Bottle Design:
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John Varvatos John Varvatos 2004

7.5 / 10 308 Ratings

A popular perfume by John Varvatos for men, released in 2004. The scent is spicy-woody. It is being marketed by Revlon Inc..
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Main accords

Spicy

Woody

Leathery

Sweet

Fruity

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Tamarind leaf Herbs

Herbs

Date

Heart Notes

Clary sage

Coriander seed Ajowan

Ajowan

Base Notes

Balsam

Black leather Amber

Amber

Vanilla

Oud

Perfumer

Rodrigo Flores-Roux

Ratings

Scent

7.5308 Ratings

Longevity

6.3255 Ratings

Sillage

5.9244 Ratings

Bottle

7.5248 Ratings

Value for money

7.677 Ratings

Submitted by Kankuro, last update on 07/25/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Vintage

Vetiver Essence

DK Men

Classico Eau de Toilette

Wanted by Night

Just Cavalli Him (2013)

Reviews

25 in-depth fragrance descriptions

12/21/2017

7Scent 6Longevity 6Sillage

Smora
155 Reviews

Smora

Very helpful Review 8

Quintessentially American

Scentrack
Sheryl Crow – My Favorite Mistake

John Varvatos for Men is at first sniff a generic fragrance, but beneath the simple surface are numerous dark and bright layers. All these layers are perfectly polished and harmonized to create an olfactory balance. Brighter fruity notes of plum and fig are juxtaposed to darker and plushy suede accord fortified with some woodsy notes. This main juxtapose is accompanied by the short lime note in the opening, and spicy notes of pepper and cinnamon in the heart. There is also some, to my nose, unidentified darker herbal entity. The summarized composition is masculine in a classical manner, yet so modern, clean and wearable. In my European eyes, a quintessentially American.

Rating: 7/10

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05/30/2021

BrianBuchanan
363 Reviews

BrianBuchanan

3

Shalimar with toffee and toothpaste?

Minty fresh aromatic and sweet gourmand accords on a woody oriental.
Hold on a second! If that sounds like Shalimar with toffee and toothpaste, think again.
At first whiff, this may resemble a locker room freshie but there's more going on than that.
First the 'minty' accord; it isn't really mint at all but Ajowan (red thyme, caraway, cumin, fennel) and there's a sweet note of dates in the back. These are nuanced with herbaceous, powdery, woody and bitter-leathery accents, which turn a shower gel into something more interesting.
It's quite a feat to make mint smell good enough to wear, and I would think about buying this if I didn't already have l'Essence de Cerruti (2009) - which smells a bit like it from a distance.

01/09/2023

7Scent 7Longevity 8Sillage

Elmitz
15 Reviews

Elmitz

2

A Woody, Masculine Scent That Makes a Statement

The eponymous fragrance John Varvatos gained popularity for its rich, masculine scent and sleek packaging. All John Varvatos bottles are unique works of art with emblematic bottle of sturdy glass construction and, in the case of this particular variant, a unique, leather design. It definitely stands out on a vanity or dressing table.

John Varvatos was created by the perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux. Before becoming a perfumer, Flores-Roux studied biology and chemistry, which has given him a strong foundation in understanding how different ingredients and notes can be blended to create a harmonious fragrance. He has worked with many major fragrance houses and has created fragrances for a wide range of brands, including Calvin Klein, Jo Malone, and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few.

The top notes of John Varvatos are a blend of mediterranean herbs, which give the fragrance a fresh, aromatic start. The middle notes consist of oakmoss and jasmine, which add depth and complexity to the scent. The base notes are comprised of leather, amber, and sandalwood, which provide a woody, earthy finish that lingers on the skin.

In addition to these main notes, the fragrance also contains a blend of other ingredients, such as bergamot, lemon, and black pepper, which contribute to the overall scent profile.

Overall, the combination of these ingredients creates a rich, masculine fragrance that is both sophisticated and long-lasting. The mediterranean herbs and jasmine give the scent a fresh, floral edge, while the leather, amber, and sandalwood add depth and warmth. It is a complex fragrance that is sure to appeal to those who appreciate more sophisticated scents.

One of the positives of John Varvatos is its versatility. It is a scent that can be worn by men of all ages, and is suitable for a variety of occasions. It is also a very sophisticated fragrance, making it perfect for those who want to make a statement or those who want to march to a different beat. Also, it is quite affordable.

On the negative side, some may find the scent a bit too strong or overpowering. It is definitely not a subtle fragrance, and those who prefer more subtle scents may want to look elsewhere.

Most people will find the woody, earthy scent of John Varvatos particularly well-suited for the cooler months of the fall and winter. The rich, warm notes of leather, amber, and sandalwood make it a perfect choice for those looking for a cozy, comforting scent to wear during these colder months. However, the fresh, aromatic top notes of mediterranean herbs and the floral middle notes of jasmine may make it a suitable choice for the spring and summer months as well.

John Varvatos is the cousin-in-rehab to Yves Saint Laurent's La Nuit de L'homme. This fragrance also has a woody, earthy scent, with notes of cardamom, bergamot, and cedar. However, It is a bit more expensive than John Varvatos, but I personally find the price difference worthwhile as the YSL scent is much more sophisticated and indicative of higher quality ingredients.

Overall, John Varvatos is a fantastic fragrance for men who are looking for a strong, masculine scent that is suitable for a variety of cold-weather occasions.

Music Association:

Here is an emblematic playlist for the John Varvatos fragrance:

"Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones
"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
"Mr. Brightside" by The Killers
"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
"Sultans of Swing" by Dire Straits
"Come Together" by The Beatles
"Black Magic Woman" by Santana
"I Can't Get No Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones
"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
"Hotel California" by The Eagles
"All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix
"Layla" by Eric Clapton
"You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC
"Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd

04/11/2024

8.5Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Guitar2016
232 Reviews

Guitar2016

2

Sweet Fruity and Warm Spicy

Amazing fragrance, Elegant, Classy , Sophisticated and Unique. It smells so good and very pleasant with reasonable price. One of the best men's perfumes. It opens up with like fresh spicy fruity, green and leather notes in the background then dry down is ambery, leathery, woody. This is a modern perfume with well-blended composition and perfect for the spring, fall and winter. I really enjoy it and I love a scent that can make memories come alive. I'm so happy that I have it in my collection. Longevity is good, Highly Recommended.
Two Thumbs Up.
Rating : 8.5 / 10

10/14/2024

7Scent 7Longevity 7Sillage

Missk
1357 Reviews

Missk

1

Dark and Broody

John Varvatos is a smooth, masculine fragrance. It's fairly inoffensive on the skin despite having an array of unique and bold ingredients.

At times, John Varvatos can smell a little dark and broody. It's definitely a cold weather, night-time scent. This fragrance has quite an attitude without being too 'in your face'.

John Varvatos opens with some pepper, lime and sweet plum, before settling into a mild leather and spice blend. The drydown can be rather powdery on the skin, but pleasantly so. I can detect a soft cedar note with rich amber.

The plum and fig notes don't really add a fruity feel to this composition at all. They contribute to the fragrance's overall sweetness and warmth, but never detract from the masculine woods, spices and leather.

From a female's perspective, John Varvatos is both approachable and sensual. Due to its subdued sillage, it would make a great gift for someone who prefers their fragrances soft, leathery and masculine.

I believe that John Varvatos is fairly affordable overseas. This is not the case in Australian department stores. Over here it bears a fairly high price tag. To fellow Aussies, I suggest looking for cheaper options online.

Original review written: April 2013.

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