Reviews of Boss Number One (1985)
by Hugo Boss

This is Boss's only really great scent, in my view. There was a time in the late 80s when this was _the_ defining scent in airport duty-free stores -- it is extremely powerful, and there is absolutely no mistaking it for anything else. Yes, it smells ever so slightly urinous, but I put that down to the warm honey note more than anything else; as lagloriacubana so aptly points out, it's the sandlewood and patchouli that really dominates, and it's the latter that makes this so potently "masculine". But unlike something like, say, Givenchy Gentleman, where the patchouli just grabs you by the balls and breathes down your back, here it is wonderfully woven into a cooling, slightly incensy, and ultimately quite unique texture. This won't win any prizes for subtlety, but it has bags of personality, is utterly unmistakeable for anything else, and actually smells really good if you're willing to keep an open mind (i.e., do a brain-wipe of 1) the aquatic olfactory conditioning we've all received over the past decade and 2) the notion that all Boss product sucks). Others must think so as well since it's been continuously in production since its launch.

For what it's worth, I actually think of this as being more 70s than 80s in spirit.

i had it as a gift but i did not like it at all... i gave it to my father who doesnt care too much about what he is wearing :) ...

i discovered that i hate any fragrance with Jasmine !!! i dont know why .....

A classic fragrance, having worn it at college in the early 1990s, popular with the ladies.

While this smells a little dated to me, I still seen to be drawn to it. Could that mean I am a bit dated myself? Well, maybe but let's get back on track. This is a very nice mixture of half strong uberman powerhouse; and half sweet guy that appeals to me. Something about a whiff of lavender; mixed with a touch of honey and backed up by pachouli that intrigues me. It's a pretty tasty scent sandwich. I think of Indiana Jones when I smell this-- very masculine and a touch romantic. It would be a very nice place for some guys to start in search of a signature fragrance. For some us, it might be a place to go back to when we feel a little "dated" ourselves. Hurray for yesterday!

Hugo has my fave and most disliked. This, i like. Its nice and musky, on my 2nd bottle already, This along with Gucci envy stand out, in my opinion, a exotic, but not overpowering. Its a scent that women like on men. Id saying charming is the most appropriate word to describe it.

If someone held a gun to my head and made me pick my signature fragrance, this would be it. I feel a cologne should be packed with longevity and should project itself well. When I enter a room, I want to be noticed, and this one does the trick!

This fragrance is no longer listed on the Hugo Boss fragrance website, which does not hold well for the future of this, my favorite fragrance ever.

I think I'll hold a gun to my own head now. :(

This one is a classic, it gets better & a little sweeter as it wears on your skin also long lasting.

This frangrance...perplexes and purturbs me...I find the back ground note sothing, masculine and enjoyable, typically late-eighties, early-nineties...

BUT...there is this Bergamot, Honey, Jasmine, Patchouli accord that produces a "urine" and "sweaty", "dirty", "body-odour" complex that does a LOT of damage to the fragrance...just makes it smell aweful...

For the lovely supporting background notes, I give it a neutral. Be that as it may, the unerving quality of the "dirty", "sweaty" "b/o" and "urine" smelling accord that I elaborated above, makes it tempting to give it a out-right thumbs down...

This is your typical 80's powerhouse scent. It is so so potent, so be careful there. It has a sexy yellow smell to it, similar to Caron Third man. These two are not dark, but they are sexy. Easily the best boss scent. High quality, but watch it - easy to overapply.

Brings back fond memories of the late Eighties. This isn't one I clamor for, no, but I certainly fail to understand the acrimony here on this review page.

It's a pleasant fragrance, somewhat strong and powdery -- very masculine. A tad dated, that's all.

This probably is the worst edt I have ever used.

Isolated from any other perfume, edt or deodorant, if possible, this scent is tolerable.
A typical masculine character, reminiscent of many other edts from the 80's, a lavender cologne spiced-up with herbs and moss.
Pretty one-dimensional and heavy in the opening and middle, leaving only a vaguely sweet/sour musk on me when dried up.

Back in the 80's
I was looking swift in my new clothes, the dj was playing some of my favorite songs and around me people were having a good time, nicely dressed and sweet smells of perfume everywhere - warm and sweet fragrants that were mixed into one big perfumed cloud.

All of the sudden I began sniffing, looking around me...what was that ?
On top of that pink perfume cloud surroundig me something was claiming its attention with a strong and vicious force.
Someone obviously must have peed his pants...or had I accidentally peed over my shoes?
I sniffed at my hands and arms. Nothing.
I sniffed at my chest...there it was: Boss No.1.

This probably is the most masculine scent out there.
It sure does a very good job in marking the male's territory.

Very "80's"? Definitely. In fact, it's the signature scent of a friend of mine who is sort of stuck in that decade. It's also excellent stuff - I picked up a 3.4oz bottle for $20 at a drugstore recently based upon the pleasing sillage and don't regret it a bit. If you like scents like Azzaro PH, you should really like this one which is a bit more luxurious.

Inspite of very frequent criticism, this one does not smell bad at all. On my skin it seemed very masculine, maybe a bit overpowering, but impressive, potent and dignified. I guess the heavy touches makes this scent so unpopular, touches which on most skin types might become intoxicating and suffocating. But one must understand that it is the generic 80' s leathery style, very dark and somewhat macho, yet not lacking class and originality. Maybe an unfamiliar Boss scent, considering- with the exception of the chypre notes of Elements- its usual cutting-edge, slighly unisex sweetness.

The only Boss scent with balls? So it seems. This stuff is VERY potent and masculine; young buyer of fresh scents beware! Patchouli and sandalwood are thrown out in all directions. Many women love it, and it reminds me of my youth. It is a good thing this one is not discontinued yet.

I have only one thing to say about this. Yuck!!

Yuck!! Smelt like baby powder and honey

I could understand why this one might not be a popular favorite. All I know is that every 2 out of 3 compliments I get, I'm wearing this scent. I'm always sure to wear it on the first few dates with a woman. They can't seem to help but bury their face into me and breathe deep. Save it for autumn evenings--not for use on a July afternoon (to avoid the aforementioned "urine" quality).

Very good. I love this fragrance. A little bit old fashoned.

May appeal to those with a 12 year old bottle of Old Spice in their bathroom cabinet.
Old fashioned and it really does smell as if the bottle has been sitting with the cap half off for a few years.

Very masculine, in a good way (not a gym locker way). This is definitely one of my favorites.

Well, It's a manly and old school fragrance without a doubt, but a little bit sour for my liking! I found it powdery too but, overall, It's a good scent, not for everyone though...

I am surprised to see so many negative comments. My own experience with this cologne has been far more akin to Konrad's. Admittedly, it is a very (perhaps overbearingly) masculine scent, but that is one of the things I like about it -- far too many fragrances seem like women's perfume packaged in men's cologne bottles. My current girlfriend can't get enough of this scent. She makes a point of burying her face into me and telling me how good I smell every single time I wear it.

Eww. One of very few that I actually threw away......quite bad! Strong and a bit odd smelling. Like a 70's fragrance still in the creation stages that horribly went wrong. $20.00 down the tube. Versace's first mens fragrance, VERSACE L'Homme on the other hand is a real winner and from the same time period. Thank goodness for HUGO and BOSS #6.

I wanted a second shot at this one, as I don't believe I was sufficiently adamant the first time round' You might as well sprinkle yourself with warm hog piss, as you'd get the same effect. I present to you that there be a good chance that this substance was brewed in the very depths of hell. Thank You and Good Day.