neither embarrassing nor prepossessing. So, yes, on the glass shelf, next to the vintage Old Spice, nearby the Eau Sauvage and Caron Pour un Homme, and other good old things: Brut? Sure, why not -- long may it remain

Ya know, i don't like to brag but i once got into it with Chuck Norris over this beauty named Carol. It wasn't a dirty fight it was in a ring and with rules. It happened when Chuck was filming something while I was in Japan. I don't like to fight with rules but Chuck has a way of convincing you to do stuff you wouldn't otherwise. We promised each other whoever won would get to date Carol. The fight began and Chuck was puttin a good beating on me with a chop-chop here and chop-chop there. Here a chop - there a chop - everywhere a chop-chop, and we were getting to the last round. He was in his corner looking strong and confident but he had no idea I had a secret weapon. My corner man unscrewed a bottle of Brut and slapped a handful of the stuff on my face. Now, I don't know how many of you have fallen through ice in the Antarctic, if you haven't it's good to know that there are few things that will wake you up and electric shock every part of you body like that shivering experience. The Brut hit me like that, and I shot up like monstrous spring which had been coiled up for centuries and my eyes bulged as if a Burmese python was squeezing the last breath out of my lungs. My muscles tensed like a rabid alley cat spotting a juicy mouse after not eating for a week! That slap of Brut - super cool and green fresh – as clean as a cypress 2x4 to the face - gave me the power of Popeye after eating a super-sized can of spinach. Chuck saw it all happen, probably in slow motion - and i saw him turn white as a ghost – and Chuck was pretty darn white to begin with! The smell emanated off me like mustard gas on the WWI front. Chuck began to convulse and seemed like he could barley breathe. The bell rang and I made an Oyama bull decking fist. That was the last straw. I cocked my hand back and was just about to throw the punch. Then suddenly out of nowhere Chuck said “STOP!!!” and pointed into the crowd. It was Carol, making out with my corner man who had splashed himself with with the magic potion known to all as the 'Chick Magnet' aka 'Lady Collector' aka 'Green Love Juice' ... aka ... BRUT! Me and Chuck just looked at each other because we knew we couldn't compete with what he had. We shook hands and called it a draw - we both lost equally! Don't know what happened to Carol. All i know is that the BRUT ain't someone anyone should take lightly. When the BRUT is in the room, make sure your lady is out of smelling distance, or you'll be leaving with someone like Chuck instead of her!!!

- 1983 on a given sunday... This was for me the first contact moment with the world of scents i had as a 5 year old boy back in 1983. I was playing around in my parents bedroom on a boring sunday... There was a cabinet with scents and talc powder and i shuffled around in in it...I was attracted by the biggest green, metallic bottle with medaillion, it was BRUT!....I unscrewed the cap and sniffed the plastic splash top....WOW what a burst of Scent molecules drove through my little nose that moment!...it felt bombastic and special! 30 years later (exactly) i bought my first REAL version again... -2013 -Today Review time! I just got Brut EDC and splash in plastic bottles, Brut Oceans Edt and Brut Black for 30 bucks! im so happy i did the purchase! First the 2 green plastic bottles, splash on and EDC The splash is very watered down and almost not detecable when splashed on your body but thats my opinion. But what i do like is the scent of BRUT! its creamy,green & balmy kinda ambery in the drydown its almost a dreamy scent! To me this is very mellow and laidback in any way, i also detect some hidden nostalgia and scent rememberance when i get some whiffs from my arms when im wearing it. Everybody thinks this is a harsh old skool skanky scent! But its not! the scent lingers around like a fresh groomed hippie couple, im sure its been around in these hippie days on festivals. Well my attention is there for BRUT! Im now searching for the EDT 3.4 oz version this is the glass square bottle with white /yellow juice which is shwown as picture for this scent and for as i know the only EDT version of the original version? I hope its alright. And im looking for the classic long green bottle of 88 ml EdC (3 oz) version To get the best classic / vintage experience. Brut classic/original is so versatile and lovable and im gonna wear this big time this upcoming vacation. (splash n stay fresh all day) -- Brut Oceans Edt is very good too! it has a quality of freshness mixed up with a strange but good vibe i guess its but im not sure its base is the same of Brut Classic. Its only bad in longevity thats a pity. -- Brut Black is new?? Its a strange scent very modern but lacks the power and strange ambery quality of the original but i need to apply it more to give a good review. Im curious about the notes in Black and hop it will be added to the Fragrantica database soon so i can post my review.

Epic Journey Into the Bottled Yonder, 004 ------------------------------------------------------- Purchased July 2017 Part 2 Brut is the obvious choice for all ages. I tested out the talc of this, was my dad's, and immediately fell in love. I already had worn Boss for a while and became glued to Axe/Lynx. Brut transformed all possibilities, to keep it short. Without that, I'd probably be that stinky deodorant guy smelling the same everyday in all situations. That's not nice. But nowadays even Brut has a slight stank to it, when it gets sweaty. Everybody knows it. It's the first affordable fresh/clean scent. Not so clean anymore, but you have to understand the period it was invented in. Today it ends up becoming a little muggy feeling after lingering much of the day as it gets warmer, but I'll always wear it when something simple and dumb reach calls. Reminds me of my old days for sure and that's a big reason why I keep a bottle in my stable at all times. Super wearable, fuck-you-it's-cheap fragrance. There's more poetic ways of discussing Brut but I don't have all day here either. The bottle pictured above is quite weak, needs extra sprays just like Special Reserve for some staying power, particularly for a signature. The atomiser was never as good as Brut Musk. You "want" people to know you're proud of your Brut, that's why you need all the obvious flankers/versions (forget the Oceans flanker etc) you can get your hands on. My favourite smell of this currently is the Special Reserve. Batch: 60764CYC from 16th March, 2016.

I'm gonna write 2nd review after spending some time with Brut eau de toilette. First things first - I love Brut. There is something in its structure and scent that brings good memories and calms my senses. The scent is floral/sweet and I don't really get the barbershop feeling out of it. I'm not used to Brut, the first time I bought a bottle was 3,5 months ago during summer. It quickly became one of my favorites or perhaps my favorite cologne. The girl I date said she loves Brut. She's 21 and she loves Brut over my niche and any other fragrance. Brut is comforting, not "in Your face", calm and subtle. I don't know what it is but it works. I don't find Brut dated or I do not associate it with grandpa's fragrances. Some people used to think Brut smells old and I don't get it all! It's great for a young and mature guy. Of course, if You're used to modern fragrances You will probably give it a pass but I believe anyone can love Brut as I do. I bought the aftershave, deodorant, and the 200ml splash bottle too. The performance is on the lower side, so I spray myself again during the day. I spray a lot. A LOT! There's no need to worry about the application because the scent is pretty light. Well, what can I say for now? Hands down to Brut. It gives me such a good feeling it's hard to describe. I just can't wait to spray it after I shower. Such a magnificent creation! Extremely affordable. Cheers!

This scent HAS been changed somewhat over the years (and has added the foul and totally unnecessary flanker, Brut Musk, as well as some pretty decent flankers), but Brut is still one of the very best inexpensive "macho male" fragrances. My Dad tried it, but my Mom liked it on him more than he liked it on himself (he was pretty much an Old Spice guy), so I swiped his bottle and used it! It was my first experience using male scent, and it smelled great on me! I think the coumarin and anise are what makes Brut different and delightful. On me it smells mossy yet sweet, clean but with a slightly animalic note that adds a sense of danger. Of course, in Junior High I got some flak for wearing a male cologne, but at that time I wore men's clothes pretty much all the time anyways, so I was used to it. It's true that the more expensive "Brut Classic" smells more like the original Brut than what is sold in the drugstore, but either one is excellent. Even the aftershave splash, which is what I used most often as a teen, has good longevity and sillage. CORRECTION/UPDATE: I just purchased what I and others mistakenly called "Brut Classic"--it's actually called "Brut Special Reserve". Yes, it DOES smell more like the original! I found it in Walgreen's, which previously only carried the regular Brut.

Step into the time machine... and away we go! Brut simply put is that eternal classic fragrance that has marked many a person's life, through perhaps a father, a friend, a teacher or a coach. Either way Brut has played a part in some memory or life moment for somebody somewhere. I recently bought another bottle, for reasons of nostalgia and as an addition to the daily work fragrance rotation and I have to say this scent is still performing and is still quite the workhorse. Brut still has that powdery essence with a spicy sweet tinge. It is still great and fun to wear and in no way cloying. I sport Brut from time to time to work and it is a great reminder as to why we love the scents we love. Brut for me was part of that initial spark that ignited a real curiosity in perfume as well as instilled an importance to fragrance, which has now become a life long passion. Brut is a reminder that we dress ourselves and build our sartorial character off of more than just clothes or shoes but also scent. So keep on... keep putting your style and fashion out there, you may inspire others or create a quintessential scent memory for someone else.

Those who know how to appreciate this classic dna and knows the history of Brut will know. After all, it is still selling so well after 60 years. It's scent and it's dna and notes are still smelling good for today's gentleman. It is still so very inexpensive and anyone everyone can afford it. It makes anyone wearing feel fresh, gives ones the needed pad for themselves. You'll never know how many families got started and generations they have with this cologne and how the men attracted the girls with this cologne back in the days. My dad wore it. I wore it as a teen and even as I grew older. Decades later, I still like it and always keep a bottle or two in office and home to spray and smell the everlasting smell I am so familiar with. I wish they had something stronger or a modern brut edp or something special is released that smells exactly like Brut. I have this cologne aka Edt original and the special reserve. Kinda prefer this still. Used to just so splashes with the old splash ons too. Those who knows and appreciate Brut will knows. Those clueless who acts high class and give trash comments are deem worthless and useless.

I am writing this review before reading -most of the other ones , but I am sure a lot of them will have similar opinions ..This is in your face Manly scent , un-comprimising Male fragrance , It will be loud and strong from the very beginning to the end , never stopping & rarely considering to stop , just like an "Old School " action movie with all the sinewey , musclar , hairy chested heroes !..It's fascinting in this way ..and yes , I am a woman who likes this type of unbashful (yet handsome ..) scents on men .For me ,I would prefer it anyday over that blah of elegantly suited perfumes with designer labels & coiffed bottles who are just trying to emit some pheromones ...Speaking of the bottle ,the one above is not familiar to me , it's that green one with the medallion to give that same feeling of the perfume , not tamed yet not a savage ;) Finally , check out the Ad photo with the young boxer in the right panel it has the slogan (Men are Back ) it capsules what I mean ...

Brut is unabashedly manly, makes no excuses and works right from the start. For a cologne to be so old, it never ceases to amaze me how good it always smells. Brut is a timeless classic, it is still applicable and relevant as the day it came out. I have worn this for so many years and was happy when the 25 oz. splash bottle came out. I still get compliments when I wear it, women love it ,recognize it and know this is what a man should smell like. Now the fragrance industry has so many interesting options to choose and I have picked up other signatures along the years, I still have their deodorant; Brut simply works. This is a very green herbal scent and reminds me of Jovan sport scent (one of my prized possessions). This is a manly scent, strong and no nonsense attitude. It is affordable and a great starter for the young guys out there, much better than the crap AXE puts out. To sum it up Brut transcends time and is by far the best affordable green colognes out there.

Its amazing...!!!! Much more amazing when I compare its price with the fragrance, longevity and projection. It has an outstanding fragrance...In India its roughly Rs.450/- ( approx. $8 ). One who does not know its name previously can never guess its price. Its strong but not offensive. Its sweet but not that irritating one . It says " Hi, I am here " because it definitely has a very good projection and quite easily noticeable in the crowd . I don't like those skin hugging perfumes . Because nobody is going to rub their nose deep into your skin to know whether you have applied some perfumes or not. It is the projection of a perfume which attracts others. keeping that issue in mind BRUT is a real winner. I can rely blindly on it. One should at least try it ....after that , its just a matter of few minutes to fall in love with BRUT.

Brut is a (surprisingly) subtle daily driver - it’s the type of scent that everyone on earth has smelled but no one can put their finger on. You must have style to work it well though (but as you know I always say that) It mixes so well with masculine skin and has an intimate sillage such that if you bump up against someone on the subway they won’t think “brut”, just a developed version of you - that is familiar, comforting, but unique. My friends do not be afraid - 4 sprays in the am - it is just a part of your wardrobe. This particular presentation is great and can be picked up at convenience stores in UK / EU and online in US. Yes we all saw it dusty on our dad’s ... friends dads ... girlfriends dads sinks in the 70s - 90s, but go ahead, don’t be afraid, it will serve you well and is surprisingly sexy. - X

It may be "fashionable" to diss Brut as an old-fashioned and mass marketed,cheap scent but Brut scent is classic for a reason. Get the medallion bottle, don't bathe in it and it's a clean scent that may not last all that long, but you can refresh at ease. I'm not a keen nose, I'm not able to pick up the individual note at the top,middle and base or the different displays of it's scents, such as at the dry down time. But, Brut is a woody/floral/herbal favorite. I use in rotation with Old spice (othing wrong there too) as well as the more upper market type of scents. They got something right in 1964.....it's more of a shame that the brut 33,now just remarketed Brut seems to be THE scent of brut these days....if more people seek out the medallion bottle...more should come to like

This is what a man is supposed to smell like. Brut is so unique and so beautifully done. It’s one of the best DNA profiles ever for men. I’m so glad my father put me on this because if he didn’t I would have never knew about this gem. It’s a lavender barbershop DNA done to perfection. Best thing about it is they’re going for like $15-20 a bottle, and I have 5 backups of them. I run through a bottle so easily because it is weak in projection if you don’t overspray. But I over spray and I love this scent when it’s over sprayed I’m talking 20-30 sprays since this stuff is like water. But after 20-30 spray mark it stays on you for an hour or so before fading out completely. 10/10 OG brut fragrance I will forever have a bottle of this stuff.

Brut smells like Brut. You can not see much fragrances smelling similar to Brut. I think it's smell is inimitably unique. I tested many of Brut immitations and none of them was similar. I didn't (but want to) try Helen of Troy formulation but Unilever is producing two different Brut scents. The EDT version of Brut at the picture above is named 'Brut Original' and exactly what i love and recommend. The plexyglass bottled with a medallion is named 'Brut Classic' and it is a different scent with more anise and less sweet notes and lesser quality blended. So, get an Original version of this juice and experience this manly essence of men. My rating: 10/10

I would give this scent a 5/5 just based on its nostalgic appeal alone. It's a comfort scent just as hotdogs, Spaghettios, Ravioli and hamburgers are comfort foods for us Americans. It reminds me of the smell of cheap but comforting shaving foam from my childhood. It even evokes a slight scent memory of my Mr. Bubbles bubble Bath from my childhood. Yes, a superficial similarity to the more complex, higher quality Penhaligon Sartorial. But different from the beautiful high quality, aromatic, intense ambery lavender shaving foam vibe of Tom Ford Beau de Jour. This is a fantastic, comforting, nostalgic, cheap toiletry Aromatic Fougere scent. Its home.

What a classic, this fragrance is much maligned, but still has a hardcore following, and I can personally see why, the smell is unmistakable and for many people will bring some memory of a person or a time gone by, this one reminds me of an older man, working class gentleman, clean cut, has style but not trendy. I get a bit of lavender and talc with this one it smells clean and fresh, and for me personally is a good day to day fragrance. Longevity 5/10 - after and hour or two max it fades away, but for the price, this isn't that big an issue Silage 6/10 - for the first hour or so people standing around you will notice this fragrance

I still like this scent, the Middle Eastern perfumers should clone it into an extrait :). I remember my cousins wearing this whenever they painted the town red, and they were playboys with lots of girls. So the Brut I smelled are the older formulations, I don't know about the modern ones. Anyway, years have gone by, I forgot about the scent, until I tried Aventus recently. First spray, and even if it was far from Brut, it reminded me of the Brut scent - masculine, strong, woody, something I can't describe. Anyway, Creed and CDNIMs are my top scents nowadays, the first ones I reach for if I can't decide what to wear for the day.