Spicebomb Vs. Spicebomb Extreme – My Viktor & Rolf Comparison

All products recommended on Fragrance Review are independently researched, tested, reviewed, and selected by our editorial team. When you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Share now or save for later!

If you’re a fan of Viktor & Rolf fragrances, you’re undoubtedly familiar with both the original Spicebomb and its Extreme version. They’re two of the most popular scents from the brand, and they both have their own unique qualities. The question is, which one is better? And how do you choose between them?

I’ll compare the two in this blog post and let you know which one I think is better. Make sure to keep reading to find out which is worth your money more.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb

Spicebomb
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb

Spicebomb is an eau de toilette created by French perfumer Olivier Polge who is also credited with compositions for designer names like Chanel where he is currently the house perfumer.

Spicebomb was launched in 2012 and is certainly one of Polge’s most interesting creations; a woody spicy blend that is unmistakable from the first spray.

That’s one of the things that I like about Spicebomb; it’s very popular. While this might mean that you’ll end up smelling like lots of other guys, this popularity gives you the confidence that this is an attractive scent.

Speaking of confidence, that’s exactly how you’ll feel when wearing Spicebomb. This is a perfume that is full of sexy character and suits a man who is confident, outgoing, and extroverted.

What does Spicebomb smell like

To me, it smells very rich and exotic, but with a beautiful fresh burst at the head. There are peppery accords apparent from the beginning and these float throughout the composition. 

If you like pepper-heavy fragrances, you’ll love Spicebomb.

The scent profile begins with zesty citrus accords of bergamot and grapefruit that are cleverly paired with elemi and pink pepper. It’s a breath of fresh air that’s quickly followed by a spicy heart. You’ll find whiffs of cinnamon and paprika coupled with the earthy notes of saffron. There’s something of a raw, animalistic vibe here. 

As it dries down, Spicebomb becomes warm, rich, and perfect for winter wear. With tobacco, leather, and vetiver notes, it reminds me of cozy nights in by the fire as the snow comes down outside. However, because this is quite an intense fragrance, I wouldn’t recommend it for daytime wear, it’ll simply be too cloying. 

One thing I look for in a fragrance is excellent performance, and there’s no doubt that Spicebomb does well in this area. It’ll sit for a good six hours on the skin and projects very nicely. People will instantly notice your presence, so again, it suits a confident wearer. 

Spicebomb comes in four sizes that range between 0.67fl.oz and 5fl.oz with prices between $56 and $158, which makes it not the most affordable perfume on the market, but certainly not the most expensive either.

Spicebomb bottle is a well-crafted work of art. Presented in a cut bottle shaped like a hand grenade in silver and black hues it looks incredibly luxurious and stands great on the dresser. 

Inside we’re also getting the high-quality ingredients that give that impressive performance for which Spicebomb is known.

My Take on Spicebomb

Spicebomb is an easy-to-wear men’s cologne that is not afraid to stand out from the crowd. It’s a rich and enticing scent that’s ideal for evening wear and boasts a unique fragrance that could easily be worn as a signature. 

That said, the versatility is lacking compared to some designer scents as you’ll struggle to get the performance out of it during summer. Moreover, this perfume may be far too intense for daytime wear.


Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme

Spicebomb Extreme
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme

Spicebomb Extreme debuted in 2015, 3 years after Spicebomb. While the original was meant to be for men (what Flowerbomb is for women), Spicebomb Extreme is a more intense version of the original.

What interests me in Spicebomb Extreme is that while it’s undoubtedly a much more intense fragrance, it’s not what I’d call an obvious flanker of Spicebomb at all. You could quite easily own both of these fragrances and have people believe that they were nothing to do with one another. 

Spicebomb Extreme is a far less complex composition, so it would suit someone who doesn’t like competing notes and appreciates the simpler things. Extreme is an amber spicy fragrance meaning you’ve still got the spicy accords that you’d expect from a perfume with this name, but there’s a definite sweeter vibe to it.

You’ll find just five notes in this blend with pepper and caraway, giving you a spicy character while earthiness comes from lavender. Tobacco and vanilla fill this scent with warmth and sweetness that brings to mind images of Christmas and winter. I feel this is a much creamier and more sensual (peppery) fragrance. I’d even go as far as to say more sophisticated where Spicebomb is sexier and a little more youthful.

Much like the original, this isn’t a scent you would wear during the summer. Spicebomb Extreme is best worn in the fall and winter months.

It stays on even longer than Spicebomb. Spicebomb Extreme will easily see you through ten to twelve hours of wear while offering a solid projection that attracts attention.
Where price is concerned, I was surprised to find only one option on the Viktor & Rolf website with Spicebomb Extreme coming in a 3flo.oz flacon costing $125. The price isn’t all that different from the original; therefore, if you’re worried about how much you’ll spend, neither will be worse than the other.

My Take on Spicebomb Extreme

It’s simpler in composition than Spicebomb, but this gives it an advantage. You get all of the characteristics you expect from an intense spicy fragrance without being overly complicated. Moreover, with amazing projection and longevity, Spicebomb Extreme excels in performance. 

However, the downside is that this isn’t a fragrance that you’ll be able to wear everywhere because of its intensity. It’s probably going to be too much for the office or school and it’ll be far too strong if worn in hot weather. 


My Verdict of Spicebomb Vs. Spicebomb Extreme

Spicebomb and Spicebomb Extreme are two different fragrances despite being from the same family. There are some similarities in that Spicebomb Extreme has a few of the same fragrance notes, but by and large, they’re like chalk and cheese to me. 

The scent of Spicebomb is considerably complex and there are a lot of distinct notes. When wearing Spicebomb, it makes me feel sexy, outgoing, and daring, whereas Spicebomb Extreme gives me a much more sophisticated vibe. On the other hand, Spicebomb Extreme is much simpler and, I feel, a more mature fragrance. 

Both of these scents do well in terms of performance, although Spicebomb Extreme just goes that extra mile. They both project wonderfully though the longevity of Spicebomb Extreme is far superior. 

I like Spicebomb because it’s a fragrance that isn’t going to lose its popularity or wearability. For this reason, I see this one standing the test of time with guys of all ages far more easily than the distinct smell of Spicebomb Extreme.

Neither Spicebomb or Spicebomb Extreme have huge versatility. They’re both fragrances designed for specific occasions and seasons. That is disappointing as they’re both lovely scents, and I’d like to get more wear out of them. However, Spicebomb is slightly more versatile owing to less intensity. 

When comparing fragrances, many people let money be the deciding factor and in this case, it doesn’t need to be. Both perfumes have very similar prices which means that you can choose based on performance and your preference of scent.

However, I have to lean slightly more towards Spicebomb Extreme. I love its warmth and sweetness and it just gives me a little more luxurious feel. What’s more, just a couple of sprays last throughout the day (sometimes even longer), outperforming Spicebomb in almost every way.

Share now or save for later!

Fragrance Review is dedicated to providing expert opinions, information on trends and the latest product releases from major brands in the fragrance industry. We are passionate about making sure you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing your new fragrance. Read more about us here.

Discover more perfumes

Or