201 Hug

201 Hug opens with a tart-sweet pop of blackcurrant and litchi lifted by mandarin, the juicy fruity signature that gives Hugo XX its name. A soft heart follows - powdery rose and jasmine wrapped around a creamy, milky rice-basmati note that lends a cuddly, gourmand-ish warmth. The base settles into musk, amber and sandalwood. Against the Boss original the dupe leans sweeter and more linear: the curious savoury-creamy basmati facet that gave Hugo XX its distinctive edge is muted here, and the drydown is simplified into a soft skin-musk. It wears as a pretty, comforting fruity-floral - easy for casual days, date nights and daily wear across the milder seasons. Projection is modest and longevity skin-close after the opening hours, the usual budget trade against the moderately long-lasting original. As a smell-alike it captures the warm, seductive sweetness fans love while losing a little of the texture and tenacity.