What can I say? Well, it is a scent without character and totally boring. It's hard to find anything interesting in it. Oh, monotonous citrus, the "quality" of which is, at best, average. This is praised as the definitive vacation scent, but to me it's the definitive *beach* vacation scent with that south european twist and I almost feel like wearing this anywhere else would be out of place. My closing remark is that this feels like Versace pour Homme minus tonka bean and 4x the neroli - they are really that similar even though VPH lasts about an hour, is plain and boring, but also cheap.

John Varvatos' fragrance designed for the sophisticated man is on the road to becoming a classic. John Varvatos Artisan PureArtisan Pure zaps you with Italian citrus - I get mostly a deep, cloved orange that never leaves - and then adds woods that get smooth and creamy by the end. There’s an herbal quality to Artisan Pure, but it’s not the least bit green. That dark orange adds so much character. It’s tangy, spicy and sophisticated. Longevity: I was genuinely surprised by how long Artisan Pure lasted on my skin – I could still detect its profile 6+ hours later whilst it hung onto my clothing for over 4!

orange flower, coffee tree flower, jasmine, Italian orris absolute, Italian orris resinoid, coriander seed, cardamom Overall: I am a huge fan of Artisan Pure! For the price, I can’t think of many high-performing hot-weather fragrances that are better. Versatility: Given the underlying musk and amber, I can see Artisan Pure’s citrus and aromatic accords working from the beginning of spring until the end of fall! If this is what the "flagship" of the John Varvatos brand looked like, it is not surprising to me that it is no longer with us.

This, friends, is what we call a “summer banger”. And a head turner. Could never call this boring and without character. Are we talking about the same product? This is bold, confident perfumery. And like it or not (I like it) it’s original and unique. And while marketed as a cologne targeted at met, I can easily see this being worn as a feminine scent, as well – the powdery drydown period really allows the fragrance to stay present in hot, humid weather whilst the thyme and citrus notes give it a new life, indoors. Overall, Artisan Pure reminds me of a more versatile and active version of 1-12 by Halston given its bright profile supported by a sensitive muskiness. John Varvatos Artisan Pure is inspired by the verdant and lush hills of Xalapa, Mexico and its vast coffee and citrus groves. Redolent, luxurious citrus notes bring an understated elegance to modern, sun-warmed woods. The fragrance is a crisp, woody citrus scent, as refined as it is cool. Highlighted are three distinct types of petitgrains, which use all elements of the citrus tree: leaves, branches and tender fruit; as well as the best quality of orris. I’m a big fan of John Varvatos’ work in the fragrance, and Artisan Pure is a major reason why – following the brief opening period and throughout most of its drydown, one is able to smell strong accords of lemon, thyme, and mandarin orange with a brush of musk, to finish. Unlike similar summer-centric fragrances, Artisan Pure is rather complex, often revealing notes that I thought had long-since disappeared.