spicebomb infrared

Ranking the Best Spicebomb Fragrances

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Spicebomb is the signature men’s line from Viktor & Rolf, the counterpart to the vast array of Flowerbomb releases on the women’s side of things. Since the release of Spicebomb EDT, the designer has steadily released different flankers to capitalize on that initial popularity.

But, now that we have so many options to choose from by V&R, which are the best? I am  going to use this page to keep a running tab on my favorites by ranking and to link my full reviews, as I release them.

Ranking My Favorite Spicebomb Colognes

Note: I’ll update the list once I’ve gotten to try out the new Metallic Musk flanker release.

The Top Spot

Spicebomb Extreme– This one is still the best Spicebomb in terms of how it smells. However, it might not be the best pick for everyone.

Extreme is very much a colder weather sort of fragrance and it can really be a massive tobacco and vanilla scent at times. So, if that’s not your thing you might want to go for something like Night Vision instead.

Extreme opens with that heavy tobacco, sweet vanilla, some lavender, and a touch of spice. Again, it’s not overly spicy, in comparison. Instead it’s smooth, warm, and sweet.

This fragrance is mainly about the tobacco note, more than any spices, which seem to just play backup. Tobacco, vanilla, spices, and saffron/lavender. Has this sweetish, somewhat gourmand quality.

Spicebomb Extreme has great performance and is well worth checking out. Spicebomb Extreme review

Original Appeal

Spicebomb EDT– Currently, the original is basically neck and neck to me with Night Vision EDP. I could easily swap these two on the list.

Spicebomb opens with that spice going strong already and a pretty noticeable mix of grapefruit and bergamot.

Beyond that, pink pepper comes through with the cinnamon blend in a pretty even split at first. Feels like a 60/40 split to me, but cinnamon will increasingly take over.

As it develops, that sharp spice blast settles down and gets smoothed out by the heart notes emerging. I get plenty of saffron and vetiver, which gives Spicebomb more maturity compared to that youthfully energetic opening.

Leather slips in very lightly during the middle, adding to the smoothness and character of this cologne.

The performance isn’t quite as good as it used to be, but still a useful scent to have in the rotation. Spicebomb review

Cool Vision

Spicebomb Night Vision EDP– Night Vision EDP is one that I liked wearing a lot, but it was never a complete love. Far and away better than the EDT version, though. Just a better balance and mix.

Nightvision EDP kicks off woodier and with cooler spiciness than the original or others in this line. I get some lemon essence and red pepper up top that gives it familiarity to the EDT, though this one isn’t as sweet to my nose.

The spices here seem to be a black and red pepper blend. But the clary sage note is what really jumps out to me after the opening starts to fade. It’s fresh and cool but also gets smoothed out by the woody base notes.

The wood is fir, but this is fir balsam, giving it that benzoin-like smell.

From here, it’s pretty straightforward. The spiciness fades and it becomes more about aromatic freshness, which lets some of the sweetness peek back through. Night Vision EDP review

The performance is pretty good, not great. The scent is good, not great. But, it gives you a cooler sort of fresh spice versus the more in your face spiciness of the original. Night Vision eau de parfum review

A Sweeter Spice

Spicebomb Infrared EDT– I bought a bottle of Infrared when it came out. I wear it on occasion, but not that often anymore. The red berry and tobacco mix with cinnamon is really bold and can be quite sweet.

I don’t think the eau de parfum really improved anything over this initial Infrared release. They’re about the same in terms of how much I enjoy them or if I want a leather note (the EDP).

Apparently this one has been discontinued. So, if you want to try Infrared EDT, you’ll probably have to find it online before the remaining stocks gets too expensive. Infrared EDT review

Second Infrared

Spicebomb Infrared EDP– Again, not really any better than the EDT, in my opinion. Some may prefer this, but to me they’re about the same in terms of my enjoyment wearing each of these.

This is a bit fresher and feels smoother in the dry down with its leather note. The leather is blended well and isn’t completely taking over the composition. It’s good, but I don’t need a bottle, since I already have EDT.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s near the bottom of the list for me, while still being a pretty good cologne overall.

More Leather

Spicebomb Dark Leather– Well, if you like leather but don’t want to go with the Infrared option, Viktor & Rolf came out with Spicebomb Dark Leather.

I’ve only tried this once, so, I don’t have a complete review on it. But, for now, this is where I’m putting this Spicebomb on the list. I like it, but wasn’t something that really grabbed my attention.

I remember it having a peppery start, with more of a softer cinnamon accompanying the leather and tobacco notes. Still, this one is more leather heavy than Infrared EDP, some nice spice mixture.  Yet, it didn’t seem all that powerful in terms of performance.

Another Night

Spicebomb Night Vision EDT– Night Vision EDT is my least favorite. The eau de parfum is much better, if you want this same sort of style, and every other cologne on the list is better if you don’t.

With this one, I tend to really notice the sage and geranium notes. For whatever reason, those two are really heightened on my skin.

The opening is some light grapefruit, spice, and tonka bean along with the aforementioned notes. The scent has some high points, but is fairly forgettable overall. Also, the performance isn’t great, I only get around 5 hours of wear from Night Vision EDT.

Spicebomb Infrared EDT by Viktor & Rolf

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Spicebomb is a series of colognes, for which I have generally positive opinion on. The more recent Night Vision entries weren’t that great and were a step down from the original and Spicebomb Extreme.

As such, I wasn’t all that curious about trying Infrared, lest it be another mediocre fragrance. Eventually, I grabbed a sample of the stuff to test it out and review it for the site. How does it smell? Does it perform well? Is it even worth a try?

Spicebomb Infrared EDT Overview

Notes include: red berries, tobacco, habanero, cinnamon, saffron

Buy from Macy’s: Spicebomb Infrared EDT

My Full Review

Infrared kicks off with its hottest notes coming through in a big way. But also, the sweetness of the red berry oil leading the way and giving the Spicebomb formulation a different aroma.

The cinnamon is the dominant spice here and early on it is joined by that habanero pepper which really ramps things up. Infrared is intense, but never heavy-handed with how it comes across.

It’s always got it its warmth coming through but the spiciness also has a very fresh aspect, that is great.

Underneath that initial blast is the saffron note, which will take over for the red pepper accord. The cinnamon sticks around, but it is joined by that saffron note for a while. Also, benzoin appears to be in the mix, but comes across more like a pure amber to my nose.

After that phase, it will mostly be about the cinnamon and tobacco. The fruity sweetness of the berries hangs around for the entirety, but you get closer to the familiar Spicebomb DNA for the rest of the wear.

The saffron is probably the fourth most prominent note, but the habanero heat from early on has disappeared from the blend.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Infrared starts off with a pretty strong sillage. It is powerful and will project itself nicely. However, it settles into much more of a moderate scent overall. It’ll hit that 4-6 foot range for a good portion of the wear, before coming closer to the skin.

Not a monster and not a weak fragrance.

I get about 6-7 hours of wear on my skin with Infrared. It’s about what I get from other entries in the Spicebomb series, outside of Extreme, which goes on forever. For an EDT fragrance, it’s pretty darn good. Though, it could be better.

I’m not disappointed that much in the performance, since I get plenty of use out of it within that time frame. Just know what to expect, before purchasing.

Seasonally, it is best for autumn and winter. The colder temperatures will really let Infrared shine. However, I wore it on a day where the temperature was around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and actually was really great.

It was outdoors with a breeze and that is what sold me on getting a full bottle of Spicebomb Infrared.

This one is best used casually or for the nightlife. It does lean younger in its target demographic, but anyone could wear this really, just don’t expect some super formal cologne. That’s not what Infrared is.

It does have mass appeal and a level of sexiness to it. Gourmand, warm, attractive, with a masculine tobacco note.

Overall Impressions of Infrared

Overall, do I like Spicebomb Infrared? Yes, it has become my second favorite entry from the Spicebomb lineup. Extreme is better in terms of smell. Though, since it’s better for colder weather and the climate around me doesn’t get there too often, I purchased this one.

This versus Spicebomb EDT is a close call. I think the original used to be better and be a better performer, but it’s lost a step.

The opening act is really awesome. I love the red berries, habanero, and cinnamon spice. It’s very warm, spicy, and sweet. This stage completely sells you on the ‘red’ color chosen for the marketing of this fragrance.

The dry down gives me more of the traditional Spicebomb aromas, but Infrared still does it’s own thing. Still sweet, with the cinnamon and tobacco notes really coming through to the end. Fresh, not too harsh, with a softer spice than encountered in the opening.

The performance is good enough. Not great, but not poor, either.

Overall, I like this one a lot. I mean, I bought a full bottle shortly after trying the sample for the first time. It’s not my favorite scent ever or anything, just one that I enjoy wearing and want to experience this autumn and upcoming winter.