Picking the right cologne can become a daunting task with the many options there are out there. Even in one collection, multiple fragrances share a name and similar notes. The key is finding the one that works best for us.
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This Spicebomb Cologne review can help us find the right cologne as we look at the specifics behind it and each pro and con.
Our Top Five Picks
Best Winter Scent
Spicebomb Infrared is one of the newest members of the Spicebomb collection. This particular Spicebomb is quite versatile. Like the rest on the line, the typical season is winter, and the time is night, but Infrared works just as great in the spring and daytime.
The scent notes in the base of Infrared are tobacco and benzoin. The top notes consist of saffron, red fruits, and pink pepper. Cinnamon seems to be the lasting smell of Infrared, though it is part of the middle notes along with red pepper.
Sillage with Infrared is not amazing, but decently average. However, the scent is long-lasting on clothing. Typically, Infrared is associated with the winter holidays because of the middle cinnamon tone, but it can smell just as good in the early spring and late fall.
PROS: Long lasting, decent sillage
CONS: A little overpowering
- For: Men
- Seasons: Fall, Winter
- Wear it: Night
- Launched: 2021
Best for Date Scent
Spicebomb Night Vision EDT is one of the freshest scents in the Spicebomb line, though it does not smell at all like the original. Because of the difference from the original, Night Vision struggled when first released, though its popularity has since skyrocketed.
Night Vision starts with top notes of grapefruit, cardamom, apple, and green mandarin. The smell will gradually change to a middle tone of clove, nutmeg, sage, pepper, geranium, and red chili pepper. The base notes of Night Vision take a woodsy turn with almond and tonka bean.
The EDT (Eau de Toilette) of Night Vision contains less pure fragrance than the Night Vision EDP (Eau de Parfum), which is the same scent but with a higher concentration of ingredients. The higher concentration means it lasts longer, and the sillage is better.
PROS: Decent sillage, decently long-lasting
CONS: Very different from original Spicebomb
- For: Men
- Seasons: Fall, Spring
- Wear it: Night, Day
- Launched: 2019
Best Night Out Scent
Spicebomb EDT is the traditional Viktor & Rolf cologne that did so well an entire collection of colognes from the company followed it. It is typically associated with the winter months and nighttime, though it works just as well in the fall.
The original Spicebomb is a classic Polge woody scent with base notes of leather, tobacco, and vetiver. The top and middle notes are a mix of grapefruit, bergamot, elemi, cinnamon, saffron, pink pepper, and paprika.
The scent notes from the original Spicebomb continued to be utilized throughout several of the different colognes in the collection. Spicebomb lasts about 6 to 7 hours, and the sillage is good but not overpowering.
PROS: Great sillage, very long-lasting
CONS: Limited to winter and fall, not the best packaging
- For: Men
- Seasons: Winter, Fall
- Wear it: Night
- Launched: 2012
Best Year-Round Scent
Spicebomb Night Vision EDP is the sibling cologne of the EDT of the same name. The main difference between the two products is that this is an Eau de Parfum while the other is an Eau de Toilette.
Night Vision EDP was released a year after the EDT, and includes heaps more ingredients than the EDT. Some of the new ingredients consist of clary sage, mint, pistachio, cedar, rosemary, and patchouli. The middle tones were redefined, and the base notes were changed, though the top notes stayed the same as the EDT.
This EDP can have an overwhelmingly strong scent if overly applied. It is easy to put on too much of this cologne, but if the appropriate amount is applied it presents a pleasing, fresh, floral scent.
PROS: Good packaging, great sillage, long-lasting
CONS: Easily becomes an overpowering scent
- For: Men
- Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring
- Wear it: Night or Day
- Launched: 2020
Best Woody Scent
Spicebomb Extreme was released at the beginning of the Spicebomb collection. It was one of Polge’s nods to his favorite type of cologne, wood scents. Extreme was the first successor to the original Spicebomb and its success led to the entire collection's creation.
Extreme makes an impression with considerable vanilla fragrance. Tobacco, black pepper, lavender, and caraway are all mixed in to create this unique scent with the vanilla, though it builds the lasting base scent with a smokiness.
This cologne is quite popular, but when a lot is applied, the vanilla can be a little overwhelming. That is not an issue if the cologne is applied properly. The longevity of Extreme is extremely good, sometimes even lasting beyond a wash!
PROS: Very long-lasting, good sillage
CONS: Overwhelming when heavily applied
- For: Men
- Seasons: Winter, Fall
- Wear it: Night or Day
- Launched: 2015
About Viktor & Rolf
Viktor and Rolf pride themselves in their fashion designs, but they jumped out on a limb with their Flowerbomb perfume.
Because of the success of the woman-centered fragrance, they decided to try their hand at a cologne. And it was a success! That is how the Spicebomb collection began!
Who Makes The Cologne?
The genius behind the Spicebomb Collection is Olivier Polge. Polge chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a perfumer just like him - only Polge looked big.
From Chanel to Viktor & Rolf, Polge has made his mark on the fragrance world with his almost trademarked woody and oriental scents.
After the success of the original Spicebomb, other perfumers came in to collaborate on new releases for the collection. Such perfumers include famous people like Nathalie Lorson and Pierre Negrin.
Our Final Thoughts
Spicebomb is a successful, good-smelling collection that built an entirely new area for Viktor & Rolf to discover. Each cologne blends pieces of the original woody scent with fresh fun ingredients that make up a diverse portfolio.
While Viktor & Rolf are not exactly a luxury brand, their colognes are more high-end. The Spicebomb collection is excitingly differentiated and caters to all kinds of users.
Born and raised in Austin, David is a dedicated writer and avid fragrance lover. When he's not trying out perfumes, he enjoys traveling and exploring new restaurants.