Brut

Having seen this at Walmart for a mere 9 bucks so many times, I finally thought I'd check out this classic cologne/aftershave. My dad wore this for a period when I was a child (until I thought his bottle was getting too low so I filled it with water). Got it home and couldn't wait to try it. Applied some on my arms and... this is good. Better than good. This is amazing! This deserves much more respect as a fragrance than it gets, most likely due to the price and commonality. For one of the first times I can smell almost every note in a fragrance. It's not that they are separate or not well blended, but they are there if you look for them. The anise, lavender, citrus, geranium, vanilla. Even the basil is there. The oakmoss, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, and tonka pop their head out as it dries down. What surprises me most is how woody it is. It's a slightly sweet floral wood scent. And I absolutely love the woody aspect. I have some expensive and overpriced fragrances, and I'd put this at the same level as them. This goes into the rotation. I'm rather blown away by it and very impressed. It's a classic, but still relevant. Much in the same way that Green Irish Tweed is. Or Acqua Di Parma Colonia. Or Eau Sauvage. It is a classic male scent that deserves to still be around and get worn. And be respected. Edited to add that I should mention it is the splash on aftershave that I have which means it is very light and doesn't last all that long. I know they have an EDT glass bottle available. May have to try that. I wish they'd do a higher end version that this scent deserves. EDP, but don't change a thing. Just stronger. Like original strength.

A little update on my previous review below. I've been on a bit of a Brut kick lately. Bought the Unilever/Parfum de Caractere spray EDT. Bought the Idelle Labs cologne. All good, but the Idelle Labs products really impress me more. To contrast, the EDT dries down to a floral/woody powder whereas the Idelle Labs aftershave and cologne dry down to a floral/powdery wood. May seem like a small distinction but I prefer the woodier aspect of the Idelle Labs formulations. I can't compare any of them to the original formulations because it has been decades since I smelled it, but the Idelle Labs scent brings me back to that more. They've done a great job and it greatly exceeds the plastic bottle and price. Ranking purely on scent: 1. Idelle Labs Aftershave/Splash On: Doesn't last at all, but the scent is divine. Floral. Woody. Slightly powdery. I can't stop sniffing it. Since it has VERY limited sillage and longevity, wear it for yourself. After a shave or shower. After work. It will make you (and whomever gets close to you) feel good. 2. Idelle Labs Cologne: Stronger and very similar to the aftershave, but loses some of the subtle details. Wear this out. Maybe 4 or 5 hours on my skin and moderate sillage. Lasts longer than the EDT. I'm decanting it to use as a spray on. 3. Unilever/Parfum de Caractere spray EDT: More on the powdery barbershop scent side. A hint of vanilla. Nicer glass bottle. About 2-3 hours longevity on my skin. Still love it, but since I like the woodiness more than the powderiness, the 2 above fractionally edge it out. But it is still a legend and I wear it regularly.

Brut 33 by Faberge: The Classic! No man can go wrong with this one. It simply smells great. It's pleasant to the senses. Yes, it's been pushed into the cheap markets and convenience stores of the world along with other greats like Obsession, Old Spice, Stetson, British Sterling etc... But it doesn't mean it lost it's class and elegance. On the contrary, Brut remains classy and just as stunning today as it did when it first was launched in 1968. The note formulations in this are that of genius. I never tire of this classic Men's fragrance. The way Anise and Basil play with the other more common notes is pure olfactory bliss. It's one of those fragrances that is worthy of the title, 'Timeless'. It brings back so many wonderful memories of my childhood. It is this fragrance that got me started in my fascination of perfumes at the age of eight. It reminds me of early mornings 6am, in the late 1960's and early 70's when my Uncle would get ready for work. He'd come to breakfast, all gentleman like, in his three piece suit and tie, wingtip oxford shoes and horn rimmed eye glasses and the whole house smelled of Brut 33. I said, "You smell good Uncle". He then told me what the fragrance was, and thus began my lifelong journey into Fragrance Mania. Then there was Auntie and her perfumes, need I say more? Brut 33 has extreme longevity, and enormous sillage, and eternal satisfaction. High praise to my very long time friend, Brut 33 by Faberge. Thank you for all the years, memories and inspiration.

For months I've been trying to remember what john varvatos vintage reminded me of. It was this. A smell I've had burnt into my brain I guess since I was a kid. Im currently in Georgia visiting very distant relatives I see once a decade and I walked into this beautiful rustic fisherman house. Old wood. Vintage rugs. Chairs that tell a story. And man who had impeccable taste in audio and books. The staircase creeks with age and splits two ways half way up leading to a floating floor that takes you to 4 beautiful rooms that are timeless in their own way. The living area has a reading nook with what looks like very vintage bowers and wilkins speakers tucked away for when background music is needed. The "TV room has a center set couch. Walla painted in a rich cherry red color surrounded by wooden furniture and on the desk sat a bottle if this. I sniffed it our of curiosity and instantly was brought back to being a child. Floured with memories like I had just opened a history book of the very small fishing town im staying in "a shrimp dock is across the street close enough to hit a boat with a rock." The smell smells timeless. Like every barbershop you would think of in one of those new york gangster movies. It oozes classic man. It works. It smells great. And john varvatos vintage is like it's child. Who took all the knowledge this wonderful scent had to give. 10/10

Epic Journey Into the Bottled Yonder, 004 ------------------------------------------------------- Part 3 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 I don't have. Considering its price for an EDC splash I've cautioned from it for years. I love sprays, hate splashes. After shaves are a different thing. Apparently this "Cologne" and Special Reserve smell the best. Steer clear of the non-Cologne splash, waste of money.