Our take
What does Spirit of the Brave smell like?
Diesel launched Spirit of the Brave in 2019 with footballer Neymar Jr as its ambassador. The brand calls it a green fougère, and for once the label is accurate. The opening blends bergamot, galbanum and artemisia. Galbanum brings the bitterness of a cut stem. Artemisia adds a dry-grass feel. The heart stays aromatic, with clary sage and elemi giving a resinous freshness and cypress hinting at a pine grove. The base is the best stretch, and it shows up after about an hour. Balsam fir meets tonka bean, and labdanum lays down an amber warmth. The result smells like a damp forest floor with just enough sugar to win over a wide audience. Compared with Bleu de Chanel, another hugely popular woody men’s scent, it reads greener and less citrusy. It also feels a little rougher, which we count as a plus.
When to wear it
A spring and autumn daytime scent that works at the office or on a hike. Three sprays carry it through most of the day.
It belongs to the Fougère, Aromatic family. Spirit of the Brave is one of 14 creations by Diesel in our encyclopedia.
