Clean Shaven 25
Brand: Clean Shaven
Masculine · EDP · £12.45
Inspired by Montblanc Explorer.
Description
25 is Clean Shaven's aftershave interpretation of Montblanc Explorer, the 2019 release that positioned itself as a modern, adventurous woody aromatic within Montblanc's fragrance line. Product Overview Sold as 50ml at 25% EDP concentration for 12.45 pounds against an original that retails from around 60 pounds for a comparable size. The bottle carries only the Clean Shaven name and the number 25, with the Explorer comparison stated on the product listing. Scent Profile Opens with bergamot, pomarose and sage, a fresh, slightly fruity aromatic entrance, with pomarose in particular giving a subtle rosy-fruity lift that is unusual in a masculine top accord. The heart of vetiver, leather and sandalwood forms the fragrance's core, a dry, textured woody-leather combination. It settles into patchouli, ambrofix and akigalawood, modern woody-amber molecules that give the base a clean, long-lasting quality rather than a traditional heavy patchouli finish. Technical Structure and Development Composed for Montblanc using modern synthetic woody amber molecules such as ambrofix and akigalawood alongside the more traditional vetiver and leather, Explorer was built to feel contemporary and versatile rather than overtly classic. Those modern amber-woody molecules are widely available at accessible cost, which makes the base accord one of the more replicable parts of the composition for a budget interpretation, even where the pomarose top note is harder to match exactly. Performance At 25 percent EDP concentration, expect moderate longevity around 4 to 6 hours with moderate projection, broadly in line with the original's own reputation as a well-balanced, not overly loud, daily wear fragrance. Wear Scenarios - Everyday and office wear year round - Outdoor and travel settings, matching the original's own adventurous branding - Autumn wear, when the leather-vetiver base suits cooler air - A versatile, safe choice for someone wanting one dependable daily scent Scent Family Positioning Sits in the woody aromatic family, on the modern, clean-amber end of the genre rather than the darker, resinous end. Inspired By and Style Comparisons Direct interpretation of Montblanc Explorer. Within Clean Shaven's own range, shares some structural ground with 04, the brand's Creed Aventus interpretation, both being modern woody-fresh scents built for daily versatility, though Explorer is drier and less fruity. Flankers and Variations Montblanc has extended Explorer with Explorer Ultra Blue, Explorer Platinum and Explorer Extreme since the original 2019 launch; 25 is built around the standard Explorer Eau de Parfum. Market and Community Reception Explorer has grown into one of Montblanc's most commercially successful modern releases and is frequently recommended online as a strong value alternative to pricier woody aromatics from other houses. Clean Shaven's own customer reviews for 25 describe it as a dependable, well-performing everyday scent, with the top accord reading slightly simpler than the Montblanc original's pomarose signature.
Notes
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Base Notes
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Atlas Match
Best Notes Match
Ahmed Al Maghribi Marj
Shared notes: Bergamot, Vetiver
From This Brand
Clean Shaven 09
Same DNA Style
Maison Alhambra Encode
Inspired by Montblanc Explorer
Community Reviews
1 reviews with an average rating of 7.1 out of 10.
Community Ratings
- Overall: 7.1/10
- Scent Accuracy: 7.5/10
- Longevity: 6.5/10
- Projection: 6.0/10
- Value: 8.5/10
What Reviewers Say
Atlas AI Analysis — 7.1/10
Clean Shaven 25 presents as a versatile woody aromatic, heavily reliant on the modern synthetic architecture popularized by its inspiration. The composition maintains a balance between the brightness of bergamot and the textured, dry qualities of leather and vetiver. While the inclusion of pomarose adds a specific fruity-floral nuance to the opening, the budget-tier execution tends to simplify this complex facet, leaning more heavily into the clean, amber-woody base of ambrofix and akigalawood. The overall feel is one of mass-market utility rather than niche experimentation. Despite the advertised 25 percent Eau de Parfum concentration, the fragrance demonstrates performance characteristics typical of high-street daily wear. Users should anticipate a moderate longevity cycle of 4 to 6 hours. Projection is restrained, staying within an arm's length for the initial hour before receding into a closer scent bubble. This behavior aligns with the profile of the original, which prioritizes professional versatility over invasive potency. At a price point of 12.45 pounds per 50ml, 25 occupies the entry-level segment of the dupe market. It offers a significant value proposition compared to the retail price of Montblanc Explorer, particularly for consumers seeking a functional workhorse scent. Within the Clean Shaven ecosystem, it serves as a drier alternative to their Aventus-inspired offerings. The fragrance is seasonally versatile, though the woody-leather core performs optimally in the temperate transitions of autumn and spring. Its clean, structured profile makes it highly suitable for office environments and professional settings where more aggressive fragrances might be inappropriate.
Where to Buy
Check current price and availability on Amazon.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the signature scent profile of the Clean Shaven brand?
Clean Shaven focuses on the "Barbershop" and "Grooming" aesthetic, specializing in scents that are fresh, crisp, and undeniably clean. Their DNA is built around the idea of a fresh-out-of-the-shower experience, focusing on high-quality citrus, cooling mint, and traditional aromatic herbs like lavender and rosemary.
Can Clean Shaven fragrances be used as aftershaves and perfumes?
While the brand has its roots in traditional grooming, their fragrances are formulated as Eau de Parfums to ensure they last far longer than a standard aftershave. They are designed to be "skin-friendly" while providing enough punch to work as a daily-wear fragrance that stays noticeable throughout the workday.
Is Clean Shaven a good brand for the office or gym?
Yes, Clean Shaven is arguably the best "utilitarian" fragrance house for those who want to smell fresh without being overwhelming. Their profiles are non-offensive, uplifting, and professional, making them a top choice for office environments, gym bags, and warm weather where heavy ouds or ambers might be too cloying.
What is Clean Shaven 25 a dupe of?
Clean Shaven 25 is a dupe of Montblanc Explorer. It interprets the original scent profile using high quality alternative ingredients at a fraction of the price.
What does Clean Shaven 25 smell like?
Clean Shaven 25 opens with Bergamot, Pomarose, Sage, moves into Vetiver, Leather, Sandalwood, and settles on a base of Patchouli, Ambrofix, Akigalawood. It is built to capture the character of Montblanc Explorer.
Is Clean Shaven 25 long lasting?
Clean Shaven 25 is EDP with a community longevity score of 6.5 out of 10 and a scent accuracy score of 7.5 out of 10. It offers a budget friendly alternative to the original.
What does EDP mean?
EDP stands for Eau de Parfum. It typically contains 15 to 20 percent fragrance concentration, giving stronger performance and longer longevity than EDT. Most Middle Eastern clone brands release their fragrances as EDP, which is a significant reason they tend to outperform designer equivalents in longevity and projection at a lower price point.
What is an extrait de parfum?
Extrait de parfum, also called pure parfum, contains the highest fragrance concentration, typically 20 to 40 percent. It lasts the longest, projects most richly, and develops the most complex dry-down. Bujairami releases all its fragrances as extraits, which is a significant part of why the brand has developed such a strong reputation for performance.
What is maceration and should I let my new fragrance macerate?
Maceration is the process of fragrance molecules fully integrating and settling after production. A newly bottled fragrance can smell sharp, synthetic, or unbalanced because the individual ingredients have not yet harmonised. Leaving a bottle to settle for two to four weeks is standard practice in the fragrance community. Remove the cap and let the bottle breathe overnight to accelerate the process. Most heavy Middle Eastern releases benefit significantly from maceration.
What is a blind buy in the fragrance community?
A blind buy is purchasing a fragrance without having smelled it first, based on notes, reviews, community consensus, and comparisons to fragrances you already know. The Atlas compare tool, scent accuracy scores, and community reviews are specifically designed to reduce the risk of a disappointing blind buy by giving you data before you spend money.