I decided to test John Varvatos Eau de Toilette out of a desire to get to know more fragrances in the masculine category. This is one of those regret on first spray fragrances. For me, that means that the smell is quite powerful, perhaps too powerful. I wasn’t able to distinguish the notes when it hit my skin, but I know they were all there. Fortunately for me, this didn’t last for long. It was a blast of projection in the first hour, and then it softened, and then it died off completely. I couldn’t even smell it on myself a few hours into wear. Trust me, I tried to smell for it.
$82 for 2.5 oz
Notes:
Top: Bergamot, ceylonese, cinnamon, chinotto orange.
Mid: patchouli Orpur®, Haitian vetiver roots, black leather.
Base: amber, citrus resin, balsam, tamboti wood.
After that initial, “Whoa what is that?” and the fragrance sits, I can smell the nuances better. Dare I say I much prefer it an hour after first spray. I prefer it even better when it isn’t on my skin at all, smelling it on paper. Now, that could be that it doesn’t work well my skin chemistry. Or it could be that it is a “masculine” fragrance, and I would much rather smell that on someone else.
As I imagine who would wear this fragrance, I think the website images of John Varvatos clothing helps. That guy. The guy in the graphic tees and the look at me suits. When does he wear it? Well, he sprays it right before entering the night club to create a scent trail leading to his booth. By the time interested parties find him, the fragrance has died down, and he can intrigue them with his personality instead.
This is not a fragrance I would personally reach for or gift. But if you like a rugged masculine fragrance, this might be up your alley. While it is not available on the brand site, it is available at Nordstrom but not on the John Varvatos site.
If you want to read more content like this, here are some more you might like:
And here are my most recent posts:
A Wren Says 
Leave a comment