Mont Blanc Explorer vs Aventus

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Aventus by Creed became a wildly popular men’s fragrance over the past decade or so. Which of course, has spawned a bunch of cheaper rip-offs and imitations. Many of them, weren’t very good or just weren’t high quality.

Explorer from Mont Blanc has come along and offered a similar experience to Aventus, with a designer level quality. So, which should you buy? Which perfume smells better? Does Explorer keep up with the Creed?

Tale of the Tape: Aventus vs Explorer

Creed Aventus

Top: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to try Aventus: Creed Aventus Creed 4 OZ Millesime Spray For Men

My original Review: Creed Aventus

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

Aventus kicks things off with its sharp blend of pineapple and bergamot. These tropical fruits have always really come on strong to my nose and sometimes make this Creed one tougher to settle into. Even under that, is an additional black currant, which further amps things up.

However, there is also a fresh and smoky birch wood, that makes its initial appearance. Gradually, Aventus will calm down and reveal its depths.

Explorer also has a sharp bergamot note, but is without the other notes like pineapple, making it feel more tolerable to me. It is joined by a warm pink pepper and sage spiciness. Then, a second wave comes through of leather, woods, and ambroxan.

Which is better? Personally, I’ve never been a fan of how Aventus starts things off. To me, the latter stages has always been where the magic is at. I like the dynamic and less sharp start of Explorer better.

Might not be the case for everyone, but this has always been a personal thing of mine when dealing with the Creed perfume.

Edge: Explorer

Projection

Aventus has always been a fragrance with strong sillage. Though, just under being an elite powerhouse. The good news, is that it holds its strength for most of the wear.

Explorer is above average early on in its life, before becoming something that is wholly moderate and not going to jump off the skin. Aventus has the clear edge.

Edge: Aventus

Longevity

Aventus gets me 8-9 hours of wear, which is good, but it doesn’t touch double digits. Really, depending on your lifestyle that may not be very important.

Explorer, on the other hand, gets 6-8 hours of wear. Usually, it’ll be 7 and occasionally squeeze out that extra hour. Explorer almost keeps up, but not quite.

Edge: Aventus

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.

Aventus is better in more formal situations, but the Mont Blanc doesn’t smell cheap to me. Aventus has that greater depth and some higher quality notes in comparison. Still, Explorer isn’t bad in either respect.

Both fine to wear in almost any other scenario, except for the days where it’s hot outside. I might reach for Aventus in the summertime out of these two, but probably not, when I have other options for the heat and humidity.

Edge: Aventus (slightly)

Overall Scent

Is Explorer a replacement of cheaper alternative to Aventus? Well, in many ways, yes. Personally, I don’t think it has the same level of quality or depth that Aventus does. However, it covers a lot of the same bases at a much cheaper price point.

Aventus really does develop as a fragrance. You get different stages. Sometimes it’s more woodsy. Then, it has a nice vanilla aspect. That citrus stage is where the two are similar and that’s what you get for most of the wear with Explorer.

I do like its leather notes and smooth aroma. But, I cannot say that it smells better overall when compared to Aventus. The Creed is absolutely a better scent.

That being said, if it’s me…I’m buying a bottle of Explorer and using the price difference to purchase bottles of other colognes also. Or, you could try one of the best ‘dupes’ of Aventus.

Better fragrance? Aventus. Better bang for your buck? Explorer.

Especially, in the past few years where the price of the luxury designer fragrances keeps going higher. The Mont Blanc colognes can usually still be found at the discounters with a significant price break from their retail number.

Winner: Aventus

Mr. Burberry vs Burberry Brit Cologne Comparison

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Burberry is one of the most popular fragrance/fashion brands on the planet. They have so many best selling scents and have been doing so for the past few decades, seemingly on a regular basis. Today, I want to take a closer look at two of their men’s colognes, Mr. Burberry EDT vs. Burberry Brit. Which of these scents smells the best? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Brit vs Mr. Burberry EDT

Mr. Burberry

Notes include: tarragon, cedar, birch leaf, grapefruit, cardamom, sandalwood, vetiver

Click here to try: BURBERRY Mr Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce

Read my original review: Mr. Burberry

Burberry Brit

Notes include: wild roses, tonka bean, green mandarin, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cedar

Click here to try Burberry Brit:BURBERRY Brit for Men Eau de Toilette, 1.0 fl. oz

Read my review: Burberry Brit

Opening

Mr. Burberry starts off with a grapefruit top note, woods, and some mint which adds a cooled spice to the aroma. It’s pleasant, not harsh, clean, and pretty simple. There is also a slight herbal scent to the composition, but I’m never too impressed with how it start, but it’s solid.

Brit, on the other hand, is very fresh with a great blend of ginger, tonka bean, and nutmeg. It’s got a green spiciness that isn’t sharp, and is instead, muted by some really nice wild rose.

This is a fresh and powdery kind of cologne, all of the notes work together in conjunction and none ever feels too dominant.

Which is better? I enjoy the start of Brit much more than Mr. Burberry, it is more engaging and interesting. I love the variety of notes, instead of a simplistic citrus woods.

Edge: Brit

Projection

Neither one of these fragrances is a monster in terms of sillage. They are both fairly moderate and I don’t really notice a difference in how they project.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With Mr. Burberry I get 5-7 hours of wear on my skin, which is decent. Burberry Brit is better and more consistent and will go 8 hours on my skin.

Edge: Brit

Versatility

Seasonally, Mr. Burberry has more of a year round appeal. Brit is more of an autumn/winter scent that can extend into springtime. Mr. Burberry holds up better in the warmer climate.

Both of these are great for work, casual, or just wanting to be low key. Pretty much the same, but Mr. Burberry has better extension into all of the seasons.

Edge: Mr. Burberry

Overall Scent

Mr. Burberry is a nice smelling scent with pretty average performance and is basic all around. I think it is pleasant to wear, but not something that I ever want to reach for. There’s nothing too interesting about that cologne.

Brit, on the other hand, is among my favorite releases for Burberry. It is a very green, fresh, and powdery cologne, so not everyone will be into it. However, it does what it does very well. It is intriguing, with spices, hints of citrus, and a nice addition of rose.

It’s something that I reach for on certain days in the fall or winter and actually enjoy wearing. It takes this battle.

Winner: Burberry Brit

CK One Shock Men’s Cologne Review

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When I got around to reviewing CK One a few days back, I decided that I would start to tackle some of the other fragrances in the Calvin Klein line also. Today, I want to focus on CK One Shock for men, which right away tells you it’s going to be quite different from its unisex counterpart. I really do like this fragrance, although, I guess I’m not too fond of the bottle design (the green lettering reminds me of Ghostbusters) but whatever it’s what’s inside that counts, right? With that in mind, let us take a closer look at CK One Shock cologne.

Note: I have updated this review, some 4 years after the original, to expand upon this scent more. Check out the Best Colognes for Men by Calvin Klein here

What does CK One Shock Smell Like?

shock

Notes include: Clementine, Cucumber, Black Pepper, Black Basil, Tobacco And Musk Base Notes

Click here to try: Calvin Klein One Shock for Him Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The first thing that one notices about CK One Shock is that it is a wholly masculine scent, especially when compared to the original CK One. With a name like Shock, you would also expect it to be extremely bold and of course, shocking.

However, that isn’t the case in my opinion, it is a good scent but there are far more energetic fragrances on the market.

CK One Shock is a very youthful fragrance to me and it’s woodsy and spicy masculinity is underlined but an inherent sweetness, like a warm vanilla scent. Also, while tobacco is a base note, it comes out in a very subtle way and isn’t overwhelming at all in its presentation.

It’s definitely the leader, but doesn’t hit quite as hard, as something like Burberry London or Versace Dreamer. The tobacco is sweet and cured, not the green, wild plant aroma.

The opening is actually quite bright with the clementine and cucumber note joining the tobacco. Shock will dry down into something much darker and warmer, but the initial spray, is energetic with some very nice citrus vibes.

There is even a hint of cherry in there, which I suppose goes with the cured tobacco note, but it is nice to catch a whiff of that in a men’s cologne.

As it dries down further, CK One Shock grows warmer, and there is a spiciness which emerges. Cardmom, pepper, and some other herbal ingredients. The spice is wrapped up in the embrace of the amber note, which grows in strength, and takes some of the real estate occupied by the dominant tobacco note.

At this point, it has sweet qualities still resonating from the clementine, with spices, and lots of tobacco and amber. It’s masculine and balanced.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Shock really packs a punch early on, which is awesome for a fragrance like this. Later on, it does settle down, and doesn’t have huge sillage but you will notice that you have it on.

Some definite things that CK One Shock has going for it, is the price and the longevity. This is one of those, that you will probably have to double spray, a few spots. However, that will give it a longevity boost into the 6-7 hour range.

For an everyday wearer, it is very affordable and unique enough for a man to stand out from the crowd. It is also one that will last long enough on your skin to go through its entire presentation of notes before it evaporates completely.

It is attractive enough to receive attention, but still plays it safe enough to be worn in an office, or classroom.

I would say that while it has to ability to be an everyday wear, it seems like it’d be at its best in the Fall and Winter months. So, while it is limited to the colder parts of the year, it enjoys great versatility within this time frame.

Overall Impressions of CK One Shock

Overall, CK One Shock can be a good choice for guys who are on a budget or have limited options. It is a moderate to slightly heavy scent that projects warmth, sweetness, and masculinity for hours on end.

It does have a certain uniqueness to it, but that uniqueness is still rather plain and unexciting. It’s a solid cologne at the price, not amazing, but I do have a higher opinion of it nowadays. It is worthwhile to pick up at discounted price.

Vert d’Encens by Tom Ford

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Continuing on with my reviews of Tom Ford fragrances, I have today, an entry from 2016: Vert d’Encens. This one was released under the Private Blend umbrella and is one of the options with the Vert title.

In this post, I will share my experiences with this fragrance and review it on a number of metrics. How it smells, what the ingredients are, how long it lasts, when it should be worn, etc.

What does Vert d’Encens Smell Like?

Notes include: fir, pine resin, incense, heliotrope, wood

Click here to try: TOM FORD VERT D’ENCENS EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 1.7 oz / 50 ML SEALED 2016 NEW …

My Full Wear Review

Vert d’Encens opens up with a blend of fir and pine with a strongly resinous undertone. In the beginning, it can be fairly sharp and green, but there is a sweetness within the composition, throughout the wear. I actually like how the sweetness plays off of the forest notes. It’s quite warm and green.

A few minutes in, I really start to get more of the resin, but also the smokiness of the incense. I know at this point, that this Tom Ford scent, isn’t really going to be a standard issue pine wood cologne.

Then, there is the heliotrope, which I think adds to the sweetness and lends a very slight powdery quality to Vert d’Encens. There is a bit of a nutty aroma, lurking in here. I don’t know if there is a nut as an ingredient or if that’s just how the notes are coming together.

It dries down finally, into a slightly sweet and resinous woody fragrance, with some leftover smokiness from earlier on. It’s a pretty straightforward perfume, has some development, especially after the initial ‘green’ opening. Though, it doesn’t undergo major transformations thereafter, either.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection of this one is pretty average. No massive sillage here. It doesn’t even start off strong, on my skin, and settle down later. Nope, it hits that mid-tier level, and just sits there the rest of the way.

However, the longevity is very good here, and it will go for over 10 hours without a problem. It’s just a steady beat throughout.

Is this actually unisex, as listed? In my mind, very much so. It’s not super woody or earthy, but the sweetness never pulls things too far in the other direction.

Well balanced, for anyone to wear. It would be good in cold to mild temperatures, but doesn’t give me summertime vibes, in the slightest.

I like it as a casual or business wear. Vert d’Encens is pleasant enough to be around, but don’t expect a super sexy fragrance or a club banger. It’s just not that type of thing.

Overall Impressions

Overall, do I like Vert d’Encens by Tom Ford? I do like it, but I don’t love it. It is an interesting change of pace from what I usually wear, but never crosses into the spectacular. I am quite fond of resinous sorts of fragrances, so, on that level I do enjoy wearing it.

If you’re looking for a woodsy scent, with some sweetness/smokiness, then this would be a very good buy. If it doesn’t sound like your thing, it’ll be easy to pass up at Tom Ford prices.

Cool Water vs. Polo Blue EDT Cologne Comparison

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In this post, I want to do a head to head comparison between two popular men’s aquatics: Polo Blue EDT vs. Cool Water by Davidoff. Now, I’m not a huge fan of either, but I do think they are both solid colognes. The question is, which one smells better? Is there a difference in how long they last? Which is more versatile?

Tale of the Tape: Cool Water vs. Polo Blue

Polo Blue

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Cool Water

Notes include: lavender, mint, tobacco, amber, musk, jasmine, sandalwood, neroli, coriander, rosemary, and more

Click here to try: Davidoff Cool Water Edt Spray for Men, 6.7 oz

Read my Review: Cool Water

Opening

Cool Water opens up with mint, tobacco, and of course these notes are surrounded by an aquatic aroma. It’s got a green and fresh smell, that later picks up white floral notes, and a fairly soapy scent. I really do like the uncured tobacco note and the crisp spice of the mint. It is at times sharp and then smooth.

Polo Blue goes in a different direction with the crisp aquatic style, as it starts off with cucumber and melon. These notes are flanked by a light tangerine and amber. It is pretty straightforward, pleasant, if unremarkable.

Which is better? While I like the mint tobacco combo in Cool Water, I actually like the smell of Polo Blue better. Yes, it can be boring, but it works well.

Edge: Polo Blue

Projection

The sillage of each of these fragrances is consistently moderate. Neither goes into extreme projection mode, nor are they weak. Solid, but won’t overpower a room.

For me, I don’t notice a real difference between how much either projects on my skin. Call it a tie.

Edge: Push

Longevity

With newer bottles of Cool Water, I get 6-7 hours of wear from it. Older formulations were about 8. Polo Blue hits 7-8 hours pretty consistently, not a huge margin, but better than the Davidoff. Maybe the 1980s version of Cool Water was even better, but it’s still decent these days.

Edge: Polo Blue

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are solid choices for everyday wear. They can go casual or to school or to work, depending on your circumstances. Cool Water and Polo Blue are safe and inoffensive, to those around you, and can gather complements without choking out a room.

Neither is a club scent or really a date night cologne. They shine in spring/summer, but can go year round, as well. There’s no real distinction, in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Cool Water has a really nice opening act, with the mint and tobacco, that sit in the watery mix. I’m not a huge fan of when it turns soapy, towards the middle, but it does come around again with a woody/aquatic base to round things out.

There’s a reason that it’s been popular for so long and it has an advantage of being very reasonably priced.

I like Polo Blue, I’m not a huge fan of the scent (it’s pretty linear and simple), but I would rather wear it over Cool Water. For me, the EDP version, is better than this EDT that I’m comparing to Cool Water. But, I’d take both of the Polo options over the Davidoff.

Why? It just smells better overall. These are fairly evenly matched scents, with similar uses and performance. The melon/tangerine combination with crisp cucumber and the amber notes are quite enjoyable in Polo Blue.

It also doesn’t have the sort of soapy aroma, that Cool Water gives off at times. It’s not way better, but it does have a slight edge in this comparison.

Cool Water is the more inexpensive option, often by quite a lot, so take that into consideration. I like Polo Blue more, but not sure if I’d pay $30 more for a bottle, if I could get Cool Water and another scent for the same price. But that’s up to you and your situation.

Winner: Polo Blue EDT