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- Who's the Boss?
- More Than Leadership
- Boss Cologne Guide: Five Types of Leaders and Countless Characters
- Hugo Leaders
- Boss Bottled Leaders
- Boss: The Collection Leaders
- Boss: The Scent Leaders
- How to Choose Your Boss
- Expressing Your Leadership
- Recommended Alternatives for Confident Men
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Boss Cologne Guide: Final Address
A Boss Cologne Guide can expose the sensual pleasures of Germany, and each cologne will be suited to certain leader types, depending on the notes, recommended age range, and the character versus the potential snag. Maybe you’re a Boss Number One, or maybe not.
Nothing says German pleasures more than the original Boss cologne released in 1985, and my partner wears his with pride. I can almost sense his leadership qualities seeping through his scent when he wears it, and I can smell the cologne‘s character boldly impressing my mind.
Boss has one of the widest ranges of colognes on the market, but it’s a famous brand. You’ll be able to express your leadership style and aroma by the time you get through the fragrances. Moreover, you’ll also know how to wear it like a boss! Let’s welcome your new signature scent.
Who’s the Boss?
Hugo Ferdinand Boss was the original “boss” of all things German and tailor-made. Boss first began in 1924 when he used six sewing machines to create everyday clothing, but he made a mark on the world when he started supplying Nazi uniforms in the grayest time of Germany.
The company’s association with Nazi Germany is fortunately long gone, and after the founder’s death in 1948, it went on to formal suits, tailored-made to perfection. They were the largest tailor company in post-war Germany, becoming number one in the 1970s.
The rising demand for men’s tailored suits saw Hugo Boss expand throughout the 1970s, even sponsoring Formula One drivers and tennis players with fashion lines moving away from suits and formalwear. The brand gained unprecedented momentum in the fashion world.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that Hugo Boss became a global and public brand, even releasing their first cologne in 1985, simply called Boss No. 1. The brand ironically took a leadership role and was a massive success with its fragrances for men and women.
Hugo Boss is a brand among the titans today from a humble and somewhat questionable beginning. Most people have heard about the colognes or designer fashion, if not tried them. The founder never knew how deep the meaning of his name would become, but so it has.
The company took the boss position among German competitors, and it stands firm against global brands. Therefore, the best way to know which cologne suits you is to determine what kind of boss you intend to be. After all, you have to take leadership; it’s not handed to you.
More Than Leadership
Hugo Boss is a brand that wants more than leadership, and it enjoys a reputation, a standing among the giants, and a legacy. People admire good leaders, and Boss has earned some admiration from the Fragrance Foundation since it launched colognes.
- Hugo Boss won the Fragrance of the Year Award in 1989
- They tied to win Media Campaign of the Year in 1996
- They also tied to win the Packaging of the Year and Fragrance of the Year Awards in 1996
- Boss Bottled Infinite also won the Consumer’s Choice Award in 2020
Other notable achievements by Hugo Boss include:
- Business media house, The Moodie Davitt Report excitedly announced the release of Boss: The Collection in retail stores in November 2021
- UK-based GQ Magazine’s styling and grooming director claims that Boss Bottled Infinite is the longest-lasting cologne he has ever tried
- GQ Magazine also praises the Boss Bottled range for scooping numerous awards for the best fragrance over the last decade
- Vogue was so impressed that they confirmed Boss Bottled EDT to be one of the best fragrances for men in 2021
- The New York Magazine and Elle Magazine also love spilling the tea about Boss as a brand and the faces behind the incredible fragrances
Hugo Boss gets a lot of attention, but equally, the brand deservedly gains admiration from fashion magazines, fragrance societies, and media houses because good leaders earn their respect. Will you be the kind of leader who earns it?
Boss Cologne Guide: Five Types of Leaders and Countless Characters
Hugo Boss has five different leadership ranges among one of the largest cologne varieties in the world. I’m about to focus on a variety from all five types: The original, Hugo, Boss Bottled, The Scent, and The Collection. Variety will add spice to your decision.
Each cologne will have a unique range of leadership qualities as well, and I’ll add a similar smelling cologne for you to experience the Boss fragrance or have an alternative should you wish.
The Original Boss Leader
Boss No. 1 is the original cologne first released by the brand. It smells like a man soaked in masculine scents blended with soft touches of honey and tobacco. It smells mature but works on all ages. It’s a strong aroma that unfolds slowly through the accords so you can savor each one.
- Boss Character: Sophisticated, humble, and admirable
- Accords: Aromatic, fresh spicy, woody, honey, tobacco, sweet, earthy, herbal, warm spicy, and mossy
- Descending Notes:Â Juniper, green apple, bergamot, basil, grapefruit, caraway, lemon, artemisia, lavender, rose, honey, sage, geranium, jasmine, orris root, lily of the valley, oakmoss, patchouli, tobacco, musk, sandalwood, amber, cedar, and cinnamon
- Suitable Generations: All generations
- Similar Cologne: Gentleman 1974 by Givenchy
- Snag:Â It might smell too classically mature before the honey accord rises
Hugo Leaders
The Hugo range comes in a flask-shaped bottle and works for men who want to pursue their deepest aspirations. It can be a driving force behind the leadership you wish to express.
Hugo Man EDT
Hugo Man is the trend-setter for this range, and it comes with an unusual drydown where the fresh and green notes are strikingly youthful. The woody and aromatic upper notes exude a strong sense of masculinity. It’s one of the favorites from Boss, so it must be worth the final edge.
- Boss Character:Â New-age, innovative, and self-assured
- Accords: Aromatic, woody, lavender, conifer, fresh spicy, green, and fresh
- Descending Notes:Â Green apple, lavender, balsam fir, pine, and woodsy notes
- Suitable Generations:Â Gen Z to Millennial (maybe Gen X)
- Similar Cologne:Â Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche
- Snag: The fresh undertones can seem overwhelmingly modern or youngÂ
Hugo Iced EDT
Hugo Iced is an impressive modern cologne that uses the essence of bitter orange to enhance the aromatic and fresh notes, making them bolder and almost brave. This cologne starts strong but ends in a gorgeous freshness that smells like a million dollars on confident younger guys.
- Boss Character: Ambitious, bold, and persuasive
- Accords: Aromatic, fresh spicy, citrus, green, woody, earthy, and fresh
- Descending Notes:Â Tea, mint, juniper, bitter orange, and vetiver
- Suitable Generations: Gen Z to Millennials
- Similar Cologne:Â Light Blue for Men by Dolce & Gabbana
- Snag:Â Some men aren’t comfortable with surprises, and you’ll notice how the bitter orange suddenly turns the cologne up 100 notches
Hugo Just Different EDT
Hugo Just Different is for a leader who wants to smell unique. It turns the evolutions upside down by expressing the green and fresh notes before the aromatic and woody blends rise. You get a gentle floral undertone warmed by musk and amber. It’s unusual and exceptional.
- Boss Character:Â Perfectionist, unpredictable, and brave
- Accords: Green, fresh spicy, aromatic, woody, fresh, fruity, musky, amber, floral, and powdery
- Descending Notes:Â Granny Smith apple, mint, freesia, coriander, basil, olibanum, patchouli, cashmere wood, and labdanum
- Suitable Generations: Millennials to Gen X
- Similar Cologne: Mr. Burberry Element by Burberry
- Snag: The unexpected evolutions can turn some men away from this cologne
Hugo Reversed EDT
Hugo Reversed is a realm of opportunities for men. Boss uses rare ingredients sourced from Haitian and Calabrian roots to elevate the woody and aromatic notes to create a bold new freshness grounded in the earth. It’s a masculine fragrance with a mature essence.
- Boss Character:Â Mysterious, determined, and masterful
- Accords: Aromatic, fresh spicy, citrus, woody, and earthy
- Descending Notes: Calabrian bergamot, grapefruit, rosemary, and Haitian vetiver
- Suitable Generations:Â Millennial to Baby Boomer
- Similar Cologne: Voyage N83 by Nautica
- Snag:Â It has an unexpected and unique freshness with strong woody undertones that won’t suit the youngest of men well
Hugo Now EDT
Hugo Now is a 2020 addition to the range, and it doesn’t disappoint as a modern-masculine fragrance. It’s a beautiful burst of aquatic and fresh notes interchanging with each other before the cologne dries down to a citrus bite with warmer and woodier undertones.
- Boss Character: Ambitious, vibrant, and innovative
- Accords: Aquatic, aromatic, fresh, green, fresh spicy, citrus, warm spicy, and woody
- Descending Notes:Â Cardamom, lemon zest, mint, ice, watery notes, lavender, and Haitian vetiver
- Suitable Generations:Â Gen Z to Millennials
- Similar Cologne:Â Eternity Aqua for Men by Calvin Klein
- Snag:Â It smells young and makes you think of a chilled boss sitting on the beach, but don’t mistake the qualities of innovation from this mental image
Boss Bottled Leaders
The Boss Bottled leaders are about being iconic, classical, and elegant with a touch of modern flair. The bottles are designed to look like whisky bottles, expressing the essence of a man who enjoys the finer things in life.
Boss Bottled EDP
Boss Bottled is a cologne with two personalities: classical and innovative. The bold woody note rises immediately before gentle vanilla, and sweet accents touch the top. A warm and powdery feel rise soon after, and the scent unfolds into a modern freshness in the final hours.
- Boss Character:Â Elegant, innovative, and untested
- Accords: Woody, vanilla, fruity, warm spicy, powdery, cinnamon, aromatic, citrus, fresh, and green
- Descending Notes:Â Geranium, bergamot, plum, oakmoss, lemon, apple, carnation, cinnamon, mahogany, sandalwood, vetiver, vanilla, cedar, and olive tree
- Suitable Generations: Millennials to Baby Boomers
- Similar Cologne:Â Man Blue by Mercedes Benz
- Snag:Â The smell seems too abrasive for the youngest of generations
Boss Bottled Infinite EDP
Boss Bottled Infinite is a showstopper, one that lasts hours. The intense woody notes grab your attention before you waver into gentler floral notes blended into robust spiciness and noticeable sweet undertones. It ends in incredible citrus and herbal accents.
- Boss Character: Unapologetic, trend-setting, and highly ambitious
- Accords: Woody, lavender, aromatic, warm spicy, fruity, fresh spicy, cinnamon, fresh, herbal, and citrus
- Descending Notes:Â Mandarin orange, apple, cinnamon, sage, rosemary, lavender, patchouli, olive tree, and sandalwood
- Suitable Generations:Â Millennials to Gen X
- Similar Cologne:Â L.12.12 French Panache Pour Lui by Lacoste
- Snag:Â The cologne almost has an arrogant sense about it, but it suits confident men well
Boss Bottled Night EDT
Boss Bottled Night is for a man who wants his social and ambitious ventures to continue after dark. The most incredible scent evolutions unfold from the simplest notes. First, you have woody accents rising as the soft florals interchange with musky and leathery undertones to end fresh.
- Boss Character:Â Mysterious, sophisticated, and determined
- Accords: Woody, powdery, violet, lavender, smoky, leather, musky, aromatic, floral, and fresh spicy
- Descending Notes:Â Birch, lavender, violet, musk, and woodsy notes
- Suitable Generations: Millenials to Baby Boomers
- Similar Cologne: Fahrenheit by Christian Dior
- Snag: This cologne turns the heat up for mature men but smells too classical for young guys
Boss Bottled Unlimited EDT
Boss Bottled Unlimited is another statement-engraver for leaders who know what they want, albeit the notes unfold in a modern and youthful way. The fruity and sweet notes rise quickly through the freshness at the top before you dive into deep woody and musky undertones.
- Boss Character:Â Youthful, confident, and ambitious
- Accords: Green, sweet, fruity, aromatic, citrus, fresh spicy, woody, tropical, musky, and amber
- Descending Notes:Â Violet leaf, mint, grapefruit, rose, pineapple, cinnamon, labdanum, sandalwood, and white musk
- Suitable Generations: Gen Z to Millennials
- Similar Cologne: Legend Spirit by Mont Blanc
- Snag: It’s a wildly young cologne with a surprising tropical touch in the warmth of the final notes
Boss Bottled Oud EDP
Boss Bottled Oud uses a rare ingredient to enhance your leadership smell. The initial scent is bold, masculine, and elegant on every level as oud and other woods blend into each other before you get the freshness or spices mixed with sweet fruits. It ends in a gorgeous citrus undertone.
- Boss Character:Â Sophisticated, valiant, and distinct
- Accords: Oud, woody, warm spicy, fresh, fruity, cinnamon, green, fresh spicy, and citrus
- Descending Notes:Â Citruses, apple, saffron, labdanum, cinnamon, clove, sandalwood, nagarmotha (cypriol oil), and oud (agarwood)
- Suitable Generations:Â Millennials to Gen X
- Similar Cologne: Privé Oud Royal by Giorgio Armani
- Snag:Â The smell is too bold for soft-spoken guys who want to build their success on admiration alone
Boss: The Collection Leaders
The Collection by Hugo Boss is a range of colognes with noble, energetic, daring, and sophisticated odes, but the bottles aren’t the nicest. They look a little like medicine bottles, but the fragrances are otherworldly. This collection is the newest range from Boss.
The Collection: Daring Saffiano EDP
The Collection: Daring Saffiano is an ode to the pretty flower called Davana. You shouldn’t think the flower is feminine. By all means, this cologne is a modern beauty for masculine men who want that warm leather feeling underneath a fresh and elegant-smelling evolution.
- Boss Character:Â Modern-masculine, bold, and unique
- Accords: Yellow floral, white floral, fresh, green, patchouli, and leather
- Descending Notes:Â Davana, osmanthus, geranium, patchouli, and leather
- Suitable Generations:Â Millennials to Gen X
- Similar Cologne:Â Myrrh and Tonka Intense by Jo Malone
- Snag:Â Let’s face it, some men don’t want to smell like flowers, even if it’s a manly blend
The Collection: Energetic Fougere EDP
The Collection: Energetic Fougere is an ode to the wonders of Fougere fragrances, which use French florals, gourmands, woody, fruity, oriental, and chypre notes. This cologne uses intense oriental and aromatic blends that dry down to gentle florals hiding warm woody undertones.
- Boss Character:Â Vibrant, tenacious, and ambitious
- Accords: Oriental, aromatic, warm spicy, soft floral, musky, and woody
- Descending Notes:Â Angelica seed, artemisia, geranium, rose, white musk, and sandalwood
- Suitable Generations:Â Millennials to Baby Boomers
- Similar Cologne:Â Pour Homme by Paco Rabanne
- Snag:Â It’s a vibrant cologne that oddly doesn’t smell good on young guys
The Collection: Noble Wood EDP
The Collection: Noble Wood salutes the sensual beauty of woody notes. It takes two primary ingredients that enhance each other: wood and aged alcohol. You get an explosion of masculine woody notes before your whisky and bourbon sweeten the deal with hints of vanilla.
- Boss Character:Â Absolute boss, undeterred, and extremely ambitious
- Accords: Woody, alcoholic, warm spicy, amber, sweet, earthy, and soft spicy
- Descending Notes:Â Whisky, cardamom, oakwood, cedarwood, and Bourbon vanilla absolute
- Suitable Generations:Â Millennials to Gen X
- Similar Cologne: Oud Wood by Tom Ford
- Snag: It’s an in-your-face woody cologne, but the sweetness softens it a little
The Collection: Magnetic Musk EDP
The Collection: Magnetic Musk is not one of my favorite odes, but many guys love the traditional smell of the iconic note. This cologne has the simplest evolution of all Boss fragrances, but it’s a must-have if you love the ingredient. It smells warm and spicy with a hint of amber.
- Boss Character:Â Classical, conventional, and charismatic
- Accords:Â Musk, aromatic, fresh, amber, and warm spicy
- Descending Notes:Â Musk and sage
- Suitable Generations:Â Gen X to Baby Boomers
- Similar Cologne: Man by Jimmy Choo (it’s the closest smell but not quite right)
- Snag:Â You must love musk more than any other note to wear this cologne
Boss: The Scent Leaders
Boss: The Scent colognes are about flying under the radar while smelling like an admirable king. The bottle designs look the same as the Bottle range, but these colognes are a little more sophisticated if that’s possible.
The Scent: Original EDT
The Scent: Original is a bold statement for confident men who secretly behave like beasts in their pursuits of greatness. It’s almost humble how the smell unfolds from leathery and spicy notes to a beast-like surprise before it ends in gentle woody and aromatic blends again.
- Boss Character:Â Mysterious, beast-like, and highly ambitious
- Accords: Leather, lavender, warm spicy, fruity, citrus, animalistic, aromatic, woody, fresh spicy, and fresh
- Descending Notes:Â Mandarin orange, ginger, bergamot, lavender, Maninka, woodsy notes, and leather
- Suitable Generations: Millennials to Gen X
- Similar Cologne:Â Only the Brave by Diesel
- Snag:Â The beastly undertone might be overwhelming if you want a subtler cologne, but the accord doesn’t last long
The Scent: Absolute EDP
The Scent: Absolute is a dance between sophistication and admiration. It begins with a splash of spicy aromatics that slowly dry down to woody undertones gently sweetened by fruitiness before you end in a fresh earthy feel. It’s a versatile cologne, which is scarce with the range.
- Boss Character:Â Sophisticated, admirable, and innovative
- Accords: Warm spicy, aromatic, woody, fruity, earthy, fresh, and citrus
- Descending Notes:Â Ginger, Maninka, and vetiver
- Suitable Generations: All generations
- Similar Cologne: 1 Million Privé by Paco Rabanne
- Snag:Â Sometimes, simplicity doesn’t evolve well on everyone’s skin (some men want more)
How to Choose Your Boss
I can’t add every Boss cologne as the brand makes too many, but I’ve added a nice variety to help you choose what kind of leader you want to be. Use these steps to determine which cologne will suit your lifestyle and ambitions:
- Choose your leadership type first. Do you want to be an original leader or a bottled boss? Each leadership range has different qualities, and let’s not forget, the bottle designs might speak to you.
- Decide what character you want to express with your cologne. Do you see yourself as a sophisticated man, or would you like to smell like an innovative master? The cologne character should fit your own.
- Consider the notes and accords of each cologne. You might love woody notes more than modern fruitiness. Choose one from your narrowed options that smells good for you.
- Finally, make sure you’re sticking to your age range. Colognes can smell awful on the wrong person, and generation factors into it. You certainly don’t want to smell like a pheromone-filled teenager if you’re a Baby Boomer.
If the steps don’t lead you to the best Boss cologne, go through them again. The generation factor is the most important, and you can always play around with the others.
Expressing Your Leadership
Good leaders are layered like puzzles, and you can layer your cologne to make it smell better while lasting longer. Boss has a range of complementary products you can use with your cologne, such as:
- Boss Bottled Original deodorant spray
- Boss Bottled Original aftershave
- Boss Bottled Original deodorant stick
- The Scent: Original deodorant stick
- The Scent: Original aftershave
- The Scent: Original shower gel
Psst… Do you want to know a secret? You can spray Hugo Boss cologne on two magical places to make it smell better and last longer. Your hair is first, and your biceps are the second secret to enhancing the smell, especially if you make time for workouts.
Recommended Alternatives for Confident Men
Maybe the boss brand is a little loud for you. You already have similar colognes I recommended under each one, but you can also opt for a brand that isn’t as loud but still has similar qualities.
- Michael Jordan cologne is another excellent option for ambitious men
- Tommy Bahama cologne has a range of refreshing and contemporary masculine fragrances
- Versace cologne is a salute to everything sophisticated and elegant
- Prada cologne offers sophistication and leadership in a modern world
- Christian Dior cologne has a few boldly noted scents to match the collection
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which Boss Cologne is the Best One?
Answer: Boss has a wide range of colognes, but two stand out boldly. Hugo Man has a staggering 84% approval rating after more than 10,000 reviews on Amazon, and Boss Bottled Original has an unbelievable 80% approval rating after more than 23,000 reviews.
Question: Which is the Longest-Lasting Boss Cologne?
Answer: The grooming and styling director of GQ Magazine in the UK claims that he struggles with colognes lasting long enough on his skin, even Eau de Parfum, but he’s highly impressed that Boss Bottled Infinite lasts hours on his resistant skin, more so than other Boss colognes.
Question: Are Hugo Boss Colognes Made in China?
Answer: Hugo Boss admits to only manufacturing 20% of their merchandise in Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Poland. They sub-contract 80% of their designer brand to other countries, including China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. However, they have strict quality management contracts in place.
Boss Cologne Guide: Final Address
Being a boss isn’t always the easiest task in this new world for men and women alike. I also don’t only mean leaders in professional fields. Some men are leaders in their families, social circles, and lifestyles, and they also need to express their character through an incredible scent.
Hugo Boss might’ve nearly tainted their brand when they supplied Nazi uniforms, but they’ve made up for their mistakes, in my opinion. The brand has one of the greatest varieties of cologne for men from all backgrounds and generations. You’re sure to find your signature fragrance.
I still feel that Boss No. 1 suits my partner like a snowflake melting on water. It has the same character he expresses, and the smell is something you can only experience in person. Blending tobacco, honey, wood, and spices in one fragrance is a treat for any nose.
With such a wide range of options, you’ve likely found a cologne that grabs your attention. Why don’t you purchase a bottle to see whether it smells as good on your skin as the character it makes you feel? Remember to match personality and generation, but go for it.