Mont Blanc Legend Spirit vs. Invictus Aqua

For this edition of the head to head men’s fragrance match ups, we have a competition between two popular aquatic scents: Legend Spirit vs. Invictus Aqua. Which cologne smells the best? Mont Blanc or Paco Rabanne? I have worn and reviewed, each of these scents, and will break them down in a variety of categories before ultimately choosing a winner.

Tale of the Tape

Legend Spirit

Notes include: grapefruit, pink pepper, bergamot, musk, aquatic accord, lavender, cardamom, oak moss, wood

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Spirit Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fl Oz

Read my review: Legend Spirit

Invictus Aqua EDT

Notes include: yuzu, pink pepper, guaiac wood, marine notes, violet leaf, ambergris, grapefruit

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Invictus Aqua

Opening

Invictus Aqua opens up with a citrus blend of yuzu and grapefruit to go along with its marine accord. I really enjoy how this one opens, with that salty aquatic accord, and that very nice yuzu sitting on top. Plus, pink pepper kicks in to give it that slightly spicy warmth.

Legend Spirit has a similar opening to Invictus Aqua, with it’s citrus and aquatic start. However, to go along with the pink pepper, Spirit has a fairly strong cardamom note lurking in there as well, which is a good change of pace.

Which is better? Again, they are quite similar at the start. However, I think I like the smell of Invictus Aqua, a bit more at the beginning. The yuzu and the aquatic accord, is just a tad better.

Edge: Invictus Aqua

Projection

Both of these fragrances fall into the moderate camp. The sillage of either, isn’t very bold or extreme. Though, Aqua does achieve a bit better projection than does Legend Spirit. It isn’t a huge difference, but the Paco Rabanne is better, on my skin.

Edge: Aqua

Longevity

With Legend Spirit, I can muster about 5-6 hours worth of wear, before needing to reapply. Meanwhile, Invictus Aqua gets me 8 hours, and I can get over 10 on occasions.

Edge: Aqua

Versatility

These two are very closely related fragrances. Both are very nice colognes for casual wear during the warmer months of the year. They can also be worn to work or for an evening out. There really isn’t any separation, in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

With Mont Blanc’s Legend Spirit, I do like plenty about this cologne. The cardamom is a great addition to a citrus aquatic, it isn’t super heavy, but it does add a noticeable spice to the composition.

It is clean and fresh and adds a different dimension than does the original Legend. It’s a very nice fragrance and not a bad wear, at all. The dry down stays fresh and the latter stages of this scent, smells better than Invictus Aqua.

Aqua has a better opening act and better performance overall. As it dries down, I am less of a fan, because it first becomes woodier (not bad) and then ends with lots of that sea water aroma (not great).

I’m going to give the nod to Invictus Aqua, because it does more overall, but I do think that Spirit has a better smell throughout the remainder of the wear. This is a close one, but I think most guys would prefer Aqua.

Winner: Invictus Aqua

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.