We’ve been recommending Spicebomb in so many of our men’s gift guides and overall best cologne lists and our readers buy it all the time. But does it really live up to the hype?
We first reviewed Spicebomb back in 2017 and decided it was time to update our review again in 2024 to try and help guys (and the gals who buy them their cologne) and honest take on all aspects of the fragrance.
Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf is the men’s cologne that was factually first introduced back in 2012. It’s become really popular over the years and, at one point or another just about every guy has worn it.
In terms of its popularity in recent years, so many have picked it up for themselves or gifted it due to the “cool factor” of the bottle itself. It’s kind of a work of art. But there’s more to Spicebomb than just the bottle.
In terms of scent, Spicebomb is a warm, spicy fragrance that’s both playful and intense. It opens with top notes of pink pepper, bergamot, and grapefruit, which add a sharp, fruity edge to the scent. At the heart of the fragrance are notes of cinnamon, saffron, and tobacco, which provide a rich, warm, and spicy vibe. At the end, the base notes of leather, vetiver, and tonka bean add depth and longevity to it, making it last throughout the day.
It really has a bold and masculine character, making it perfect for confident men who want to make a statement with their scent.
NOTES BREAKDOWN
Spicebomb is a versatile and sophisticated fragrance that balances fresh, spicy and warm notes to create a unique and captivating scent that is both energizing and calming. For a deeper dive into the various notes, keep scrolling.
TOP NOTES
- Pink pepper, bergamot, and grapefruit, which provide a citrusy and invigorating opening to the scent.
MIDDLE NOTES
- The spicy middle notes consist of cinnamon, paprika, and saffron, which give the fragrance its warm and aromatic character.
BASE NOTES
- Tobacco, leather, and vetiver, which provide depth, richness and a musky, masculine character.
WHAT DOES SPICEBOMB REALLY SMELL LIKE
It’s always difficult to convey what a cologne actually smells like – especially when reading it online. If only we were scratch-n-sniff! Here’s a bit of a breakdown so you can become a bit more familiar with the smell, if you will.
Fresh: The top notes of bergamot and grapefruit give Spicebomb a fresh, citrusy quality that is similar to the scent of freshly squeezed lemon or lime.
Spicy: The middle notes of cinnamon, paprika, and saffron give the fragrance a spicy, aromatic quality that is similar to the scent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies or a warm cup of cinnamon tea.
Warm: The base notes of tobacco, leather, and vetiver give the fragrance a warm, musky, and slightly sweet quality that is similar to the scent of a leather jacket that has been worn for many years or a cozy blanket on a cold winter day.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST
As always, how long a fragrance will last can differ person to person, but typically, the top notes will fade away after the first hour or two, leaving the middle and base notes to linger. The longevity of the middle and base notes will tend to persist for up to around 7 or 8 hours, give or take.
SPICEBOMB SILLAGE LEVEL
A cologne with a high sillage level will typically project well and leave a strong trail. Some feel like too strong can be a bad thing, but it’s really an individuals call.
When it comes to Spicebomb, many feel the sillage is moderate, but we really disagree. We find its sillage to be strong. At times, almost too strong.
When we’ve worn it with more than 2 sprays per use it was almost a bit overwhelming, TBH. Less is more with this one and we recommend to spray yourself just once and see how it interacts with your own skin and body chemistry.
HOW MASCULINE IS SPICEBOMB'S SCENT
On a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 being the most masculine, we would rate the masculinity of Spicebomb as a 9 out of 10.
The scent is designed to be a highly masculine fragrance, and the mix of warm, spicy, and slightly sweet notes creates a bold and sophisticated scent that works for a lot of guys.
THE PROS & CONS
WHAT WE LOVE
Versatile: Spicebomb is a versatile fragrance that works for a variety of occasions, from casual to formal.
Long-lasting: Has a moderate to long-lasting longevity and can last for several hours on the skin – up to 8 hrs.
Bold and Masculine: Highly masculine, with a mix of warm, spicy, and slightly sweet notes that create a bold and sophisticated fragrance.
The bottle is cool as hell and looks great on your nightstand.
JUST A HEADS-UP
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Overpowering For Some: Some people may find it to be too strong or overpowering for their liking.
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As the fragrance is designed to be highly masculine, it may not be suitable for everyone – especially those that may like a lighter and more subdued scent.
IF YOU LIKE SPICEBOMB, YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Mugler A*Men
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
Gucci Guilty Pour Homme
Tom Ford Noir Extreme
Paco Rabanne 1 Million
SPICEBOMB PRICE COMPARISON
There are a lot of sizes to Spicebomb, so in order to keep pricing consistent we looked for specifically the 3 ounce bottle, which is currently the best seller.
NORDSTROM
AMAZON
MACY'S
SEPHORA
Currently the best price we found was on Amazon – on sale for $80, with the runner up being Sephora at a $121 price-point. Buying options and links are below.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Alright folks, so let’s wrap this up. Spicebomb truly is the king of all bold, masculine fragrances. It’s like a warm hug from a mysterious stranger, with its combination of spicy, fresh, and warm notes.
Wearing Spicebomb is like putting on a suit made of confidence and sophistication. It’s versatile, so whether you’re headed to a business meeting or a night out with the guys, this scent has got you covered. And, with its moderate to long-lasting longevity and strong sillage, you’ll be turning heads all day and all night.
Now, we’ve got to be real with you. Spicebomb isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s intense, bold, and unapologetically masculine. So, if you’re the type of guy who likes to play it safe with light, fresh scents, this may not be the one for you. But, if you’re a man who isn’t afraid to turn up the volume, then go for it. For us, we’ve retired this one as to us it’s feeling a bit dated – but we’re fickle like that these days.
