Hugo (1995)
by Hugo Boss

I own this, but I'd have to say that this is one of the worst scents that I have ever owned/tried. It was a gift from someone. The fresh peppery and spicy opening is actually acceptable, but the stale, damp and sour odor that it soon develops into, is quite simply repulsive, to me. I am rather tolerant to scents, and I've previously given thumbs down ratings for scents that I deem to be below average or mediocre, but only this one and Calvin Klein Escape for Men have actually given me much displeasure, so far.

First a synthetic blast, then a sharp piney, spicy, minty, rum opening that could be considered quite pleasant except that it develops an off-putting synthetic tang. This is one of those massed accords where the components can’t be separated out but are blended into a dominant theme that is well described as “pleasant artificiality.” The middle is another conglomeration of green / spicy / floral—somewhat chaotic and not entirely unpleasant. The base is subdued and nondescript. Unfortunately, this is a headache producing synthetic exercise in “near enjoyability.” It is a scent that seems okay the first few times it is worn, but quickly becomes off-putting. It is not the worst fragrance around nor even the worst by Hugo Boss, but I can’t see it as anything but a thumbs down. (Edit of 10 October 2005 review.)

Any chance that there was a decent fragance in here trying to get out is extinguished by the synthetic garnish with which it is served. There are moments when I think that it has escaped its chemical shackles, but they never last for long. This is something that could have been designed by commitee, as it lacks the creative charm required to make this lovable. This is green, synthetic and monotonous.

I think I probably wore this every day for 10 years. I love it. Fresh and clean. Also, really good value for money (compared to my now every day fragrances, AdP and AdG).

Only gripe about it is that it is really popular, and I think perhaps too youthful sometimes.

I tried a Hugo Boss fragrance at an airport a couple of years ago and loved it, and believed it was this one, so I blindly bought it. But it was actually Boss Bottled that I had tried in the airport. I was a bit dissapointed when I smelt this for the first time, I thought it was nice enough, but I was looking for the sweet fruityness of Boss Bottled.
But now I really like Hugo, even though it has some negative reviews I see it as one of the least offensive fragrances. A nice mix between a fruity and spicy scent with enough of a woody base to come together nicely. I'd give it 4 or 5 out of 10 because I can't really fault it

The German version of Aqua Di. Fresh, almost aquatic, but by no means "blue". Has kind of an "urban smell" to it, and in my case that means that its not a formal scent but if you want to smell a bit more formal while going casual, this will do it. I agree that it kind of has a classic original touch to it. I am amazed by how old this stuff is, it must have been cutting edge back in '95...