John Varvatos Good, Bad, Ugly | Perfume/Cologne/Fragrance Review

[@JoyAmin666]

why i love your channel Max....is this...these series you have always is a treat to watch...i love this house...own only two artisan aqua and dark rebel but ill definitely get some more...rider and artisan pure/blu for sure, thank you so much for what you do...you are legend

[@abhishekdudeja9186]

Joy Amin Great to see you here Joy, waiting for your review on JV fragrances too!

[@tylerchaffins5486]

You are won of the nicest KZbinrs such a nice guy glad to be apart the team Max

[@SuperQuantum69]

DARK REBEL!! love it.. Artisan Pure my favorite - both gifts from my daughter few years ago..

[@20thcenturyboy85]

Awesome review. I just ended up LOVING the original. OBSESSED with the original.

[@ajpyyz]

It’s wonderful!

[@mayaadobe]

Very excellent review. And very accurate all the way through. I'm such a fan of John Varvatos. Definitely the most unique and different of all the department store counter designer fragrances. His are the only colognes that don't mimic every other fragrance. Love Varvatos. Great review.

[@trascents866]

Great smelling cologne and the best bottles in the game

[@MyCovertNarcissism]

Incredible review Max, huge thank you for this. Just got into the JV (yes I am very late) and I have found this a big help.

[@classicbread3442]

I heard that it can cause cancer and I don’t know if I want to buy it

[@TheThirteenthFloor13]

Classicbread what can lol?

[@classicbread3442]

Cologne

[@LateNiteAlum]

Running into this video two years later from when it was posted. My favorite of the bunch? Dark Rebel. It gets me compliments; lots and lots of compliments! The other two? Artisan Acqua and Artisan Pure. I agree Acqua is very underrated. The opening isn't my favorite but when it settles down it shines. My least favorite of the bunch? Dark Rebel Rider. Great video by the way. You'll have to do an update soon and include the collaborations with Nick Jonas.

[@creekend_uk]

Appreciate this great review of JV. I have most of these and enjoy them. 🇬🇧

[@ejtullis]

Perfect timing ... I saw JV Platinum, Dark Rebel at Marshall but was looking for reviews on the brand. Gonna pull the trigger next time. Thanks

[@m.s.g1890]

You’re the first reviewer ever to recommend a frag to wear for “running errands”. Next time I go to post a letter for my mother, I’ll be wearing Artisan for sure ;-) Great stuff as always, fella!

[@rakihiatau5426]

Really enjoyed your thoughts on JV. I haven’t seen a review like this before...

[@asally2150]

Very detailed review on a under rated house. I have both the original and vintage. Both are compliment getters for the mature crowd. Very masculine and manly fragrances

[@MaxForti]

Thanks for your input A Sally

[@xgrandchampx8916]

I love, love love the John Varvatos fragrences. They are so good and affordable and i have tried MANY fragrences over the years. Unfortunately the longevity of Varvatos fragrences are not good, so i advice decanting into a smaller sample sprays and touch yourself up after 3-4 hours. If this brand made a proper long lasting Au de parfum version of their classics colognes this stuff would be everywhere!

[@latoysondorbooksandfilms]

I just came across the video because I am a long time John Varvatos fan - one time I even met him and he made me coffee in their Flatiron showroom! I have been shopping with them since 2004 but always used the John Varvatos self titled deodorant only, as I was not into fragrances. But now that it was discontinued in about 2018, I was forced to search for new designer deodorants and became interested in men's fragrances in general. While my wardrobe is 100% Varvatos outside of my athletic clothes , I never knew that he was so big in fragrances (although I loved his deodorant and it was strong enough to be a signature scent for me since 2004). Well now after investigating for the last six weeks I can say that I agree with your assessments. I find Vintage a bit too sweet (I have an aversion to sweetness and also rhubarb pie) but still like it, although I prefer the original. Your take on the artisan series is bang on and I now have duplicates of each (with 4 bottles of pure). Artisan original is the weakest - too simple and even harsh and doesn't last long, but Pure lasts all day for me and I enjoy the transformation of scents during the dry down in Blue and Acqua, each in their own way. In terms of Dark Rebel and Dark Rebel Rider, I have three of each. Rebel is more dramatic and tobacco - based, while Rider is more refined, mixing suede, with cocoa and saffron/resin notes. As a disclaimer my fall scents are YSL l"Homme, YSL Nuit de l'Homme, Chanel Egoiste, Varvatos Dark Rebel and Varvatos Dark Rebel Rider, while my summer scents (while in the UK) are Chanel Bleu de Chanel (I like the clarity of the EDT over the sweetness of the EDP - remember I don't like sweetness!), Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme, Prada L'Homme, YSL Y EDP, Creed Aventus. When I am in Brazil I use the JV Artisan line up in hot weather and in cooler weather I use the original JV and Vintage. So anyway, thanks for your great review - very objective and reliable like most of your work. You helped me make some informed buying decisions and I highly recommend your videos to anyone at any level.

[@alfredogomezjr7415]

Great Video Max, have the JV Dark Rebel...which I really enjoy for fall/winter. Might pick up that original JV for work and/or that Artisan Aqua for summer

[@theclipperking]

Great video my friend , a comprehensive look at the house. I’ve recently received a set of testers from my local department store trying to push JV frags , around 8-9 different ones and didn’t really know what to expect , the ones I’d tested in store all seemed a little “old school” for my taste but now after watching your video not only am I going to subscribe I intend wearing the full line over the next few days while recapping with this video to compare my opinions . I’ve started tonight with the original and I gotta say you’re right I’ll be buying this tomorrow!!! Anyway thanks for helping me discover another house ........ I’d be interested in seeing a video like this discussing Chanel , Versace , Armani which I own loads of and also Creed which I’m about to jump into. Thanks

[@EdwardvanBerkum]

Thanks a lot Max! Nice to see a bit updated view on the house! Getting my first JV's upcoming days. I ordered the original and the artisan, I might get another one if they are what I expect.

[@yourjokesaretotallyfromthe8909]

GBUOO 1 - Guerlain 2 - Versace 3 - Hermes

[@magnificumimperium8392]

I totally agree, the Varvato's colognes are low performance, they should release a EDP Series.

[@adrianobello7452]

Love this series Max, great job ! Id love to see a GBUUO Dior, Mancera, Guerlain or any number of niche houses would be interesting !

[@manpreetsinghsidhu5031]

Own 1 Vintage & 1 Artisan Acqua...these 2 are the best of John Varvatos!

[@jjmen8084]

Looking forward to Artisan Acqua coming this week. Next is Artisan Blue.

[@soldierufc2kx]

This GBUUO series are amazing! In my opinion they are very informative and tend to get one's attention on the fragrance houses. My favorite JV is Artisan Aqua... I have put my nose on 6 of them (AAqua, ABlu, OG, DR, DRR and Platinum).

[@caseyplunkett6083]

I really wish that John Varvatos would release some sort of upper echelon line. IMO Varvatos fragrance are more unique than most designer and I'd be willing to pay the extra money for some exclusive niche quality offerings.

[@naelfraij8511]

Great presentation and informations. Thanks.

[@Mbp1511]

I have to agree with you this house is amazing... I have the Artisan Acqua and my fiancé got me the Dark Rebel Rider for Christmas.. I can’t wait to rock it at my New Year’s Eve party.. this house is a great value... I am goin to have to check out Artisan Pure.. great video..

[@brettmal5298]

Great video, would love to see a GBUUO on the by kilian house

[@MaxForti]

Thank you Brett, I am working on it - I don't have many Kilian bottles ATM...

[@johnpv007]

Nice video. I absolutely love the original. I have never smelled anything like it. The fragrance instantly became my signature scent in my 20 bottle collection. I enjoy wearing affordable signature fragrances that are unique without comparable counterparts. I also enjoy wearing D&G Pour Homme and D&G The One edt as my signature scents. I could be wrong, but I have never smelled anything similar to these three fragrances. JV original has become my favorite fragrance of all time. It's everything I was looking for in a signature scent. Masculine, sweet, boozy, woody, leathery, and vanillally.

[@_jm0n3y8oo_]

I love Varvatos vintage and JV/NJ crimson

[@HardkoreHiggins]

These are my favorite videos ived watched all of them!! Thanks maxwell!!

[@Guinea54]

Great great review on this house.. enjoyed it.. Doing a good bad and ugly on this house is a tough task.. I haven't tried anything yet from this house that was really bad.. I think this is one of the most solid houses.. but the performance on some as you said isn't the best. I loved the original a lot but it lasted like 20 mins on me.. however some of the other ones i have tried weren't too bad on my skin.. Dark rebel was really great as well... I got good performance from it. Same with artisan blue.. It was a light scent but it stuck around and gave me wafts sometimes for a decent time. . great job Max, one of , if not the the best review on this house I have seen.

[@njdenney69]

Great Video. John Varvatos original . . . . still BY FAR the best thing they ever did in my opinion :)

[@amgolfer3591]

I am so glad you gave the good to the original JV--I love that one--classic. I am not a fan of the opening of Dark Rebel--disliked it so much that I turfed it over to my dad. Now, the dry down is a different story. My father is enjoying it:) Can't wait to try the new one from 2017. Great video my friend.

[@danielbrady3684]

My favorite is artisan pure i got 3 bottles EXELLENT VINTAGE PERFUME 10/10

[@torryjean-baptiste2627]

Hey Max nice video ...English Laundry, Zara and Carolina Herrera

[@ronshull18]

Excellent video Max!

[@tylerchaffins5486]

What you think of dark rebel rider

[@MaxForti]

It's quite good. It's also being discontinued (sadly)...

[@senorfragancia838]

I love this GBUUO series, Max. I agree with you on your opinion about John Varvatos frags, they smell great but performance wise not the best, however, i just replenish and im good to go.

[@julitacabral8567]

Great Vídeo Max!

[@ifishares]

Love the house of JV! I have no issues with their performance, as they last between 5-12h on my skin Great video, man!

[@anasfahim4048]

Which 1 is the best?

[@waelabdellatif4275]

Great great video ...thanks alot Max I like artisan aqua ...its wonderful I hope that you make a reviews in 2018 for bvlgari ...and guerlain

[@tiredoffools8929]

I second what Wael said. plus Carolina Herrera.

[@bernie7772]

I agree, if the releases were just stronger. I did a quick drive buy on a few of his and that is the only con I had. I say that about a lot of fragrances due to my skin chemistry. Good honest review. Thanks and have a great holiday.

[@jimr880]

I go these GBUUO episodes and glad to see you cover John Varvatos. To me, Vintage gets the good; Artisan gets the Bad; Artisan Blu gets the Ugly; Dark Rebel Rider gets the Underrated and Dark Rebel gets the Overrated. Also, Platinum Edition gets my most Disappointed...I didn't care too much for it. Anyway, great stuff...enjoyed!

[@InscentiveAdvice]

Jim R yea I pretty much agree.. except I kind of like artisian alot even if not a good performer...but yea I feel ya on Platinum it reminds me of the gold bottle Halston that gets props in the community.. I own both but if my taste doesn't change in favor of them i will let them go... weird watery woods smell

[@dibrahim08]

Love it. Nice introduction of jv

[@limchoonteck1]

👍🏼! This is a house i kept passing despite liking most of the scents! Time to grab myself Pure for a start!

[@johnreasinger791]

*gasps* What about my beloved Artisan Black??! Love all of these and RFR is one of top three noses ever! Great video as always so glad I watched this...our tastes and preferences are soooo close. Smell swell & be well! J xox EDIT: The Ugly?? I feel faint...lol TOP THREE: Artisan Blu (blown away!) JV Vintage & Dark Rider

[@MoahGentle]

Great house. For the price many of these are great and somewhat unique.

[@bryanf7021]

Would love a GBUUO for Imaginary Authors

[@fragcentral6168]

Great and underrated house. Thanks Max!

[@MrHahaveryhappy]

Varvatos most scents are for he gentlemen, the well put together laid back man. I say most because than there's rebel and rider where that's for the bad boy in the leather jacket on his motorcycle lol I love em all and they can capture my mood.

[@mamohookah5944]

The idea of this video good bad and ugly is great love your videos keep going max 👍🏻👍🏻

[@MaxForti]

Thanks Mamo, I appreciate it!

[@MrAmirr76]

Great review Max,i really do like John Varvatos perfumes a lot,i do have all from 2004-now!! sad thing is : just missing two in my collection because of they are discountinued and so hard to find:)Happy Holidays.cheers mate

[@soldierufc2kx]

Good evening Mr. Forti! My GF got me Dark Rebel Rider... I love it! I am very interested in the house of JV, and all thanks to this video. #YouDaMan!!!! Can't wait for the Mancera GBUUO!

[@ronaldoronquillo3068]

Superb review!

[@jjmen8084]

Nicely done video!

[@thefragrancecritic9136]

Cover: Carolina Herrera Kenzo Kenneth Cole

[@brightstarlavandula3028]

This is what im waiting for a long time ago... Review all JV fragrances... Tq so so much Sir Max for the review... I want to collect all the JV fragrance collections EVEN its hard to find some of them... I want to comment on Artisan Pure. I really dont like the top notes. But when it come to middle and base notes, it WOW me. The smell brings me to the imagination of vacation at beaches...

[@brightstarlavandula3028]

My JV Collections as at January 2018: 1. Artisan 2. Artisan Acqua 3. Vintage

[@judthestudo2]

Acqua surprised me too with its barbershop vibe; nothing crazy original but it’s definitely nice and does have better performance than the others. I also just got dark rebel rider which is my favorite from the line.

[@colinnotyou0k78]

I can't believe I hadn't seen this video. I'm thinking of picking up Vintage.

[@LateNiteAlum]

Dark Rebel and Artisan Pure are my favorite from the house of John Varvatos. I get lots of compliments for DR; seems to mix well with my skin type as I can smell it for hours. Just wish AP could last longer because it becomes a skin scent for me.

[@ajpyyz]

I love the JV OG. Amazing. What’s the best high heat JV scent?

[@hasib1625]

Nice One. Like this series. Hopefully more to come soon. I don’t own and haven’t tried any John Varvatos fragrances. Not sure if I will purchase but I do like the look of their bottles. Like to see the House of Viktor&Rolf, Mancera, By Kilian Peace ✌🏻

[@foreverfragrance7]

I might give Artisan Acqua a try after watching this.

[@noseonscent1935]

Max are you sure your Varvatos Oud is authentic brother? Lol, mine has near mid level almost beast mode and found the scent very good to special. Each to their own though. FWIW, Ungaro III Oud is better bang for the buck though and Elie Saab no. 4 Essence Oud is spectacular!

[@edu.gc_13]

Awesome video!! And great channel If you could make a list of all these fragrances, starting from the best one for you, how would it be?? I have the original scent and artisan pure, love both, and im about to buy more of them

[@RefinerSimilitude]

This is a great comprehensive overview of my favorite house right now. Thank you. I own most of these. I haven't tried the Oud or Artisan Black, but Dark Rebel Rider was pretty repulsive to me and I wish I knew why; I think it's in the top notes, maybe the marjoram or hyssop, something that smells sour or bitter to me. I love Dark Rebel, though with the boozy, animalic leather and tobacco. That's my favorite night time frag right now.

[@SitesThatSuck]

Funny. My wife hates Dark Rebel but loves Rebel Rider.

[@axxessmundi]

Artisan Pure is an awesomeness from John Varvatos and it exceeds JV sillage expectations.

[@justaddlight]

Always wanted to try 10th Anniversary. It's a little harder to find than Platinum and gets a little flack online, but what the heck. Totally agree with your assessment of Oud. When I finally got my nose on it, I was like, "hmmmmm....Gucci Intense Oud is much better." Still...if you're a collector, what a beautiful bottle. Overall, I'd say Varvatos is a house for the modern blues player, or if you're into muscle cars, firearms, Chevrolet, GMC, Fender, Gibson, Taylor or Martin. You know the type haha.

[@DaVincisAlchemyst]

Such a bummer that Artisan Black doesn’t mesh with your skins PH!! It’s so awesome for me, one of my favorite for warm weather or post gym.

[@jonathanserrano1471]

Picked up an Original and Artisan Pure 4.2 oz gift sets at Marshalls for $40 each. Each had the bottle and 2 travel sprays.

[@SOSFragranceReviews]

I really like 10th Anniversary/Platinum and Vintage.

[@txkevin3467]

I love the Artisan Aqua and the Aqua Blue. I really have not gotten a strong female response from any of the JV scents though. I would like for you to do a "good bad ugly" on the discount scents from English Laundry.

[@WondrousMindTrick]

I have gotten good reaction from Artisan Pure and Dark Rebel. Everybody likes the smell of Artisan Pure. Well almost. It's one of the most likable fragrances ever made IMO. Dark Rebel is more of an acquired taste but in the right circumstances, it performs very well. It's more of a kinky fragrance.

[@soldierufc2kx]

My recomendations on future GBUUO: Mancera, Alexandria, updated AMen and Dior.

[@creatorbydefault]

Please do Burberry and Prada for future good, bad and ugly series.

[@chrisshalaby5845]

My favorite KZbin reviewer!! From your lists over the years me and you have very similar tastes. I need your some of that expertise in search for a signature scent.Can you recommend a few fragrances that are both Dark, Sweet in the same family as-John Varvatos John Varvatos -1 Million Prive (esp. the dry down)-Mont Blanc Legend intense. (dark/sweet)-Burberry Brit rhythm intense-CH menAlong these lines what comes to mind? If you could name a few I'll forever be in your debt.Thanks!!!

[@sameelmunsaf]

Great reviews

[@bassistman41]

between dark rebel rider vs dark rebel which one do you prefer for winter??? great reviews !! thank you!!

[@loveincorporated9658]

Haven't tried anything from John Varvatos. Would like to see you review by Kilian, or maybe something new like Fort and Manle.

[@chriswassil]

Very informative review. I think this house is continually overlooked coming from a collector's point of view and other collectors I know. The only one I have from this house is Dark Rebel. Very smoky mature winter/fall frag. I was always curious about the line. Thank you once again great review Max.

[@ronaldoronquillo3068]

2019 i saw the original and vintage om sale at $36 each (here in manila)..i dont know which one to buy..or maybe get then both? :-) I Came back to your review after i saw them..excellent review sir! Thankd

[@theamateurear]

Swerte. Sang sale yan?

[@ronaldoronquillo3068]

@@theamateurear in robinsons galeria ortigas.two weeks sila sale. 1,800 pesos each ung vintage and original.

[@Kenoji8]

I love this overview. Subscribed, but I should have for a long time after references from Joy, Steven from Redolescence, and others. Great channel, good information. I am starting to be a fan of JV scents too. Dark Rebel and Rider are absolutely phenomenal. Living in Wisconsin, both remind me (more so Dark Rebel) of firewood and chimney fires during the cold winter nights. I absolutely love fire-based fragrances and I fell in absolute love when I first sampled Dark Rebel. Rider has that same fire-like presentation, but it is more earthy or green. Keep up the amazing content, Max. :)

[@nicolasmayrand7157]

I have almost beast mode with vintage i am glad cause i loooove it .... please anyone looking for more modern chypre like this one i am a lot into that kind of fragrances and barber shop scents too

[@fabriziofabrizio3124]

4 hours is good performance

[@stanmichael4708]

and for aftershave too....

[@moseszarnighian4204]

I was waiting till you get to Oud and I wanted what you say. This was the worst cologne I have ever purchased. Thank goodness bi could return it.

[@TheCoconutCookie]

Can you explain decanting to the office? Does walking in the cold while wearing a fragrance kill the fragrance?

[@magnificumimperium8392]

I would like to find a Long lasting EDP with.similar notes to.Varvatos Vintage..Thank you

[@jaewon679]

People moan about performance but I don't always want it to last for 8 hours. 4-5 hours is fine for most occasions

[@nikmansol]

For me doesn’t last more 3 h

[@jaydippatel363]

What do you think about artisan blue?

[@hamodhossain4261]

brother lest be honest here .. dark rider is just a ( black afgano ) in a bigger bottle .. smell them both together side by side i dare you can find any different :)

[@philfierro4356]

Hi Max..Just Picked Up Both DR & DRR 4 Under 60 Bucks!! 4 Both !! Couldn’t Pass It Up Are They Both Winter Fragrances?? Thnx...

[@macstone9719]

Artisan Pure seems a little like Azzaro Chrome Pure. Agree? I have not smelled Artisan Pure yet.

[@brightstarlavandula3028]

mac stone ... A bit lemongrass smell... Its lovely on the middle and base notes...

[@brightstarlavandula3028]

Sir Max Forti... STAR USA... maybe u mislook to review it. Tq Sir.

[@krisl6429]

i love how artisan acqua smell but the performance suck

[@kenmcdonald8090]

I have the artisan and agree it's a great citrus fragrance but the performance is horrible. I'm talking like maybe an hour even during no physical activity. Also have dark rider and really like it alot. Much better performance also.

[@EricJohnson-vi6ri]

Serg Lutens/ Bois 1920/ l’artisan perfumer

[@kesllersantos9226]

My dream about world fragances is have jonh Varvatos collection.

[@GovenorJerryBrown]

Thank God most of his colognes have almost no liquorice notes... I am tired of liquorice notes being a body builder, the locker room always smells like licorice axe.

[@sO_RoNerY]

Siv Jensen Dude. We’re talking about fragrances that are worth their money. Axe is for cheapsakes.

[@danielbrady3684]

Artisan pure is # 1

[@markdayoc3907]

I have and recommend Vintage and Dark Rebel. I get at least 6 hrs. I have decants that I refresh and brighten the performance up when that time comes. $40 can't go wrong. Two great fragrances.