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Legend has been a best seller for Mont Blanc for many years now. A few years ago, they released Explorer, and it quickly became a favorite among consumers. They have somewhat differing styles, but which is the better cologne? Which fragrance lasts longer? Opens better? Is the better buy?
Tale of the Tape
Mont Blanc Legend
Notes include: Bergamot, Pineapple Leaf, Sandalwood, Apple, rose, oak moss, lemon verbena, geranium, lavender, And Tonka Bean
Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Eau de Toilette 3.3 fl.oz.
Read my review: Mont Blanc Legend
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
Opening
Legend has a fruity opening of apple, bergamot, and pineapple. It has a very citrus beginning, but it features a dry scent, with creamy tonka bean and lavender coming through. Along with, the underlying woodsy notes.
Explorer kicks off with the bergamot citrus note going strong. With that is pink pepper and sage, giving it a fresh spiciness. Can be somewhat sharp, but honestly not overwhelming. The second layer consists of leather, ambroxan, and woods.
Which is better? They both give you the citrus opening, but Mont Blanc Explorer is just more dynamic and better to my nose. I like the sage and pink pepper more so than the dryness of Legend.
Edge: Explorer
Projection
Legend is a moderate fragrance throughout, pretty average, and never ventures into super strong territory. Meanwhile, Explorer is above average for a good deal of the wear, before settling into something closer to Legend.
Explorer hits higher highs and can project itself further from the skin.
Edge: Explorer
Longevity
On my skin, I get 5-6 hours of wear from Montblanc Legend. It never goes beyond that, but to its credit, also doesn’t fail to meet that target either. It’s pretty steady.
Explorer can go 6-8 hours and will usually hit at least 7 for me. Neither one of these is elite in its performance, but there is a clear winner.
Edge: Explorer
Versatility
Both of these scents are extremely versatile in terms of when they can be worn and who can wear them. Both are low key enough for work or for school. Yet, they can also venture into the nightlife and be fine in most climates, except for extreme heat. No real difference.
Edge: Push
Overall Scent
Legend has never been a personal favorite of mine. I’ve always found it to be just okay and kind of thought that it was a lesser version of the original bottles of Abercrombie Fierce. Well, since those aren’t great anymore, I guess Legend is it.
That’s not to say I dislike it. I do enjoy the citrus, sandalwood, and lavender blend. It’s a very easy fragrance to wear, not going to offend, and can be a go to starter fragrance for younger guys.
That being said, Explorer absolutely is a better fragrance. Yes, it’s a pretty good dupe of Aventus, but it does have some personality of its own. It smells better, lasts longer, and is just all around more enjoyable than Legend. No brainer here for me.
Winner: Explorer
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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.