Artisan Acqua

I’ve only had Artisan Blu and Acqua for a week as I know warmer weather is approaching and wanted something new for my warm weather rotation and I really enjoyed Artisan Blu and it was close to being a love for me but unfortunately didn’t quite make the cut. Acqua however I did end up clicking the LOVE button for ! This opens up with a bright but bitter citrus mixed with some green herbal notes that just like the Blu had a very uplifting vibe that will get you ready for the day. Once Acqua dries down however it goes into more of that fresh,citrusy barbershop type of vibe reminiscent of some old school frags but with a modern fresh twist ! This gets richer,more smooth and aromatic the longer it dries down. Also a nice edition to my collection as it’s diffeirent for a summer freshie. This to my nose has similarities to JV Vintage as it has a familiar richness that vintage has but without being syrupy. This could have been a Vintage Sport ! Also it’s kind of similar to the CO bigelow frags from Bath n Body works but much better blended. Performance is sadly below average but this does project nicely for an hour but only lasts 3-6 hours. I love this scent enough though that I don’t mind reapplying and now it’s very affordable. Overall rating —- 8.25 out of 10 ! Very unique scent that’s great for office wear,casual use and this could also be used for going out as well. Sidenote—- I don’t know why but this just smells like what you would expect a very dapper young professional would smell like if they were on vacation.lol

LEAGUES better than the original Artisan. I now own this one, the blue bottled one, and the original Artisan. I don't own Dark Rebel or Vintage yet. Tobacco scents aren't my thing. But I love a good summer freshie whether that be citrus, aquatic, or what have you. The original is just a tad too sharp for me. I see where they were going with it but it's just too sharp and too orange-juice-like that it borders on "cleaning product" to me. This one on the other hand...is beautifully masculine and so well done. Fresh and green...pretty much sums this up. This is the PERFECT hot weather scent. Like a good scent for those scorching hot days smack dab in the middle of summer. Smells like you just stepped out of the shower after using a masculine body wash. Bottle is beautiful of course. The weaving actually provides a pretty dope grip for spraying. Not sure if people just have ridiculous expectations regarding performance...but I personally get decent performance out of this everytime. Projection - About 3 feet. Longevity - 6-7 hours depending on amount of sprays. This lasts like 12-24 hours on fabrics as well so a good tip is to spray your neck AND shirt. Even if your nose can't detect it any longer...people WILL get whiffs of it off your clothes. Overall Score - 9/10. Easily one of the best men's summer scents ever created right up there with Nautica Voyage, Club De Nuit Intense, and Sean John Unforgivable. Two thumbs up to John Varvatos! I love this.

This is a masterpiece to me. It captures the essence of the 1980s, and gives it a slight, modern twist. The difference is that a lot of the household names from the powerhouse decade were very loud, while this one simply speaks confidently. It doesn't need to raise it's voice to get noticed. Artisan Acqua opens very green, bitter citrus smelling, with dashes of some herbal notes. As it dries down I get a hint of Drakkar Noir's vibe in there, minus the crude and synthetic aspects. It's smells very reminicent of how men's aftershave smells when you first splash it on, except imagine those notes stretched out over the duration of the dry down. It's a very classic-smelling scent without smelling too classic if you get my drift. John Varvatos is criticized for having poor longevity, but this one is pretty good. I get, at minimum, 6+ hours. SIMILAR TO: If you like Drakkar Noir, Lacoste Original (1984) and Gillette Cool Wave, you'll like Artisan Acqua. CONCLUSION: This is easily one of the best retro-modern releases to come out. It very much smells like it could have been released sometime in the 1980s, yet it doesn't have an overly musky or dirty smell that men's fragrances of that era have. The "acqua" label seems misleading when you think of things like Acqua di Gio, but this is more like what aquatic might have been like if the term had existed in 1983. A personal favorite. 8.5/10

I wasnt familiar with the Varvatos line personally until this weekend. I had the opportunity to try all of the mens scents. I am considering selling everything i own as far as fragrances for Varvatos. Absolutely loved every scent. Masculine, traditional, definitely for anyone over 30 as some had said. This bottle caught my attention though. Looking at it immediately made me think of laying in a hammock underneath palm trees. the notes in this acqua are something a bit different. if you are not familiar with any of these scents in an aquatic, i suggest you immediately give this a sniff. it's something like how tabasco can make something even better. the angelica, the fir in the base with the patchouli, the blend of fruits, this is something special. First smell it hits something like that of playing in the ocean with your girl during a long walk on the beach in the evening during the sunset while drinking your favorite beverage. it's masculine, majestic, yet playful and confident. this is a scent that makes you confident. I wore it for the first time yesterday. I got some decent longevity out of it. i waffed my clothing later in the night and i would say it does have some pretty good sillage as well. I think it could pass as an amazing office scent as well in the summer. in a line of gems, this one is right up there with varvatos, varvatos vintage, and double rebel.

Don’t be fooled by the beach-hut looking bottle, this one is a green scent. I can’t believe I’ve never heard anyone compare this to Irish spring soap, because to my nose that’s exactly what it reminds me of. A spicier cologne version, but definitely reminiscent of that green soapy smell which I find to be nostalgic and endearing. What’s really nice about this one is ladies seem to love it too. I’m in my early 30s and I’ve received some great compliments with this. Perfect for daily wear in the spring+summer for office, casual or even formal outings in the daytime. Might be discontinued, but still available online at the moment. If you like fresh and masculine green scents such as Green Irish Tweed by Creed, then Artisan Aqua by John Varvatos is a moderately-priced gem worth checking out.

This is not an aquatic fragrance at all to me. This is a barbershop fragrance and it is lovely. The hotter and more humid the weather is the more this projects and this is a complement MONSTER! Longevity on me is really good. I get between 7-10 hours depending on how hot it is. This juice is a winner especially for the cost. I'm a big barbershop cologne fan and really picky about fragrances in that genre when it comes to my collection and Artisan Aqua definitely belongs. Chanel's "Platinum Egoiste" and Maison Margiela's "At the Barber's" are better options but this juice is gorgeous and at a minimum $60 cheaper. This is a hidden gem and cheap to get. If you want a great barbershop fragrance at a ridiculous price Artisan Aqua is the way to go.

Leave it to Rodrigo Flores-Roux to make Acqua something new and exciting! Love the bottle and the nautical maritime feel it has before you even smell the juice. Lentisc (mastic gum), palmarosa, angelica *sighs and swoons*, galbanum (!!!) and toscanol IN AN AQUATIC?? I may faint...be still my twitching nostrils!! It always seems that JUST as I complete my collection from one House (I got Artisan Black and a large decant of JV Platinum a couple weeks ago) THEY come out with another one....that sounds like just what the doctor ordered-a "blue aquatic" scent with some "cojones" :)

This is a beautiful fragrance. I blind bought it finding it at a good price and so far this season (Spring/Summer) I believe it is in my top 3 designer finds. Projection of course could be better but hey...it's a warm weather offering. I really wasnt expecting any bombastic off my skin. Very refreshing and sparkling. Instantly puts me in a good mood. Definitely try if you're still purchasing warm weather scents. I'm kinda movin off to the Big Dawgs for the fall. :0)

Fans did justice to this scent in "Reminds me of". It truly smells like a combinaiton of Artisan Blu and Drakkar Noir. Green herbal aquatic mixed with a lavender shaving foam. Because of that it feels more modern than Guy Laroche. I love it, sadly discontinued. Artisan Blu is a great substitute. As much as I love it, unless you find a great deal, do not buy it for a high price. This was a good buy when it was available.

I like Artisan Blu better but Acqua is still good. It has the same soapiness of Blu but this one has more of a retro, woodsy smell. I don't know what it is about it specifically but it smells like some 70s era scents. Maybe the geranium, lavender, fir combination? I don't understand the Acqua name, it doesn't seem aquatic at all. Just like Blu, Acqua has an amazing, creative bottle. Niche-quality presentation.

It's fresh with a bitter citrus and fir combination. It does in fact smell like an aftershave...but in a refreshing way. I got some samples from sephora and I use them after a shower on days when I don't leave the house. The lasting power is not that impressive but the scent while it lasts is refreshing. I would not buy a bottle.

Gets it's Acqua name from it's wet tone like a sports scent. Can come off a bit sweet, but it's pretty we'll blended. You can tell you're being hit with a few things in equal proportion. I actually like smelling it from the bottle moreso than wearing it. Wish it had woods in the drydown, feels a bit runny.

This is not your everyday run of the mill aquatic.. It is soapy, energetic and smells outstanding.. I have recommended this one to friends, family heck even dad likes it.. It’s got a more mature vibe to it but I think men under 25 can pull this off no problem.. Ranking: 10/10 in my opionion

My 1st and still my favorite Varvatos! I kept this when I sold my Varvatos collection because of a personal attachment. It's a brighter and fresher Drakkar Noir to me. Love at 1st sniff. I know I'm in the minority but this, vintage and dark rebel are amazing.

You know how Missoni Wave is like a mix of Versace Signature and Allure home sport eau xtreme right? Well, this fragrance is like a mix of Drakar Noir and Platinum Egoiste.

Somehow my bottle lasts and projects good, yes I love it, gives me a bit vintage vibes + fresh. Bottle design, in love with it :)

Smells amazing. On me it lasts a long time. Very underrated scent as this is one of the best summer scents around.

Nice fragrance. It smells similar to Artisan, which I love. But spicier. 9/10

I picked up a copy of the December,1966 issue of Palm Beach Life at a junk store for $3.00. It was an anniversary edition with a retrospective containing hundreds of rare photographs of long dead American aristocrats. One particular photo showed two gentlemen dressed all in white seated in the front of a rickshaw pushed along by a black footman straight from Harriet Beecher Stowe. They wore porkpie hats, key hole glasses, pristine suit coats and vests, crisp shirts with starched collars and striped ties, knickers with stockings and what looked to be golf or saddle shoes. They were dressed in the resort wear of the Edwardian age, maybe 1916 or so, and behind them down a path lined with lazy, swaying palm trees was the wooden enormity of the Breakers Hotel. Somewhere in that hotel, in the rooms of such as these two gentlemen, on a shelf lined with bay rum, lavender water and rarified ivory implements used for personal care I could also envision a bottle of John Varvatos Artisan Acqua, if such a thing had existed then. JVAA completely embodies the vintage look and feel of “old” Palm Beach to me from the hand-tied netting on the flask to the use of pomelo, an ancient and venerated citrus fruit. The use of olfactory notes like Toscanol and fir resin does give JVAA a substantial “aftershave” presence, but there are times when aftershave is appropriate and when supplemented with a plethora of fruit, herbs and flowers such as lavender, Sicilian orange, clary sage, patchouli and geranium this would be made complete, but JVAA elevates the concept of aftershave further with exotic accords like palmarosa (lemon grass), mastic (Arabic gum), angelica (a medicinal herb), galbanum (a resin found most notably in Must by Cartier) and jasminum sambac (originally native to the Himalayas and Bhutan). In fact, JVAA should achieve broad appeal, but at the same time its complex bouquet seems to have been designed more specifically for the aristocratic man, or at least the idea of such a man. Like those two sartorially refined gentleman in the old photo, he is extinct but for such oddities as JVAA which enters the room an instant classic. This limited edition eau de toilette will certainly add dash, say, to a white suit or even just a pair of white shorts (navy polo and espadrilles optional). Any resort or summer wardrobe aesthetic would be properly graced by the application of JVAA with its East Coast sophisticated ease reminiscent of an epoch long past.

Dear Reader's, What can I say about the Aquatic Artisan?, I was given a generous sample of this fragrance by a loved one and I have to say about this fragrance is.. Wow..Mmmm and WoW. Yes, this definitely a treasure from the sea ,washed offshore and came to your hands and excite your senses. I have to say , bravo , this perfume has a very well orchestrated elemental notes of water and earth that created a very seductive aromatic male fragrance that has the aura of sea god or merman, this is definitely a must have if you want be someone's catch of the day in complements and beating heart. Since I grow herbs and I live near the sea, this fragrance complements very well in this atmosphere and the aromatic plants used in this fragrance are very seductive and a elegant " je sais quoi" spirit . The perfume by itself and on me, smell the same, but the drydown on my body chemistry is pure sensually aromatic and still very male, love it. Bravo John Varvatos and his crew, keep up the fabulous work , you got a new customer !.

The bottle reminds me of Bo Derek's cornrows in Ten. LOVE THAT. The scent itself.. not so much. Toscanol is a green, herbaceous liqueur-like accord. It's very present here in Artisan Acqua. Next to the pomelo I'd say it's the strongest note. The pomelo is nice as it lacks the "bite" that grapefruit can have. It's sweeter and a bit watery. Aside from that I smell a good amount of cypress in here. Overall I'd say Artisan Acqua smells more vegetal than aquatic. It'd make a nice green for those who sometimes find greens too herbal or a nice citrus for those who often find citruses too sharp. Artisan Acqua strikes a nice balance but in the end isn't enough of anything to really interest me.

The biggest problem with this cologne is it's beautiful packaging and its name. This is not the aquatic scent I thought it would be based on it's beautiful Mediterranean packaging, nor does it live up to the aquatic expectations that its name, Aqua, implies. Perhaps this is more of a commentary of my limited understanding of a Mediterranean beach setting and the smells associated with such a setting. Still this cologne offers up a beautiful green barber shop scent that performs very well. Side note, I've notice that much of JV's Artisan line performs better than the other lines. I do recommend this cologne, just don't expect an aquatic scent.

Very intriguing. One would expect something fresh, tropical, and aquatic after looking at the bottle and ads. Artisan Aqua, however, is a clean, slightly soapy gem of a fragrance. It has a barber shop / shave cream vibe that is straight up addicting. Even though citrus may not be the main player here, I believe JV and the perfumer who created this gave a tip of the hat to classics such as Eau Sauvage. No, performance is not its strong point. But I'm willing to forgive it this one time. This is one of those out of the shower/ post-shave type of fragrances that I don't need lasting past lunch time anyway. Excellent value. Grade: B+

Initial Impressions: As others say, very fresh, soapy, hints of green and sweetness. Very easy to wear. Similar vibes to Artisan Blu, but bit less blue and more green. I love Artisan Blu and I'm really enjoying this well. Perfect dumb reach but does not smell generic or mass market. Not sure this is necessary if you have Artisan Blu. Drydown: I finally figured out it reminded me of...Geoffrey Beene Bowling Green. More subtle, but definitely has hints of that minty green. It becomes a skin scent within an hour or two, so really more of a subtle scent. Enjoyed it, but not wild about it. Scent: 7.5, Longevity: 6, Overall: 7

I like this better than the original Artisan, but still prefer the sparkling vibe of the Artisan Blu. Still, it's a very fresh fragrance but not necessarily aquatic. Maybe Green Aquatic instead of a Blue Aquatic is a better way to describe it. It's more of a gentleman style of summer scent, and the comparison between this and the Acqua di Parma fragrances is appropriate. As with all Varvatos fragrances, it falls short on the performance category, but it's a decent pick up if you can find it and if you are looking for a more mature but still modern scent for the hot summer days

I like this one. I never would have tried this based on just the packaging. It looks and sounds beachy and tropical, but that's actually not the case. This one is a clean, green, refreshing barbershop fragrance...and it's great! I haven't had the longevity issues that others have reported, as I still get wafts of this 6+ hours after application. While this scent fits nicely in the warmer weather of Spring and Summer, the green barbershop-feel also allows this one to work on the milder days of Autumn.

At first spray reminds me of Drakkar Noir, a fresher and lighter one that is. I think Acqua does not refer to the characteristic of the scent but the state of the contents inside the bottle, which is a liquid. Not an aquatic but a fresh, green and soapy fragrance...just like Drakkar Noir. I was planning to get Drakkar Noir for the longest time but since I already have Lomani Pour Homme and this, it would be redundant to get DN. Will have to finish those two first.

Artisan Acqua is decent. It's not aquatic at least in the traditional sense. So the name is a little sus. This leans much more into the barbershop category. It's herbal, fresh and aromatic. Modern light barbershop scent. Nothing overly unique but certainly pleasant. I wouldn't seek this one out plus I'm fairly sure it's discontinued. Performance is pretty poor. Projection and longevity are both below average. Also the atomizer sucks.

Clean, herbal, spicy, men's shaving-product vibe with citrus on top. Has a bit of throwback feel and does remind me of both the Blu flanker and Drakkar Noir. It also brings to mind Azzaro Pour Homme Cologne Intense which shares the mastic note. I like it, but since it's discontinued (apparently) and pricey, I'd encourage people to just buy the aforementioned similar fragrances if they're looking for something in this vein.

First off ignore the hate on this cologne, the reason people here don't like it is because they all love the Artisan and Artisan Black. Acqua is certainly different but if you're under 40 try this out. If you ask me Artisan and Artisan Black are for the 50+ crowd just not a young person smelling cologne at all. Acqua on the other hand is, definitely a nice summer wear and a definite try if youre under 40.

First thing I smell is soap. Right off its unmistakably the smell of soap. Dish soap bubbles. Caught me off guard bc I thought I was getting artisan which I think is much better. Overall it is okay not great but not bad either. A good everyday light scent that wont offend people. For the price it is worth it although sits close to skin. I stick with one spray.

ارتبط هذا العطر منذ سنوات بمكان واحد و زمنٍ واحد .. حتى يومنا هذا .. ففي كل يوم اقوم برش القليل منه والذهاب للمسجد لتأدية صلاة الفجر .. جميلة تلك الرائحة منعشه و منشطة للجسد تماماً في الوقت المناسب ، للفجر .. ستظل هذه الرائحة مرتبطة بهذا الشيء للأبد ففي اي وقت سأسحب فيه الغطاء لن تعود ذكرياتي الا لذلك البيت الجميل المعمور بذكر الله

Edward Thatch's weapon of choice.I have found myself a bottle in a sand near the Caribbean. Now, a little more serious: scent is absolutely fantastic, if you are looking for a safe, aquatic-green fragrance. It also smells natural, not harsh or synthetic at all. Rich scent indeed. Bottle is a master piece.

The Varvatos fragrance house could be TOP TIER if they just focused on the longevity of their fragrances. They all seem to be missing one ingredient that could help with performance. Nonetheless their fragrances are great for the 1-2 hours that they last.

I tried this at Macy's and was very surprised by the scent compared to the name; that is not a good thing. I expected a nice spring/summer scent but this your run of the mill generic old green type scent.

Lovely fragrance that starts out brilliantly but gets weaker and weaker until finally dying down to a skin scent that smells exactly like the glade lavender and vanilla plug in

Fresh, summery notes evoke white-washed Mediterranean houses by the sea. A modern aquatic/spice blend which make it classic yet contemporary. Thank you John Varvatos!

Citrus and flowers and almost no patchouli and amber. Very fresh, safe and easy to like. Not very complicated but different form mainstream. Definitely summer time.

This one reminds me of my dad, who wore Drakkar Noir. Really nice fougere, but won't buy a bottle because in my mind fougeres belong to dad.

Imagine a businessman who conducts his business on the beachfront, that's what this frag evokes. Its a solid 7/10

What a mind blowing perfume! Clean and fresh fragrance. I love it

Artisan Aqua by John Varvatos is THE BEACH IN A BOTTLE fresh clean and salty like oceanic waters with a seaweed note and even something that smells like sand; it's pretty linear, has some similarities with Tommy Bahama Island Life but it's really just a lighter version of JV Artisan Blu (Artisan Blu being more bolder and greener), neither Artisan Aqua or Blu are like your average blue or aquatic fragrances they're more marine or green aquatics and more masculine scents; most beach frags smell only like the ambiance of the beach but Artisan Aqua smells like a guy actually swimming in the water at the beach Projection/Sillage: DECENT, very aromatic w/ good 'scent bubble' for about 1-2 hours, and radiates within 5 feet Performance/Longevity: DECENT, will last on avg about 5-6 hours

So the fun JV scent for summer and spring is Pure so what's the professional JV scent for spring and summer? This one. It's strong and clean and is a seaside barbershop with the windows open. Sadly this reminds me of my father so it'll likely sit in my collection. This is a very gentlemenly spring and summer scent. Not sure how the youth would enjoy this. Pure is much better for that. Beautiful bottle with a great nautical feel of the twine and wood cap. JV quality as usual is really good. Recommended if you want a quality barbershop scent.

There’s something i adore about it, yet some other thing i despise! The thing i despise is that pomelo note which is so sharp and bitter that it ruins this whole fragrance. If it only was substituted for a grapefruit or bergamot... The thing i adore is it’s mid and drydown which is so masculine and clean, reminiscent of dior homme 2020, that manly cleanliness, woodiness and freshness. Yet the pomelo thing runs throughout the whole life of the fragrance. Too bad. It could have been a great thing.

The online reviews are right to make comparisons to Drakkar Noir, which I immediately pick up on the opening. It’s a similar style of citrus. This frag here thankfully retains the Artisan DNA, and now I feel like I’m on an exotic island out in the high seas. This also smells like fresh shaving cream.

Not bad.. but maybe worth $10 To me if I put this on one hand and shaving cream in the other and asked someone which was which they wouldn’t even be able to tell. Eau de cream

Like the original John Varvatos, I got a handful of these samples to try. Unlike the original John Varvatos, I don't like this scent. Is it a bad fragrance? No. There's nothing that's "wrong" about it, but all I could think of when I smell it is aftershave. I try to pick out the notes and appreciate it, but it's hard for me to break that association. To echo the other reviewers, the longevity and projection aren't great. I got about 4ish hours on my skin and about 1 hour of projection. They're not the worse stats ever, but I could use a couple hours more on the longevity side. If there is one thing about this fragrance that shines, is that you can pretty much wear it any time. It doesn't seem like the downside to wearing this cologne in the winter is as severe as wearing something like One Million during hot, humid days. While it's really a spring and summer scent, you can wear it for the colder weather if you want to. However, given the performance issues it may not be worth it. I'll probably end up giving away my samples to friends and family. While it's not a horrible fragrance, I really can't break the association with aftershave. Artisan Acqua isn't a horrible scent, but personally I'd prefer not to smell like aftershave.

I got a small decant of this and was very excited to try this fragrance. I love John Varvatos Vintage and was excited to try another Varvatos fragrance. In fact, Vintage is one of my top 10 favorite scents. Artisan Acqua however is like a shooting star. Here and gone before you can blink an eye. And honestly before it goes it isn't all that special. As you can see from the ratings above, this fragrance isn't getting much love. I'd stick with Vintage. That juice is a head turner.

I would throw this on after a workout at the gym. Nothing unique about it. Pleasing scent with no longevity. Youve smelled this before if you have ever used gel shaving cream or you are a member of country club and have been in the locker room. I love JV scents usually bc they tend to be unique compared to the rest of the mainline designers but this was a miss for me. Its not expensive so if you are a collector grab it other wise a cheap aftershave will have the same effect.

I love the john varvatos line - but this is probably their WORST fragrance to date. It smells cheap (like old man deodorant), badly mixed and with VERY poor longevity and projection. after 30 minutes it becomes a barely detectable skin scent with no projection or sillage. Really, stay away from this on. Rodrigo Flores-Rou is an excellent nose. he has done TOM FORD NEROLI PORTOFINO and the other john varvatos fragrances which I like, but this one is BIG NO NO