Our take
What does Hugo Man smell like?
Hugo Boss launched Hugo in 1995 in a green hiker's flask, aimed at a younger crowd than the Boss line. Perfumer Bob Aliano created it. Everything starts with a very sharp green apple. Lavender, mint and grapefruit make it even fresher, and basil adds a peppery edge. It is pure mid nineties: clean and almost sporty. The heart stays aromatic with sage and geranium. Carnation and jasmine slip in a small floral touch you barely notice. The base shifts the mood. Fir brings a resinous forest smell with a faint smoky side, and cedar with patchouli dries it out. Next to Davidoff's Cool Water, another aromatic fresh scent of that decade, Hugo Man is less aquatic and greener. It has kept a clear identity despite its many spin-offs, and the bottle alone is still easy to spot on a shelf.
When to wear it
A daytime scent for spring and summer that suits the gym as well as the office. Go for four sprays because the apple fades fast.
It belongs to the Woody, Aromatic family. Hugo Man is one of 35 creations by Hugo Boss in our encyclopedia.
