7 Best John Varvatos Colognes for Men

Artisan Pure Review

Artisan Pure by John Varvatos presents as a crisp, cool, and refined citrusy-woodsy cologne. Rodrigo Flores-Roux crafted the fragrance to evoke the citrus groves and coffee plantations in Xalapa, Mexico. 

A sharp opening defines this scent thanks to zesty flavors from bergamot, Mandarin orange, clementine, and lemon. These notes are accentuated with thyme and petitgrain, which add a herbal touch to the fragrance. The petitgrain essence is strong as it is extracted from the fruits, leaves, and branches. Overall, Artisan Pure comes off clean and citrusy-fresh with earthy/woody undertones. 

You’ll want to spritz on Artisan Pure every morning for that energized feeling that prepares you to face your day, no matter what’s on your plate. The composition gives off a luxuriant yet understated elegance that suits a modern man with the light yet strong aroma persisting on your skin for up to 6 hours. 

For John Varvatos’ followers, this cologne is an all-time favorite. It’s refreshing, smells terrific, and the price is just right. Season-wise, EDT shines during summer and spring. Pair it with jeans for a casual outing or a suit for a business meeting.

John Varvatos Artisan Pure comes encased in an aesthetically pleasing flacon that adds to the cologne’s cool masculinity. It’s a genuine classic.

John Varvatos Eau de Toilette Review

John Varvatos Eau de Toilette encapsulates Varvatos’ style. The signature fragrance comprises rugged leather, oud, amber, woods, and spicy aromatics for an irresistibly masculine concoction. A unique and well-balanced formulation, it was artfully crafted by perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux, the name behind most of the Varvatos’ compositions.

This was the first fragrance from the Varvatos design house. Upon its release, the amber woody was announced as bold, sophisticated, and contemporary, which was spot on as the fragrance exudes undeniable elegance and masculinity.

John Varvatos cologne welcomes you with crisp and fruity top notes that evolve to reveal a heart brimming with oud and herbs. Everything settles on a base featuring woods, sultry balsams, and rugged leathery tones. There’s also an unmistakable whisper of vanilla as the fragrance dries down.

If you yearn for a cologne that exudes a chilled-out aura while remaining intriguing and sensuous, John Varvatos delivers that and more. It possesses a strong allure that’s impossible to ignore, making it highly appealing to gents who like intoxicating scents. Also, projection and longevity are above average. 

This mesmerizing cologne comes in a pitch-dark flacon with leather and metallic detailing. The bottle screams classic masculinity and deserves a spot on your vanity.

Vintage Eau de Toilette Review

Our next pick from the Varvatos cologne line can be summarised in one word: timeless. 

Classified as a woody chypre masculine scent, Vintage EDT feels super smooth. The cologne brings together layered notes in a complex but fresh concoction presented in a vintage-styled flacon wrapped in a black leather swatch.

This nostalgic cologne unfurls with rhubarb, basil, and pepper. The heart contains green leaves, whose bitter twang contrasts sharply with sweet balsam fir and Tonka bean at the base. Meantime, jasmine, juniper berries, lavender, and spicy cinnamon also lie at the core, the different elements coming together harmoniously to create an addictive aroma. 

Vintage EDT reverberates with a deep masculinity that will appeal to a man who likes pushing boundaries. It works amazingly well for evening wear, especially during cool weather. Best of all, it smells fantastic.

This fragrance was also signed off by Rodrigo Flores-Roux. 

Artisan Blue Review

Artisan Blue is a stylish masculine fragrance with a marine twist. Introduced in 2016, the cologne seeks to recreate the experience of plunging into crystal-clear oceanic depths. 

The beautiful cologne opens with basil, bergamot, and tangy orange, then blossoms into a heart of orange blossom, geranium, rosewood, and powdery iris. Dark pine, earthy patchouli, and woody cider form the base notes. 

Citrus aromatics feature strongly in this cologne; however, the aquatic feel stands out. The oceanic quality imbues the scent with a light-hearted modern appeal, making it super fresh, vibrant, and full of life – an interesting combination. 

Feel the rush of wind and water as this rich scent flits through your nostrils. Let your senses be transported to lofty heights as you savor the lovely fragrance. The robust yet subtle aroma promises to lift your mood, making you feel weightless and carefree. Overall, expect a moderate performance.

Artisan Blue Eau de Toilette comes in a blue-toned flacon wrapped in dark blue netting. It brings to mind the term “understated elegance.

XX Indigo Review

John Varvatos launched XX Indigo in 2021. This cologne is pretty unique. It’s an amber fougere structured for guys with a playful edge and a sprinkling of intrigue. Indeed, a glance at the scent notes reveals a unique combination. 

XX Indigo brings together mint, lemon, pink pepper, vetiver, musk, and patchouli while the heart reverberates with cardamom, geranium, and Himalayan poppy. Vetiver, musk, and patchouli lie at the bottom, giving the masculine scent a sturdy grounding. 

A feisty opening greets you the moment you spritz on this Eau de Toilette. Initially, revitalizing peppermint sets the mood of the fragrance with a cooling effect. These notes soon mellow out, allowing cardamom to usher in some warmth. The contrast provides a pleasing interplay of aromas, making this fragrance even more attractive.

As is standard with John Varvatos fragrances, the projection is not over the top. Rather, what you get is a skin scent that wafts lightly. All the same, those close will definitely notice it.

John Varvatos XX Review

John Varvatos XX Men’s Cologne is relatively new. The rich amber woody cologne sports a tropical/beachy coconut vibe, making it perfect for a relaxed day. 

This fragrance unfurls with juicy and fruity top notes, the black currant and apple tones blending incredibly well. The heart comprises a winning mix of geranium, white violet, and orange blossom, while coffee and warm woodsy accords form the background notes.

John Varvatos XX is vibrant and loud yet sweet and sophisticated. It projects powerfully in the initial 3-4 hours, then settles into a lovely skin scent. The aroma is terrific, too, attracting hordes of compliments from all quarters and will appeal to a man with a bold sense of style. 

Nighttime is the best time to wear this fabulous scent, but daytime works, too, so don’t be shy to wear it to work. To enhance longevity, consider adding a few dabs of the perfume on your clothes.

Varvatos introduced John Varvatos XXX in 2020 as a reiteration of the OG John Varvatos and as a homage to music and style – the heartbeat of the brand. It comes off sweeter, more youthful and is extremely easy to pull off. 

Artisan Review

Our final John Varvatos best pick is Varvatos Artisan, an impeccably structured cologne with a clean, authentic aroma. Soothing yet uplifting, it’s a heady combination of citrus, florals, and woody elements.

If classy confidence defines you, then this is your scent. Artisan possesses a refined personality that’s best suited for evening activities, but the citrusy undertones make it perfect for daytime wear, too. Dates? Evening outs? Business meetings? No worries, Artisan Cologne fits right in. Better yet, the fragrance works for both genders.

Artisan EDT opens with a breezy blast from citrus followed by gentle florals. Woody spices and ambery musk add depth and balance to the masculine concoction, while ginger provides the energizing effect. The heart feels soothing, probably due to the lavender, which typically gives off a soothing effect. 

John Varvatos himself signed off this citrusy-herbal formulation. He collaborated with Rodrigo Flores-Roux to produce this work of art. Performance-wise, Artisan lasts an impressive 6-8 hours, giving you all-day freshness. No doubt about it: Artisan is a worthy buy.