Best John Varvatos Perfumes

John Varvatos is an American menswear designer that has also ventured into the fragrance side of things. This house has been releasing opulent fragrances for men since 2004. Of the 22 they have done so far, we have picked out our best ones and ranked them for your delight.

BEST JOHN VARVATOS PERFUMES 

• Dak Rebel by John Varvatos

• John Varvatos Platinum Edition by John Varvatos

• Vintage by John Varvatos

• John Varvatos Oud by John Varvatos

• Dark Rebel Rider by John Varvatos

• Artisan Pure by John Varvatos

• Artisan Blue by John Varvatos

• Artisan Black by John Varvatos

• Artisan by John Varvatos

• John Varvatos by John Varvatos

• Dark Rebel by John Varvatos

Dark Rebel is well-balanced, dark, and seductive; it is an enticing woodsy, leathery perfume with a smooth, well-rounded uplifting feeling, without harsh edges or being overly demanding. It is a really good masculine fragrance; at first, you'll detect a lot of sweetness from the rum and sugar, but as you inhale deeply, you'll detect tobacco and a somewhat soiled, animalic scent. This is appropriate for fall and winter.

• Top notes: Opens with Clary Sage, Artemisia, Cardamom, Sugar Cane, and Rum
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Styrax, Peppr, Fir Resin, and Leather
• Base notes: At the base, Juniper, Mexican Vanilla, Akigalawood, Castoreum, Woody Notes, and Tobacco Leaf
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Amber Woody
• Longevity: 4 hours plus
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• John Varvatos Platinum Edition by John Varvatos

Imagine Kilian's Incense Oud and Straight to Heaven invite Amber by Halston to a menage à trois that involves rolling around on satin sheets while still exhaling the scent of Spice Bomb from the previous night's antics. With only a hint of sensually incense oud, the air is filled with beautifully scented wood, a little mineralic amber, and sweet spices. It depicts a garden of earthly pleasures with all the best aspects of both heaven and hell. Everyone is left anxiously grieving what may have been while yet yearning for more after that brief but intensely romantic encounter.

• Top notes: Opens with Cinnamon Ceylon, Bergamot, Myrtle, Coriander, Sage, and Bitter Orange
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Vetiver, Incense, and Leather
• Base notes: At the base, Amber, Woody Notes and White Sandalwood
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Leather
• Longevity: 4 hours plus
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• Vintage by John Varvatos

The opening of Vintage is minty before the juniper and overarching floral aroma become apparent. It smells incredibly good—like a recently opened chocolate bar with raisins inside. Along with zesty rhubarb, quince, and pepper, it also has a warm barbershop and pipe tobacco component that evokes certain fusty old-fashioned ideas of a men's perfumes. Like a designer athletic update of a vintage smoking jacket, the impression is equally vintage, modern and timeless.

• Top notes: Opens with Basil, Fennel, Wormwood, Pepper, Quince, and Rhubarb
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Jasmine, Orris, Green Leaves, Lavender, Juniper Berries, and Cinnamon
• Base notes: At the base, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Woody Notes, Tonka Bean, Balsam Fir, Suede and Tobacco
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Woody Chypre
• Longevity:  7 hours plus
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• John Varvatos Oud by John Varvatos

The opening of John Varvatos Oud is quite oudy, woody, and smoky, but it gradually becomes more ambery, spicy, woody, and somewhat dark. In comparison to some other DNA smells of a similar nature, it is pretty pleasant and on the sharper darker side. The tiny rose and Egyptian jasmine that are used here but hidden by a profusion of spices, including pepper, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom with an incense finish. It is a dark and slightly smoky oud that shares the stage with leather and tobacco.

• Top notes: Opens withJuniper Berries, Nutmeg, Sage, Cypress and Tobacco
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Osmanthus, Egyptian Jasmine, Saffron, Cardamom, Cloves, Pepper, Turkish Rose, and Cinnamon
• Base notes: At the base, Amber, Cedar, Labdanum, Opoponax, Leather, Myrrh, Agarwood, and Incense
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Amber Woody
• Longevity: 7 hours
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• Dark Rebel Rider by John Varvatos

Dark Rebel Rider is a dark, leathery fragrance. The sleek, intriguing bottle designs, are what make Varvatos scents stand out. But in this instance, they were able to create a fragrance that was just as nice as the stylish, leather-covered bottle. This has a smokey dry down and is dark, leathery, sweet, wonderful, and smoky all in one bottle. It smells like old leather and has a very middle eastern vibe to it with the dry woods and resins, but there is no oud to be found. 

• Top notes: Opens with Hyssop, Marjoram, Saffron, Bitter Orange, and Aldehydes
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Osmanthus, Black Violet, Rock Rose, Tolu Balsam, Orris, Olibanum, and Resin
• Base notes: At the base, Patchouli, atlas Cedar, Vanilla, Woody Notes, Cacao, and Russian Leather
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Leather
• Longevity: 7 hours plus
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• Artisan Pure by John Varvatos

Artisan Pure has a citrusy-fresh aroma; it is extremely clean and fresh, beginning with a lot of orange and then becoming smoother, fresher, and flowery with a wonderful non-powdery iris and some woods; it is very green, herbal, and refreshing. Particularly because of how herbal it is, this is a safe blind buy. The petitgrain in particular comes through very strongly; it's a different take on the traditional summer freshie, which is good if you're looking for something slightly more unique than the average designer fragrance.

• Top notes: Opens with Marjoram, Thyme, Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin Orange, and Clementine
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Ginger and Petitgrain
• Base notes: At the base, Amber, Orris, Musk, and Woody Notes
• Perfume Gender: Masculine 
• Scent Accord: Citrus
• Longevity: 5 hours plus
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• Artisan Blu by John Varvatos

Artisan Blu is a green, herbaceous, slightly spicy, and orangey aroma that unmistakably has lingering aquatic undertones. It is lovely, quite simple to enjoy, and incredibly adaptable, making it appropriate for the summer. Strong bergamot peel and lavender combine to produce a scent reminiscent of aftershave from a barbershop. It is simultaneously highly energizing and soapy, yet it dries out rather quickly and primarily stays fresh.

• Top notes: Opens with Bitter Orange, Lavender, Chayote, Bergamot, and basil
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Clary sage, Iris, Orange Blossom, Geranium, and Palmarosa
• Base notes: At the base, Patchouli, Tamarisk, Pistachio, Cedar, and Pine
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Aromatic
• Longevity: 4 hours
• Sillage: Strong
• Projection: Moderate

• Artisan Black by John Varvatos

Artisan Black is fruity with a very exquisite base of roses and spices. It is recrafted with greater depth and quality and is similar to the original Artisan. After drying down to a more earthy and woodsy perfume, the watermelon in the opening is reminiscent of sea notes and some nice florals with a kick from spices. Despite the wonderful melon perfume, this has a sensual watermelon and melon scent that is not overly fruity.

• Top notes: Opens with Watermelon, Amalfi Lemon, Tangerine, and Blood Orange
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Coriander, Cardamom, Jasmine, Neroli, African Orange Flower and Ginger
• Base notes: At the base, White Musk, Orris, Patchouli, Kephalis, WHit Amber, Woody Notes, Vetiver, and Leather
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Citrus
• Longevity: 6 hours plus
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• Artisan by John Varvatos

Artisan is a citrus aromatic fragrance with a strong citrus emphasis. It is the perfect calming, unwinding, refreshing, and uplifting fragrance. It has a gorgeous combination of citrus and floral notes, as well as just the right amount of woody spice and musk to give it a fully macho appeal that is soft but not feminine.

• Top notes: Opens with Thyme, Marjoram, Tangerine, and Clementine
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Jasmine,Lavender, Ginger, and Orange Blossom
• Base notes: At the base, Amber, Woody Notes, and Musk
• Perfume Gender: Masculine
• Scent Accord: Citrus Aromatic
• Longevity: 6 hours plus
• Sillage: Moderate
• Projection: Moderate

• John Varvatos by John Varvatos 

John Varvatos has a fruity, sweet opening that is countered by deeper notes like leather, tamarind, and dates. It is pleasant, inoffensive, and one of the safest dark smells in the affordable range. It has a well-balanced, fruity, sweet vibe with just enough woodsy undertones to keep it from becoming overly sugary. It is quite distinctive and a contemporary classic thanks to the plush leather and new wood.

• Top notes: Opens with Dates, Tamarind Leaf, and Herbs
• Middle notes: At the heart of the fragrance lies Clary Sage, Coriander Seed, and Ajowan.
• Base notes: At the base, Vanilla, Black Leather, Amber, Oud, and Balsam.
• Perfume Gender: Feminine
• Scent Accord: Chypre Floral
• Longevity: 7 hours plus
• Sillage: Strong
• Projection: Moderate

Conclusion

John Varvatos has masterfully matched their fragrances to their packaging. Once you look at them, you already know to expect something exceptionally dashing.

Top 25 Perfume Facts You Should Know

1. What Are Top, Middle, And Base Notes In Perfume?
Perfume is built on three levels: top, middle, and base notes. Top notes are the first scents you perceive, usually light and fresh. Middle notes emerge as the fragrance develops and form its character. Base notes are long-lasting, giving depth and staying power. Together, they create a balanced and evolving scent.

2. How Does Perfume Concentration Affect Its Longevity?
Perfume concentration determines how strong and long-lasting a scent will be. Parfum has the highest concentration of fragrance oils (20–30%) and lasts the longest. Eau de parfum (15–20%) is slightly lighter, while eau de toilette (5–15%) and cologne (2–5%) are less intense and fade faster. Concentration also influences price.

3. What’s The Difference Between Natural And Synthetic Ingredients In Perfumes?
Natural ingredients come from plants, flowers, fruits, or animals, while synthetic compounds are lab-created. Synthetics replicate rare or expensive natural aromas and improve stability. Many modern perfumes combine both types, allowing creativity, ethical sourcing, and consistent quality. Synthetic ingredients can also make fragrances cruelty-free and less allergenic.

4. Can Fragrances Trigger Memories Or Emotions?
Yes, scents are closely linked to the brain’s limbic system, which processes emotion and memory. A fragrance can evoke nostalgia, comfort, or excitement. Many people associate perfumes with specific events, people, or moods, making fragrance a powerful tool for emotional expression and memory recall.

5. How Does Skin Chemistry Affect How A Perfume Smells?
Perfume interacts with individual body chemistry, altering how it smells on the skin. Factors like skin type, pH, diet, and hormones influence scent development. The same perfume may smell different on two people, which is why testing on your own skin before buying is crucial for an accurate representation.

6. What Are Fragrance Families, And Why Do They Matter?
Perfume families classify fragrances by dominant characteristics. Common families include floral, oriental, woody, and fresh/citrus. Knowing the family helps guide selection and predict how a fragrance will evolve. It also aids in understanding personal preferences, seasonal suitability, and how scents complement one’s style and personality.

7. Why Should Perfume Be Applied To Pulse Points?
Pulse points like the wrists, neck, and behind the ears emit heat, which enhances fragrance projection. Applying perfume to these areas allows the scent to diffuse naturally throughout the day. This method maximizes longevity and ensures the perfume develops as intended, revealing top, middle, and base notes over time.

8. Do Perfumes Expire, And How Can You Tell?
Yes, perfumes can expire, usually after 3–5 years. Signs include darkened color, separation of ingredients, or altered scent. Storage in a cool, dark place with the bottle tightly sealed helps preserve fragrance. Using expired perfume may result in a degraded or unpleasant aroma.

9. What Role Does Alcohol Play In Perfumes?
Alcohol acts as a solvent that dissolves fragrance oils and helps disperse them evenly. It also contributes to the initial burst of scent when applied. Higher alcohol content can enhance evaporation and projection, but it can also dry the skin. Alcohol ensures perfumes remain stable and long-lasting in the bottle.

10. How Does Temperature Affect Perfume Strength And Scent?
Temperature impacts perfume evaporation and perception. Warm temperatures intensify fragrance, often making light scents stronger, while cold can suppress projection. Extreme heat or sunlight can degrade ingredients, altering the scent. Understanding environmental effects helps choose perfumes suited for seasonal and climate conditions.

11. What Is Fragrance Layering, And How Can It Create Unique Scents?
Layering combines multiple fragrances or scented products to create a personalized scent. For example, mixing a floral perfume with a musky body lotion can produce a unique aroma. Layering enhances complexity, increases longevity, and allows creative expression, letting you craft a fragrance that matches your mood or style.

12. Do Perfume Names Always Reflect Their Ingredients?
Perfume names are often creative or thematic rather than literal. While some names hint at main notes (like “Vanilla Musk”), many are chosen for branding, emotion, or lifestyle appeal. The name may evoke a mood or concept rather than listing actual ingredients, so it’s not always an accurate guide.

13. How Do Perfume Bottles Influence Fragrance Preservation?
Perfume bottles protect the scent from light, air, and temperature changes. Dark glass, airtight caps, and minimal exposure to oxygen help maintain fragrance integrity. Decorative bottles may look luxurious but sometimes compromise preservation. The right container can extend perfume life and prevent scent degradation.

14. What’s The Difference Between Eau De Parfum And Eau De Toilette?
Eau de parfum (EDP) contains more concentrated fragrance oils (typically 15–20%) and lasts longer, whereas eau de toilette (EDT) has less concentration (5–15%), producing a lighter, shorter-lived scent. EDP is often richer and more suitable for evening wear, while EDT is ideal for daytime or casual use.

15. How Can Perfume Notes Be Enhanced For Longevity?
Longevity can be enhanced by applying perfume to moisturized skin, using complementary body lotions, and focusing on pulse points. Layering with hair products or unscented oils can help retain scent. Proper storage away from heat and light also prevents degradation, keeping the notes fresh and vibrant for longer.

16. Why Do Some Fragrances Smell Different In The Air Than On Skin?
Perfumes interact with air and individual body chemistry differently. Evaporation, temperature, and skin pH can alter perception. Some scents may appear lighter or heavier off the skin than on it. Test strips give an initial impression, but the true scent emerges only when worn.

17. How Were Perfumes Originally Used Before Alcohol-Based Sprays?
Ancient perfumes were oils, balms, or incense burned during rituals. Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Romans used them for ceremonies, personal hygiene, and spiritual purposes. Alcohol-based sprays emerged in the 19th century, allowing perfumes to be applied easily and evenly while preserving scent integrity.

18. Can Perfume Influence Mood Or Mental Well-Being?
Yes, scents can impact emotions, reduce stress, or improve alertness. Lavender may promote relaxation, citrus energizes, and vanilla can evoke comfort. Perfumes can serve as a form of aromatherapy, influencing confidence and emotional state, making fragrance a subtle but powerful tool for mental well-being.

19. How Should Perfumes Be Stored To Extend Their Life?
Perfumes should be stored in cool, dark areas away from sunlight and heat. Bottles should remain tightly sealed and upright to prevent evaporation or oxidation. Proper storage maintains fragrance integrity, color, and balance of notes, ensuring the perfume smells as intended for years.

20. What Are “Accords” In Perfumery, And Why Are They Important?
Accords are harmonious blends of two or more fragrance notes that create a distinct scent. They form the backbone of perfumes, ensuring that top, middle, and base notes interact cohesively. A well-crafted accord gives the perfume balance, uniqueness, and emotional impact.

21. Does Gendered Marketing Limit Which Scents You Can Wear?
Perfume marketing often labels scents as masculine or feminine, but fragrance is ultimately personal. Anyone can wear any scent they enjoy. Gendered marketing may influence perception but does not dictate choice. Breaking norms allows creative expression and discovering perfumes that resonate individually.

22. Can Perfume Ingredients Be Controversial Or Cause Allergies?
Yes, some ingredients like musks, citrus oils, or preservatives can trigger allergic reactions. Certain animal-derived compounds are controversial ethically. Checking ingredient lists and choosing hypoallergenic or cruelty-free options is important for sensitive individuals or those conscious of environmental and ethical concerns.

23. How Can Perfumes Be Layered With Hair Products For Longevity?
Hair holds fragrance longer than skin because it retains oils. Using scented hair products or lightly misting perfume onto hair extends scent life. Avoid alcohol-heavy sprays directly on hair to prevent dryness. Layering ensures a continuous, subtle fragrance trail throughout the day.

24. What Is Olfactory Fatigue, And Why Does It Happen?
Olfactory fatigue occurs when your nose becomes desensitized to a scent after prolonged exposure. You may stop noticing your perfume even though others can smell it. This is normal and temporary. Stepping away from the scent or switching fragrances can refresh your perception.

25. How Can Perfume Become Part Of Someone’s Signature Identity?
A signature perfume is consistently worn and becomes associated with an individual’s personality and style. It leaves a memorable impression and complements self-expression. Choosing a fragrance that resonates emotionally, smells unique on your skin, and aligns with your lifestyle helps make perfume an integral part of your identity.