From my point of view, Mind Games has been so hyped in recent months that I really wanted to test the "special ones" as well as the "most hyped", here the
French Defense. In the great game of fragrances, there are strategists who are subtle and others who attack with presence... well, then there is
French Defense ... and this one does not storm, does not overrun, but calculates... he calculates too hard for me, to be honest. But before I give too much away, let's get into it:
- The first move in the game, or rather the opening of the fragrance, is bold; a beautiful cherry that immediately demands attention. It is not the "lukewarm" cherry of
Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum nor that of
Duchessa, nor the dark cherry of
Jump Up and Kiss Me Hedonistic, but a softly embedded, beautiful cherry, slightly sweet and ambery and underpinned with a hint of cognac. The cherry sets the tone in the opening, but leaves enough room for the other fragrance notes.
- The middle section then consists of a more perceptible ambery cognac note, which had already subtly emerged in the opening and is now more pronounced without the cherry disappearing completely. The rose is subtle, but really subtle, in the background and blends with woody accords and exciting; also with a subtle chamomile note, before it then goes in a slightly darker direction in the drydown with a slightly dosed patchouli.
- The longevity is quite good, definitely above average, but not bombastic; just like the sillage.
CONCLUSION:
Overall, I can see why the fragrance gets its hype. It's a subtle gentleman's fragrance, not an aggressive aggressor, but a considered strategist who knows very well how to use what he has thoughtfully and without being overbearing. The fragrance is well blended and very mass appeal; everything balances very well and even if it doesn't hit the mark enough for me personally and there's probably too much hype behind it for me personally, the fragrance is just damn well received. I've only received compliments for it, but yes, somehow I expect too much with my already demanding nose.
Sometimes you just want to smell good and not do anything wrong, and also special...but not too special. I think the
French Defense is perfect for such situations, for dates - where you don't want to do anything wrong, for office days when you want to stand out but don't want to take any risks...
Does that make sense...? If not, anyways! That's it, have fun!
Black cherry
Cognac
Amber
Blond woods
Cedarwood
Chamomile
Madagascan geranium
Mimosa
Patchouli
Rose absolute
Saffron
Violet leaf
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