Spicebomb Eau Fraiche, from Viktor&Rolf was released in 2014. The perfumer behind this creation is unknown. It has the top notes of Grapefruit, Pepper, and Pink Pepper, middle notes of Elemi, Lavender, and Salt, and base notes of Amber, Oakmoss, and Tobacco.
I honestly didn't even realise this was a new version of Spicebomb, I just thought it was a limited edition bottle or something. So I was excited to try it...then I kept forgetting to check it out and finally the otherday I remembered and made it a sampling priority. You know what? I'm really glad I did because Spicebomb eau fraishe is a really nice twist on the existing theme. I thought when I looked at the notes here we were dealing with a curious 'sport' type, anomalous fragrance which retained nothing of the original and might as well be a new scent in it's own right, as a flanker. However the Spicebomb accord is here, it just takes a moment to develop after lovely icy smooth citrus top notes. A stuning warm underbelly of sweet spices, tobacco, pink pepper, cinnamon and the like but on this calmer more subdued air of aquatics, vetiver and citrus. The modern tendency is to make fragrances 'extreme' or 'intense' I think V&R would have their work cut out doing that with Spicebomb. I'll be honest as much as I love the original after a few hours I find it sweet, cloying and a bit invasive but this fresh approach is precisely what it needs to calm everything down to a wearable hum. Good projection, longevity and all in all a good release.