New 2021 Fragrance: Montblanc Explorer Ultra Blue

New review time. Today I'm looking at the new Montblanc Explorer Ultra Blue. 

Three noses, Givaudan’s Jordi Fernandez, Olivier Pescheux, and Antoine Maisondieu have come together. I do like the sound of noses coming together. It sounds like some independent super hero film, like The Avengers meets Rushmore. 

First let’s talk about the bottle design - the bottle is a design by Mark Eisen. Nothing really new to mention here except it's the same iteration as the original EXPLORER but in a deep aquatic blue, reflective of the marine accord that the scent is characterised by. Still, I like it. Solid, perforated, has texture and sits proud on the shelf. 

What does it smell like? 

The top notes are a zesty fusion of Italian bergamot and citrus of the finest quality, with the addition of a touch of pink peppercorn to deliver a fresh spicy note with woody facets.

Montblanc Explorer Ultra Blue is intensely fresh, evoking crystalline waters and endless blue skies. It smells like you've just taken a family trip to the Mediterranean coast. You're reminded of the coastline and the ambiance. However it is not just a blue aquatic fragrance, it has masculine woody notes in the body. It's optimistic, it has a smooth introduction of citrus and spice, Italian bergamot and Pink Pepper are playful and transportive. Coincidentally I'm wearing this whilst listening to God Moving Over the Face of the Waters by Moby. It's also the outro song to the Michael Mann movie Heat. It does take you on a journey, and if ever a scent had a soundtrack, one that arouses that ethereal yet tangible desire to glide seamlessly across the aquaplanes to the horizon, this is it! 

From the Press Release.. 

The dry down takes us to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, where we find a basic note that defines the structure of the scent. This is patchouli that was developed exclusively for Montblanc. Especially this patchouli is light and clean and is combined here in an ingenious way, with the woods that give the scent a rich base with hints of leather.

How long does it last? 

Despite what I've heard, this fragrance clung around for 4-5 hours. Which is par for the course for an aquatic fragrance, though some may expect a little more from a Montblanc fragrance. I have a good skin chemistry with aquatic scents, they tend project well on me and they also hang around longer. 

In Summary

An accessibly priced aquatic scent, not a regression on the original EXPLORER. It has a promise of Spring, it's an inviting scent. There is little complexity, but that doesn't make it disposable in any way. I enjoyed taking a trip with this one.