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So, I have been trying out Montblanc Explorer for the last few days. This fragrance is relatively new to the scene, released in 2019, and its popularity has been on the rise ever since. It’s also widely considered a Creed Aventus Clone (the most ripped-off fragrance known to man), and I’ll give you my thoughts on that as well.

Why is it called “Explorer?” Well, the fragrance is inspired by the story of adventures, quests for excellence, challenging conventions and exploring the four corners of the globe, blah blah, blah.

What you want to know is what it smells like, is it any good and should I buy it? So, let’s get into it…

Appearance

The bottle and presentation of Montblanc Explorer will be familiar if you are already well acquainted with the house of Montblanc. It has a masculine look and feel with an air of sophistication, and I like it.

Having said that, it’s nothing that unique, and the cylindrical element looks like it has been copied from other fragrances, such as Dunhill Icon. So, the scent AND bottle design have been ripped off here. Tut Tut Montblanc!

Price and where to buy

Why would Monblanc want to make an Aventus clone? This answer is simple: to make a quick buck. When it comes to Aventus, they know you like it, they know you want it, and they also know that many people can’t afford it, so they have come up with this as a solution for those without deep pockets.

With this in mind, the price of Montblanc Explorer has to be reasonable, and it is to be fair to them.

When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.

They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.

Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇

The notes

Top Notes – Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Clary Sage

Middle Notes – Haitian Vetiver, Leather

Base Notes – Ambroxan, Akigalawood, Indonesian Patchouli Leaf

My thoughts about the notes

In the opening, you will get that initial blast of freshness with the prominent natural Italian bergamot. As it progresses into the middle, I can detect sweeter fruity notes, perhaps even a hint of pineapple somewhere. It has a woody base with mild hints of leather and patchouli, and that’s about it.

It’s nothing out of the ordinary and smells a little generic to me (particularly the base notes). That doesn’t necessarily mean Montblanc Explorer is a lousy fragrance, but over-hyped, in my opinion.

Explorer vs Aventus

The first question we must ask ourselves is whether we need another Aventus clone. I have no problem with clones, but when it comes to Aventus, there are enough of them, aren’t they? Aventus is a fantastic scent; there is no question about that, but it has been done, so let’s move on and come up with something new, guys. Perfumery, after all, is a creative and artistic pursuit (or at least it should be).

Nevertheless, it is alright as a clone but could be better, an “Aventus lite”, if you will. It has the Aventus DNA, but in terms of quality, it’s in a different league, which is not all that surprising given the price difference.

Now, you may walk into the store and spray this stuff and think to yourself, YES, that is Aventus, but be warned, as this will not last throughout the life of the scent. It will fade into something quite different after around 30 minutes to an hour, and you may be disappointed. If you are looking for an exact copy, I’m afraid to say you will not get it with Montblanc Explorer.

If it is an Aventus clone you’re looking for, my personal favourite would be Club De Nuit, Intense Man. The opening is a little harsh, but the performance is fantastic and worth checking out.

General thoughts

Putting all this clone business aside, Montblanc Explorer is pretty decent as a stand-alone fragrance. The notes blend well to produce an undeniably alpha masculine vibe. It is a compliment puller, and I can see why it has become so successful.

You will probably not be bowled over if you are a fragrance nut like me, as it lacks that uniqueness. However, for the casual fragrance wearer looking for something that will work in most situations, you won’t go too far wrong with it, and it would be well worth your dosh.

Performance and application

Unfortunately, the performance leaves something to be desired. It’s okay, but I would have expected better from Montblanc here. You are looking at around 4-5 hours of longevity with a projection of about 1 – 2 hours. This could be just how it reacted to my skin chemistry, and others may be able to squeeze more out of it, but overall, I am slightly disappointed in this area because it does smell good.

Club De Nuit, Intense Man blows this out of the water in terms of performance, and it’s nearly half the price, so there is no excuse for this. It’s not too much of an issue for those who prefer milder-smelling fragrances, but for me, it’s just not enough.

Want to try this fragrance on your skin?

If you’d prefer to sample it first, these are my two favourite
and most reliable places to get authentic decants:

Where to wear

Much like Aventus, Montblanc Explorer is versatile and can be worn formally and informally without much thought. To my nose, this is more of a mature and sophisticated scent for the masculine man, and as such, it would work particularly well in a professional setting.

This will work if you want something inoffensive and a general crowd-pleaser. You can also check out one of my last reviews on Boss Bottled Night, which has similar qualities.

When to wear

Again, it is an all-rounder and can be worn any time of year. I would stick to cooler weather for the best results, as it performs much better.

As a general rule, and this is my recommendation, I would opt for something more aquatic in the hot weather, like Polo Blue or Aqua Di Gio. You can wear fragrances like Montblanc Explorer in the summer months, but there are better options for that time of year.

General pros and cons

Pros

• Versatile fragrance suitable for everyday wear
• Very masculine
• Similar to Aventus in parts
• Reasonably priced
• Good compliment puller
• Good for the office or signature scent
• General crowd-pleaser

Cons

• Performance and longevity could be improved
• Not an exact clone of Aventus
• Lacking in uniqueness
• Unoriginal and a quick cash grab by Montblanc
• Better Aventus clones on the market

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks; it’s an average rating from me, but I would still recommend it. If you like Aventus, you will undoubtedly enjoy this as well; tempering your expectations is all I suggest. If you have tried this or any other fragrance from the Montblanc range, do let me know your thoughts below. Also, let me know if you have any recommendations or scents you would like me to review.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

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It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.