Stulle

That's what I've been asking myself for the last three weeks. A rather unloved Eau de Toilette here, which is seen either as a pure office scent or even as a "scent for beginners in the perfume game." Somewhat respected, but mostly smiled at with a bit of pity from above.

In any case, I wanted to do something nice for a friend who isn't particularly into perfumes (a perpetual Invictus dupe wearer). That friend needed a well-meaning perfumer like me *cough*, to get out of the "Look, mate, this is a cool scent - like the original, just muuuuch cheaper! So for THIS money, it's way better, right?!" - situation.

Since not everyone is financially as well-off as some advanced young buyers, I thought of a mid-range and mid-priced scent that wouldn't polarize, could at least elicit a small "Oh wow! I know that brand, it's good, right?" from a stranger to our matter/addiction, and could be repurchased by him if he liked it.

And (almost) selflessly, as I tend to be, I bravely stepped ahead of my friend, purchased a nearly new bottle of this BOSS scent at the souk (thanks to the nice seller), and then fearlessly and without reservations tried it myself. Even a bit longer, because I keep noticing changes in perception in the mid-range and thus come to new insights.

What I mean is - and honestly: who doesn't know this - that even some spectacular luxury niche fragrances for a hefty price can start to annoy a bit (or even a bit more) after a few days, not appealing to oneself even with forced self-conviction, or simply not matching.
When parents come into the children's room or even colleagues into the office, turning a bit green in the face and friendly grumbling: "Wow, what does it smell like in here? What are you actually doing here all the time?" - then, dear friends, comes the moment to fundamentally rethink the perhaps already sprawling and hundreds of euros expensive perfume collection.

That, at least, is the big moment of (*fanfare*): BOSS - THE SCENT!

At first, it smells somewhat fruity - I still don't know what the legendary Maninka fruit smells like, but I believe the Boss marketing department that it will be somewhat like this in the perfume.
Ginger-like notes create some structure: it doesn't get sticky, but rather a bit freshened up. In the further course, it has a fine herbaceousness that, like the ginger, keeps the sweetness well in check. According to DuPy, that's lavender, and I'm fine with that.
A very light leathery note in the drydown makes the scent quite masculine, without even remotely imitating leather in the style of, for example, Knize 10 or Tuscan Leather.

Now one might say that all of this is rather unexciting: yes, that's exactly how it is, and it should be that way!
That is precisely what makes THE SCENT so pleasant - nothing feels overwhelming, flashy, uneven, overly demanding, tedious, egocentric, grating, loudspeaker-like, intrusive, niche-torturing, forced and unskilled, but everything remains embedded in the overall concept of a generally pleasing scent.

Is this great fragrance art? No, probably not. There are certainly much more exciting things on the market, as we all know, and anyone looking for something highly individual and special doesn't need to test this EdT.
But THE SCENT simply never annoys, and when it is perceived in passing, there are always nice and positive comments. No one has ever said to me: "Dude, this smells okay, but a bit of Eastern Philippine Ylang-Ylang, behind Cambodian Oud, and Botswana Hyraceum would have done this scent good too, right?!"

In any case: I have a problem. I would like to keep the scent after these testing weeks because it simply brings me down-to-earth joy. No scratchy aroma chemicals, no potential to annoy, but on the contrary: unobtrusive fruity notes with a masculine base - I like that, and now I fear that my mate might run out of scent. I can't really do that to him; the boy needs to smell decent for once!

Maybe my altruism will win out after all (or my selfishness, because I meet him occasionally and want to sniff that stuff. Hehe.) and I'll give it to him.
I'll keep you informed. Wishing you a lovely second Advent.

*EDIT SUMMER 2025*

I recently saw my gifted buddy again, and I immediately noticed his new and extremely fitting perfume. The surprise was even greater that it wasn't new, but the BOSS THE SCENT I had chosen!

The scent really suits him extraordinarily well; the leathery notes dominate, but are beautifully accompanied by a fruity freshness that doesn't come off as artificial or sweet at all.

Guys, please don't do this scent an injustice - BOSS knows very well what they are doing. I'm raising the rating by another half a point.

- Without any introduction -

I perceive a kind of citrusy note in the top; it is neither clearly derived from citrus fruits, nor is any other fruit distinctly recognizable. I would attribute this high frequency most closely to cardamom - I just chewed on a seed and find it goes in that direction.
Nutmeg is rather subtly incorporated. Darker and spicier lavender is definitely the protagonist; it does not smell fresh or herbal, which may confuse a more classically oriented lavender fan. It is just a somewhat different variant of this fragrance note.

Vetiver often provides structure within the composition, and soft coumarin then steers it towards Fougère - one must like this, and I would assert that this coumarin in combination with the somewhat unusual lavender is also responsible for the old-school barbershop comparisons.

I like this kind of thing, as I am slowly reaching the age for it; however, I can also understand a certain discomfort among younger noses. Lavender has often been used as soap or sachets against the mustiness of bedroom wardrobes and those nasty little moths!
By the way, I cannot perceive licorice, and I just recently chewed on a piece of sweet wood. A little reminder for the older perfume lovers among us: it is said to raise blood pressure. So it doesn't hurt if it's missing ;)

The difference from the Eau de Toilette (which I really like) is surprisingly large. For me, the Elixir is something like a Sauvage with a heavier weight. It is rounded, balanced, and probably - riding the advertising wave - to be found under various little Christmas trees this Christmas. Only five weeks left - better start getting gifts now, right?!

Lavender soap with rosemary, muscatel sage green, quasi-citrus overtones.
As it develops, the scent becomes a bit smoky; not sacred, but more in a campfire style.
And then a tiny honey note also comes to the fore.
Much later, the (obviously toned down) characteristic oakmoss human note finally appears, and that is simply the most beautiful thing about these old oakmoss fragrances!

I confess: I am indeed a fan of the reformulation-induced core removal of old hits. While depth and fullness of the old originals are often lost, it makes some gnarly comrades nowadays wearable without denying their origins.

Clearly, Paco Rabanne pH is not for twenty-somethings on the prowl. But when a bit of calm settles into life, perhaps one has also gained some focus and clarity - then one should definitely give it a try. And enjoy it relaxed.

TF EXTREME is for me the spicy-unfruity version of TF MEN. Just as relaxed-elegant, but in a balsamic-woody way. A hint of rum, a bit of vetiver. No loudness, but understatement.
At the beginning, I most perceive a cardamom rose, minimally flanked by saffron. I attribute the fruity note to the combination of these elements, as nothing here smells like real fruits. Perhaps a µ of the scent fig, which I am not particularly fond of, can be detected. In this homeopathic amount, my disdain for it is certainly kept in check.

The base note is incredibly cuddly, leathery-sandy, fir balsamic, and still just slightly tipsy. I even think I catch a small, shy cloud of smoke. Everything here is so wonderfully soft-blended and intertwined that it is a true joy!
It's a shame that TFE is no longer available - presumably it was simply too unremarkable, and the clientele punished it with disdain. It would have been my type.

Why not write a review?

I asked myself that as I looked at my far too long statement. So here’s some information spiced up with a bit of opinion.

Aldehydic-soapy with bright citrus, along with juniper, herbal camphor finely integrated, floral accents, galbanum. The base is soft-tarry, camphor & vetiver are prominent, but very smooth and without sharpness. Shaving lotion vibes.

Surprise on fabric: totally soapy and clean, the beautiful details remain largely hidden under the lime soap at first and then emerge over the hours.

For me, this is definitely the most successful scent from the brand so far, also because it is designed to be more masculine than the somewhat more pleasing other shades of gray, without smelling old.
I am also totally pleased that someone in 2023 has the courage for such a hinted reference to the 70s - and hits the mark perfectly.

Top and almost timeless!