Our take
What does Hugo Reversed smell like?
Early 2019 brought Hugo Reversed, an eau de toilette from Hugo Boss. It is a flanker to the 1995 Hugo, the one in the famous green flask. No perfumer was named. It opens straight: Calabrian bergamot and grapefruit, with a bitter zest that wakes you up. Rosemary arrives fast and adds an herbal, aromatic tone. Pamplewood, a woody molecule that smells like grapefruit peel, bridges to the base. That base is a clean Haitian vetiver with a faint smoky edge. Nothing here is sweet. Compared with the original Hugo and its green apple, Reversed drops the fruity fougère feel for a straighter and drier line. The result is crisp but short-lived on skin. It aims at everyday wear and claims nothing more. Expect two or three hours before it fades to a faint vetiver. Fans of the original may miss its apple.
When to wear it
A good pick for the office or a mild weekend in town. Four sprays are not too many given how modest it is.
It belongs to the Woody, Aromatic family. Hugo Reversed is one of 35 creations by Hugo Boss in our encyclopedia.
