Explorer vs Explorer Platinum

Explorer became a hit for Montblanc in the years following its release. Which, will cause almost any brand to follow it up with flankers. The latest in the Explorer line is Platinum. But, how does it compare to the original? Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

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Quick Overview

Montblanc Explorer is the better scent between these two. It opens with sharp bergamot, sage, and warm pink pepper before moving into leather, woods, ambroxan, cacao, and vetiver.

It has some Aventus-style overlap, but the lack of pineapple and the cacao-leather dry down help it stand apart.

Explorer Platinum is the better performer for longevity. It has violet leaf, sage, cedar, amber, and an ozonic-aquatic feel that comes across green, bright, slightly spicy, and somewhat coconut-like. It is unique, but it can also feel like a mix of several different scent styles.

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Tale of the Tape: Explorer vs. Explorer Platinum

Explorer

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

Click here to try: Explorer

Read my full review: Montblanc Explorer

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Explorer Platinum

Notes include: violet leaf, sage, cedar, amber

Click here to try: Platinum

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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.

Platinum kicks off sweet, with a greenish, aquatic undertone. It actually has sort of a coconut-like aroma, and remind me a bit of Kenzo Intense. It’s strange, you do get the watery feel of the violet leaf note, but that doesn’t come across as being super powerful.

Sage is one thing that I do get a lot of. A woody mix of sage with that violet leaf undercurrent. Sort of like H24 meets that Kenzo. It’s bright, somewhat spicy, and ozonic. On the sample that I got, it talks about amber being here too, but it’s not officially listed online.

I do get a light touch of that, but kind of seems like that more generic ‘amberwood’ note these designers use.

Which is better? Honestly, I like the start of the original Explorer a lot more than Platinum. Platinum is unique, but feels more like an amalgam of a bunch of different scents, while not being exactly like any. Though, it’s only mildly enjoyable in the opening.

Edge: Explorer

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Projection

Explorer isn’t weak, I’ve never found it to be so. But, it does moderate fast and stay closer to the skin for the duration of the wear. The opening is pretty strong, not too heavy, but has a good reach.

With Platinum, it seems like a similar experience to the original. Pretty potent start, a lighter feeling with the ozonic aspect, but follows the same trajectory. I don’t really experience a difference between these two.

Edge: Push

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Longevity

With the original Explorer, I’ve always gotten between 6-8 hours of wear. It kind of depends on the day, as to which outcome I am going to get, but it always lands in that range.

Explorer Platinum lasts around 9 hours on my skin. The performance is better for me than the original Explorer. So, if you like this one, you do get some good value. It’s not crazy powerful at that point, it is around, though.

Having worn both of these multiple times at least, Explorer Platinum gives me the longer wear between them, and takes this category.

Edge: Platinum

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Versatility

Both of these are at their best in moderate to warmer temperatures. With Platinum, I think it extends a bit further into the heat than the original. Neither is great, when worn in the cold.

Very versatile fragrances, that can be worn in a wide variety of situations. I’d say the original Explorer is better at being used for day or night wear and can be worn on dates. While Platinum, is more limited in the daytime.

Not too big of a difference, but the original has a slight edge.

Edge: Explorer

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Overall Scent

Overall, which of these do I like more? I’d have to go with Explorer.

Yes, it imitates much of Aventus by Creed. Though, I like the toned down parts here (lack of pineapple and birch), and enjoy the use of cacao. The leather note when paired with that in the dry down, is really great.

I just think that the original Explorer is the better fragrance. Platinum is okay. I like it somewhat more than Ultra Blue and it can be a good fit for certain guys.

It’s smooth at times, has the ozonic/aquatic quality, which I like. Even if it stems from violet leaf, one of my least favorite notes. Ultimately though, it’s smoother middle act turns into something somewhat sour.

Like, it has that Santal 33 aspect of the woodiness, just not as good. And it’s mixed with the H24 and Kenzo Intense. Interesting, but not all that amazing, and it personally grinds on my nerves after a time.

Winner: Explorer

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Who Should Buy Montblanc Explorer?

Buy Explorer if you want the better overall fragrance. It is the stronger choice if you like bergamot, sage, pink pepper, leather, cacao, vetiver, ambroxan, and woods. It is also the better pick if you want something more useful for day or night wear, dates, and moderate to warm weather.

Who Should Buy Montblanc Explorer Platinum?

Buy Explorer Platinum if you want the longer-lasting option and enjoy green, ozonic, aquatic, woody fragrances. It is better if you like violet leaf, sage, cedar, amber, and a slightly watery-coconut-like opening. It is not the better scent overall, but it can work well for guys who want something brighter, smoother, and more unusual.