JV x NJ Crimson

Prologue: I was reading what T-MacJr21 said and initially thought "Yeaaah...it DOES smell like..." but then after spraying both, realized there is too much seaweed in my bottle of Absolu Instinct to compete with the leathery nuance of the JVxNJ. If they were people, they'd be at the same party, but hanging with different crowds (IMO). :End I did a dumb reach for this the other night, when temps were a bit lower, and sprayed it on my neck and shirt as I rushed out the door. As I drove to meet my friend for dinner, I didn't get the rum, or apple, but did keep getting whiffs of sweet ambery-woody-leather (FWIW, my bottle is a 3/2019 batch). After about an hour or so though, I couldn't smell it anymore. Fast forward to going from dinner, to last-minute Christmas shopping, and then parting ways hours later. My friend texted me shortly after leaving about how good I smelled. I must have been under some serious fragrance anosmia because I couldn't smell it at all. The following day, however, I decided to just throw on the shirt I had on for a few hours the night before to go run an errand, and when I did the required "smell check" I thought: "HOLY $#!+ THAT SMELLS GOOD!" and then remembered what it was I was wearing...and when I applied it. Almost 18 hours after I initially applied the fragrance, and this stuff was just radiating off my shirt like I had been doused it a bathtub full of it, and I maybe had 3-4 sprays on it. **Note to anyone who is reading this and currently creating fragrances and want longevity: ADD INCENSE!!** I'm convinced that's what a fragrance needs to last longer. This gave me Dylan Blue vibes with added leather/suede, and as much of a lover as I am of Dylan Blue, I now am of this. This is Dylan Blue for the Fall/Winter (would it be called Dylan Red?🤔). I don't remember where I got this, when I got this, or how much I paid..and frankly, it wouldn't matter, because I'd get it again. No matter what it costs or where you have to go to get it, if you can, you absolutely should. 🎶"You got me in chains...but, I wouldn't change, no I wouldn't change this love"🎶 10/10

John Varvatos JV x NJ Crimson is a really nice fragrance. To my nose it smells like what should be a flanker to Polo Red. I mean it has a number of Polo Red and Polo Red flanker notes. Coffee (common with most Polo Red flankers), green apple (as seen in Rush), cedar (as seen in Polo Red EDP and Rush), saffron (in Polo Red and Intense), suede (which can be confused with leather like in Intense), amber (another note common with most flankers), lavender (again is another common note among flankers), musk (in Rush and EDP) and labdanum (in EDP.) This fits with Polo Red just with a unique rum addition and the coffee hits you much earlier. That said of the Polo Red line, this misses the trademark cranberry note in the open. That said, I cannot really complain here due to the booze and coffee mix. Crimson opens with that rum and coffee mix. It comes off as a toned down coffee and the rum note dies off a bit as the fragrance settles. I notice a slight woodiness from the cedar and some apple from the rum. The mid I notice similar to Polo Red is that saffron and amber with a heavy amount of leathery suede. In the base, I really only notice the musk but I know labdanum can give off a musky profile too. Crimson is a like most Polo Reds and a great office or date scent. One good thing with Crimson is due to its pricing versus Polo Red (even in the discounters) you can spray it all day and replace it. Hell, besides Intense, Crimson performs as good, if not better than Polo Red line (haven't tried Extreme since it doesn't have cranberry.) Crimson works in fall, winter and spring days and nights. I notice that Crimson will last 5 to 6 hours. JV x NJ Crimson I rate an 8 similar to the original Polo Red. I liked the original blue bottled JV x NJ fragrance from John Varvatos, but I think Crimson is better. It is rather unique, even if it copies a lot of Polo Red flankers. The rum does it. I love rum notes and this has it.

So the first two Nick Jonas scents are kind of meh. How good is the Red "Crimson" release? One word. Amazing. If you can, go to either a Ulta, or Boscovs as I know they definitely have testers. That's where I tried it and fell in love. It reminds me of a different version of Dark rebel. This has some amazing Rum, coffee, leather notes I just can't stop smelling. It's deep smooth and sweet all together. Incredibly sexy smelling. Masculine af. Only thing I hated is that it's a limited edition and my first bottle I hunted on eBay for $50 and I definitely want a back up asap before they are all gone. This is a must have scent if you are a man. I'll wear this any time anywhere with no cares it's such a badass scent. I love dark rebel but I can see that not working everywhere as it's seriously badboy scent but this one is like the bad gentleman scent. It's so good! If you like not boring scents and wanna smell badass. Go try it out and you'll likely love it. If you get the chance at a cheap bottle below $50 consider it an instant buy. This one will be collectible for sure. Presentation is pretty with a lovely crimson paint that fades to black, metal and leather keychain, and strong metal cap. John Varvatos has earned a life time fan.

So - i have to say, this was one that i have been eagerly awaiting since i had initially caught news of the its release. I emailed john varvatos on several occasions and was told that this is a one time run and will not be re-released - but was scratching my head, as i had not come across it anywhere - not online, not in stores etc. Then, thankfully, i was alerted that people were seeing this in dillards. luckily, it was there! so...first spray... uhh...disappointment. i have to say, i was totally underwhelmed. however, i proceeded forward with my purchase to complete the collection. 10 minutes in, i'm glad i did. i don't think the note breakdown necessarily portrays this accurately. this is more of a cold-spice than an ambery warm spice. this has LIGHT coffee and musk - paired with a sharp apple - so the overall tone is on the cool side and not warm. With that said - it can sort of smell like a hair product - but regardless, i'm really enjoying it. it doesnt smell like other offerings in the line - or other offerings in the market currently (that i've smelled) for that matter. Overall i'm extremely pleased with this - it's an easy every day wear and i couldn't be happier. plus...best looking bottle out there! 7/10

For some reason, I blind bought this. No regrets at all. I have come to enjoy this scent whenever I put it on. Not gonna lie, I bought two more bottles as back-up to ensure I have two more from the same batch. I don't think this fragrance will stay in the main rotations for a long time, so I expect a reformulation or discontinuation within a year or so. The scent itself is something I love. It's cooling and fresh but has a deeper complexity that's almost fizzing out of the bottle. I do get a slight coffee note that blends well inside the juice. I do think you could wear this all year-round because of it's nicely contrasting notes. Longevity is average along with its projection. It is definitely a safe, mass-pleasing, and wonderful scent. I'm 23 and do think it is going to fit in with the younger age group. I understand where all the dislikes for it, but I honestly really like it coming from my own olfactory senses. Longevity: 7/10 (5-6 hours) Projection: 7/10 (1.5 hours) Scent: 9.25/10 (Love)