XX Artisan

XX Artisan by John Varvatos, released in 2020 for men, is a dry woody citrus. Everyone who describes it calls it woody, about two thirds find it citrusy, and about a third notice spicy, musky and floral sides. The result is clean and slightly bitter rather than sweet.

Bergamot and bitter orange give the opening a sharp, zesty brightness with a pleasing bitterness to it. Sichuan pepper adds a tingling, aromatic spice, and wormwood brings a dry, herbal, faintly medicinal edge that keeps the scent from feeling soft. Geranium adds a green, slightly rosy note in the middle. The base is built on cedar and vetiver, both dry and earthy, with vetiver bringing a smoky, rooty depth and cedar a pencil-shaving crispness. Musk ties it together with a light warmth.

This is a fragrance with a tailored, understated character, suited to people who like woody scents that feel sharp and dry rather than warm and sweet, and that work well in the daytime.

XX Artisan — for men fragrance by John Varvatos (released 2020). Notes: Bergamot, Bitter Orange, Cedar, Geranium, Musk, Sichuan Pepper, Vetiver, Wormwood. — Parfica open fragrance database