RustedFish
Reviews
A cheap parody of a modern classic
Montblanc Explorer EDP opens with a pungent, synthetic, chemical pop that smells like a tire garage mixed with salty sweat.
To me, it’s unpleasant all the way through and headache-inducing from start to finish. It lingers for ages, which is great if you enjoy the smell, but for me, it felt like being followed around by the Michelin Man after a long run in the hot sun.
I kind of understand the comparisons to Aventus, but they’re completely different beasts with only vaguely similar DNA. Explorer lacks the crisp, fruity elegance of Aventus and smells like a cheap parody of a modern classic.
2/10
To me, it’s unpleasant all the way through and headache-inducing from start to finish. It lingers for ages, which is great if you enjoy the smell, but for me, it felt like being followed around by the Michelin Man after a long run in the hot sun.
I kind of understand the comparisons to Aventus, but they’re completely different beasts with only vaguely similar DNA. Explorer lacks the crisp, fruity elegance of Aventus and smells like a cheap parody of a modern classic.
2/10
A Spice Cabinet in a Bottle - But Not for Everyone
Spicebomb’s opening is exactly what you might expect from the name, an Intense burst of warm spices. My initial impression was that of opening an old wooden spice cabinet in a cottage during winter. A whiff of non-descript brown spices and a slight sweetness, perhaps from the cinnamon in the back of one of the shelves. The projection is impressive at first, maybe even slightly daunting, but does fade relatively quickly, while still being respectable.
As the opening develops, a slight synthetic quality emerges. Less pronounced than the sweetness found in Spicebomb Extreme, but definitely present. The warm spice notes remain steady throughout though and provide a comforting backbone to the overall profile.
In the dry down, the fragrance transitions into a subtly sweet tobacco, with just a whisper of vetiver in the background. This interplay of warmth, spice, and gentle sweetness gives Spicebomb a well-rounded, inviting character.
Overall, Spicebomb stands out to me as superior to the flankers I’ve sampled. While it doesn’t suit with my personal preferences, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a warm, spicy fragrance with a touch of sweetness. However, I don’t suggest this as a blind buy, and would definitely recommend getting your nose on it first as it’s not for everyone.
As the opening develops, a slight synthetic quality emerges. Less pronounced than the sweetness found in Spicebomb Extreme, but definitely present. The warm spice notes remain steady throughout though and provide a comforting backbone to the overall profile.
In the dry down, the fragrance transitions into a subtly sweet tobacco, with just a whisper of vetiver in the background. This interplay of warmth, spice, and gentle sweetness gives Spicebomb a well-rounded, inviting character.
Overall, Spicebomb stands out to me as superior to the flankers I’ve sampled. While it doesn’t suit with my personal preferences, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking a warm, spicy fragrance with a touch of sweetness. However, I don’t suggest this as a blind buy, and would definitely recommend getting your nose on it first as it’s not for everyone.
Overpowered by Sweetness
Spicebomb Extreme opens with a mix of sweetness and spice that feels a bit underwhelming given the name. Rather than an explosion of spices, the initial impression leans heavily on a synthetic sweetness paired with a cinnamony undertone and hints of general spiciness. There’s a touch of black pepper in the mix, but it’s subtle at first and doesn’t dominate the opening.
As it transitions, the black pepper starts to come forward more distinctly, balancing out some of the initial sweetness. At this point, the scent develops into a blend of tobacco and vanilla, with the pepper adding a faint but noticeable edge.
In the dry-down, the tobacco fades further into the background and leaves a boozy vanilla profile to my nose. While this might appeal to fans of sweeter, gourmand-style scents, personally it feels overly sweet for me. Overall, it lacks the balance and spiciness I was hoping for and isn’t a fragrance I’d personally reach for again.
As it transitions, the black pepper starts to come forward more distinctly, balancing out some of the initial sweetness. At this point, the scent develops into a blend of tobacco and vanilla, with the pepper adding a faint but noticeable edge.
In the dry-down, the tobacco fades further into the background and leaves a boozy vanilla profile to my nose. While this might appeal to fans of sweeter, gourmand-style scents, personally it feels overly sweet for me. Overall, it lacks the balance and spiciness I was hoping for and isn’t a fragrance I’d personally reach for again.
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