R’s Reviews: Hugo Boss Cologne

    Hugo Boss recently re-launched Hugo eau de toilette. I had R. test it for a few days:  he didn’t have a lot to say about it.  It was clear that this fragrance failed to excite him, but also didn’t offend. I found it very green – the notes include Green Apple, Pine Needles, Spearmint, Cedar Leaves, Jasmine, Lavender, Sage, Clove Buds. On him, the sage and pine needles are very predominant. On me, I get more of the grassy/herbal notes from spearmint and cedar. The green apple note is interesting, transparent, not overwhelming like DKNY’s Be Delicious. This fragrance reminds me of something the main character from American Psycho would have worn: perhaps the green-ness evokes ideas of MONEY. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, the Irish hottie from flicks like Bend it like Beckham and The Velvet Goldmine, is an apt spokesman for the fragrance. The intense, lush transparent green are not unlike a much more substantial fragrance, Creed’s Green Irish Tweed. While Green Irish Tweed is definitely a “less is more” fragrance (as in, too much and you’ll start offending people several cubicles over), Hugo is very polite – feel free to liberally splash after a round of squash or a shvitz.