New Mind Games Mentor

Mentor is a Woody, Amber, Gourmand scent created for Men and Women in 2024 by perfumer Carlos Vinals. 

Review

This scent begins sweet before diving into something a little dark. You can smell the Salted Caramel immediately, but that soon fades into the background, helping to lend a sweetness to Dark Plum and Amber. Coffee adds a familiar twist that lingers for a bit, then mellows into the crisp woodiness of Boya Oud. As this scent dries down, it borders between light and dark, sweet and spicy, calming and intense. It’s like Coffee soaked wood with hints of a dark and juicy fruitiness peaking out every now and then. It conjures an image of being in your newly finished wood cabin and you’re brewing a pot of coffee while you take in the hard work that you’ve completed. This scent may start off in familiar Gourmand territory, but develops into something sophisticated and alluring. It is comparable to Al Contrario from Tiziana Terenzi. 

Inspiration

Mentor is part of the Perfumer Extraordinaire collection, which celebrates the perfumer’s artistry and the journey from inspiration to final product. Mentor celebrates the contrast between notes and the joy the blends bring to those who wear them. 

“Each bottle is accompanied by two lab samples of the raw ingredients featured in the fragrance, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the delicate balance of raw materials that compose each scent.” 

Notes

Salted Caramel is brighted with Italian Lemon, opening this scent with a bright and sweet element. Very soon after, Dark Plum and Creme de Cassis add a fruity element to the warmth of Amber and Coffee in the heart. A subtle darkness sets in with Boya Oud, both mellowed and boosted by the Coffee, as well as by Sandalwood. A final note of Tonka Bean brings additional depth, and helps to keep the sweetness thriving through to the end. 

Top Notes: Salted Caramel, Italian Lemon, Dark Plum

Heart Notes: Amber, Coffee, Creme de Cassis

Base Notes: Boya Oud, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean