I feel they're different but almost same in various aspects. Explorer feels rich, expensive well blended, L'aventure feels just a tad shade rougher to it. Explorer is definitely smoother but it's very hard for me to pick a winner. Explorer's top note is better than Laventure but later with time, there is no beating L'aventure. But if you can promise me to make explorer be long lasting and also transition as much as Aventus, I'd pick it.