Varon Dandy

I LOVE it! I am reviewing the 1000(!)ml "cologne" strength ($20-30). Personally I think that this and Tabac "original" cologne (ideally the 10 ounce bottle that you can find for $15-20) are absolute must haves in your cabinet. Of course if your dumb reach is Creed Wood and Spice and you buy 5 bottles of it at a time every month (without causing a dent in your family's financial security) well then you are covered already... BUT I think many who still may have an extremely distinguished display case of objectively amazing and exorbitant fragrance treasures that most rational people would think was absurd will appreciate having something as lovely as this to spray wherever and whenever every so often throughout many precious days. For these two wonderful frags I put them in convenient 4 ounce body mist type pumps and leave them here and there, house car etc. The Tabac has Chanel vibes and the Varon Dandy has the Iris Citrus Spicy Woody vibes that so many recent designers have carved out. Nobody will mistake this for a designer. But it is dense and oily in a good way and gives you a very big cloud burst benzoin blast that somehow always catches you off guard and makes you smile in the same manner that Dior Homme does. After 20 minutes it certainly is an arms length sillage shy creature but because of the feisty oils the most subtle waxing or waning of body heat will shake those scent particles back into the air. I get a lot of compliments on this but NOBODY does or ever will take it to be a trendy designer or even a dupe/clone of one. Because this is a Spanish staple and nobody wears it here it surprises and pleases with the Tonka the benzoin and the orange cream. It isn't fundamentally idiotic like an OS Swagger or Bath and Body Works Mahogany and Methane(?) or other domestic products that I just don't even wish to think about. Not screechy at all and it does have a very calming evening breeze feel. Like I said just a fantastic scent and a joy to have in the home. (Disclaimer: bath and body works aerosol body sprays are great for fabric furniture fresheners-couches-chairs.)

This "Spanish Old Spice" is indeed very similar to classic Old Spice in overall vibe and construction. As another reviewer said, Its old school, dandified, powdery, and spicy-sweet. Seems a bit softer, sweeter and maybe with a bit more floral manifestation than Old Spice. As an American who loves Old Spice, I almost detest saying that I may even like Varon Dandy a bit more. But Old Spice IS the primary comparison for Varon Dandy in terms of scent profile (and apparently in terms of national culture too), in my opinion. Of that, I have no doubt. But I don't think Varon Dandy is a Chypre, as is listed on this page, nor a Fougere, as so many reviewers here opine. Like its American counterpart Old Spice, Veron Dandy is much more a Spicy Oriental. It's been a while since I put my nose on the great Chypre, Mitsouko, but I don't think there is much similarity with Varon Dandy. But Old Spice is known as the world's first Spicy Oriental for Men, and was released in 1938. If Varon Dandy was released in 1923, and is a Spicy Oriental, shouldn't it receive the title? I sprayed this heavily on clothes and its performance was outstanding. This is a great find.

I buy a litre of this for €10 when I'm in Spain. It's very masculine, I can detect oakmoss, wood, soap, powdery aspects. My perfume-loving best friend (male) views it as a classic fougère. It's definitely classic, an I can definitely get a powdery dimension that fougères have, but for me it lacks any floral accords. And it's all the more masculine for it. I like this especially if I'm going to be up close in groups working all day, for example. They smell it, but wouldn't object to sharing a car with me. In the evening, It layers well as warm or ambery or spicy or woody scents. But I’m very happy to use as is, any time. I really view it as a classic, masculine must have - a Swiss army knife of perfumes. My little daughter picks up things I've worn, enters rooms I've been in, sits on chairs I've sat in, and says, "Smells of daddy."

What a bargain for a vintage chypre lover's delight! The many commonalities (including structural) this shares with Mitsuoko likely stem from the fact that both were first formulated in the early 1920s in the fashion of Coty's famous 1917 Chypre; the other parts of it, especially the heavy carnation, seem to have inspired Shulton's classic masculine Old Spice in 1938. so wearing this, to me, is like wearing the best of two of the greatest fragrances of all time. The downside (and there had to be one, didn't there?) is that the exceptionally dominant carnation and oakmoss are probably very old-fashioned notes to many contemporary noses, especially given how strong the sillage of this is. I would either go exceptionally easy on the trigger finger or just wear it at home to please yourself. But it is such great stuff!

To my nose opening briefly resembles Acqua di Parma Collezione Barbiere aftershave, then Varon Dandy becomes more similar to Old Spice which was mentioned by other reviewers. My dad used to wear Old Spice and from what I remember it felt more robust and a bit rough around the edges. Varon Dandy on the other hand feels soft and warm from the start. It perfectly captures class and charm of bygone era. It's subtly sweet, prominently spicy and pleasantly powdery. Very dandy, undoubtedly old fashioned yet absolutely wearable nowadays. Longevity is above average. 1l bottle made by Coty is a terrific value for money. Highly recommend it, if you like this kind of scent profile.