Overall, I recommend Artisan as the best John Varvatos colognes.
If you’re seeking an effortlessly sophisticated scent, it’s an excellent choice, combining a breezy blend of citrus and subtle florals with a musky, woodsy base. I can assure you this fragrance stands out for its elegance and affordability. It’s reminiscent of Creed’s Silver Mountain Water but comes at a fraction of the price, making it a fantastic option for any classy gentleman.
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Best for the Office
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Top Pick
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Summer Signature
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4.2
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4.8
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4.5
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$151.00
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$115.00
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$115.00
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- Juicy red fruits and a spicy undercurrent make this perfect for casual dates.
- Suede and vanilla round out a musky, masculine dry down.
- A classy blend of citrus, florals, woody spice, and musky depth.
- Smells very similar to Creed's Silver Mountain Water.
- A punchy peppermint note revitalizes the senses in the opening.
- Perfect for a unique signature cologne for summer.
For those who prefer a fresh, summer scent, John Varvatos XX Indigo is a remarkable alternative. This fragrance opens with peppermint and cardamom, transitioning to a sensual patchouli finish. It’s ideal for the modern man looking for a masculine yet seductive scent that lasts all day.
Another excellent option is John Varvatos, perfect for the elegant gentleman. This fragrance is great for the office, dates, and upscale occasions. It starts fresh and sharp, then smooths and softens, with good longevity for an EDT. It’s an all-around versatile and refined choice.
Here’s my full recommendations for John Varvatos fragrances. I’ll cover their note profiles, longevity, projection, value for money, and suitable occasions to help you choose your perfect scent.
Best John Varvatos Fragrances for Men
- Top Pick Overall: John Varvatos Artisan
- Most Exceptional John Varvatos Scent: John Varvatos XX Indigo
- Perfect for the Office: John Varvatos
- Best for Summer: John Varvatos Artisan Teal
- Ideal for the Polished Gentleman: John Varvatos Vintage
1. John Varvatos Artisan – Best Overall
An aromatic citrus scent for gents with beautifully balanced blend of amber and musk with notes of exquisite orange blossoms.
Varvatos Artisan is built for a cool and collected gent in his downtime. This is for the casual guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously, and leaves people wondering how he can be so successful yet stress-free.
| Artisan EDT by John Varvatos | Rating |
|---|---|
| Occasion: Chilling Out | Longevity: 8 hours |
| Age group: 25 – 40 | Projection: Moderate |
| Season: Year-round | Value for money: 5/5 |
It’s what the green room of an arena tour should smell like – wealth and class with a hint of “who knows what could happen”.
This soothing and uplifting fragrance is impeccable. It exudes breezy, classy confidence that feels refined and sophisticated. I’ve been wearing it for spontaneous evening outings with my girlfriend, and I swear it adds to the vibe.
It’s a breezy blend of citrus and gentle floral notes, perfectly balanced with enough woody spice and musky depth. The sense is status and pedigree, but not at the expense of masculinity.
The notes of orange blossom and ginger are energizing and hedged against relaxing lavender and jasmine.
It has a soothing, watery coolness in the heart, before drying down into a woodsy, musky base. It’s gentle, but not feminine.
In terms of quality, I compare it with Creed Silver Mountain Water. It’s that well blended and natural-smelling.
The projection also stacks up. John Varvatos is delicate and meticulous, and even though it won’t take anyone’s head off, it still lasts a full 8 hour day.
It’s in my top 5 fragrances, period. I can’t say much more than that.
| Artisan Eau de Toilette | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Tangerine, Clementine and Thyme |
| Middle Notes: | Orange Blossom, Lavender, Jasmine and Ginger |
| Base Notes: | Amber, Musk and Woodsy Notes |
2. John Varvatos XX Indigo – Most Unique John Varvatos Frag
A punchy peppermint note revitalizes the senses in the opening.
Perfect for a unique signature cologne for summer.
John Varvatos XX Indigo is the most unique John Varvatos I came across and would make an excellent signature cologne.
The opening smacks you with cooling peppermint which is very refreshing on a hot day. Once that mellows out, you find a warmer heart of cardamom, and the interplay between the two elements provides some really alluring push-and-pull.
| XX Indigo Men’s Cologne | Rating |
|---|---|
| Occasion: Summer signature fragrance | Longevity: 7 hours |
| Age group: 23 – 40 | Projection: Light |
| Season: Summer | Value for money: 5/5 |
It’s very well-balanced and would suit Gents who like to keep a sense of intrigue without taking themselves too seriously.
The base is a more masculine, earthy patchouli, and gives the light fragrance a sturdy grounding. It’s a woodsy finish, without feeling overly smokey or mossy – just natural-smelling.
John Varvatos colognes in general aren’t known for breathtaking projection, and XX Indigo is no exception. It sits close to you and will give anyone close light wafts they have to investigate rather than huge blasts.
It’s not a powerhouse, but 7 hours of longevity is ample to cover a working day or a night out.
| XX Indigo by John Varvatos | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Mint, Pink Pepper and Lemon |
| Middle Notes: | Geranium, Cardamom and Himalayan Poppy |
| Base Notes: | Vetiver, Patchouli and Musk |
3. John Varvatos – Best for the Workplace
Juicy red fruits and a spicy undercurrent makes this perfect for casual dates.
Suede and vanilla round out a musky, masculine dry down.
The original offering from John Varvatos is made for a former rocker who still carries the flame for the bohemian lifestyle, but has fixed up and is now stacking racks with his stock portfolio.
John Varvatos himself even thinks it’s his best work after 15 years of producing colognes.
| John Varvatos Eau de Toilette | Rating |
|---|---|
| Occasion: Professional personality | Longevity: 7 hours |
| Age group: 27 – 45 | Projection: Moderate |
| Season: Year-round | Value for money: 4.5/5 |
The opening is a sweet and spicy aromatic fougere, packed with fruity, juicy red fruit that blasts you right out of the gate. In the heart, there’s a hint of medjool dates, roughened out with herbs like coriander and sage.
Suede and vanilla add a touch of refinement and class to the more vibrant notes. A powdery-musky cloud envelops soft leather in a manner that suggests a fresh, modern barbershop.
It’s got an edgy undercurrent, but the resounding sense is one of security, confidence, and wealth. If you’re that guy cracking jokes in the office- but still handling business- this is the cologne for you.
It’s not a risky cologne in terms of being off-putting or aggressive, but it is unique to the point that it’s likely to still attract attention.
With that in mind, John Varvatos would make an excellent casual date fragrance. You could even get away with it at work if applied in moderation.
This is no “shy-guy” fragrance, but not obnoxious either.
| John Varvatos Cologne for Men | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Medjool Dates, Tamarind Leaves and Mediterranean Herbs |
| Middle Notes: | Coriander and Carom Seeds |
| Base Notes: | Oud, Fir, Black Leather and Vanilla |
4. John Varvatos XX Artisan Teal – Best for Summer Days
A sweet and aquatic, light fragrance that drys down into masculine musk.
Aromatic rose and rosemary add some subtle florality.
Looking for something classy you can wear in summer? Enter John Varvatos Artisan Teal.
Artisan Teal is a fresh and summery, office-safe fragrance. If you’re a fan of aquatic fragrances, this is the John Varvatos cologne for you.
| XX Artisan Teal by John Varvatos | Rating |
|---|---|
| Occasion: Professional in Summer | Longevity: 6 – 7 hours |
| Age group: 25 – 40 | Projection: Moderate |
| Season: Summer | Value for money: 4.5/5 |
There’s plenty of zip from a citrus opening pickled with pink pepper in the opening, before softening out into a heart of rosemary and water lily.
It’s subtle enough for professional environments but still has enough personality if you get within arm’s length.
This musky, woodsy dry-down is decidedly masculine, so I wouldn’t hesitate to wear Artisan Teal on a casual summer-time date, either. If you’re a fan of Nautica Voyage or YSL Y, it’s roughly within the same ballpark.
It’s a refreshing scent that will last for at least 6 – 7 hours, even in high heat – and well worth considering as a more unique summer scent.
| XX Artisan Teal Cologne Spray | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Lemon and Pink Pepper |
| Middle Notes: | Rosemary and Water Lily |
| Base Notes: | Sea Salt, Musk and Driftwood |
5. John Varvatos Vintage – Best for the Classic Gentleman
A green opening darkens down to moodier woods in the base.
Best suited for fall and winter.
John Varvatos Vintage is a dark and sexy cologne for gents who enjoy classic fragrances. It’s best for a mature audience, maybe 30+, and would suit a stylish, English gent type.
There’s a lot going on, so if you’re a seasoned nose who loves to dissect each ingredient, you’ll enjoy the artistry here.
| John Varvatos Vintage Men’s Cologne | Rating |
|---|---|
| Occasion: Masculine maturity | Longevity: 7 hours |
| Age group: 30 – 50 | Projection: Moderate/strong |
| Season: Fall/Winter | Value for money: 4/5 |
The opening is very coniferous and packed with greenery. Basil, fennel, and rhubarb all combine to lend fresh vitality, while leather and tobacco add masculine bite.
After half an hour things get progressively aromatic, with touches of lavender and cinnamon beginning to emerge.
There’s wood and oakmoss deep in the base, smoothed and rounded by suede and tonka bean. It’s a relatively heavy dry down, and probably best suited for fall or winter.
I think these earthier notes could be a little overpowering for the office. Vintage is better-suited for a night out to a boutique bar or classy restaurant on a chilly evening.
| John Varvatos Vintage Cologne Spray for Men | Fragrance Notes |
|---|---|
| Top Notes: | Fennel, Pepper, Rhubarb and Basil |
| Middle Notes: | Lavender, Juniper Berries, Cinnamon and Jasmine |
| Base Notes: | Suede, Tonk Bean, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Tobacco and Woodsy Notes |
FAQ: What You Should Know about John Varvatos Colognes
Which is the Best John Varvatos Men’s Cologne for You?
John Varvatos colognes are all about converting power chords to powerful accords.
Genre-products tend to compromise on quality. You know when celebrities do brand collaborations, they usually suck. You’re just paying for the name, and it’s more of an exercise in marketing than anything else.
I’ve been impressed to find John Varvatos an exception to this rule.
They produce high-quality colognes first and foremost, inspired by rock ‘n’ roll tradition rather than using it as cover for substandard fragrances.
John Varvatos stores are few and far between and don’t tend to stock their entire range of colognes. It’s probably best to order your colognes online (I’ve included some links to the best prices I’ve been able to find).
My top picks for this week are Artisan and Dark Rebel. They’re opposite ends of the spectrum, so my thinking is at least one of them is bound to resonate, depending on what sort of gent you are.
Having said that, it’s worth checking out the rest of the list for an alternative that speaks to your particular brand of frontman energy.
After all, being yourself is what rock ‘n’ roll is all about.
What’s Changed?
We updated this guide in January 2024 to reflect the most recent pricing information.
2nd July 2024: This guide was overhauled with changes to our recommendations, latest reviews, and was re-fact checked to make sure our reviews are as up to date as possible.
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