Artisan

Artisan, inspired by John Varvatos Artisan (2009)

Artisan opens with a tart burst of tangerine and clementine, cut with the green, slightly medicinal edge of marjoram and thyme. Within a short while the citrus gives way to orange blossom and jasmine, with ginger adding a gentle tingle. That floral stage reads clean and soapy more than sweet. Musk, amber and woods form a light base underneath.

About the original

John Varvatos launched Artisan in the United States in March 2009, first at Nordstrom and the designer's own stores before a wider April roll-out. Launch press credits Rodrigo Flores-Roux of Givaudan, working with Varvatos himself. The bottle is wrapped in a woven basketweave design. Artisan went on to anchor a long line of flankers, including Artisan Acqua, Blu, Black, Pure and XX Artisan, and the original is still sold alongside them.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not John Varvatos stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Men who want freshness from fruit peel and herbs rather than from marine notes may get on with this one. The orange blossom and soapy middle may feel too floral for anyone expecting a woody or spicy men's fragrance.

Related scents

• John Varvatos Varvatos
• Jo Malone Basil & Neroli

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Marjoram, Thyme, Tangerine, Clementine

Heart notes: Jasmine, Lavender, Ginger, Orange Blossom

Base notes: Musk, Amber, Woods

Tangerine and clementine lead, tangy and peel-like, with marjoram and thyme giving the opening a dry herbal backbone.

Orange blossom takes over the heart, joined by jasmine, a little lavender and ginger. Here the scent turns noticeably soapy and floral.

The finish is a light blend of musk, amber and pale woods, with no leather or aquatic notes.

Which Artisan is this, the original or a flanker?

The original John Varvatos Artisan eau de toilette from 2009. Artisan Acqua, Blu, Black, Pure and the other flankers are different fragrances.

Does Artisan smell like leather or the sea?

Neither. It is a citrus and herbal scent with an orange blossom heart and a light musky base.

Is Artisan very floral for a men's scent?

Orange blossom and jasmine are clearly present in the middle, which gives it a clean, soapy feel. The herbs and citrus keep it from reading as a floral perfume.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

John Varvatos and Artisan are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to John Varvatos in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.