MIND GAMES
Mentor
2024
salted caramel
lemon
dark plum
coffee
creme de cassis
amber
boya oud
sandalwood
tonka bean
‘To commemorate the launch of the Perfumer Extraordinaire collection, Mind Games is offering a limited edition Perfumer Extraodinare Decanter Set, a testament to the dedication and skill of Master Perfumers. Each set includes a stunning, high quality 225ml crystal decanter filled with Mentor Extrait de Parfum, along with an exquisite zamak metal atomizer and three 7.5ml refillable travel sprays. Mentor is a fragrance that celebrates contrasts. It’s a blend that’s both indulgent and complex, offering a unique take on the classic gourmand profile. At its core is Boya Oud, a smoky and sophisticated ingredient that provides an earthy base. This is complemented by the warm, honeyed tones of Amber and Tonka Bean, creating a rich and grounded base that sets the stage for the fragrance’s development adding a touch of sweetness are Orris butter and plum notes. These elements bring a multifaceted sweetness to the scent, revealing soft powdery notes and bursts of juicy sugars. This delicate balance of sweet and earthy notes serves to open and brighten the fragrance’s base, creating a fragrance that’s both engaging and evocative.’ – Mind Games
Mentor & Prodigy were released side-by-side in a special, expensive decanter set, before the general release, so I figured I would review them side-by-side as well. Prodigy ended up being my favorite, but Mentor has something to offer as well. I had/have some reservations about the brand in general, but both of these releases are quite complex scents and the few reviews I’ve read for them downplay their intensity in my experience.
Mentor is quite the ride. Definitely not instantly as appealing as Prodigy was for my taste, but intriguing nonetheless. I get the plum and blackcurrant vibe initially, mixed with a sort of minty edge that I often get in blackcurrant. Combine that with a strong sweetness from the get go and it makes for an almost clashing, yet not unpleasant opening.
In the mid of the wear, the mintier touch fades, in favor of a more sugary, honeyed vibe. I feel a lot of similarities to Prodigy at this stage, with coffee and honey tones. However, whereas Prodigy starts of softer, milkier and more feminine leaning, Mentor has everything dialed up a notch and this sort of spicy, honeyed, dry coffee (maybe also some cardamom) takes away from the coziness. I’m reminded of a fragrance like Unique’e Luxury Beverly Hills Exclusive and many cardamom-coffee combinations. I find myself wavering between liking the scent and finding it grating at the same time.
Definitely a bit more saturated and sweet than I would go for ideally and as I mentioned in the review for Prodigy, the long, screechy and sweet drydown starts to wear me down after several hours; it becomes a demanding wear. I do think that fits my overall experience with Mentor more, as that has quite a punch for the entire wear, but it’s less to my taste. A solid fragrance, but I would’ve preferred it toned down quite a bit.