Armaf Club de Nuit Intense vs. Explorer

Club de Nuit Intense and Montblanc’s Explorer are both often touted as cheaper alternatives to Creed’s Aventus. But, when it comes down to it, which of these colognes is actually the better buy? Which one lasts longer? Has the better sillage?

Tale of the Tape: Montblanc Explorer vs. Club de Nuit Intense

Explorer

Notes include: sage, bergamot, pink pepper, cocoa, vetiver, ambroxan, leather

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Explorer Eau de Parfum, 3.3 fl. oz.

Read my full review: Montblanc Explorer

Club de Nuit EDP

Notes include: lemon, apple, blackcurrant, birch, jasmine, rose, vanilla, musk, ambergris, patchouli

Click here to try: Club de Nuit Men EDP

Opening

Explorer opens up with a pretty sharp bergamot note. What I like about it, is the lack of pineapple that was always bothersome to me with Aventus. The bergamot gives you a bright quality, joined by sage, and a warm/spicy pink pepper.

Then, a second wave comes consisting of leather, woods, and ambroxan.

Club de Nuit EDP smells a lot like Aventus. It’s fruity, less smoky, and the birch comes across as more of a dry wood, without the same amount of leathery facets it will develop later.

The EDP comes across as being a bit smoother than the EDT version. Less of the lemon note, but with a more pronounced apple, which I enjoy.  Also, the birch here is smokier early on and does give it that leathery aroma to a greater extent.

Which is better in the opening? I actually like what Explorer brings to the table early on. I also like how it shifts and includes more of the leather note.

Edge: Explorer

Projection

Both of these start out with a very good ability to project off of the skin. To me, Club de Nuit Intense has a higher peak, and stays stronger throughout the wear.

Explorer isn’t weak, but it does moderate faster and stay closer to the skin for the duration of the wear. It’s not a huge difference between these scents, but the Armaf has a pretty clear edge.

Edge: Club

Longevity

Club de Nuit Intense EDP will go for 7-9 hours, on my skin. It’s solid, not a complete all-star here, but really not too much to complain about.

Explorer, on the other hand, gets 6-8 hours of wear. Usually, it’ll be 7 and occasionally squeeze out that extra hour.

So, it’s within most of the range of the Armaf, but that one can go into an extra gear.

Edge: Club

Versatility

There isn’t too much difference here, as they overlap a lot as fragrances. I’m not really going to give an edge here, maybe the Montblanc feels a bit more well put together, but the ingredients aren’t the same level of quality as the Creed original.

Either is fine in almost any other scenario, except for the days where it’s hot outside.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which scent is better? Personally, I’d rather go with Explorer, unless I just wanted a cheaper alternative to Aventus with a similar aroma. Sure, Explorer covers much of the same ground, but it is distinct enough to not be confused as the same.

The opening is smoother and fresher with Explorer. I like the added cacao note and how it plays off of the leather, sort of like the old Dior Homme. It finishes with a simple citrus, pepper, and woods.

With Club de Nuit, you basically just get a re-hash of Aventus, not as much depth or quality. If you want that or price is your only concern, you should go with the Armaf.

If you want a versatile and better smelling cologne, I think the Montblanc is simply better between these two.

Winner: Explorer

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.