Gambler
Jōvan (1983)

Gambler was Jovan's answer to the aromatic and herbal leather scents that had become fashionable for men in the early 1980s. Think sour lemon introducing mugwort juxtaposed with cinnamon, muddled with a sharp galbanum, vague pine, and florals. Then it's all pinned down with a mossy leather and castoreum accord.

It's quite similar to others of that age, Yatagan, Devin, Jil Sander Man, et al—but with a tighter budget. One would argue it's redundant when considering the aforementioned classics, but its fun to have around as another example of how Jovan was no slouch when it came to reliable, affordable fragrances for the masses.

You got to know when to spray it, know when to re spray, know when it's enough and know when to stop. Kenny would be proud! This gem from 1983 however is not the powerhouse I was hoping for as it becomes a skin scent after only a couple of hours but the scent itself is marvelous. Will be buying a few more bottles. And now if I could only land my dream fragrance from Jovan. Andron

7/10

An absolute winner from first spray to last gasp of late drydown. Jovan hit this one out of the park!

Great fragrance, feels like something John Wayne would wear. I feel very confident wearing Gambler. Smooth & rugged at the same time. 7.5/10

This is the best drugstore fragrance I've ever found. Gambler starts off with some mixed greens, a very light citrus, and sitting in the forefront is a very herbal and warm combination of mugwort and cinnamon. The florals of the heart are subdued and supportive of the top and the resinous base adds a rich, if light, sweetness to the mix that colors the whole experience with that old-time musty sort of smell mass marketers now avoid utterly in favor of synthesized freshness. When the starring roles of artemisia and sweet cinnamon finally bow out the base is a simply pleasant sweet leather. Gambler smells a bit like a combination of Xeryus and Halston Z-14, but I find it more well-mannered and in the end better than both. I count myself extremely lucky I happened upon a bottle of this.

I would love to see Jovan Gambler back on the market, all you have to do is to repackage/make a new label, the cologne was fantastic, it always got me in the mood. I would consider it a classic cologne. Maybe it didn't sell well because you could buy it in pharmacies and k-mart, but the price was definately right. If you sold the product in Bloomingdale's it would be a big hit.