So, even with all of the Hugo Boss fragrance reviews that I’ve done on this site so far, there are still many more on the market that I need to experience and write about. Some like Boss Soul, the subject of today’s post are scents that were released to the market over a decade ago (2005 in this case). This particular scent was acquired along with the other samples in the huge batch that I got recently, and so I needed to wear it around and give my thoughts about Soul.
The opening of Boss Soul is quite warm and smoky with a hint of orange, much like another Hugo Boss scent, Boss in Motion, but the orange is much weaker in this one while the cardamom takes the reins.
It gives off a grown up vibe that’s clean and dressed up but not all together super serious with some spice to give it a kick.
After a few minutes, the lavender and anise note begin to poke through, and really establish themselves. This helps to give Soul a smoothness and fresh feeling, which gives it a distinct separation from the Boss In Motion comparison.
It’s pretty subtle and the changes throughout its life cycle are as well. The spices calm down and it becomes more about amber, vanilla, and lavender. Boss Soul has a good smelling aroma, not the best thing ever, but I find it enjoyable.
Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility
The projection on Boss Soul is pretty weak but not awful. It might be considered a moderate, but nothing close to a monster.
The longevity isn’t so great either, somewhere around 3-4 hours, is what I’ve gotten out of it. The performance here is pathetic for a designer fragrance.
I’d say this is a casual cologne, that can be worn out for short occasions, and it does smell good enough for a date too, I suppose. This would probably work best in the Fall through early Spring.
Overall Impressions of Boss Soul
Overall, is Boss Soul worth a buy? Not really. I do like the way it smells, its fresh and quite masculine. However, it also can feel pretty bland and mixed with subpar performance, I don’t really see what place it would have in my own collection.
The whole fragrance is just sort of plain and not good enough to justify a purchase. If it lasted longer, had more intensity, and was the right price…then, I would consider it. It really doesn’t hit any of those metrics and I don’t see the point.
Either way, this scent came out over 15 years ago, and isn’t readily available. No real loss.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.
My latest review will be Energise by Hugo Boss, which I recently received a sample vial of and hadn’t yet given it much of a try. I have already reviewed Boss Bottled No. 6 and Hugo Red, which I recommend trying out and wanted to see if this one could find a place in my rotation. How did Energise perform? What does it smell like? Is it worth a purchase? Please continue below for my full impression of this cologne.
What does Hugo Boss Energise Smell Like?
Notes include: mandarin, cocoa beans, freesia, pink pepper, kumquat, coriander, and more
I have a pretty solid amount of respect for Hugo Boss fragrances, so when I got a hold of a sample of this cologne, I was excited to try it. With a name like Energise, I figured it’d be a youthful and you know, energetic scent.
Upon opening, I get a citrusy type of smell mixed with pink pepper which adds a hint of spiciness. Also, the cocoa beans are faint, but I’m pretty sure I’m detecting them for an added layer of smoothness.
The mint that is present, gives this a coolness to go with the fresh warmth of the pink pepper. However, it just doesn’t seem to have a really crisp edge. It feels pretty flat. Clean, yes, but that’s about all.
Honestly, the opening is just so bland to me. It’s not a bad smell but it does seem really flat and uninspiring. I have no idea where they were trying to take this one. On the one hand, it is a rather unique type of scent just based on the ingredients…BUT there’s nothing really there to make it pop. Just a semi-sweet blend of citrus and pink pepper.
There wasn’t too much of a drydown period with Energise either, as it doesn’t hold for very long. Some leather, the remaining citrus, and pink pepper. That’s about all that I get from this.
Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility
The sillage isn’t huge, probably call it a lighter moderate cologne. It’s somewhat noticeable, but isn’t going to really assert itself.
While the projection is moderate, it only seems to last a few hours. Seriously, after a few tries with this scent, I got it to last 3 hours at its maximum. Somewhere in that range, is about what one can expect from Energise.
I suppose that this was meant to be a casual scent, since it certainly isn’t romantic, energizing, or seductive in any way. I would say that this would be more geared toward younger guys, but not completely a teenager’s fragrance. It has enough maturity to go higher in age range.
Overall Impressions of Energise
Overall, I’m just confused by this cologne. What’s its purpose? Performance is subpar and it is totally average while it does work. I can’t recommend Energise when there are so many others out there that are much better, including from Hugo Boss.
I don’t think that it smells bad at all. It’s just, meh. If it had better performance, I could maybe give it a thumbs up, at a cheap enough price point. But even for cheap, Energise doesn’t strike me as being worth it.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.
I’ve already done a best of Hugo Boss cologne post, as well as reviews for Hugo Red and No.6. So, I thought that I should do a full review of Hugo. Per usual, I want to explore how this fragrance opens, how it performs, what it smells like, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth a potential purchase. Please continue below to read my full rating and review of Hugo.
What does Hugo by Hugo Boss Smell Like?
Notes include: woods, mint, grapefruit, apple, lavender, basil, cedar
This is one of those fragrances that I remember from my childhood. Hugo dates back to the 1990s and I distinctly remember this scent, as I believe that my brother had a bottle. The opening of Hugo is a terrific blend of a green type of scent with hints of citrus.
This cologne is so damn fresh and clean and is a real pleasure to take in. Very much a product of the era. The top layer of this fragrance is the crisp notes of mint, apple, and grapefruit. Mint and apple add a cooling sensation to the aroma.
These notes reinforce the clean springtime aura that Hugo puts out with some extra masculine spice from the basil note. Also, with the newer bottles the apple note seems to be stronger than in the older formulations than I recall. Sort of like as found in Tommy by Tommy Hilfiger, except this isn’t nearly as sweet.
The lavender note plays a big role here giving it a smoothness and slight floral aroma which presents itself as totally mellow and casual. That’s exactly how I view Hugo, mellow and casual.
Hugo is a pretty straightforward and linear cologne. Beyond this, you get a woodiness from the base and the overall smell becomes blended together more, and each note feels less distinct.
Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility
Projection wise, it’s not a beast but it is noticeable. Hugo isn’t a heavy fragrance, so it is unlikely to offend those around you.
Longevity, I can usually squeeze out 6 hours of this stuff, so pretty moderate on that end. Older bottles, could probably get a few more hours. However, this isn’t a fragrance that has gotten reformulated to death. It retains almost all of its originality and power.
It’s pretty versatile but I’d say it’s more suited for a casual, everyday type of cologne. Late spring and summer is where Hugo really shines, the fresh citrus just begs to be worn during the warmer months of the year.
If you just need something to wear around, that can cover most all of your bases, this Hugo Boss can do it.
Overall Impressions of Hugo
Overall, is Hugo worth a purchase? I’d say yes, if you’re in the market for a good summertime cologne. I like this offering from Hugo Boss but I lean more towards Bottled Boss No.6 or Hugo Red over this one most of the time.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a really good casual scent, though not wholly unique and can be sort of generic. However, Hugo does get the job done and if you can catch it in your price range, it’s worth a shot.
I have been seeing bottles for super cheap as of late. In that case, it’s well worth a shot in the $20-35 range. This is a 90s style fragrance, so, it’s not going to be what most younger guys are used to. Not a bad thing, just no longer a commonplace experience.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.
Vanilla is a popular note used in fragrances for both men and women. Frankly, I love the way it can add a sweet smoothness when used correctly in scents. Vanilla can be a very seasonal type of note when it is predominately featured in a fragrance and I think you’ll find most of the colognes on this list would probably best serve you during the cooler months of the year. I have included 8 selections on this list and of course there are more out there but I feel that these are the best of the bunch.
Vanilla Colognes: What are the Best Perfumes for Men?
Top Luxury Vanilla Fragrance
Creed Sublime Vanille Cologne for Men 8.4 oz Eau De Parfum– So, let’s start out with this hyper-expensive entry from Creed. Sublime Vanille has one of, if not, the best vanilla notes that I have ever smelled in a fragrance. It’s fantastic.
It’s sweet and creamy, mixed with tonka bean during the dry down period. Sublime Vanille opens with citrus notes, which gives it a nice orange creamsicle vibe.
The citrus note fades a bit as it moves on and there is an emergence of a soft musk note which adds depth to the composition. Sublime Vanille is more of a unisex scent and once it gets going, it’s pretty linear in its aroma throughout the rest of the wear.
This Creed is soft and airy, good for casual or dressed up styles. Again, this one is a high end scent, but the vanilla doesn’t get much better (if at all) than what’s in here. Here is my full wear review.
Best Overall Cologne with a Vanilla Led Blend
Giorgio Armani Code Absolu EDP Eau de Parfum For Men 3.7oz– Code Absolu has become my favorite issuance from this Armani line. The vanilla, comes along heavier later in the wear, and is joined by a host of smooth and spicy ingredients.
Code Absolu opens up with nutmeg, rum, suede, and tonka bean. There is also a hint of citrus and crisp apple, in the background. The spice of the nutmeg is dominant for a few minutes, before the suede and tonka bean really take over.
The fresh spice here is great, nutmeg and rum, are surprisingly great together. The fruit notes, are also just strong enough, to prevent it being a completely dark fragrance.
This one is fresh, warm, with a nice sweetness from vanilla and tonka bean. The projection is strong, but not absurdly so, and the longevity consistently hits 10+ hours, on my skin. Code Absolu Full Review
Top Nightlife/Youthful Vanilla Blend
Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male Eau de Toilette Intense 40ml Spray– Originally, I had Le Male, on this list. However, that was before the release of Ultra Male by Jean Paul Gaultier. This flanker fragrance to the original, takes what was great about it, and does it even better.
A warm and spicy aroma highlighted by vanilla and pear notes, which gives it a sweet and candy-like edge. I have a full bottle of Ultra Male and it is a fragrance that I wore pretty much all winter in 2018.
The mint and cinnamon combination adds a very nice spice to the uber sweet arrangement. This JPG scent delivers very good sillage and I’ve always gotten around 9 hours of solid wear from it. This is a colder weather scent, that is sexy, and built for the nightlife. Ultra Male is great, upbeat, and a worthy successor to the original Le Male. Ultra Male Full Review
Best Vanilla and Tobacco Blend
TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum 50 ML(1.7 OZ)– A high performing giant in the world of fragrance. Tobacco Vanille is obviously highlighted by those two notes, but it’s excellent blend of sweetness and spiciness is what really sets it apart.
Expensive? Yes, but it delivers an experience that is all its own. This is masculine, refined, and a fragrance that really shines in the winter time.
This is another one, like Sublime Vanille, that features an absolutely divine vanilla note. It’s very realistic and smells utterly perfect to my nose. Add to the two main notes, you get a lovely cacao, fruits, and creamy tonka bean.
The scent is also quite dry and doesn’t have a ‘juicy’ fruit sensation. Overall, it is super sweet and spicy, while being a performance scent that will last and project for ages. Tobacco Vanille Review
Pi can be a great go to fragrance for a guy who wants something affordable that can be worn every day (outside of the hottest months). What I really like about this Givenchy cologne, is it’s subtle earthiness and herbal qualities that lie just underneath the vanilla sweetness.
Pi is a rich and very cozy scent to wear on the coldest days. It’s sensual powdered dry down and that great little almond addition, always seem to draw complements. It has been around for a few decades at this point and still has legions of fans, who swear by the power of Pi.
There are those warm sort of smoky elements that create an interesting take on the usual, sugary kind of vanilla colognes.
It’s profile overall, is that of the orient. Opium is mysterious and has a sort of ancient charm to the aroma, its resinous and spicy. The whole thing envelopes you skin and the vanilla note is in the heart of it all. I wish that I had more of my vintage bottle of this Yves Saint Laurent classic. My Opium Pour Homme Review
A moderate fragrance with woodsy notes that is great for casual wear. The apple, cinnamon, and vanilla give Boss No. 6 a sweet yet crisp aroma. This is a good one for those who want a vanilla based scent that is blended with other notes and can be worn as an everyday sort of cologne.
Boss No. 6 is a fairly inexpensive choice and has a gourmand sensability. Its sweetness is like that of baked goods: warm and tasty. The wood notes emerge led by sandalwood and mahogany to give this Hugo Boss scent, more masculine depth.
It all comes together as light, a bit powdery, and spicy cologne with that lovable vanilla note sitting in the thick of it. Boss No. 6 Review
This one reminds me of these little root beer candies, that I ate sometimes, as a child. Orange, almond, and the vanilla come together to give it a sweet, somewhat nutty, fizziness.
Akin to carbonation. Mandorlo is fresh and dries down, mostly as vanilla, with a powdered sugar quality. The sillage is fairly light, but it can last for 6-7 hours, on my skin. My Full Review is Here
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.
All right, so I’ve already done two installments of the best smelling fragrances for guys under $30. As such, I thought that I’d step it up to the next level of expensiveness, while still being affordable. So, in this post I’m going to focus on men’s colognes for under $50 BUT instead of rehashing the same cheap offerings, it’s going to be scents above 30 but below the 50 dollar cutoff. This range opens a whole new list of possible daily wear scents and one’s that are a bit more complex than the average cheapy cologne. I’m going to base this list off of the current Amazon prices, so, these scents may be more expensive elsewhere.
A sweet and pleasant fragrance for casual wear with notes of apple and vanilla. Moderate longevity but a solid experience at this price point. My Boss No. 6 review
I’m going to use Polo Blue as a stand in here to represent many Polo colognes that are available for under $50. It really depends what kind of scent you enjoy and Ralph Lauren probably makes something enjoyable in that style. Blue is a nice aquatic. Read my Review
Another Versace scent. Eau Fraiche shines in the summertime, with it’s frozen citrus scent, that projects well and lasts for a long time. Read my Eau Fraiche review
This is but a mere selection of the great scents available for men for under $50. The selections on the list will, however, fit a wide range of styles. Be sure to check out other options from these designers which will typically cost around the same amount.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.
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