Vintage (John Varvatos)

By Thomas

If you got your driver’s license in the 80’s as I did, you probably remember the Chrysler LeBaron. Back in the day, that car was sheer Want on wheels – it was classic and timeless, with modern touches in all the right spots. I was passed on the freeway yesterday by the LeBaron GTC – the updated model – which reminded me why I never got one – they went overboard on the modern and forgot what made the original so appealing.

Why open a perfume review by talking about cars? Because this illustrates the difference between John Varvatos and Varvatos Vintage. John Varvatos was an instantly likeable classic, modern in all the right areas. Varvatos Vintage is updated, but sadly not quite as appealing, although there is an ironic twist to it that makes me chuckle.

Varvatos Vintage opens similarly to JV, except for some fruit (particularly a big red berry note) dialed up, elbowing out the woods and spices. Where’s the twist? Red-berry fruits are generally not “Vintage” or “Classic”. That honor is reserved (among fruits) for lemon and bergamot – the “traditional”, “vintage”, and “classic” opening notes.

Does the red-berry note (dried strawberries) fade over time? Nay, kind reader, it does nothing of the sort! It grows in magnitude and gradually takes over the whole production. Ninety minutes into the scent, we have a honking big dried strawberry note, with everything else dialed back. If you’re dating Strawberry Shortcake, this should be right up your alley.

After a few hours, the dried strawberries settle down and we’re left with a berry-spicy-soapy vetiver drydown. Where the original John Varvatos settled into a placid repose, Vintage is a tad more edgy and bouncy. Again, ironic that this is called Vintage, since it seems to be targeted to a younger crowd. The drydown eventually settles into a well-balanced spicy-fruity-woody. Decent projection, lasts a good part of the day.

Is this worth the lucre? If the original JV was a bit too staid for you, maybe this is what you’re looking for. It’s not bad on its own, just suffers a bit from the comparison to its predecessor. Kind of like those LeBarons.

Year: 2006
Perfumer: Rodrigo Flores-Roux
Notes: Rhubarb, Santolina, Quince Paste, Silver Absinth, Marine Fennel, Cubeb Peppers, Juniper Berries, White Lavender, Cinnamon Tree Leaves, Jasmine, Orris Root, Patchouli, Oak Moss, Fir Balsam, Ashwood, Tonka Beans, Tobacco Leaves, Madras Wood, Suede Accents

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