Top 5 Colognes That Smells Like Montblanc Explorer [In 2024]

Montblanc Explorer has garnered mass popularity, love as well as criticism since its release in 2019.

Owing to its uncanny olfactory resemblance to some already popular and well-established colognes it was said this was just another knockoff!

Well, knockoff or not, it sure is an excellent fragrance. Hence, I decided to cover all the colognes which smell really close to Explorer Eau de Parfum.

So, if you want to get your hands on colognes that smell close to this Montblanc scent, read till the end.

What Does Montblanc Explorer Smell Like?

Explorer by Montblanc was released in 2019 and curated by Jórdi Fernandez, Antoine Maisondieu, and Olivier Pescheux.

This cologne, said to be inspired by the infamous Creed Aventus, has an incredibly uplifting, fresh, spicy yet warm and cozy aroma.

Here’s a breakdown of the notes that are present in this ultimate summer and springtime cologne:

Top Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, and Clary Sage

Middle Notes: Haitian Vetiver and Leather

Base Notes: Ambroxan, Akigalawood, Indonesian Patchouli Leaf, and Cacao Pod

The opening of Explorer makes you want to explore more of this cologne – as it starts off with refreshing bergamot, sage, and spicy pepper. Right off the bottle, it is zesty.

But before you know it, you will get the warm tones of leather creeping in as the transition is very subtle but fast.

The core is rich and woody, you get notes of vetiver and leather.

During the dry down, the woody notes become the dominating feature, supported by a synthetic backbone of ambroxan and herbal leaves. There is rich cacao and more woodsy notes incorporated to complete this aroma.

Overall, it’s a balanced, mature scent that is perfect for summer. It gives you the right strike between sensuality and freshness.

Explorer has a good price tag for a designer cologne and has decent performance in terms of projection and longevity.

What Colognes Are Similar To Explorer By Montblanc?

Now that you know the basics of Montblanc Explorer, it’s time to find out which colognes smell the closest to it.

After trying tens of colognes, I tested each of them out to see their overall aroma and how their scent developed over time. With that, I shortlisted the 5 cologne which I felt smelt the closest to this Montblanc gem.

So, here is my list of the best alternative colognes for Explorer by Montblanc:

Aventus by Creed

Given the reputation that Explorer built for itself, it’s no surprise that the first cologne on this list is Aventus by Creed.

This cologne by Jean-Christophe Hérault and Erwin Creed was launched in 2010 and became a cult favorite.

You will find many people comparing these two scents, and it’s not without a good reason – Montblanc Explorer and Creed Aventus have a very close aroma.

Explorer is more like a modern take on the iconic Aventus.

The opening of Aventus is very similar to Explorer, but there is more sweetness to this Creed scent. The core also has more thorough floral notes.

Moreover, the dry down of Explorer is much more synthetic and pronounced.

Overall, they smell and feel very close. However, Aventus is much more expensive and comes with a hefty price tag. The quality, longevity, and projection of this Creed cologne are also exceptionally good!

When to Wear

Aventus is best for summer and spring. It’s absolutely wonderful in any and all settings, you can wear it to work, parties, and formal events. Whether it’s a date night or a professional commitment, you can pull Aventus off.

Why You Should Buy

Mercedes-Benz Select by Mercedes-Benz

Next on the list is Mercedes-Benz Select by Mercedes-Benz, launched only a year before Explorer, in 2018. It was made by the famous perfumer Olivier Cresp and has a lot of similarities with the Montblanc Explorer.

Their style and overall aroma are very close, starting from the start to the end. Select also starts off with a citrus twist accompanied by a strong black currant.

The core of this cologne is slightly different because it has sweet apple and cooling mint instead of the straight jump to leather.

This then transitions into a similar synthetic base of ambroxan that has musk and patchouli with it to complete the scent.

Mercedes-Benz Select is a very likable scent. It’s quite affordable and has decent performance.

When to Wear

Mercedes-Benz Select is excellent for all sorts of events, especially in the summer and spring. However, its use is not limited to those seasons – you can also wear it all year round. It’s great for casual, formal, and professional events.

Why You Should Buy

Club de Nuit Intense Man by Armaf

Next, we have a cologne from 2015, Club de Nuit Intense Man by Armaf. Just like Explorer, Club de Nuit Intense Man also has a very upbeat yet cozy aroma that’s perfect for summer.

Club de Nuit Intense Man starts off with bright citrus notes, along with spices and sweet apple.

The core of this scent is quite floral and herbal, there is a nice balance between the spicy notes and the floral/herbal aroma in this scent.

The dry down is very pleasant as it gets really woody and musky, along with a creamy vanilla completing the scent of the cologne.

With strong projection, extended longevity, and a very affordable price point, Club de Nuit Intense Man is an absolute win and an excellent alternative to Explorer!

When to Wear

You can wear Club de Nuit Intense Man all year round. However, it’s perfect for summer and spring. It works like a mood lifter and can be worn to almost any sort of occasion, whether it’s formal or casual.

Why You Should Buy

L’Aventure by Al Haramain Perfumes

L’Aventure by Al Haramain Perfumes, launched in 2016, is the next cologne on the list. This scent is a fresh, woody, and green cologne that is very close to Explorer.

L’Aventure opens with a citrus and spicy blend that is soon engulfed by a woody aroma that’s very cozy.

There are subtle floral notes at the core of the cologne, but it is very balanced and gives the scent more character.

The base notes include amber, musk, and patchouli, along with consistent woody notes. The finish of the scent is very wholesome and brings an aura of maturity to the cologne.

Overall, it’s a much greener and less smokey alternative, so you can go for it if that’s what you are looking for. It projects well, lasts for an impressively long time, and comes at a super affordable price!

So, I’d say that L’Aventure is a great choice if you want something close to Montblanc Explorer that’s much cheaper.

When to Wear

L’Aventure is a great summertime scent that can be worn in spring and fall as well. It is particularly great for daytime events, but you can also wear it for date nights or parties. It is also great for casual and regular wear.

Why You Should Buy

Vibrant Leather Eau de Parfum by Zara

The last cologne is Vibrant Leather Eau de Parfum by Zara. Zara is known to produce affordable dupes of famous colognes and this Aventus dupe is a great alternative if you are looking for something close to Montblanc Explorer.

Vibrant has a very uncomplicated, straightforward yet amazing aroma. It has the spicy, citrus beginning along with the smokey, leather-like vibe that we are looking for.

It’s very balanced and has subtle herbal/leafy tones at the core of the scent which makes it even better.

With a slightly synthetic tone, leather dominates the later part of the cologne and you can really detect it during the dry down.

Overall, I’d say it’s a great cheaper alternative to Explorer and offers a masculine summer scent at a reasonable price. The projection and longevity are also quite good when you take their price into account.

When to Wear

Vibrant is ideal for summer, and you can really wear it at any time of the day. It’s great for casual events, and you can even wear it to work or for semi-formal parties and events.

Why You Should Buy

Wrapping Up

Montblanc Explorer is definitely one of the best colognes by the brand – it’s fresh, smokey, masculine, and likable! So, it’s no surprise that people want to know about its clones and alternatives.

Well, the good news is, all the colognes mentioned in this article recreate this aroma brilliantly, some with additional touches of their own.

So, if you love this cologne and want something super-similar, I am positive that you will like the ones mentioned here.

Don’t forget to let me know which alternative cologne you choose to go for!