Braggi
Long Lost Perfume (1966)

Braggi is a dark, warm, powdery fragrance. It has a substantial feel, as if oak moss and patchouli are part of the formula, and the description of leathery tobacco matches the smooth warmth of the fragrance. For what I have in my collection, this reminds me most of Bel Ami, although this is more powdery, and I also get a hint of the Paco Rabanne Pour Homme soapiness.

Braggi opens with a brief touch of bergamot citrus before quickly transitioning to its heart. As the composition reaches its early heart the bergamot completely vacates, as an ashy oakmoss and patchouli tandem asserts itself as the early star with natural smelling cedarwood joining mild herbs in support. As the composition makes its way through its middle, the herb-laced ashy oakmoss and patchouli tandem switches to a supporting position as rough leather emerges to take the fore. During the late dry-down the oakmoss regains its position as star, now sans patchouli with the cedar and leather now co-stars though the finish. Projection is average and longevity just shy of average at 6-7 hours on skin.

Braggi has proved a very pleasant surprise. The limited amount of web-based information available on the long since discontinued relatively obscure composition is all over the map. Some say the composition resembles original Polo (the vintage good stuff), others say it is Aramis that the composition resembles and the two respective camps apparently think the others are nuts... In truth, I can smell a little of both of these benchmarks in Braggi. Early-on, the part of Polo that I could pick out was the ashy, dry tobacco-like aspect derived in Braggi from the oakmoss and patchouli in the early heart section. Then later-on, when the moderately rough leather comes out there is no denying the Aramis connection, though the leather in Braggi is a bit smoother, lighter and easier to wear. By the time the composition reaches its late dry-down it smells like neither, but the oakmoss and cedar-led finish is definitely not lacking in its charms, equaling the positive experience of the rest of the composition's great development. All-in-all Braggi was a blind buy that turned out a real winner. It is a darn shame this Charles Revson released composition (of Revlon fame) never reached the heights of success it deserved. The bottom line is the discontinued Braggi has prices all over the place on the aftermarket, but deals can be found under $50 for a 60ml vintage bottle if one looks hard enough. This composition may not be well-known, but there is no denying the "excellent" 4 star out of 5 rated Braggi really *should* be.

Where do I begin? Do I start off by saying that this is THE sent that reminds me of my dearly departed grandfather? Or do I start off by saying that this is the first colone that I have ever worn in my life? Or do I mention that this is "old school" the way old school should be? Eather way Braggi IS how a man should smell. Woodsy, Leathery, distinguished. If The Most Interesting Man In the World had a scent............this would be it. Old school yes, but in a very distinguished way.

I was lucky enough to have found 3 bottles of this cologne when I was on a field trip to the Navy PX in Orlando back in the mid 80's. I knew it was discontinued then, and so I kept two bottles, and shipped the 3rd to my grandfather because it had been years since he could find any (and this was his scent. He had the soap, the after shave, the hair tonic. You name it he had it). He used to buy it at Hudsons just outside of Detroit. But I digress..............
I bought the three bottles as mentioned and used one completely up by the early 90's. He ran out of his. I was keeping and using the 3rd bottle very very sparingly until his death about 10 years ago. Well I thought it would be fitting to place the remaining last bottle in the coffin with him prior to burial. Some might consider this morbid, but I considered it an act of loving kindness extended to a very loving and kind man.
Skip forward to last Sunday. I was cruising EBay and saw a small bottle being listed very reasonably. I came in from out of town today and ripped the package open. It was like stepping back to being 5 years old again when I unscrewed the cap and smelled the amber elixer. I can still remember getting ready to go to church with my grandpa and him dousing my back with Braggi. It made me smell like him, and I loved every minute of it.
I plan on using this bottle every so often to step back in time again. It's my little 2 oz. time machine elixer.

I agree with Mysticman. I will also add that Clint from Avon is a copy of both Braggi and Aramis.

Paco and Polo? You've got to be kidding! Both of those have lots of green notes, and bear only a passing resemblance. When Braggi was introduced, it was clearly modeled after Aramis, which it resembles closely both in olfactory terms and in its original marketing campaign. Braggi is a leathery chypre with citrus, wood, spice and patchouli along with liberal doses of oakmoss. It's less peppery than Aramis, with a smoother transition from top to middle notes. Definitely a mature man's fragrance, not for guys under 30, or guys who wax their chests. This one is Sean Connery, not Pierce Brosnan.

Oakmoss and woodsy scent much like Paco Rabanne pour Homme but not as lour and a hint of leather. Juice likes to stain white clothing.