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.

So for me, I've had this and was wearing it daily about 10 years ago.... my wife loves it.... it's masculine while not overbearing... very pleasant... and for a noob about fragrances, an easy reach. Fast forward now I've sampled over 150 fragrances and have a drawer full of decants and own many high end niche perfumes and I've obviously become a snob lol .... so Vintage just doesn't cut it any more for special occasions, especially performance wise.... and I was looking for a long time for something similar... I think it was the tobacco note that every time I got something similar from another house it was too strong or paired with something too nuclear or ambroxan or something and it was always a turn off. I tried almost every single Montobacco from Ormond Jayne and many Xerjoff's... hoping to find something similar to this but I was always disappointed. Then one day I was sampling some Roja's and to my surprise, Great Britian was very "Vintage like" ... obviously very different, Great Britian is way funkier with a more animalic leather and it's definitely darker and more luxurious then Vintage is.... but the spirit of Vintage is in there with the leather and oakmoss and all the spices, etc... now Great Britian doesn't have the tobacco but the animalic leather with the balsams almost has that fine cigar like tobacco scent. Vintage is definitely lighter and good for every day but Great Britian for me is for special occasions. I really love it and I'm so happy I've found my niche version of Vintage that lasts all day.

Wow, what a beautiful scent. Right off the top there is a fresh, tangy rhubarb. Then after a minute or two the sharpness of the rhubarb smooths out into an amazing resinous fir mixed with tobacco and the slightest hint of cinnamon. This is where I fell in love with the scent the first time I smelled it. This isn't a creamy, sweet vanilla tobacco that so many other fragrances do, this is a spicy, resinous tobacco, almost verging on damp, like a moist pipe tobacco. This part of the scent lasts about an hour, and this is also where the most projection occurs. As it dries further a very prominent leather takes over. A soft leather, a worn, vintage leather. Reminiscent of, yes, an old leather jacket. That tobacco and cinnamon notes still linger though, giving depth and a hint of spice. This smell lingers until the scent fades into obscurity on your skin, approximately 5-6 hours after spraying. This fragrance reminds me of a man who doesn't need to raise his voice to make the room listen, who never brags or boasts and always makes you feel special when they talk to you, who's calm presence conveys a quiet confidence and level-headedness indicative of a man who always knows how to handle himself in any situation. Above all else, this fragrance is comfort. I love to wear this in the evenings after a hot shower washes away the work day. Ok, sure, performance isn't beast-mode, but this fragrance isn't meant to be loud and obnoxious. Sometimes a man needs to be quietly confident in who he is.

Vintage in the name and in the heart. This fragrance smells expensive, masculine, refined, confident and really vintage, definitely more than the original jv. It's a mix of a classic tobacco scent and an aromatic fougere. The fresh start fades quickly, then u can find lavender, cinnamon, nutmeg and green notes: this is the most old-fashioned stage of the fragrance. After that there are suede, pipe tobacco, oakmoss and patchouli. The blend is done very well, the vintage vibe is very strong. It reminds me a mature man, well dressed and confident, someone who smokes pipe in an heritage club. The performance is not so good, even worse than the original. After a good first hour, jv vintage became a skin scent and lasts five hours on skin, more or less. Only for cold seasons, for 35 and up, formal occasions. If you like the old-fashioned style this is a must have! profumo vintage di nome e di fatto. Caratterizzato da lavanda, note verdi, tabacco, cuoio molto leggero e muschio di quercia. Il blend è di assoluta qualità, il costo è irrisorio. Mi ispira un gentleman ben vestito e sicuro che fuma la pipa in un club di fumo lento o qualcosa del genere. Consigliato a chi apprezza i profumi dal carattere retrò. Performance non incredibile. Scent- 7,5 Longevity - 5,5 Sillage-6 Uniqueness-8 Versatility -7,5 Compliment factor-7 Presentation-6,5 Backup bottle? Maybe not My vote-7,5 In one word- heritage Alternative - original jv, Ferragamo oud, alain delon seducteur rebel...

I received this fragrance blind as a gift from my girlfriend --a dicey introduction to be sure. (I recall hoping against hope it would wear well on my skin.) To my delight, it did --and it's proven itself surprisingly versatile. The woodsiness speaks of autumn nights, and the warm spices smell right at home under the turtleneck sweater I save for winter. Yet as the days lengthened with the rising temperatures, I found myself reaching for it in spring (and even summer!). The sweetness of tobacco carries it through, and its boozy qualities make it especially compelling at night. That said, this fragrance isn't for everyone. It is, as others have noted, mature --but in the best ways. It smells timeless, not ageless. (It would take a VERY serious person to wear it under 30.) In that way, it is earned. It promises this in the elegance of its understated, leather bound bottle, and it delivers on that promise. And... it lasts all day, changing character as the shadows lengthen. I love this fragrance. It's one I keep reaching for through all the seasons, and one I imagine I'll enjoy for years to come. **Written without AI. Dashes are mine and not influenced by the tech. (I've been using them before ChatGPT was a gleam in Sam Altman's eye.) Flex.**

ReminiScent, I think you nailed something that I did not see until I read what you wrote. Now I appreciate this scent much more for that. I am definitely paraphrasing, but you mentioned that this is an artistic representation of a life cycle. The opening is sweet and playful, as if it comes out youthful like, and then it literally progresses into something else much more herbaceous, green and tart. Then ultimately it ends with a more mature, "barbershop" type scent. I totally get that, and ever since reading your comment, it has made me really respect this artwork for what it truly is. Thanks to you for opening up my mind to this concept. This truly is artwork that as fragrance lovers, we get to experience in a more organic way by blending it into our every day lives. That is really why I love fragrances. We get to add something to those moments of our lives, either exciting or mundane, that help to enhance the experience. Scent memories are the strongest memories that the human brain grasps onto, so by adding a scent to memory, it makes it much more vivid in our memory bank. I really try to keep this in mind when choosing scents for special occasions. Great post ReminiScent. I appreciate you.

A Platonic ideal of men's fragrance, and something so rare it may be sui generis - a designer men's scent with a memory and a philosophy. Memory: Tobacco, tonka, cinnamon, oakmoss ... a warm barbershop/pipe tobacco accord, evoking some fusty old-fashioned ideals of a man's scent, shocked with zingy rhubarb, quince and pepper. The effect is simultaneously young and old, antique and brand-new. Like a designer label's sportswear update of a classic smoking jacket, this is winkingly timeless. Philosophy: This scent sits close. Many see that as its greatest flaw. But at least in my part of the world, I know that not everyone wants to smell me everywhere I go. This hits a particular ideal for a masculine scent, maintaining an intimate bubble of projection all day long. My colleagues won't smell me coming, but anyone who comes in for a hug will think, "wow, he smells good!" We lose sight in this hobby, with our “beast-modes” and “compliment magnets” ... sometimes subtlety is the perfect move. Admittedly I don't wear it as much as I once did, but I still adore it every time I spray, and over fifteen years later, that says a lot!

Elegant. That's the adjective that best defines this Varvatos gem. I have a soft spot for Dark Rebel Rider, but if not this would easily be my favorite from the designer. One of those perfumes you reach out from time to time just to smell the cap. Manly tobacco sweet and citrus scent for gentlemen only. The bottle design could not be better. This is money in a bottle, and I say that in the best sense possible. I still cannot believe I purchased this for less than 30 euros. People complain about it not lasting a lot of time, but to me it is not a smell which you want to invade a room with. It's rather subtle, but very manly. Kind of unexpected, but extremely pleasant at close distance. Very British. I mentally picture a mid 40's guy in a sweater, riding his weekend scrambler motorbike through the English countryside. As we all know, one of the main drawbacks of this hobbie is the insufficiency of words when it comes to describe a perfume. This one needs to be lived by the nose of everyone, and I'll go as far as saying it is one of the safest blind buys one can do to smell elegant at any occasion. 9/10.

An embossed leather band with gold stamped lettering stitched around an antiqued looking bottle? How could I not test this rugged looking beauty when I saw it on the department store counter? A spritz on a paper strip: fir, rugged, classy, outdoorsy, smokingly sexy. A delicious blend of sweet evergreen and spices and just enough earthiness to be taken seriously without being cynical or sombre. It seems like such a commonsense compostion for the rugged, intelligent, outdoor type that I'm surprised that this hasn't been done before--but it does smell refreshingly different with a slightly modern, yet classically natural vibration. The dry down is close to the skin, smelling of spiked, smoky tobacco and leather in harmony with honeyed hay-like tonka. A scent with intimate proximity to share with someone special. Vintage is reminscent of my Oregonian environment--sweet sun-toasted fir needles crunching underfoot while hiking the mountains. Perfect.

I've been eyeing this for quite some time & I finally broke and grabbed a bottle. I usually don't buy into the whole "signature scent" thing, but if I did, this would easily make it as one. Classy, mature, sexy, dark, unique & (to my relatively new found knowledge regarding fragrances) nice value. I've heard that the longevity of this (and all JV scents) is bad, but where I just got it today, I can't really comment on it from a personal experience. What I can say however (again) is that I absolutely love Vintage. If you've never smelled this & you like classic/classy man fragrances (but this is far from a cookie cutter), do yourself a big favour & give this a check. Nice, done up suit event, even a nice date night. As long as the temperature is on the lower side, I don't think there's much where this gem couldn't fit the situation.

Something about this women swoon over. My girlfriend's favorite scent on me. Waitresses have complimented it. It's hilarious because this is one of the cheapest fragrances I own. I never expected the reception I get from this. Turns out, girls kinda like when you smell like their dad. This fragrance's skeleton is harkening back to slightly "vintage" men's perfumery with that synthetic oakmoss, the lavender, and those herbal qualities. There is something hinting at a an oriental fougere (Polo Safari) or even a chypre. There is a metallic vein running through it. But the fruity leathery touches make this something sexy. It is in a league all its own. Just smells like a gentleman. The best bang for your buck fragrance ever, in my opinion. And a 2000’s designer masterpiece. 9.0/10

Just adding a comment, since I love JV Vintage. I accidentally found a way to extend JV Vintage longevity by layering it with another fragrance (for 2:1 combo). The combo blew my mind co JV Vintage scent on my skin has 4-6 hours of around 5 meter bubble around me on wind/rainy weather, bigger bubble with shorter period during hot tropical weather. Vintage's scent went arm length then after 8 hours it becomes skin scent tobacco & suede prominent. It does pop out anytime I enter a colder rooms. And it lasted on my skin around 12 hours or more. I can smell it around me after 12 hours. The layered fragrance, unfortunately, only marketed in Indonesia. It's Avicenna Prestige Extreme, which on it's own lasted around 6-8 hours. Who would have thought.

A luxurious niche scent with below average performance. If this liquid was put in a niche fragrance bottle and its performance increased, the fragrance would sell for ten times its price. A fragrance unlike any other: smoky, spicy and leathery a light scent on the nose that gives you a complete olfactory experience of pleasure. The most distinctive notes are Rhubarb, Tobacco and Suede with a hint of Cinnamon in a very light and pleasant way. The fragrance is masculine and suitable for cold weather. The performance is very weak, which is a drawback of this fragrance. The price is reasonable and not exaggerated. The fragrance bottle is very distinctive and luxurious and is worth more than its price, as usual with John Varvatos fragrance bottles.

It's a masterpiece and the best of the John Varvatos line in my opinion! This perfume is elegant, classy, soft and sophisticated. It is so well-balanced that its actually difficult to discern any one note! You can't go wrong with it. John Varvatos Vintage is comprised of a sensuous and masculine composition of the aromatic chypre family with an assertive spice core and a warm leathery background. This perfume reminds me of Trussardi Uomo Fresh but Trussardi Uomo Fresh is more spicy and stronger. This is the perfect fragrance for the fall and winter. I love John Varvatos Vintage. Highly recommended. Two Thumbs Up. Bravo John Varvatos ! Rating : 8.5 / 10

I love this fragrance! It's very masculine yet not at all overpowering. It reminds me of a light, sweet natural tobacco smell mixed with tanned leather ... like a nice leather wallet smell. As it progresses, you get woody notes with one of my favorite spices ... CINNAMON! The drydown is exquisite, masculine and sexy. If you like CK Shock ... then this is the refined, well crafted version of that scent profile. Even though many say this is more of a Fall/Winter scent ... I also like it in Spring. If you have extremely hot summers where you live then it probably should not be used at that time. WONDERFUL, MASCULINE SCENT for any age group.

I dont know how or why ... But this frag reminds me a litle of Guy Laroche's DRAKKAR. Im not saying they are the same!! But somehow it gives the same masculine old school barbershop vibes. About performance... I am an OVERSPRAYER whenever the perfume allows it and with this one it DOES ALLOW IT! Maybe thats why in ME it performs pretty decently it lasts up to 6 hours with moderate Sillage for about 3 of them. Ive received some compliments for the perfume, nothing extravagant but they tell me that I smell Nice like i've just got a haircut. I describe the smell kind of spicy and bitter with some fine and sweet tobbaco hints along the way.