I still remember when I smelled the original
Spicebomb just launched in the market. It was love at first sniff. A riot of spicy, smoky, and leathery notes, warm, deep, seductive, full of virile accords. I like to think of my Garam Masala when I wear it. Its successor
Spicebomb Extreme has arrived to be even more addictive. It seems like a dream, too good to be true. I can't understand the motivation that drove V&R to create Night Vision. The third flanker of Viktor & Rolf's "Spicebomb" colognes is about 0% individuality, 100% Invictus sensation, a completely out of water fish in the vast world of fragrances. What a mess! I miserably do not get any hint of the original or extreme masterpiece. DNA testing would reveal that they are not related. It seems as Mr Spicebomb disappears.
Spicebomb Night Vision opens with a blast of freshness and sweetness, a greenish fruity-spicy mix of cardamom, zesty citrus fruit, and sour apple above all. All these ingredients are green as the colour of the grenade-like bottle. For a moment, I thought about a fresh cologne; the minty cardamom amplifies the green freshness in the opening. I can't help but recall
Invictus Eau de Toilette in my mind. On contact with my skin, it releases a disgusting, cloying sweetness that almost certainly satisfies the tastes of sweet bomb-loving teenagers. But I personally find it onoxiously sweet, exactly the opposite of my favorite genres.
The scent matures into the heart notes of sage, geranium, and lavender. All these herbaceous notes give the fragrance a fougère touch. I don't get too much of the hot black spices; chilli and pepper are subdued and pushed back. And so do the nutmeg and clove, too feeble to my nose. The spicy heart it is not at all similar to an exploding bomb, but rather similar to an insignificant puff. Instead, it is so damn aromatic, in a good way. Miserably, the sweetish accord is still there.
Finally, the fresh blast of sensations leaves a long-lasting trail of tonka, patchouli, and warm woods. The scent gains softness at the base and ends with the sweetness of grilled tonka beans, powdery and bitter nuts, further strengthened by woody, balmy, and dark notes. Clean patchouli mixes well with the sweet notes and is not intrusive. There is a tinge of musk, which gives off synthetic.
So, I strengthen my initial impression. Night Vision is a replica of
Invictus Eau de Toilette, "Wanted | Azzaro", a crossbreed of those colognes, nothing disruptive here. And if I really took the time to think about it, I could name many more. Still, if you love any of the previous, you might also love this one. It has moderate sillage and longevity on the skin, acceptable for an evening and night scent. Indeed, it lasted much longer on the clothes, and I would say a few days. It suits the cold months of fall and winter. The cologne is good, yet I'm not a fan, and I doubt I will buy an entire bottle. I suggest not blind buy this one if you are fond of the original and not a lover of sugary things.
I base the review on a decant I have owned since 2020 (BC 62RD1A, PD 2018-12).
-Elysium
Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
Slight
BertolucciK
Aquarius1
RedBuiSorbet
Estbienla
