French Defense
On request
Mind Games Grand Master
Rose, Kona coffee, myrrh and dark wood
Alexandra Carlin wanted two sides of coffee in one perfume, the creamy and the dark-roasted, and Grand Master is where she put them. Soft florals open it, rose, wild violet and Kona coffee form the centre, and myrrh, incense, panettone and ebony wood close it. Mind Games says it begins gently and gives way to strength.
Available on request
Ask about this perfume
Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
The store’s selection is really good and comprehensive. Placing an order was very easy, and shipping was really fast. The fragrances were well packed and they were all...
The composition
How it unfolds in notes
The curve shows the order in which the notes come forward, not their strength.
-
Top notes
- Black Currant
- Rose Water
- Pivoine
-
Heart notes
- Rose Centofolia Vitessence
- Kona Coffee
- Wild Violet
-
Base notes
- Myrrh
- Incense
- Panettone
- Ebony Wood
- Character
- Strong
- Occasion
- Concentration
- Explore by note
In the same spirit
Similar in character
On the skin
How it unfolds
-
A soft floral door
Black currant, rose water and pivoine open the perfume gently. The currant is dark and slightly tart, rose water is light and transparent, and pivoine adds a petal-soft, airy sweetness. Nothing is forced yet; the start is a quiet invitation, and the strength arrives later.
-
Rose, violet, coffee
Rose Centofolia Vitessence, Kona coffee and wild violet form the heart. The rose is fuller than in the opening, violet adds a cool, powdery edge, and the coffee brings the gourmand twist the brand describes, both creamy and dark-roasted. The mix is dense but not loud.
-
Resin and dark wood
The base turns dark and resinous: myrrh and incense give a smoky, balsamic depth, panettone adds a soft, buttery bakery sweetness, and ebony wood holds it all on a dry, dark floor. As an extrait it stays close and warm, and the sweetness fades slowly into resin.
Wearing it
When, who and why
Autumn into winter
Grand Master is happiest in autumn and winter, in the evening or on special occasions where a rich amber with a floral side feels right. One or two sprays are enough. Spray the chest rather than the wrists if you want the rose and coffee to open slowly under your clothes.
Who will like it
People who enjoy rose when something pushes against it, such as coffee, resin and incense. It is unisex, and it suits those who want gourmand touches without a sweet-shop perfume. The soft opening also keeps it welcoming if amber is new to you.
Why choose Mind Games Grand Master
The idea is clear: gentleness first, then strength. The notes follow it, from rose water and pivoine to myrrh and ebony. Using both sides of coffee is a specific choice by the perfumer, and it gives the heart a texture that is soft and dark at once.
At a glance
- House
- Mind Games
- Perfumer
- Alexandra Carlin
- Year
- 2022
- Size
- 100 ml
- For
- Unisex
Questions
Frequently asked
Is there a strong coffee note in Grand Master?
Kona coffee sits in the heart, together with rose and wild violet. The perfumer wanted both its creamy and its dark-roasted sides, so it adds depth rather than a café effect.
Which season suits it best?
Autumn and winter, when the base of amber, myrrh and incense feels at home. A cool evening is the ideal moment.
Would it work as a gift?
For someone who likes rose, resin and a gourmand touch, yes. It is unisex, so the choice depends on taste, not gender, and it comes as a 100 ml Extrait de Parfum.
What is the concentration?
Extrait de Parfum, the most concentrated form, so it sits close to the skin and develops slowly; one or two sprays are plenty.
The house
About Mind Games
Mind Games is a chess-themed niche house created by Alex and Mariana Shalbaf. Each perfume is an ‘aromatic movement’ that mirrors a move or idea from the game, and every full-size perfume is an Extrait de Parfum in a 100 ml glass flacon with a metal cap shaped like a chess piece.
- A chess-themed niche house created by Alex and Mariana Shalbaf
- Each perfume is an ‘aromatic movement’ that mirrors a move or idea from chess
- The brand calls its whole range unisex or genderless
Pick up where you left off
Recently viewed
Reviews of FragranceGems
What FragranceGems customers say
NicheGems is new. These are reviews from FragranceGems customers about their orders at FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems. Collected by Judge.me.
4.7 out of 5
1,200+ reviews on Judge.me
Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
The store’s selection is really good and comprehensive. Placing an order was very easy, and shipping was really fast. The fragrances were well packed and they were all excellent. I’m very satisfied. 👍💯👍
Very good quality profume, it last long and it has a good price for its incredible aroma and mixes of fruit and wood smell
A cozy, slightly sensual vanilla that feels like warm night air by the sea. Easy to love if you enjoy gourmand perfumes with a soft smoky edge.
This perfume is really well blended, I just removed a star because I personnaly don't like the top note (citronella)
Placing the order was very easy. Shipping was very fast. I am completely satisfied.
Good cologne, love the citrus and ginger scent making it a playful combo while the tea base makes it a bit more mature. Great for the gym
FragranceGems is again really quick with their releases. I hope this one smells better than Too Damn Good. Already rating a 5 star because of previous experiences!!
Already pre-order. As always, FragranceGems is the first with good releases. Looking forward to my bottle!
The cap of the bottle came with a small part of it broken off and the glass pieces were in the box
A selection of recent reviews in proportion to their star ratings.
From the house of FragranceGems
The niche department of FragranceGems
NicheGems is part of FragranceGems B.V. in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands. Original perfumes from niche houses, handled by the same team that looks after every FragranceGems order.
Reviews of FragranceGems, the shop behind NicheGems
- Original perfumes, new and in original packaging
- Packed with care in the Netherlands
- Customer service by the FragranceGems team