Boss Spirit

Allow me to begin this by saying that it is unintentional for 3 Boss fragrances to be reviewed in a row. Well......almost in a row. It's simply coincidence.

 For about 2 years now I have been on the fence about buying Boss Spirit. All my research dictated I would love this and it surely would be the best Boss release of them all. I have been known to be wrong ( just ask Mrs. Aromi ), but I was pretty certain about this one.

I thank God that I have become a bit smarter in my buying habits. Until recently, I would buy certain fragrances blind and naturally they would be bottles. Suffice it to say I've had my share of hits and misses, but the misses started to become very frustrating. I should add that it is probably stupid as well, but that may be a bit harsh as I do not wish to call others who may be reading this stupid. I simply speak for myself.

Anyway, back to Boss Spirit. Yes, the one I would love without ever smelling it beforehand. I purchased only a mini to be on the safe side. I figured once I PROVED that I loved it, a full bottle would be in order. I sprayed 5 healthy spritzes and the initial opening of aldehydes, mint and wood immediately fooled me into thinking this was going to be as awesome as I hoped. It took a few minutes for me to realize that this wasn't the powerhouse I thought it would be. You see, that's what I wanted.........a kick ass and take names leather chypre from 1989.

The opening is very good, but it only lasts about 2 minutes on my skin before morphing into a bland chypre. I really love the first few minutes and I attribute that to the aldehyde in the top accord. It's coupled with a sharp green note and some woodiness. There's an underlying mint that goes really well with the green note, but the aldehyde makes it a winning introduction.

Once that wanes, Boss Spirit seems to flatten out on me. It's no longer a sparkling, attention getting aroma. It's nice, but I expected something much more incendiary. It relaxes into a combination of green, a bit of mint and some light lavender atop a wood base within 5 minutes. The lavender is a good rendition. It never gets caustic or soapy and emits a clean vibe to the transition.

The floral heart has no definition to it. I find it muddled and the lavender in it trumps the other players. Unless it's the mini ( which seems and smells completely intact ), the jasmin and rose are one of the lowest volume renditions I've come across. Even the geranium is holding a "Have you seen me" sign. It doesn't make Boss Spirit a losing proposition. I just would have enjoyed those 3 notes having more of a say in things.

The drydown doesn't save the day for me either. It's more boring than subtle with a musky amber accord leading the way. The leather in this is a misnomer. It may be a version I'm unfamiliar with, but alas, it's unrecognized ( or possibly hidden ) under the musky amber and soft patchouli. The green vibe stays alive through all this from a thriving tarragon note and these 4 notes bring Boss Spirit home.

I have to give this one a neutral rating. It's nice, but nothing special enough to warrant the prices it's fetching. I'm just happy I didn't get a full bottle of this.