Mainstream Monday: Sniffing a Popular Perfume
John Varvatos Artisan Black opens with a scoop of citrus sorbet and a scoop of watermelon sorbet. It smells cool, fruity and watery…but masculine. With time I get freshly grated ginger with grapefruit rind. The white florals are noticeable and give some indoles. It’s funny because there is nothing “black” or “dark” at this stage of this fragrance; it seems quite bright and sunny. I mean it’s sorbet and white flowers. That’s sunny. The heart is spicy neroli. In fact, if this scent were a color I’d have to go with coral or mango. With time I start to get why Artisan Black is named what it is named. It becomes a “clean” leather with patchouli and a green vetiver. I admit that the base is the most boring part of the fragrance but it still smells good. It’s “dark” but very clean and fresh. This is a great fragrance for summer.
Notes listed include tangerine, Meyer lemon, blood orange, calypsone, Murraya flower, Tunisian neroli, orange blossom, jasmine sambac, ginger, purple ginger, cardamom, coriander, Kephlis, vetiver, patchouli, Mexican cueramo, soft leather and Florentine iris absolute. Launch date 2010. PERFUMER – Rodrigo Flores-Roux (and it smells very much like a Rodrigo creation)
Give Artisan Black a try if you like citrus-floral masculines or fragrances like Chanel Allure Homme Sport, Dolce & Gabbana The One for Men, Aqua di Parma Colonia Intensa, Burberry Sport for Men, and/or Cartier Declaration. This fragrance smells like a mainstream masculine, I can’t explain it, it just does. I don’t feel comfortable wearing it but I enjoy how it smells.
I feel like this average projection and longevity for an EDT. Now saying that, guys that wear mainstream fragrances tend to want their “colognes” to cause asphyxia in those around them. I feel this wears more like an EDP and it does last longer than the original. People that complain about the longevity of this one are probably expecting too much from an EDT.
BTW – I really like the bottle of this one. It’s nifty and it really fits with the John Varvatos brand.
Artisan Black comes in 2 sizes (2.5 oz and 4.2 oz) with prices ranging from $62-$82 at Sephora. You can also find it discounted on Fragrancenet.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Summer sorbet, spicy white florals and leather. It’s a smart choice for masculines looking to wear something “fresh” for summer.
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