Today's SOTD is Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme, a fragrance I haven't worn since the cold weather last year. And apparently, my memory of it wasn't entirely accurate. I remembered Spicebomb Extreme as a very sweet fragrance, with vanilla dominating the composition. Not necessarily a bad thing, but that was the impression that stuck with me. Wearing it again today, however, I'm experiencing something quite different. The vanilla is certainly still there, providing a warm, creamy sweetness, but what really stands out to me now is the wonderful combination of tobacco and spices. There's a richness and depth to this fragrance that I either overlooked or simply didn't appreciate as much the last time I wore it. And frankly, I like it even more this time around. It makes me wonder how much my nose has developed over the past year. I've sampled dozens of fragrances, conducted an entire 40-bottle tournament, and spent a great deal of time learning which notes and combinations appeal to me. Perhaps I'm simply becoming more attuned to the individual elements of a fragrance rather than focusing on whichever note makes the strongest initial impression. Or perhaps my tastes are evolving. I've certainly developed a greater appreciation for tobacco fragrances, particularly when the tobacco is balanced with warm spices, woods, and a little sweetness. Whatever the explanation, revisiting Spicebomb Extreme has been a pleasant surprise. This is unquestionably a cooler-weather fragrance, and now that autumn is finally beginning to feel like autumn, it's a particularly welcome addition to today's rotation. There's something satisfying about returning to an old sample and discovering that you appreciate it more than you remembered. It's also a good reminder not to make permanent judgments based on a single wearing—or even on memories from a year ago. Current status: A very successful rediscovery. The tobacco and spices are winning me over, and Spicebomb Extreme has moved up considerably in my estimation. More cold-weather testing ahead!

Something about a public restroom with Le Labo hand lotion!!