John Varvatos Artisan XX Review 2025: $35 Vetiver Powerhouse for Office Days?

Описание: Hey everyone, I’m continuing my John Varvatos haul from JomaShop with Artisan XX, a 2018 Eau de Toilette that I snagged for about $35 for the 125ml bottle—a mid-tier designer bargain that fits right into their stylish lineup alongside my favorites like Artisan Teal and Indigo. The presentation is top-notch as always, with the signature basket-weave box and a metallic, professional-looking bottle that screams sophistication without being flashy. This one’s a semi-blind buy for me—I’ve loved the Artisan series for its clean, office-safe vibes, but Varvatos scents are notorious for short longevity, so I’m hoping XX bucks that trend. Inspired by urban craftsmanship, it promises a bitter, aromatic profile perfect for professional settings, and I’m excited to see if it delivers.

The notes open with bitter orange and bergamot for a sharp, citrusy bite, then move into Sichuan pepper, wormwood, and geranium in the heart for spicy, herbal depth, drying down to vetiver, cedar, and musk for a woody, masculine base. On paper, it’s intensely bitter and dry from the start, with the orange and bergamot blending into a crisp, clean aroma that’s more professional than sweet—no strong citrus bomb, just a subtle, aromatic edge from the wormwood’s notorious bitterness (think absinthe-level sharp). On skin, it’s marginally sweeter due to body heat, but still leans dry and bitter, with the geranium adding a faint floral herbal touch; it feels linear, with top and heart notes merging quickly into that vetiver promise without much evolution.

After wearing Artisan XX several times, it’s a reliable performer in the Varvatos mold—projection reaches a few feet for the first 30 minutes, leaving a subtle wake, then settles to arm’s length for about 4 hours before becoming a skin scent. Longevity tops out at 6 hours on skin, which is solid for an EDT but means reapplication for full-day wear; the dry-down is dominated by a strong, crisp vetiver that evokes Terre d’Hermès vibes but lighter and less sweet, with cedar and musk adding clean, woody masculinity. The Sichuan pepper and wormwood contribute to the overall bitterness without much spice, making it feel straightforward and professional—no pistachio nuttiness or heavy florals here, just a linear, aromatic freshness that’s office-safe and mature.

Overall, John Varvatos Artisan XX is a safe blind buy for guys seeking a crisp, vetiver-forward scent that’s perfect for workdays or gym sessions without overwhelming—$35 from JomaShop or even $30 at TJ Maxx makes it a no-brainer for budget-conscious collectors. It’s not a beast-mode powerhouse like some niche options, but its clean, bitter-aromatic profile with subtle citrus and herbal depth sets it apart from sweeter blues, ideal for fall office rotation. Compared to Terre d’Hermès, it’s less earthy and more accessible, though longevity is its weak spot—overspray or layer with unscented lotion to extend it. If you want a mature, professional freshie that does the job without fuss, this is a winner; just temper expectations for all-day staying power.


0:00 - Introduction and Unboxing Artisan XX
1:16 - Notes Overview and Price Discussion
3:45 - Scent Testing on Paper
4:37 - Scent Testing on Skin
6:02 - Longevity, Projection, and Dry-Down Review
8:10 - Final Thoughts and Recommendations