Hugo Boss Classic

Hugo Boss Classic, inspired by BOSS Number One (1985)

Number One opens on a herbal, slightly bitter mix of artemisia, juniper, caraway and basil, freshened by bergamot, lemon and green apple. Honey then rounds out a heart of lavender, rose, geranium and orris, giving it a golden smoothness. Tobacco, oakmoss and patchouli carry the drydown, with sandalwood, cedar and a little cinnamon. It is a fougère, the barbershop structure of lavender over moss and wood, in its fuller 1980s form.

About the original

BOSS Number One was the first Hugo Boss men's fragrance, launched in 1985 and usually credited to perfumer Pierre Wargnye. It is also known as Boss Classic and Boss No. 1, which explains this product's name. It is a different scent from BOSS Bottled (1998), sometimes called Boss No. 6, and from the HUGO Man line.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Hugo Boss stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Mature and gentlemanly is how wearers tend to describe it, and many keep it for cooler months and formal wear. The honey and tobacco give it a retro richness far from today's fresh blue scents. Oakmoss and orris add a dusty, faintly powdery quality that some will find dated.

Related scents

• Hugo Boss Boss Bottled
• Hugo Boss Elements

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Artemisia, Juniper, Caraway, Bergamot, Lemon, Basil, Green Apple, Grapefruit

Heart notes: Honey, Lavender, Rose, Sage, Jasmine, Geranium, Orris Root, Lily-of-the-valley

Base notes: Tobacco, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Musk, Amber, Cinnamon, Cedar

Artemisia, juniper and basil make the top herbal and green, with bergamot, lemon, grapefruit and green apple adding freshness.

Honey and lavender then take over, supported by rose, jasmine, geranium, sage and orris.

The base is tobacco and oakmoss with patchouli, sandalwood, cedar, amber and a dash of cinnamon.

Is Hugo Boss Classic the same as Boss Number One?

Yes. Boss Classic and Boss No. 1 are alternative names for BOSS Number One, the 1985 original.

Is BOSS Number One still made?

We have not been able to confirm whether Hugo Boss still produces it.

Is it sweet?

Somewhat. Honey gives the heart a golden sweetness, while herbs, oakmoss and tobacco stop it from turning sugary.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Hugo Boss and Boss Number One are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Hugo Boss in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.