Reviews of John Varvatos (2004)
by John Varvatos

John Varvatos

It must be difficult as a perfumer to be given the assignment to create a designer scent. Probably similar to being an artist working in advertising. You want to be able to show off your artistry but the client has a vision they want to see realized. I think this is why so many times when I approach a designer scent I'm already pre-disposed to yawn because I'm not really expecting anything very different. It is nice when those expectations get dashed, every once in a while. Rodrigo Flores-Roux manages to tread a nice line between commercial and creative in his 2004 creation John Varvatos. In some of the press materials about John Varvatos they trumpet that some of the notes used in this scent were used for the first time. Sometimes there is a reason for that. Happily, in this case M. Flores-Roux uses that novelty to create originality over a base of familiarity and creates one of the better designer scents to be found. According to the note list the top notes are; medjool dates, Mediterranean herbs and tamarind leaves. This combination has a quality of feeling like a dark fruit married to a mix of dry herbs of which rosemary is the most prominent, and it is all tied together with an interesting green note I haven't smelled before; tamarind I presume. The top overall is sweet but the rosemary and tamarind offset it enough to keep it from being too sweet. Sage and coriander are used to transition the scent into a heart of Indian Ajowan, which is a variety of caraway. I have really come to enjoy the use of caraway in colognes, Parfumerie Generale Querelle uses it to stunning effect. The ajowan here carries the same dark spiciness that I get from Querelle but in conjunction with the sage and coriander, in John Varvatos, it feels more herbal overall. The heart transitions to the base on a note of vanilla which carries the scent into safe masculine woody teritory. In the base the unique note is called Eaglewood but it smells like a less-complex version of oud and a more complex version of gaiac. There is also a synthetic added called Auramber and based on the name I'm guessing this is the source of the warm amber feel underneath the intense woods. There is also a hint of resin which also might be coming from the auramber, as well. I find John Varvatos to be very long-lasting with above average sillage, on me. It can be depressing sometime to look out at the sea of designer scents out there and sigh. That's why its nice to wear John Varvatos and be able to turn that frown upside down.

Dates seem to feature promptly for me this month not least because it is the month of Ramadhan when Muslims customarily break their fast with this sweet fruit. JOHN VARVATOS is probably the first scent I know that uses dates; a gamble or more of a marketing gimmick as the fruit is better known for its taste than its fragrance. I find its projection rather 'creamy', mildly fruity even - an aspect which women seem to find appealing. While I do recognize the scent of a biker's leather jacket amidst the ambery vanilla drydown, I just wish the note features more prominently, not as an afterthought. Still a worthy buy in my books even if the scent falls short of delivering what the handsome bottle promises.

This one grew on me, I love everything about it. The deep scents are a nice change from a lot of the sharp citrus stuff going around, the notes are exotic yet familiar, almost reminds me of fragrant rice in a nice Thai restaurant. Very sophisticated, suitable for warmer weather I think, often I'll come home from work and head to the gym and when I sweat a little the fragrance comes right back, very long lasting even when used sparingly.

I really like this fragrance, smells wonderful and works very well with my chemistry. Longevity on me is great and the dry down is top notch, If you haven't tried this yet I suggest you do so or you might be missing out.

This was one of the very first fragrances I had. It caught my attention because it was unique on the Macy's shelves. It had unique elements then, and I still find it unique after knowing a two hundred more fragrances. Dates and tamarind, I still can't name any frags on the top of my head that have either of these. All that aside, its a smooth date-vanilla-leather fragrance, absolutely gorgeous. I can't remember where I saw an analogy about this but it compared Varvatos to a Mustang with a leather interior as opposed to a luxury car - I think that hits it dead on. I can only imagine how well this would go with a leather jacket outfit.

There is alot going on in this one and it really doesn't slow down at all. I definitely like the spice and leather....goes well during the winter months.

Too fruity and loud for my taste. A pity the babes like it so much, or I'd only give it a neutral. Club away!

Amazing stuff here.. So complex and captivating it stays intriguing from the first spritz until you go to bed. I have actually gone through 2 bottles of this in the past year.

John Varvatos is undoubtedly one of the best American fragrances to have come out in recent years. It is modern, cosmopolitan, and wonderfully urbane. Its unusual top notes of medjool and West Indian tamarind tree leaves among others, sets the stage for a fragrance that gets instant notice and approval.

I have worn JV and the logevity is satisfactory, witht a drydown that is warm and sweet.

The perfect fragrance for a power lunch, a night out on the town, or a rendezvous with your sweetheart at the corner café.

A deep, yet awake scent (and my wife likes it, which made my decision to buy it a lot easier). The fruity/grassy giddiness is well controlled by the depth of vanilla and leather. Gives a simlar feeling to Gucci Envy for Men even though it's not quite similar to it. You have to try it to know what I mean.

It's great scent.I smell it again and again and try to compare to something familiar but this is nothing like i smell before.

Excellent fragrance. I wore it during the summer not knowing that it was a winter fragrance but it sure as hell fit in with the weather! Notes of vanilla and sage makes JV one of my favorites! I wouldn't recommend it to the younger crowds but if you think you can pull off this classy scent, go for it!

This is a great scent. Starts with sweet vanilla, spices, fruit and I smell some other foody type aromas too. Once it starts to dry down, the food aromas calm down and give way to a woody, leather scent with just enough vanilla to balance it. This one begs to be worn on a night out, but I'm really enjoying it at work too.

okay i might be going out on a very long, thin, fragile limb here... i just got this today after buying it blind, and after a half hour the first thing that comes to mind is... cerruti image... not that it's bad image was one of my mainstays in '99, but there is something to the "uniqueness" of the ingredients used that doesn't feel so "unique" to me... the initial blast is all spice and date, but i'm just entering the middle notes and i can't help feeling like I'm getting ready for the millenium new year's bash all decked out and doused with image... i'm not even getting the vanilla yet and it's incredibly hard to decipher the individual notes (probably because i have never had the opportunity to smell indian ajowan, but i'm pretty sure nobody on this site really has)... all in all a great fragrance so far but i'll wait another half hour and will be better able to make a judgement call

Perfect scent for a night out. Long lasting, doesn't hide in the shadows, yet doesn't knock you upside the head.

THIS CRAP IS GROSS!!

smells like a chia pet, very nasty green stench.

gave mine away after blind buying it due to all of these positive reviews. No one my age liked it at all, gave it to my sister's dumb boyfriend. NOT FOR YOUNGER CROWDS!!!!

Nothing stupendous, but quite nice. Won't offend anyone. Very good longevity. Some faint fruitiness, spicy wood, and leather.

Wow! I remember purchasing this within a week of its release in 2004, and as a summation of this scent, I will say that it is completely innovative and unique! Furthermore, unlike most mainstream releases in the 21st century, a lot of thought and careful attention to detail was put into the development of this fragrance, and this shows in the creative character of the fragrance itself. Approximately 80% of the notes used in this fragrance have never been used before in perfumery; this may seem dissonant to some. However, it really strikes a chord when you first apply the fragrance and especially if you begin an analysis of it. You begin to realize that many of these notes are unfamiliar to you, and that you have never come in contact with their aromas before, which is a wonderful feeling to have when smelling a fragrance. The fragrance is fairly heady, and could get cloying or overbearing if one overapplies, but in just the right amount, it is very seductive and alluring. It is unabashedly masculine, but remarkably sweet for a male fragrance. I can handle the sweetness though, because it is tempered by the black leather notes and auramber and eaglewood in the base. Longevity is fairly strong; 2 sprays (not to be overdone) will last around 8 hours, or possibly more. A new classic for the 21st century...I cannot help but wish that more new fragrances being released now were as well thought out and innovative as John Varvatos!

It is very unique. This means that it takes getting used to.

Once you've got used to it, of course, it smells wonderful. At first whiff there's an interestingly exotic melange of sweet fruity notes--many of which are derived from elements unused in perfumery.
After a while it becomes less pronounced, leaving behind a warm and sweet (and refreshingly familiar) smell that, though still faintly reminiscent of its bizarre opening, is very inoffensive.

Once you've gotten used to it (and once it dries a bit), you'll love it.

My problem with this, however, is that, if it takes getting used to, how could it possibly attract someone of the same/opposite sex? I mean, it's downright offensive until you warm up to it, so it's really not much of a compliment-getter until it dries down to its warm vanilla base.

So, for your own pleasure, spray this well before you leave the house, and, for the pleasure of others, leave once it's had some serious time to dry.

It looks like, that trying to compose an acceptable review for a fragrance,is always a hard effort.
Some say that it smells like this and that.Others exemplify by ditching a product and vice versa.
Still others 'try"to identify the elements and the combinations that emerge by the chemical or natural reaction that takes place in the fragrance.Most of them if not all ,are exercises in vain.

For example:

My first and the subsequent smells of John Varvatos EDT.,has nothing in common with any of the 58 or so "reviews " .
Where is the sickening sweetness,of the opening,cake fruitiness,etc,etc.?

For me, the smell , leaps out and grabs you by whatever is nearer to reach. It dark, ominous, and hints occult .
Fruits , vanilla , leather and whatever, ( rhymes right), form a powerhouse that takes no prisoners.It is like attending a
free, hard rock concert,verging on heavy metal. No holds barred.

My opinion, since I must write one opinion, is , that to me , it is one of the perfectly balanced blends of known and unknown essences.

Softy,it is not. Forget middle of the road scents.It is a highly opinionated composition,

But it is my opinion,only,nothing more nothing less.
Go somewhere and try it.

Works very good with me. Has a sophisticated aroma. Reminds me of an exclusive mens club, with leather chairs, smoke filled room (Pipes), and vintage books. I noticed a hint of fruit deep in the back ground. Very good staying power as well as sinnage.

This is a fragrance that is youthful, intimate, and of pronounced masculinity. The first two characteristics can be attributed to the sweet character of the scent (vanilla in the base) whereas the latter to the top notes (citrus and aromatic herbs), the leather essence in the base and to the overall power of the fragrance which leaves no doubts about its gender.
I find it suitable for all fall & winter evening occasions that are not too formal in nature. For formal occasions another fragrance seems appropriate.
Despite the appearance of the bottle, this is not a leather fragrance nor is it macho. It exudes a laid-back, kind-hearted masculinity. Perfect for intimate moments, dates or even hitting the clubs.

This one errs on the generic side but the rich christmas cake fruitiness just tips it back. Not normally what I would seek out but the drydown is very acceptable and it definitely has something about it. Women seem to love this more than me -- it is unashamedly masculine. Won't go back to it, but have to thumbs up.

Kaern

When I first bought a .25oz mini a while back the old lady didn't like it, so JV was relegated to the mini-bin and forgotten about. I was more than skeptical when I gave it another chance, but I'm glad I did. I gave it three tries over the last few days so I could really 'get' it.

What turned my woman off (and me as well) is the sticky-sweetness of the top notes. I suppose that's the 'dates' and 'tamarind'. Though it's not an overtly synthetic fruit sweetness of, say, Mont Blanc Individuel or Dunhill Desire, it's pretty overwhelming. About 30-minutes after application the sweetness begins to abate, and within 90-120 minutes JV really comes into its own. It is at this point I get the faintest - faintest - whiff of agarwood (eaglewood), along with leather and amber. There is only the faintest sweetness balancing the other accords. This is my favorite part of the life span on my skin, and it lasts quite a while.

After 4 hours the agarwood is gone, replaced by a creamy vanilla, thus becoming slightly sweet again. The vanilla is balanced with powdery soft woods and fleeting leather. JVs life span is amazing - easily 8-10 hours on my skin - but sillage is average/low-average. As another review complained, JV is initially too sweet to apply the amount necessary to really get good sillage during the mid and late development.

Even with the top being too sweet, this is very well crafted fragrance.

An excellent blend of leather and herbal spicy notes. Great for all around wear but really nothing spectacular.

What makes John Varvatos stand out for me the tamarind and date early in the development. The whole of it is nice enough, with the smooth ambery-leather drydown. But it is the fruity notes that are special to me and made this ‘must have’ for me. Good projection. I have gotten compliments for it. Good duration. Recommended.

Here's one the ladies and myself both agree upon. This is enjoyable from beginning to end.

My only gripe is with the sillage and longevity. It's so sweet on first application that I don't want to risk putting on an excess. And inevitably after 20 min it sticks too close to the skin. And after a couple hours on me, it's barely perceptible. I'm hoping this is a case of olfactory fatigue.

Either way, I'm still gonna wear it.

I bought this stuff blind and it is terrific! This scent is a very handsome scent all of the women I know love it. Do yourself a favor and get this stuff you'll thank me later.

Warm and inviting. A frag that will soothe on a cold night. Different but not for the sake of it - the basics are right. This doesn't last as much on me as A*men but it is not as challenging either. This juice could be the (illegitimate) grandson of Paco Rabanne or Azzaro. I know there are no obvious connections but it is more how men's fragrances have evolved.

Elegant, masculine scent. Long-lasting. On my top five list.

Huge fan of this one. In the same ballpark as Angel A and Dolce&Gabbana, but yet different. Not as sweet as the former. Warm, and spicy. Almost like a striking herbal tea by a fireplace, on a freezing-cold night. Don't know anyone who dislikes it. Lasts forever, and one spray does plenty.

I smelled this initially on one of those teasers in a magazine. Normally all those little strips smell exactly the same to me and have little to no relation to what the fragrance actually smells like, but for some reason that one intrigued me, I immediately went out and bought it for my husband. Luckily, he likes it, and it works well on him ...very well indeed! Brownie point for me! He just ran out of that and when I went to restock I was given the Vintage (which I hadn't heard of) and I must say we are impressed with both.

This and Varvatos Vintage are currently my two favorite scents. Very masculine, and I've never worn any fragrance that draws so many positive comments from both sexes.
Both this and Vintage last a good 8 - 10 hours for me. A unique, versatile, and very sexy scent for work and play.

I purchased a vial of this. I was very surprised how wonderful it is. I can't yet speak to sillage, but will use it in my lineup.

Excellent Men's fragrance. Hint of leather, spicy, long lasting.

Another good looking bottle.
Good scent to match.
Sweet funk grunge.
Like it alot.

A+ for Varvatos.
Thumbs way way up.

This is really great. Complex. Mysterious. Dark. Sexy. All of these can best describe this fragrance...its so different at different times of the day or on different days.

One of the best. Didnt like it the first time I smelled it, but it grows on you. Class in a bottle.

John Varavatos is a very nice scent that opens with a fruity and creamy date note, which then blends into notes of vanilla, amber, and subtle leather. Longevity is of average durations

John Varvatos seems to fit perfectly for young urban professionals, or simply those wanting to move up from their mass designer scents into something a little more mature. While there certainly are better scents, John Varvatos offers something a little more unique and daring than most would otherwise wear-—not to mention it's ability to garner compliments.

Certainly, one of the better recent releases.

Over 60 reviews and only Dan G, almost 3 years ago got it right. This is nothing but a smoother, more 'professionally' contrived SPARK by Liz Clairborne. If you like SPARK, you'll love VARVATOS, and vice versa. I sampled SPARK first and I like it although it was all over the place. JOHN VARVATOS is well crafted and is composed from opening to dry down. And it lasts well.

SMELL: spicy sweetness, like brandy plus rum plus date/fig pie. The manly leather wannabe doesn't show up until the dry down. Last reasonably well...you might not smell it on yourself, but others will.

I adore this scent. It has a strong cedar smell, which I love. It does have its sweet side, but the wood of the fragrance mixes nicely with it giving it a clean, lively presence that can easily be worn day or night. I have received several compliments on this one and it quickly has climbed into perhaps the favorite scent I own.

Providing that you dont overspray, u get a smooth, creamy leather scent with good lasting power

This one reminds me very much of Yves St. Laurent's Body Kouros in that it's (for me, anyway) two totally different scents. The opening, like YSL's BK, is loud to the point of deafening, with the fruit notes predominant. Thereafter, though, the leathery, masculine drydown is (as other reviewers have pointed out) quite nice. (Nice enough, in fact, that I'm ready to order the 4.2 oz. bottle.)

Not bad! I don't know why I've waited so long to sample this. It smells like a cross between the original Burberry London & Dolce & Gabanna PH. Both are great, intoxicating, & smooth. Hints of fruit and spice. Very nice. A bit sweet though, so a little goes a long way.

A bit noisy going onto me, but then the high notes - present aplenty if not riotous - settle down into something warm and soothing. I have to say, the dry-down reminds me very much of the old Giorgio for Men from the '80s, vanilla-leathery with m'be a whisp of the chocolate. A friendly juice - even for me, who prefers a bit of astringence - very mellow & autumnal, very worth a try. I do plan on adding this to my collection.

JV is a great scent. a mixture of Armani Code & Polo Black
but stronger than both, it's really sophisticate & elegant.
one of the my favorite woody-oriental colognes.
i purchase 125 ml forever.

Love it! Very original ,fruity,spicy topnotes. I only wish they lasted a bit longer. Dries down into an average , "Black codish" scent.Ultra masculine bottle .Still remains one of my favorites. Lookin out for his next one.

though i am still young and new to the world of fragrences, John Varvatos is my favorite. It's a "woodsey-orential" scent, my favorite out of the one's i've tested and currently own. Smells of soft leather and cool vanilla that's not overpowering, but enough of an aroma that will please many women who gets a taste.

Great stuff. exotic fruity leather with a woodsy tree-bark like opening. There are more sophisicated versions of this recipe out there, but Varvatos has much to recommend it. A very "grown-up" scent for those in their twenties, but there are better things out there for actual adults. Definately worth a test-drive.

This was my usual "night on the town" scent for a year. Very urban and young. Warm and sensual with just the right amount of figgy spicy/sweetness. It goes well with a leather jacket. I do agree it is similar to Le Dandy but definitely less boozy. Looking forward to more from Mr. Varvatos.

I like this one. It's actually a rather unique fragrance. Although they fluff up their notes to make it sound more exotic than it really is, it has a nice top note of dates which blends nicely with the spices and the coriander to give it some pop. On dry down it has a slight vanilla/amber combination that sits calmly radiating a warmth and sweetness that I find to be very alluring. Thumbs up.

Sensual, sophisticated, yet not overpowering, I love to wear my grey wool sweater when I wear this one. Truly different IMO, and a well composed frag.

This is the sexiest men's cologne I have EVER smelt. Just gotta find the right man to introduce to it.

My girlfriend raves about this fragrance and while I like it, I can't quite match her level of enthusiasm. It's soft leather mixed with a little citrus and cream type smell with leaves and spices in the background. Nice fall scent!

The opening of John Varvatos is reserved and a touch exotic. The mellow presence of the plum? date? is quite prominent along with a rich spiciness reminiscent of the odors of the souks and medinas of the Middle East. As the dark fruitiness lessens, the spices become smoother and less strange. The leather is barely there hiding under all the spice and wood. I get more amber than vanilla—if there is vanilla, it is hiding from me. I accept the fragrance’s sweetness only in the sense that it balances the eccentricity, but, personally, I really would prefer the eccentricity to the sweetness. The dry down continues the same themes as the beginnings except that the spiciness becomes more subdued and quite mellow, culminating in a very good fragrance for the office—a tiny bit audacious, yet professional and dignified. JV doesn’t throw a lot of sillage and doesn’t last long enough. It’s warm—too warm for a hot summer day but well suited for fall and winter. It approaches edginess and is eminently wearable.

Wow!! This is a very unique fragrance. (I haven't tried Le Dandy, so I don't know how these compare. To my nose, it's unique.) There are definately some notes in here I've never seen in any other fragrance. It starts off smelling like a beautiful blend of sweet and woody. The first thing that popped into my head was "campfire". You can almost smell s'mores, sweet like marshmallow and graham cracker but you can tell there's a wood burning fire in the background. There's also a bit of fruit in the background, but not sweet fruit, more like date and fig.

At first I was unimpressed, but the dry down really is different! At first it came across as dark and a little oceanic, sweet and piney with a little dandelion, masculine and dry. It struck me as a little conventional - but the heart of pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom makes me think of a little indian spice shop - very warm, dry and aromatic. I cant wait to slap it on my boyfriend!

Waw.I love it.. its great
by Ameer .s

Amazing scent. My nose is not as advanced enough as my fellow reviewers to comment on the stages of progression of notes..but it's got a nice, exotic, woodsy/spicey scent to it. Lasted longer on my skin than D&G and Kenneth Cole Black.

Hands down the best release in 2004! It's sweet, warm and masculine. The dry-down is to die for, received too many compliments the first day i wore it, it was a very over-whelming experience. Get your hands on a bottle if you can!

Love it will be adding it to my collection very soon! Reminded me of a fragrance one of my girl friends always kept with her because she like the smell. Now I will have something better for her.

I absolutely love this fragrance. I tried some of my roommate's bottle before class. At first, it didn't seem like anything special, but the dry down is terrific.... it develops into a very warm scent that I couldn't help sniffing on myself all day.

I agree that this is a marvelous new cold weather frangrance. I've never experienced Le Dandy so I find Varvatos very special and distinctive. HB Weiner/Seattle, WA

This has one of the best dry downs I have ever smelled. I'm glad I purchased, and actually purchased because of what I read here. That's taking a chance but this time it worked.

John Varvatos is a VERY ORIGINAL new fragrance. It's very masculine, rich, warm, and unique. There's also a clean, freshness...as it drys down. This will be a very popular new scent. The Shower Gel, Deodorant, and the After Shave Balm are also teriffic. This is worth a try. 5-24-04

This may be the new DK. Warm, leathery, and sophisticated.

John Varvatos--the name itself may not conjure up much thought, but the fragrance itself certainly tickled my nose's fancy as a surprisingly well done designer fragrance. What I mean by this is a lot of designer fragrances ala CK, RL, or the like, tend not to develop much through their notes--the top especially fleeting to the point where one has to wonder why they're even considered part of the pyramid. Varvotos opens with the tang of fresh fruit, before delving into a floral mid-note. Some of these ingrediants haven't been used in a fragrance before, and most likely won't be confused with the likes of other designer scents as they're almost exotic--but it's the drydown that I love best: Auramber, Vanilla, and black leather. It's as if DK Men collided with JPG Le Male. Is this the best fragrance ever? Certainly not, but it surpassed my expectations, and almost qualifies as a niche-type scent and is sure to be the cat's flap for some. Probably my second favorite release in 2004 behind Miller Harris Feuilles de Tabac.