Brutus

Many people are surprised by how Brutus diverges so much in style from the rest of the Orto Parisi line. To that, I can only add that if there is such a thing as classicism in perfumery, Brutus as such certainly belong to the classics, much as figurative painting is opposed to (hyper)modernism. It makes me think of the paintings of Odd Nerdrum, in my view someone who excels and make use of every classical style that has existed, but also someone who always manages to apply a layer of contemporary relevance to his compositions. I often entertain the idea that the concept of Brutus is an allusion to Guerlain's Heritage. It is seeking to escape the shadows of a classical titan, and to be an act of revolt. The question is what does indeed follow the First Triumvirate. I think the perfumer Gualtieri was no adolescent rebel at the time Brutus was created. He knew well that performing an olfactory Ides of March will not reinvent the wheel nor change rules radically. It is, after all, a bit tiring to always feel you need to break things and make something that surprise people. Some will yawn and say "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose". Personally I think Heritage survived the stabbing and to me, the perfume "Brutus" is guided by a Second Triumvirate of Heritage EDP, Kouros and perhaps something like Yatagan. But it is of course entirely its own thing, these three are just vague memories occasionally invoked when I spray it on. Brutus is one of my favourite office and daytime scents, a perfect balancing act where I get a caleidoscopic journey from tradition to novelty while my surroundings gets enough of something familiar as to not be too surprised or put off. I would say that Gualtieri does not care too much about categories such as fougère or chypre, and that Brutus is a bit of both. It has warmth for winter, freshness for spring, herbs for autumn and citruses for summer use, but for very warm days there are other things I would rather reach for. Although idiosyncratic, it is hard to imagine it to be seen as strange in a formal evening setting. But, say, if I sprayed on Brutus in the morning and needed a very quick change into evening attire without a shower, I would be more inclined to replace it with Héritage EDP. If you don't care to own too many bottles, Brutus is a brilliant allrounder, however. Some say performance is poor, but I disagree. This style of perfume will always come forward as cloying if it is too strong, and it is not very gentlemanly to seek to impose yourself on the entire room you are in. And, although I mostly go noseblind for it myself sometime after lunch, I do get occasional whiffs also in the evening. All in all, I think it is worth the money if you fall for it like I did, but if you can do with a cologne or EDT for office, there are cheaper things to buy.

A really solid fragrance thats easily the most wearable from the brand. Orti Parisi make incredible fragrances, I enjoy them but can't wear them everyday due to the absolute power and sometimes fatiguing longevity. But my favourite type of genres are without a doubt the Barbershop, Fougere, Chypre styles along with Powerhouse 80s offerings. I adore vintage perfumery, especially when it's at the highest level of the craft. Here I get a little of everything, typical citrus and floral notes running through the top and middle joined by a base of timeless and sturdy collection of pachoulli, oakmoss, musk, woods and amber's. It's vintage-esque, artisanal, adequately powerful and quite honestly unique, I'm struggling to think of anything that closely resembles this offering. It's an underrated gem from Gualtieri and works perfectly as a slightly more mature and well dressed man's scent. Performance is solid but I should mention that when I bought it 6 months ago, initially I found it to perform quite poorly especially disappointing being from this brand. However, today I decided to give it a few sprays in the current heat of the UK and wow! The scent is deeper, more evolved with many more increased nuances than before. Projection and longevity are very much improved also, it's not a beast but it's strong enough for a day out and easily into the evening. I'd probably wear this all year, happy to wear day to day but easily reaching for it on an evening/day out or special event. It's crafted to perfection with the whole perfume blended seemlesly, although quite linear its beautifully rounded with the many facets detectable to make a wonderful whole. Definitely one for the fellas who are actual proper men and not some bizarre interpretation of the so called male of the species that seems to be prevalent in these troubling times! Great value, a little goes a long way and if you can get a discount it's a bit of a must buy for the right type of gent. Manly, strong, timeless and niche quality, What's not to like! A real departure from Gualtieri and his associated brands but this works, it really, really works.

Brutus is my very first Orto Parisi, a blind buy I couldn’t resist after finding it on sale online. Up until now, I had only experienced Megamare – far too ubiquitous these days – and Risvelium, which I genuinely enjoyed. Apart from those two, I had no real exposure to Alessandro Gualtieri’s creations. The opening immediately struck me as citrusy, spicy, and woody – a composition that reminds me of Terre d’Hermès, but darker, dirtier, and more grounded. Patchouli stands out strongly, setting the tone with its earthy depth. As it develops, the fragrance softens: sweetness creeps in, projection decreases, and while I don’t clearly distinguish individual notes, floral aspects emerge. I never quite pick up on the rose that is officially listed, but I do catch hints of lavender. Despite this shift, the citric brightness and patchouli backbone remain present throughout the dry down. Like many reviewers have noted, Brutus evokes an image of elegant men from another era, working in opulent, perhaps even smoky offices. I don’t usually associate fragrances with gender, but this one leans heavily masculine. It radiates a sense of confidence, and as Terre d’Hermès has been a favorite of mine since its release, it’s no surprise that I absolutely love Brutus as well. Compared to Megamare or Risvelium, it feels less atomic, yet longevity is solid, even if the projection is not room-filling. The name “Brutus” is typical of Gualtieri’s playful approach, though I find it somewhat misleading: in Latin, it suggests something animalistic, raw, even vulgar, whereas the perfume itself is refined and “old money” in a good sense. Finally, I truly appreciate the bottle. The size is just right for collectors who own many perfumes, especially since three sprays are more than enough. The real highlight is the cap – heavy, tactile, and beautifully crafted, with an artisanal touch that perfectly complements the fragrance.

I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but Brutus is an underrated gem and, to my nose, one of Alessandro Gualtieri’s finer achievements. It belongs firmly among the most compelling male-centered fragrances of the modern niche era. Not in a loud or obvious way, but in a deeper, almost archaic sense. This is not a fragrance that reveals itself on a blotter. On paper, it can feel dry, abrasive, even off-putting. Pencil shavings, damp wood, a faint bitterness that borders on unpleasant. That reaction is almost intentional. Brutus refuses to perform for the strip. On skin, however, especially after a hot shower and under heavy clothing, it transforms completely. The fragrance blooms with a magnetic, old-world authority. It projects presence rather than volume, and it does so in a way that feels instinctual rather than calculated. This is where its reputation quietly forms. There is something undeniably primal at work here. A dense, beautifully textured woodiness wrapped in smoke, earth, and shadow. Patchouli emerges not as sweetness but as depth. Aromatic herbs cut through the darkness, while subtle chocolatey and resinous facets add warmth and sensual gravity. The composition feels multifaceted and alive, shifting slowly throughout the wear. What fascinates me most is its effect on others. My wife gifted this to me, and she has consistently said that Brutus, among all of Gualtieri’s creations, has a particular pull on female senses. Wearing it now, I find myself agreeing. I cannot fully explain the mechanism, only the result. It feels like old magic. Quiet, confident, and deeply human. Brutus does not try to seduce. It simply exists with conviction. And that, perhaps, is exactly why it works.

Does anyone know why every second Orto Parisi release gets compared to Black Afghano? Only one that really is close enough to be called a carbon copy is Terroni. Brutus is hands down the best Orto Parisi from those that I had a chance to test. This is very clean and gentlemenly smell very much in a vein of modern classics such as Zino or Heritage Guerlain, kind of oriental fougere (with patch overdose, woody ambery base and some great florals in the mids). There is nothing too old about it, it is extremely wearable and modern and smells expensive. I can see why someone would say this resembles BA, because the drydown gets darker on the skin and I’m picking those vibes, but very subdued, more like a dark amber patchouli base that lurks from the skin - this will not offend or shock anyone, completely safe office scent, but at the same tome very special and unique compared to run-of-the-mill blue mainstream production. Despite its name, this is very well behaved fragrance with manners. I do not think I will buy full bottle, as my fougere cravings can be satisfied with forementioned affordable classics, but if this is your style of fragrances and you want to expand your experience into niche territory, Brutus is a perfect choice - satisfaction guaranteed! If you are a lady looking for something lavishly luxurious and sophisticated for well groomed partner, do yourself a favour and instead of Bleu de Channel pushed by your local fragrance parlour lady, get him this and thank me later. This is how a real man should smell.