Artisan by John Varvatos

Rich and simple scent, the bottle is gorgeous. Reminds me a bit of Allure Homme Sport at first, perhaps Sculpture by Nikos, while it dries down to smell like Clinique’s Happy.

I’ve only just discovered the brand a few days ago and it’s not easy to find here in Gran Canaria, what a treat. I already own the Artisan Tale, but I prefer this one; mind you, both are good. I love collecting and will buy the whole line if I continue to enjoy them. Smells like a high-quality barbershop perfume or shaving foam. I’ll be buying again. For me, a man over 30. Not an expert, just a fragrance lover. Feels citrusy, aquatic and aromatic. A 10/10 for me. Try it first, always. Cheers.

Reminds me of those brick-shaped orange sweets I used to have in Spain; it’s sweet and sour. You can taste the sweetness of the oranges and the acidity of the ginger and thyme. Worth the price and great for carrying in a backpack or for sunny outings. The longevity and trail are mild, but the scent is excellent, 8/10.

Its scent is like sitting on green grass over a bed of straw, reading a science article under a tangerine tree full of flowers, with a soft lemon and rosemary tea, all this after a rich Saturday morning shower. Unfortunately, all of this within the city. And as always, it doesn’t last long. Totally unisex; I’d even say a child could wear it.

Smells very good, orange and citrus tree flowers, suitable for summer. The trail is short and the performance rather weak.

A delightful fragrance, summery and fresh… If John Varvatos had longevity and projection, it would be the best perfumer’s house.

Smells amazing, super fresh with that much-loved soapy touch. The mandarin and white florals really stand out. It lasts about 4 or 5 hours with moderate sillage, but the value for money is top-notch. I’d give it 7 out of 10.

There’s nothing more to add; it’s said all. An exquisite fragrance for citrus lovers, the ideal choice. It brings back memories of Punta Cana beach: sun, palms, sand, sea, and a cold drink with an orange slice. It transports me right back to that moment. Smells incredible, but the sillage and longevity are disappointing, though understandable given the notes.

Exquisite scent, what a pity about the longevity. The opening is spectacular, very natural, a mix of orange and clementine that will surprise you. That opening lasts 10 minutes, then the musk and orange blossom emerge; it feels clean but with little projection. On skin, it literally lasts two hours; I recommend applying it to clothes to make it last longer; there it reaches about 6 hours. It’s not invasive, easy to understand and enjoy. Perfect for the supermarket or quick two-hour outings. What a shame that if it lasted better, it would be my signature scent.

Artisan is a very interesting proposition; in fact, there are already many derivatives. It smells rich because it’s natural, nothing synthetic, very fresh, not cloying, and comforting. It makes you feel good, at peace, calm, and classy. I won’t go into the notes as there are already many reviews, but I must say there are only opening notes; the heart and base notes aren’t felt. Sadly it lasts 2 hours and the rest is skin scent; you have to reapply two or three times a day. If it lasted twice as long, it would truly be a niche perfume; it has all the elements. It’s good for heat, rainy days, and daytime. And the bottle is gorgeous, looking like a fresh water canteen. 8.5 out of 10.

Incredible scent. Its short duration is because the creator says there are fragrances for special moments, not for all day. At first it sounded illogical to me, but it makes sense: sometimes you need a good smell for a few hours’ meeting and that’s it, then change to another for another moment. I’ve had it for a month and I’m already buying a spare one.

Insubstantial fragrance. It’s like diluting tangerine juice in a glass of water, but with much more water than juice. I barely detect the other notes, perhaps a hint of orange blossom in the mid-phase and a bit of ginger, but everything is very weak. The performance is poor; shortly after applying it, I can’t smell it anymore. Personally, I don’t think I’ve liked it. It’s the first perfume from the brand and I had higher expectations than what I’ve found. I hope to try something else that leaves a better taste in my mouth.

Rodrigo Flores-Roux is the king of citrus, and he demonstrates this with ‘Artisan’. His compatriot has spent years perfecting that mastery, especially with mandarin, which comes from his childhood: the smell of fruit crushed in Christmas piñatas mixing with the floor and other sweets. In ‘Happy’ there is much of that mandarin, but in ‘Artisan’ they add a mineral touch that gives it maturity. Mandarin has been used a thousand times, from classics like Guerlain to modern ones like Loewe, but here it is different. It is a tonic and vigorous fragrance, with an initial bitter explosion of mandarin and green lemon peel. Then comes a vibrant heart of jasmine and orange blossom, altered by lavender and ginger, over a base of dry wood and amber. The result is a mineral and aquatic mandarin, neither as dark as in ‘Aqua Amara’ nor as luminous as in ‘Happy’. In my opinion, it is more balanced than the other and more usable. It is harmonious, intense, and sensual, creating an energetic masculine world. It almost serves for three seasons, though it doesn’t suit the cold; its best moment is during the day in the office to give energy and earn compliments, although it fades. At night, in coastal areas or hot places, it becomes intoxicating. It’s worth it for mandarin lovers for this modern approach. Besides, the bottle is beautiful. Another triumph from Flores-Roux!

A unique and familiar scent at once, addictive and justifying its high-end price. It combines thyme, clementine orange, aromatic woods, and marjoram, that soft herb between oregano and mint. The blend is wonderful. The EDT is just as brilliant as its hand-woven rattan bottle, which weaves exotic and rare notes into an ingenious, firmly stitched fragrance. A beautiful gift for anyone.

Undoubtedly, one of the most pleasant mandarin fragrances I’ve tried. It is the sweetest imaginable. I tested it on blotter and it caught me, but I need to try it on skin to confirm.