Gentleman’s Nod Toro Bravo (Claude Dir and Ralf Schwieger) 2025 + The Encierro Giveaway

Chris Christiansen of Gentleman's Nod

 Chris Christiansen with Gentleman’s Nod Toro Bravo X ScentXplore at The Exhibition December 4-6 2025

To introduce Steven’s video, I asked Creative Director and Founder Chris Christiansen of Gentlemen’s Nod what inspired Toro Bravo, a collaboration withs ScentXplore –Michelyn Camen Editor-in-Chief

Gentleman's Nod Toro Bravo

Gentleman’s Nod Toro Bravo X ScentXplore

The initial concept for Toro Bravo was inspired by the festival of San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain. I had discussed the concept with Max Forti who loved the idea and proposed collaborating on the fragrance. When we received the initial submissions, we both loved the fragrance but felt there were a couple areas that could either be enhanced or smoothed out a bit. The final version includes these changes from Ralf Schwieger built on the base fragrance designed by Claude Dir. The running of the bulls is likely the most well-known aspect of the festival. So, at its heart, Toro Bravo was always intended to be a rich, sophisticated Spanish inspired leather fragrance. But there is so much more to the festival than just the encierro. It is a relentless celebration from beginning to end. There is singing and drinking, parades and dancing, ceremonies and competitions, fireworks and dusty roads. It is an event of possibilities where it’s best to expect the unexpected. How do you encapsulate the sweeping experience of a week-long festival from expectation to culmination in a fragrance? This is what we set out to do with Toro Bravo.-Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod

Top Notes: Saffron Flower, Incense Swirls, Cognac, Cardamom, Rum Pure Jungle Essence™

Heart Notes: Madeira Wine Accord, Hay Absolute, Sage, Dried Fruits, Tonka, Rose Centifolia Absolute

Dry Down: Amber Woods, Cedarwood Atlas, Sandalwood, Styrax, Leather, Cistus, Vetiver Bourbon, Musk

Video Content Contributor Steven Gavrielatos reviews Gentleman’s Nod Toro Bravo X ScentXplore

Bottle sent to Steven, opinions his own

Toro bravo by Gentleman's Nod X ScentXplore

Gentleman’s Nod Toro Bravo X ScentXplore

Thanks to the generosity of Gentleman’s Nod, we have a 100 ml bottle of Toro Bravo X ScentXplore parfum extrait for a registered ÇaFleureBon registered reader and a Redolessence subscriber USA ONLY, (if you are not sure if you are registered click here – you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible please leave a comment on this site with what strikes you about BOTH CHRIS CHRISTIANSEN’S INTRODUCTION AND STEVEN’S VIDEO review and that you live in the USA. Draw Closes 1/11/2026, and the winner will be announced within 2 weeks after.

Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod is 177th in our American perfumer series, read his profile here.

Enjoy Steven’s video reviews of Courant Eternel, Tusitala and Olya’s review of Passion Poivree

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25 comments

  • Sybelle16 says:

    Chris Christiansen of Gentleman’s Nod talks on the initial inspiration for Toro Bravo, the Spanish festival of San Fermin in Pamplona (Running of the Bulls) and it how it was intended to be a rich, sophisticated Spanish inspired leather fragrance but with the addition of perfumer, Ralf Schweiger’s input, it was elevated to include a olfactive profile that encompasses what the festival is: celebration, dancing singing, drinking, parades, competitions, fireworks and dusty roads–culminating into Toro Bravo.
    For Steve, they accomplished that goal. The many beautiful notes are pieced together to create a true masterpiece that highlights darker elements in Toro Bravo. In Steve’s opinion, its leathery, spicy, earthy, boozy notes lean on the masculine side. It is a super potent creation that possesses a dark ruggedness, channeling the great outdoors, and something a cowboy on the range might wear. Toro Bravo has a strong projection that places it in the top five for him.
    USA

  • Ensorceler says:

    What struck me most about Chris Christiansen’s introduction is the depth of storytelling that anchors Toro Bravo’s concept. You can feel the intention behind every detail, the way he channels the pulse of San Fermin, not just through the charged adrenaline of the bull run, but through the layered humanity of the festival itself: the music, the dust, the laughter, and that intoxicating sense of living at full tilt. When I visited Navarra almost two years ago, hoping to trace Hemingway’s vivid depictions of that same atmosphere; its danger, its beauty, its chaos, reading Chris’ words brought it all rushing back.

    What really stands out is how Steven transforms what might’ve been a standard review into a full sensory experience. He paints vivid imagery; invoking dusty roads, whiskey-soaked leather, and that rugged cowboy archetype, to make you feel the scent, not just hear about it.

    Just a few days ago, I watched Max Forti’s video, and that boozy cognac-leather punch, refined by Claude Dir’s elegant touch, sounds magnetic. It’s the kind of gentleman’s scent that captures both daring and sophistication. I love that Chris and Max didn’t settle for something surface-level. They honed Toro Bravo until it became something more: an olfactory snapshot of Spanish passion and celebration.

    – USA –

  • samozain1 says:

    Both Chris and Steven had an excellent review. Festive fragrances usually push towards chaotic note distribution but it seems like the skilled perfumer here was able to get this right! Festive spanish fragrance done right!

    USA

  • Ashraf Zeidan says:

    I’ve been looking for a fragrance of this genre. I love leathery boozy scents that make an impression. Once I had seen Steven’s video I knew this was going to be a special fragrance for me. Can’t wait.

  • Agent47 says:

    Chris’s intro to Toro Bravo really showed how intentional Gentleman’s Nod is as a brand, and it was neat to learn how much they collaborate directly with perfumers and treat each release almost like a niche project. Steven’s review added that approachable, real‑world perspective on how the scent actually wears. As someone who loves vetiver‑forward fragrances, I appreciated how both of them pointed out the earthy depth in the base. The whole experience made the fragrance feel bold, thoughtful, and grounded in a way that really works for me. Scented regards from NY, USA.

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    I love the idea of a fragrance inspired by the festival in Pamplona, Spain. I lived in Spain for 3 years while serving in the US Military as a hospital corpsman. I never made it to the festival, but this fragrance would certainly be a fond memory of my time spent on the Rota, Spain military base. The notes sound really interesting as well. I enjoyed Steven’s video as well. I liked how he mentioned how the fragrance filled the room and how much he enjoyed the scent. I live in Maryland USA.

  • reyessence89 says:

    Toro Bravo, aka Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. To me, the Running of the Bulls and that novel are intertwined, and I imagine Toro Bravo will evoke the same images. Chris Christiansen’s intro is the (audio)book, and Steven’s video is the film. I live in the USA.

  • Ramses Perez says:

    The infamous run of bulls is indeed an iconic event now and I’m glad a niche house finally decided to encapsulate it on a bottle. I also saw Max Forti’s video talking about it and I see why it’s so spicy. This happens during the summer on a rather dry setting so that image is spot on captured on the scent. From there on it gets leathery which is the smell of the bulls and some musky notes too adding to the animalics of it all. Like Steven said you feel out in the woods and in nature. This is a daring fragrance for those who want to live their matador fantasy; I am one of those. I’m located in the USA.

  • Teresa C says:

    I’m kind of laughing a little: It’s so not Steven’s usual vibe and he still does a great job giving his impressions, while at the same time trying to convey the feel of a fragrance that is so different from his usual. I adore the Jason Mamoa as a cowboy image too! The story of how this was created definitely feeds into how the scent came out, if you combine the intro and the video. I do live in the USA.

  • suzann_adams says:

    The videos were very good, would have expected anything less. Steven is so knowledgeable and respect him. So if he says you have great fragrances I believe him. Would love to win this and smell on my husband.

  • Mayra L Morales says:

    I genuinely love Steve’s reviews! He’s been my favorite YouTuber for as long as I can remember, and I really enjoy the way he explains perfumes with such care and passion, always giving his best! I love a leathery, spicy, earthy, boozy, and masculine scents, especially on my husband. I can’t wait to get him a bottle. Thank you, Steve, for all your wonderful and inspiring videos.

  • YitzyR says:

    Chris talks about how rich and sophisticated this fragrance is a very leathery. Then I saw Steven’s video where he says it’s a “cowboy” vibe and very earthy and dark as well as super masculine. The way he describes it with cardamom and leather and also saffron it sounds super intriguing. Also I found it funny when Steven said it’s for those that dont mind getting dirt under their fingernails and he goes on saying how much he loves the scent when he is a very well dressed individual himself:-)
    Cheers from NJ USA

  • opalbear says:

    Oh I bet this is amazing! Ralf Schweiger is a favorite perfumer of mine. I love so many notes in this, cardamon and rose, saffron and incense, cistus and sandalwood. All good stuff! Thank you for the generous giveaway. I am located in the US.

  • Annika says:

    I think of sun-soaked arid climate with Moorish flourishes when I envision the Running of the Bulls in Spain. Toro Bravo X certainly nods to this event with saffron, incense and spices and a boozy rum and madeira. The animalistic wood and Spanish leather base seems to perfectly balance the rest of the notes. MD, USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I hadn’t realized this event was so much more than the running. Since Steven says this is very masculine, I’d love to win this for my husband. This reminds me of the old film my grandparents took of the matadors in Mexico that I watched as a child. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • mmerline says:

    I love that Max and Claude used the running of the bulls as an element of this fragrance, but aimed to capture the whole festival, and not interpret the encierro too literally. I’m curious where the final version diverged from Max’s first take on the concept. Steven called Toro Bravo a “sophisticated olfactive expression” that’s “perfectly befitting of a cowboy”—super potent, spicy, earthy, woodsy, boozy, and leathery, with lots of “dark elements”—and “feels natural all the way through”. The cardamom and saffron opening is particularly intriguing, as is the hay note, which I tend to love in any fragrance. And the touches of resin and boozy spiced fruit are a nice touch, softening the leather and giving it dimension. Sounds like a blast to wear.

    I’m in the USA.

  • Gabriel Garcia says:

    I have been in a pamplonada feast, and its a wonderful experience.
    Also Steven is outstanding reviewing the Toro bravo which has a lot of my most favorite notes. Bravissimo!
    Peace!

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the evocative review! Gentleman’s Nod Toro Bravo feels like the olfactory equivalent of a bold, smoky Spanish evening — rich leather and dark tobacco open with rustic strength, while spicy pepper and cedar add a vibrant edge that keeps it lively rather than heavy. I especially loved how the smoky woods and ambergris anchor the scent, giving it depth and warmth that lingers like the memory of a long night by the fire. I’d love to try Toro Bravo!
    Cheers from WI, USA

  • David F says:

    He got me with the line, “perfect for a cowboy”. This thing is loaded with everything that encompasses the feel of San Fermin’s rich cultural history. I like how it doesn’t fit into a singular genre but has a great balance of eastern oriental notes and several more modern, Western facets. This is a heck of a way to bring in the festivities and pay homage to the running of the bulls. Its strength intrigues me because I love scents that stick with you and are ever present throughout the wear. The natural, earthy, and boozy elements give it character and really speak to me. I’m a serious and rigged renaissance man so I would love to charish this and add it to my repertoire. From USA with love.

  • Kensolfactoryodyssey says:

    I had the chance to smell Toro Bravo at ScentXplore, and it really is a beautiful, commanding fragrance. What struck me most about Chris Christiansen’s introduction was how clearly the scent was conceived as more than just a leather—it captures the full sweep of San Fermín, from anticipation to excess, dust, celebration, and ritual. Steven’s video review echoed that complexity perfectly, especially in how he described the balance between richness and refinement, with the boozy-spiced opening giving way to a textured, confident leathered drydown. It truly feels like a festival in motion. I live in the USA.

  • neal_buatti says:

    As this artical points out this is a fragrance about the San Fermin Festival. But going deeper, I had a chance to talk with Chris at Scentxplore, he talked about how part of his inspiration for the fragrance was Hemmingway’s writing about The San Fermin Festival. Chris is a big fan of Hemmingway. In fact, a few of the brand’s fragrances are inspired by his writings.

    Since I have smelled Toro Bravo, I can say Steven’s review is very close to how I thought of it when I smelled it at Scentxplore. Its bold, its spicy, with boozy. Its very much a powerhouse. It is not for someone that likes lighter summery fragrances.

    I am from the USA and live in PA.

  • foreverscents says:

    As someone whose skin sponges up even the most powerful fragrances, Toro Bravo appeals to me. I am on the ,lookout for a masculine and rugged fragrance this winter. I enjoyed reading Chris’s introduction, especially the part where he says that it’s best to expect the unexpected during the San Fermin festival. The leathery and spicy notes of Toro Bravo appeal to me.
    I live in the USA.

  • Jason Tell says:

    If only more people knew there is an American craft for perfumery, the industry would become more of what it could be.
    Buy American!

  • Michael McCormack says:

    This sounds perfect for my taste I would love to win this. I just became aware of Gentleman’s nod I am looking forward to checking out the whole line.