Brut is one of the most iconic colognes of the 1960s that was developed by Karl Mann and first launched by Fabergé in 1964. Although it is today owned by Unilever, little has changed since its hey-day. In the review below, we will explore the fragrance’s structure, seasonality and versatility as well as its value for money.
Overview
- Brand: Brut
- Fragrance: Original
- Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Introduction: 1964
- Olfactive Fragrance Family: Aromatic Fougère
- Price On Amazon: From $6 [Buy Now]
- Price On FragranceX: From $9 [Buy Now]
Brut is to continental Europe as what Old Spice is to the USA and the UK. That said, this iconic fragrance is just as popular on both sides of the Atlantic. Brut is a hallmark of men’s 1960s personal grooming culture and has stood firm against 50 years of fashion trends.
In 1989, Unilever took over Fabergé. However, the household name was kept on its eau de toilettes until recently as a mark of authenticity and quality.
Aside from the classic original aftershave and eau de toilette, the Brut name hosts a huge spectrum of grooming products. A plethora of Brut deodorants and shower gels are staples of men’s bathroom cabinets.
Furthermore, over the last 15 years the label diversified into different fragrances such as Oceans, Musk and Attraction Totale.
Although there is now a range to suit most male palates, the original cologne remains its greatest success and one of the most familiar fragrances to men of all ages.
Download the Brut Original Fragrance Formula as a PDF
Brut Original’s Composition
Brut Original has a diverse palate that above all denotes cleanliness whilst edging slightly beyond its Aromatic Fougere fragrance family.
Head Notes
- Lavender
- Anise
- Basil
- Lemon
Although a decidedly aromatic fragrance, Brut’s head is exceedingly heaving on citrus. This is the fragrance’s infamous drawback that has received the most criticism over the years. The sickly sweet lemon and bergamot clash with the anise undertones that create a nose-curling bitterness. Fortunately, the lavender conceals this until it quickly dissipates without a trace and reveals the fragrance’s heart.
Heart Notes
- Jasmine
- Bergamot
- Geranium
- Vanilla
Brut’s surprisingly floral heart is a welcome relief following the chaotic head. A bouquet of jasmine and geranium complement the citrus aftermath with a hint of bergamot. As the floral blossom dwindles, it draws out dry and soft vanilla notes before transitioning to the base.
Base Notes
- Sandalwood
- Vetiver
- Tonka Bean
- Patchouli
Brut’s base is probably the most familiar component of the fragrance laden with whimsical nostalgia. The vanilla heart opens up to overarching sweet tonka bean notes that intertwine with a patchouli accord.
The powdery foundation of sandalwood and vetiver is reminiscent of talcum powder, which can bring out vivid childhood memories. Many wearers of Brut often comment on the comforting and familiar imagery provoked by the fragrance.
Although this is likely one of the secrets to its success, the base’s structure denotes cleanliness and freshness. Despite a complexity of two intertwined layers of accords, the base is a simple and effective component of the fragrance.
Furthermore, the combination of a well-groomed and soap-clean floral fragrance with strong masculine father figure connotations has proved to be attractive to women.
The Lifecycle of Brut Original
Brut’s rocky opening may let its lifecycle down but fortunately doesn’t penalise it entirely. Interestingly, it’s citrus-heavy head functions particularly well as an aftershave due to the higher alcohol content.
Nevertheless, the head is fortunately very brief and leads to a fanciful yet short-lived floral heart. Although we only get a glimpse of the bouquet, it counteracts the head’s traumatic opening before introducing us to the long drawn-out base.
Wake & Strength
Upon application, Brut is a deceptively strong fragrance. As soon as the overpowering head fades, only a glimmer remains and longevity is consequently poor. Wearers are unlikely to get more than one or two hours of fragrances before it expires entirely.
To overcome this, the fragrance needs to be over-applied in large quantities to be able to survive beyond the morning commute.
This may feel like a fatal mistake at first but within minutes the fragrance will still seem faint. As boxer Henry Cooper would say in Brut’s 1970s advertising campaign, “splash it all over.”
Whilst the fragrance still lingers, it leaves a mild projection behind the wearer that stays within a comfortable radius of about 1 metre. Similarly, sillage is present but not overbearing and leaves only a minor trail that quickly dissipates.
Brut will likely need applying more than once during the day unless accompanied by the brand’s deodorant. As the two complement each other well, it will create a mild projection that will require touching up maybe once during the lunch hour.
When Should You Wear Brut Original?
Aside from criticism for its bitter citrus head, general feedback with Brut is largely positive.
Compliments are often directed towards its cleanliness and sweet aromatic aura as well as its nostalgic value. As many adults above 25 may have had fathers that wore Brut at least once in their lives, the fragrance is often greeted with enthusiasm.
Consensus has shown this to be particularly effective among women as the scent likely chimes with the notions of a strong father figure.
Its clean and aromatic properties make the fragrance ideal for most daytime office environments. However, being something of a budget and fleeting fragrance, evening activities and special occasions may require something more prestigious.
Otherwise, this is a very masculine fragrance that is ideal for men approaching on well into their thirties and beyond.
Brut’s broad spectrum of aromatic notes renders this fragrance particularly versatile throughout the year. Its effectiveness may dwindle during the winter as the notes are green and floral.
However, it can be worn during the colder months at a push thanks to the presence of anise and sandalwood. Nevertheless, this is a fragrance that shines during late spring as its aromatic notes denote freshness with a slight gourmand warmth from the vanilla and tonka bean.
Presentation and Value For Money
Although the logo still looks excellent with art nouveau vibes reminiscent of early bottles of Couty’s Chypre, packaging is unlikely to win prizes. In the USA, plastic long-bottle necks with a metallic medallion appear to still be the norm but weren’t available in Europe.
The European market instead favours wide glass bottles, which come with an atomiser for the eau de toilette and a splash bottle for the aftershave. The glass bottle is by no means bad and reflects the price range but it lacks the prestige and quality of more luxurious fragrances. However, although Brut as a brand is associated with green colours, the eau de toilette is actually a mustard yellow.
The atomiser and cap appear to be a cheap plastic, which is unsurprising for the price. However, the atomiser functions exceedingly well with decisive sprays and hearty clouds.
Pricing seems to vary drastically between countries. However, the product can change too. Unfortunately, the European version reviewed here isn’t on sale in the USA anymore. However, the American version can be found on Amazon from $6 or even from $9 on FragranceX.
However, in France a bottle can be picked up for just over $6 at most drug stores. It’s a small comfort given that usually similar classic fragrances are much more expensive in Europe than America.
Nevertheless, this puts it at a very good value fragrance, which is a relief given that so much is needed to last the day.
Closing Thoughts
Hurt by an overbearingly bitter citrus head and weak longevity, Brut is an otherwise excellent choice. It’s not only ideal for frugal and vintage-minded fragrance enthusiasts but still a force to be reckoned with despite fluctuating trends and forever evolving fragrances.
High praise not only comes from its nostalgia value but the complex notes that give way to minimalist accords. With such a low price tag, a bottle of Brut belongs on every man’s bathroom shelf.
Enjoyed reading our review? You can also watch the video to see our first impressions below:
I’ve been wearing this fragrance for many years, glad to see some contemporary coverage of it.
– James
Thanks James!
Keep an eye out for weekly fragrance reviews of more classics and newer ones too.
Yours, Paul
Is the “eau de toilette” longer lasting than the “cologne” or “eau de cologne” version that is available in the U.S.?
Hi Electrofunk! I haven’t yet had the opportunity to try out the US version of Brut but I’d hazard a guess that if they sell it under “cologne”, the eau de toilette I reviewed should be stronger. If you do get to try both, please check back in here and let us know!
Best,
Charles-Philippe
This sweet, fresh fougere was originally a female fragrance. The antecedents were Ambush and then Dana’s Canoe. With Brut and its many descendents, it is now accepted as a preminently masculine direction.
Hi King John (or should I say “Your Highness”?)! I didn’t realise that these were the direct ancestors of Brut but it doesn’t surprise me. Men’s fragrances have always had a tendency to appropriate what were originally women’s scents. We’ll throw around “masculinity” but it’s all very conceptual. It leads back to your comment regarding Tabac and how as long as a product has “pour homme” slapped on it, men will feel comfortable enough to wear it.
I was actually testing some women’s fragrances a few days back and took a whiff of Patchouli by Reminiscence Paris. Its bittersweet musky floral note could easily be worn by a man and has often been incorporated into many masculine fragrances but I doubt that men would dare wear it because it’s supposedly destined for women.
Great article. Actually Brut is the first cologne I wore and I have a bottle on hand always in my collection. This fragrance was a favorite of Elvis so it must be good lol.
Unfortunately here in the US we can only get the cheap plastic bottles at drug stores so whenever I go to the Caribbean or Europe I stock up. The difference in the bottling makes a big difference. There are 25 oz bottles online but I’m wary of the authenticity. Brut has some other scents but I prefer the original.
Hi Gilbert,
That’s great to hear! I didn’t know that it was Elvis’ favourite!
All the best,
CP
I forgot to mention that Brut and pinaud have some similar notes and smell.
There is indeed a similarity. We’ve actually reviewed Pinaud, if you’d like to read it.
Best,
CP
Hi Phillipe,
I have a GREEN GLASS bottle with silver medallion, made by Unilever. Parfum prestige is written on it ( no Fabarge). This version is easily available in India.
The bottle is almost similar to old 70’s bottle except It is by Parfum prestige instead of Fabarge. It is EDT concentration. I wonder why Unilever launched two different types of EDT bottles( one green with medallion, other is what you described above) of original Brute. You can find pics of both on http://www.brut-for-men.com/#
Is there any difference between these, please clarify .
Regards
Kuldeep Singh Yadav
India
Hi Kuldeep,
I’m afraid that I don’t know what the differences are between the different Brut formulations. I imagine that different packaging and styles is mostly related to licenses. I presume Brut is made by different companies around the world.
All the best,
CP
Hi, Today I have smelt both versions , both are made by Parfum prestige. To my nose they both smell identical though bottle shape and colour are different.
Thank you
Great to know, thanks for the updated!
I recently expanded my growing collection with Brut, which was the ubiquitous cologne of my youth—green plastic bottles often found in boys’ Christmas stockings. FragranceX has every variety of bottle, and I went with a tall, green glass bottle with metal medallion.
As for the scent itself, it caught me off guard a bit given the years. I recalled a more bracing, aftershave-like scent than the powdery finish. Maybe what I’m remembering is the head and not the base? Anyway, I do enjoy the whole ride. As you say, there’s a lot going on in the head. I don’t find it objectionable, but I’m also focused on figuring out what I’m smelling.
I got the Brut alongside a bottle of Stetson, which was always a major TV commercial presence during the holidays. It’s been fun to explore as well, with vanilla, lavender and maybe a little cinnamon to it. I love your earnest reviews of these more budget-friendly frags, so Stetson could be a fun for a matrix review. Keep up the great work.
Hi Thomas,
Thanks for the kind words! Funnily enough, Stetson is on the list to cover soon!
All the best,
CP
I’ve been using Brut Original EDTfor many years (I’m now 79) and am still as enthusiastic now as when I first used it …… however ….. you do need to re-spray about three times a day to maintain the fragrance …….. This problem I have solved , and I think this may horrify many men, but what I do is to mix 60% Brut Original EDT and 40% Charlie Red, and this gives (in my opinion) a very long lasting EDT with no loss of Brut Original fragrance ……. and it maintains its masculine fragrance ……… Give it a try, you might like it ! ……
Interesting idea! I’ll check it out!
Where can you get Brut power from used Brut in my teens still using it in my 60s
Brut Power? Honestly, I can’t say that I’ve heard of that one.
Hi CP!
Brut antiperspirant is my daily choice and just wondered if you can think of good matches to this? I enjoy eau sauvage, kouro, and fahrenheit, but sometimes feel that they conflict in their notes. I have used the brut edt and aftershave but find that they last less on my skin than the deodorant.
Thanks
Hi Robert,
I use the antiperspirant sticks all the time as well. It’s by far my favourite deodorant! In my experience, it pairs best with Paco Rabanne Pour Homme. However, Guerlain Habit Rouge and Pour Un Homme de Caron are good choices, too.
All the best,
CP
Thank you CP, I have not used PRPH for a while, i always think of this and kouros to be very similar. I will try to get samples of the guerlain & caron that you mentioned!
We dont seem to have the brut sticks in my part of the uk, however i find the spray to be a lot more effective than other brands!
Thanks again!
Yes, I recall that it was mostly the large green can in the UK. However, the sticks are quite easy to find across the channel in France. Yeah, try some samples and see what you think. Habit Rouge doesn’t complement it quite as well as Caron but they’re both pretty good. Still, PRPH is by far my favourite!
All the best,
CP
I m 50 years old and BRUT reminds me the happy days when I was a child in Rome. I think my grand-father used the after shave.
This review is impeccable and nailed it! these are exactly my feelings towards this fragrance and better words couldn’t be found to describe it. Well done to the author.
Thanks, Frankie! Delighted that you enjoyed it and that it brought back some good memories!
Many thanks for your review. Brut is among my favorite brands and I always get back to it eventually. Great budget choice. Is there any chance to also have a review of Brut Instinct variant and potentially it formula too? It’s a little more masculine variation of the ‘Original’ scent (the recent formulation is more on the fresh side), and the deodorant is long lasting. Sadly I have the impression it is discontinued
Hey there Manos,
Thanks for your feedback! I’ll see if we can find Brut Instinct for a review – do you have a link to the specific one you’re referring to so I can note it?
Rafael