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Greetings, gentlemen; the cold winter months are setting in for us here in the UK, so I was searching for something to warm the old cockles. For the last week, I have been wearing Hugo Boss The Scent Absolute, an amber spicy fragrance for men released in 2019 by Bruno Jovanovic.
This is a flanker of the original Boss The Scent, and you may have guessed that the name “Absolute” is about it being more concentrated and dense than the others.
Others from this line include The Scent Intense, The Scent Parfum and The Scent Private Accord.
I generally like Hugo Boss fragrances; most have been satisfying and of good quality. The last one I reviewed was Boss Bottled Night, which I enjoyed, and you can check out my thoughts about that if interested. But can the same be said about this one?
Here’s what I have found.
Appearance
The bottle looks like it is in a cage, which is different from the norm. Why a cage? Apparently, the contents require it, as it’s too rich and intense for just any old glass bottle. It needs reinforced metal bars to keep its “absolute” masculine essence contained within. At least, that is what Hugo Boss tells us.
It certainly stands out, and I like it. It has a warm, cosy look and reminds me of a lantern hanging outside an old house. I don’t think it was intended to look like a lantern mind, but it’s still charming nonetheless.
Price and where to buy
The price is reasonable for what you are getting and, honestly, cheaper than I expected. Considering that other Hugo Boss fragrances are more expensive (and not as good), I have no issue with the price.
Another factor to consider is that this is an EDP, and they tend to have a higher price tag than the EDTs. That is not the case here, it would seem.
When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.
They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.
Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇
The Notes
Top Notes – Ginger
Middle Notes – Maninka
Base Notes – Vetiver
What I think about the scent
As you can see, this is a straightforward fragrance comprising only three official notes. It has a fresh and fruity opening with just enough ginger to create a pleasant citrus and spicy aroma. If done correctly, I am generally a fan of ginger notes in fragrances, and this comes across exceptionally well here.
After 10-15 minutes, the maninka fruit shines through and remains prominent throughout the rest of the dry-down. Maninka isn’t typical in other fragrances, but if you have previously tried some of the other flankers, you’ll already be familiar with what it smells like. Hugo Boss describes it as a fruity and rum-smelling ingredient, although I am not picking up on the rum at all. To my nose, it’s powdery, exotic, sweet and fruity.
Surprisingly, the only official base note listed is vetiver, which is there but barely detectable. The base is woodier than anything else, with touches of tonka bean and a mild earthy undertone.
There are a few other unlisted notes that can be picked up, but overall, It is a lovely-smelling fragrance and undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser. This is the quality I have now come to expect from Hugo Boss, and you should not be disappointed, particularly if you enjoyed the previous versions.
Compliments?
There are no issues at all with this one in terms of receiving compliments. The people around you will pick up on it, and they will like it.
Is it masculine?
It has a distinctive and masculine tone, but not exactly hairs on chest stuff. For me, traditional masculine scents are less sweet and more green, woody and leathery. Don’t get me wrong, it will still do the job, but much more subtly compared to other fragrances like Polo Green or Paco Rabanne Pour Homme.
Performance?
It’s not a room filler but performs very well, and you will unlikely have any issues in this area. It lasted for around 6 hours on my skin, and for the first 4 hours, most people within approximately 2-3 feet could smell it. 3-4 sprays will do the trick.
It performs as you would expect for an Eau de Parfum. They typically have a concentration of 15-20% pure perfume extract mixed with alcohol.
Want to try this fragrance on your skin?
If you’d prefer to sample it first, these are my two favourite
and most reliable places to get authentic decants:
When to wear?
It’s a seasonal fragrance that would be ideal for the colder weather. It’s far too warm and spicy for the heat, so don’t even think about it.
Where to wear?
I’ve been wearing it everywhere, including the office, and it has yet to cause a disturbance. I wouldn’t usually wear an EDP or Parfum in the office, but this one has just the right balance, thus not to choke out your colleagues.
It would also be great for a night out, dinner or something more formal, such as a wedding.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting bottle design and looks high-quality
- Suited for day and evening wear
- Moderately masculine but sexy
- All round crowd-pleaser
- A good blend of fresh, fruity and sweet notes
- Performance is decent
- Price is reasonable
Cons
- Could get cloying if over-sprayed
- Smells somewhat mainstream and generic in parts
- Could have benefitted from more prominent notes in the base
- Lacking in uniqueness
Should you buy?
This fragrance is above average in quality; however, it may be somewhat generic and predictable to some. If you have a rotation of around 2-3 fragrances, this will fit nicely into your collection and will serve you well.
I have read other reviews about this, saying it is overhyped garbage, which I think is unfair. Sweeter fragrances aren’t usually my thing; however, I recommend it for a younger guy, as I can’t imagine a scenario where he wouldn’t make a good impression wearing it. That is unless he sprayed too much of it, of course. I am always interested in hearing your thoughts, so comment below on your experiences with this one.
READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?
If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:
- FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
- Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.
👉 Pick the option that works best for you.
No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.
WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?
I put together The Ultimate Fragrance Cheat Sheet—a no-fluff guide that covers everything from notes and families to shopping smart and applying like a pro.
It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.