Vintage

I’ll try to keep this short and sweet — like Varvatos Vintage! Well not really, but since that’s what some people think I’ll explain why I don’t entirely agree with them. First of, for those who might think the duration is short or it must be weak because it doesn’t seem to last very long on your skin -- try spraying it on your T-shirt. Guess what, the smell of Vintage is still there 2 days later! So it actually lasts a long time. How well it projects off your skin is another question: that partly depends on you. I’m wearing it tonight and to describe how it makes me feel in word: Comfortable. I literally get that “ahhh” feeling when I smell a favorite old school masculine frag from the 60s, 70s, or 80s and I just relax knowing it’s "all good in the ‘hood”. My favorite for that feeling was VC&A Tsar which was unfortunately discontinued a few years back. It’s VERY rare I get that “ahhh” feeling from modern men’s frags (this is from 2007) and this one of the few that do that for me. This was one of the first modern colognes I bought in 2018 when I started wearing them again after a very long layoff, and I got it after reading it was a bit similar to the old Ralph Lauren Polo (Green) I wore back in the 80s (I believe Varvatos worked for Ralph Lauren so that would explain it). And sure enough, it does have that “vibe" even though it actually doesn’t smell like Polo. But it just reminds me of that style somehow. I own more than 100 bottles now, including some fancy “niche” stuff, and have tried 100s and 100s more samples, but I still love to wear this a few times a year in the cooler weather. And I’ll probably replace my bottle when it’s gone. The sweet — yes it IS a bit sweet for a masculine frag designed to pay homage to the old school style. It’s certainly not as dry and austere as say Aramis or Yatagan (both great by the way). BUT that sweetness comes from cinnamon and tobacco, and it’s contrasted with some sourness from the quince and it has all kinds of other interesting notes like spicy rhubarb and greens. There are NO florals aside from a tiny touch of lavender. The perfumer who made this one knows his craft. So I find it quite masculine despite that sweetness. It is certainly NOT sweet in a candy-boy way like say Versace Eros or so many other “clubbing” scents out there are that modern guys wear to smell more feminine for girls who don’t like their boys to smell too much like men, I guess. And I’m not going to lie: Eros smells pretty pleasant to me so if you truly enjoy it then go right ahead and wear it, but as a man in my 50s I’d feel pretty silly if I smelled LIKE Eros. If you look at my 110 bottle collection (more than 30 of which are old vintage masculines) you’ll see I only own a few sweet scents. There’s a Burberry I enjoy around Christmas and a Hanae Mori I like in cold weather and that’s about it. So in other words, unless you just hate ANY sweetness in ANY of your masculine frags, don’t be too afraid to blind buy this. You’ll probably like it, and if you don’t, plenty of people do so you ought to be able to swap it for something. Could it be stronger or last longer? Sure, but not everything needs to be “beast mode” and it’s cheap now so feel free to spray away! Enjoy!

This being the third John Varvatos I have received recently, and at present, lost with any encouraging words for Artisan Blue, I will start with the last, ranking it first, and save the other two for a different day. Confused yet? I was too...if only for a moment. The bottle, looking so much like the original, presented some anxt. Would they be just as similar within? With the state of flankers these days, who can ever truly know until the first mist falls. Alas, no. This was an entirely different creature, and for reasons I can only attribute to the Jedi power housed behind the name Rodrigo, it is utterly divine! An overview of this scent would mash up all conceptions of a valiant man. Sillage like a gentleman, this perfume does not falter or faint, but has presence enough not to require aggressive trespasses. A subtle fougere current, flowing with herbal notes of a fresh shave, intimate an older man secure and decided. Woody resins encompass a landscape of various conifers, from the pointed tip of pine needles to the depth of soil's enriched darkness. Only a strong, dependable, and self sustaining man lives amongst the trees. A playful top, characterized by unexpected rhubarb, quince, and wormwood, is balanced with austere orris, fennel, and cinnamon. The result manifests the perfect silhouette of all man's virtues, and does its name proudly! Of course I couldn't leave well enough alone. Why should the men have all the fun? Naturally, I fearlessly dawned this scent today, rolled my shoulders back, and stepped forth into the world. Instant gratification ensued with two immediate compliments, which just proves a great perfume doesn't need a "proper" gender to shine. By the end of the day and eight hours of wear, my brother could still smell this on me, despite its disappearance to my nose long before. So take heed - it helps to have a spray-spotter before unrefrained reapplication. No matter who you are, or what demographic the world seems intent on labeling you with: This is just a beautiful, innovative chypre, worth your every possible consideration. Now if you will please excuse me, I must get back to swooning!

A little back story. I’m in my mid-40s and just really started appreciating cologne within the past 10 years. I have an overactive very sensitive sense of smell and this has been a curse. I pick up on smells that others don’t and often they are bad and make me feel sick. I’ll ask my wife what a smell is and she won’t smell anything. That being said, I hate body odor and never want someone else to smell me and have a bad reaction. So I have worn deodorant since I was a teen and would put a little cologne on but it has always been those bottles that I get as gifts. Usually something from Kohls given as a gift. No complaints about that, but that was my experience. Now, within the past ten years a male sheriff walked by me and I smelled this awesome scent. Sounds weird and I felt it would be weird as another guy saying you smell nice, what is it. So, I asked a female deputy to ask him for me haha. It was JV Vintage and the first time I had smelled it. I immediately bought a bottle online and am on my fifth bottle. I absolutely love this scent. I can’t review it like others because I don’t know all the fancy words. What I will say is that is smells manly, a little like I would expect someone to smell like after being in a nice bar for awhile. I have not gotten too many compliments but most people don’t compliment me on anything. When my son was younger and I would carry him in the morning his teacher had commented a couple of times that he smelled nice. My only complaint is I really don’t think it lasts long on me and for the most part I don’t think others smell it. I still enjoy the smell though. I’m currently looking for more scents that are similar that possibly project and last longer. But this will always be a favorite and my first “grown-up” cologne purchase.

I blind bought a bottle of this gorgeous little guy to see what its got (I said “blind bought” coz I swear I tested this before at Macy’s in passing, while testing other fragrances and that was four years ago so I don’t have a clue how it really smells) Well, no regrets. I love this one 😍 I slept on it for a long time 😴 silly me. First spray, it didn't tickle me so I put it in the back burner to give it some time. I decided to revisit it today and there you go, the beauty 🤩 was revealed. This one has similarity to CK Eternity Flame which I also own. I heard of this even before I started my fragrance journey but kind of ignored it for some reason. Now, I consider it as one of my favorites in my designer collection. Gorgeous and masculine but not loud, just moderate sillage and projection on my skin great for colder weather and night outs. Maybe more appropriate for 25 + age group. This is perfect for the current season till early spring next year. I will also check JV Artisan Pure, a summer frag and I heard some good things about it. Same as this one, I've already sampled it at Macys years ago but I totally forgot its scent profile. I am also a loyal fan of Burberry London for Man that's why I like this little guy. They are not similar but they have the same holiday season vibe. Very warm and comforting with that fruity cinnamon, tobacco and other nuance that evokes that spirit of the season. They are well blended and then came up with this gorgeous scent. Overall, I am giving this wonderful juice a 9/10 “Let's spread the scents of peace and kindness. The two most beautiful fragrance in the world that will cost you nothing and will get you a totally different kind of compliments” 🙏

Two years after the success of the classic version, which was the first creation of the brand (in 2004), Varvatos Vintage was released, as a cologne made to please fans of the classics without losing, however, modernity. The bottle of John Varvatos Vintage keeps the same pattern of its predecessor, but in tones that I'll call of sepia, something between the Brown and the gold. It is an aromatic-chypre, with output notes of silver absinthe, lavender, Santolina (also known as lavender cotton, or limonete), cinnamon leaves, pepper and Juniper. The heart of the fragrance has notes of patchouli, Jasmine from Egypt and balsam fir, while the base brings notes of oakmoss, suede, tobacco from Turkey, tonka bean and Woods. Some say it has quince notes in the composition also, but it's nothing official. When touching on the skin, the fragrance is fruity and citrusy, slightly sweet and with spicy nuances. But that runs out faster when the body of the fragrance is present (and is the most enduring part of the evolution), resulting in a more herbal scent, remembering roots and green plants, with the Absinthe more present and a lot of FIR content. During this evolutionary part, it is easier to understand the dated aspect and why the name’s choice. Then, after one hour, approximately, the base begins to give the air of its grace and a creamy suede, combined with wood and the macerated tobacco arises, ending the work. As in Varvatos Classic, the projection of John Varvatos Vintage is not the highlight, but the lasting is excellent! In my opinion, Vintage was made for who is not stuck on the age, but to the pattern of the elegance of the older fragrances.