Hey Posse! You’ll know the name Rodrigo Flores-Roux. As close to perfume royalty as such a title could offer. Over 200 perfumes signed by him and counting. Celebrating its 15th year but now only available through the discounters, very reasonably too. So I’m guessing Boss Orange for Men is discontinued but not at the point where there’s scarcity. My memory, always a bit iffy, is that there was a perfume store in the mall doing a big clearance in the early days Jin and I were together. We bought a whole box load of bottles, some BNIB, some returned and a bunch of testers. I think this was one Jin picked for himself.
You’ll note the newer bottle in the top pick, ours is the older, faceted bottle shown below. He’s used over a third of the juice, it’s a standby but not a serious go-to like Bombay Bling or Bottega Veneta EdP.
This is such a big call but I find the creation and blending of Boss Orange for Men as good and as lovely as anything Le Galion has produced. Inspired by this idea I went and checked if Rodrigo Flores-Roux’d made anything for Le Galion and the answer is yes. He has produced eight of their fragrances, five of which I bought, retail! One I was given by the gents. If that’s not enough of a sell, I don’t know what is.
Boss Orange for Men by Hugo Boss 2011
Found these featured accords online, no note list is the same so I’ve added them together:
Top: Red Apple, Coriander
Heart: Incense, Spices, Sichuan Pepper
Base: Vanilla, Woodsy Notes, Patchouli
Red apple? Well it’s a fruity open but I would have aid Nashi Pear. It’s a lovely bright, slightly green leaning open. Perfect for summer. Oh, hold on, about a minute or so in it does smell like one of those big old floury apples, Fair play.
Don’t be expecting a sizzling spicy event. Boss Orange for Men has spices but they are cool, not yet hit the pan. Actually, the whole opening of the fragrance is smooth and very relaxed. The incense is not sticks, or burning, it’s the tears of frankincense and myrrh in their solid resinous form. I know this is a fairly basic mall offering but it’s so stylish. While it’s aimed at the dudes this is a very feminine fragrance. The sweetness of the fruit working so beautifully with the silky resins and spices. How was Boss Orange for Men not a hugely popular and famous designer offering.
I’m about 30 minutes in and the vanilla is really doing a lovely, patchouli soaked play for supremacy. They’re not getting it all their own way though, and this friction keeps Boss Orange for Men interesting and playful well into dry down.
This might be a bit too sophisticated for the bro crew but such a lovely choice for anyone else. If smelling good is your aim, you’re not a niche snob and you love a bargain then I think you might have found a new grand love.
Dis you try or wear Boss Orange for Men?
Portia xx
that … sounds lovely and now I’m off to see if I can score a cheap bottle, preferably the faceted one, because that is what happens when I come read your reviews, you scent siren!
HA! March. That is a huge compliment. Hope you can find it and that it sings songs of glory on you.
Portia xx
I’ve never tried Anything Boss – but you make me want to try this!
Grrrr
HA! Just a spritz at the mall next time you’re in town, on a card, in case Musette.
Portia xx
Rodrigo Flores-Roux is one of my top 5 favorite perfumers. He did the Arquiste line of fragrances and the original Frassai releases. I love some in both perfume houses. Orange Boss, despite the perfumer, doesn’t really appeal to me which is fine. I have too many things perfume-wise to do and to catch up with already.
Hey there Maya,
Yeah, he has quite the oeuvre.
Some times we just have to know that we can’t like or have everything.
Portia xx
You know, I skipped these and this is why one shouldn’t be a snob. First, because you can miss some gems, and second, everyone has to start somewhere. So it’s in some ways more interesting to see what they can do with a brief and a budget. Kind of makes me want to research some earlier work of other big names. Or even ask one of them what the challenges and rewards of working that way as opposed to having everything you want at your disposal and (sometimes) no budget restrictions. You know people and are charming. Ask..
HA! TOM! WTF! Bossy much?
Maybe I will. Let me percolate.
Portia xx
Portia, I love when a little research reveals that the same perfumer created several of one’s favorite scents! So satisfying to know that yes, my nose consistently approves of that person’s style. Boss Orange sounds like a great one. I’ll keep it in mind for gift giving!
Hey DinaC, Yes! I’m really a bit chuffed with myself for even thinking it, let alone following the trail.
I was going to say it will make an excellent gift but completely forgot as I got lost in the writing.
Portia xx
Which notes really sing on Jin? Was he into perfume before you guys hooked up?
Never tried this. Apple can be really good in perfume, IMHO. Am thinking of Lutens — the thing with pine — Fille en Aiguilles which has that lush stewed apple accord.
Hey Cinnamon,
He wears a broad spectrum, all of which combine with his own scent in revelatory ways. From aquatic, spices, amber, through fruit to oud. It’s uncanny.
Fille en Aiguilles! RIP! One of my absolute faves.
Portia x
Is there a lot of cross-over in what you have? Does Jin pinch? Do you? I think my dream man would have a skin chemistry that made all my SL’s smell like sauerkraut on him.
Not if he still insisted on wearing them! Bleeargh!
…unless you have a particular affinity for the smell of sauerkraut (?)
HA! Tom, you’re hilarious.
We only have a couple in both our collections. For a while Jin would come into the perfume room while I was blogging and grab a bottle, sniff a few lids and steal a couple of spritzes. Nowadays he has such a broad collection that I don’t see him in here much.
I remember Orange Woman was one of my go to work scents in my first Matron job. Not sure I ever sniffed the masculine targeted version but it sounds better than it needs to be for a “mall” fragrance. It’s still in bricks & mortar stores here in the UK so will fo a drive by next time I’m out & about
Heya Alityke,
I have the women’s in my collection. It’s so close to Cacharel Liberté that it rarely gets the spritz but very nicely done also.
I’ll be interested to read your thoughts if you have a spritz.
My Jil Sander Sun shower gels arrived. SQUEEEE!
Portia xx
Was that the parcel with the leak? Hope you enjoy all those bubbles x
It WAS the parcel. A 4711 shower gel was open and spilled through the package. Fortunately in a plastic bag that must have survived till I got the parcel because the degradation had just let it melt into the cardboard.
I’ve got a full shelf of gels in my bathroom currently. As soon as one is empty I’ll be hitting the Sun.