Hugo Energise Hugo Boss

Hugo Energise opens with the kind of bracing freshness that feels almost medicinal in its clarity—pineapple leaf and mint converge with a sharp cardamom bite, creating an initial impression of someone who's just stepped out of an ice-cold shower. There's an almost herbal intensity here, particularly in those opening moments, where the citrus fruits and lemon refuse to play soft; instead, they assert themselves with pink pepper's peppery snap, lending a spiced edge rather than the expected sweetness. As the composition settles, the heart emerges with considerably more nuance: clary sage and coriander create an aromatic, almost cooking-spice quality, whilst freesia attempts to soften the blow with its soapy florality, though it's rather overwhelmed by juniper's gin-like botanicals and nutmeg's warming presence. The jasmine never truly blossoms into anything particularly romantic—it remains subservient to the surrounding spice matrix.

What makes Energise intriguing is its commitment to being aggressively fresh rather than conventionally pleasant. This is a scent for the perpetually active person who favours clarity over comfort, who wants their fragrance to match their morning gym session or their brisk commute through autumn air. The synthetic accords (88%) are unmistakably present, lending an almost ozonic quality that prevents anything from becoming too natural or grounding. It's the fragrance equivalent of a cold towel slapped across the face—invigorating, perhaps, but not necessarily beloved.