Double Attack

I’m sitting here so elated and equally angry with myself. I love the mind games aesthetic but for the longest time i couldn’t find a scent from them that i liked and honestly i was grateful because their brand is simply too expensive. I love gourmand fragrances but overly chocolate scents like Chocolate Greedy are NOT for me so when this sample came free of purchase I was thinking oh great another Mind Games miss because it said Bitter Chocolate and saffron which i love me some saffron but i was convinced the dominant chocolate would ruin it for me.. Let me also preface this by saying the only masc leaning fragrance i love is Althair.. Make mo mistake Double Attack leans ever so slightly more masculine but it’s so intoxicating it blew my mind. The first smell once i sprayed the sample was saffron and some dark chocolate then some orange began peaking in and by the dry down this was the most decadent dark chocolate spiced desert or some fancy hot chocolate abroad in another country that uses spices to make it. Like its deep dark and just spiced enough that it’s a yummy treat you get intoxicated by. I knew immediately that not only did I want it but i want my man to come to bed smelling like this every night! This scent is rich and sexy and it’s criminal how quickly i fell in love from the sample and ordered a full bottle.. Thank god for SAG rewards because it saved me like 170 off the retail 375 USD price tag. So thankfully i found my perfect Mind Games scent while i had so many points saved but I do not know how this scent isn’t spoken about more.. I hear about Queening nonstop which i’ve never smelled but I have smelled the one with the sesame note and a few others that honestly smelled kinda bad in my opinion and a few that just smell weird to my nose get so much hype but this scent that smells like the best spiced gourmand.. Best chocolate scent to ever hit the market.. just isn’t spoken about much. If you like cozy weather gourmands that are both sexy and feel like a warm hug then this one will blow your mind.

I first saw this line of fragrances at Indiehouse modern fragrance bar while I was visiting ATL (if you are in ATL check out that store...it’s amazing) and seeing all of the bottles lined up together made for such a pretty display. Additionally, I think that the timing of the development and opening of Mind Games as a house is perfect, as chess has risen in popularity after The Queen’s Gambit series aired, people got into chess and joined chess.com during lockdown, and the increase in the number of International Masters and Grand Masters who are streaming nowadays. And, the game is just so aesthetically pleasing (oh...did I mention that I like the mind games bottles?). I digress. As a whole, the fragrances from this house are really high quality. Double Attack happens to be my favorite of them all. I adore consuming chocolate but chocolate in perfumes can be tricky, as it can sometimes come across like a tootsie roll or can be overly sweet; and, some so-called chocolate fragrances smell more like vanilla, which is disappointing. Double Attack stands out in the crowd of chocolate fragrances. It is truly a dark chocolate fragrance, with aspects of cacao nibs. It is equally a warm, spicy fragrance, perfect for the colder months. In my opinion, it is 100% wearable: while it is evident that chocolate is present, you won’t walk around smelling like a literal dessert. Don’t get me wrong, smelling like a dessert isn’t bad, but it is limiting. Sometimes I’m not in the mood for full-on gourmands or I do not think that full-on gourmands are suitable for certain occasions. On the other hand, fragrances with some gourmand aspects (gourmand adjacent perfumes) are more versatile. I’d wear Double Attack at leisure, to work (I wouldn’t overspray then), out with friends, or to a special event. It’s addictive. I cannot stop sniffing my wrist when I’m wearing it. Unfortunately, I finished off my sample, but I plan on buying a bottle in the future.

I've been wearing this fragrance to work lately. It opens with an orange top note, a smooth deep chocolate base, and a touch of something warmer lingering in the background. While the orange reads as bright in contrast with the chocolate, it is significantly more subdued than the typical orange citrus scent. It sort of reminds me of those Terry's dark chocolate oranges that fill store shelves around Christmas, except deeper and richer, more developed and complex. After 1-2 hours, this bright, bittersweet opening fades to a dry and spicy cocoa reminiscent of a Mexican hot chocolate. The pepper notes emerge, and so does the cinnamon. A few more hours pass (maybe 4-6) and by the end of the work day the dry spiciness has given way to a barely-sweet creaminess. At this point, it doesn't smell particularly edible. The chocolate is present but I wouldn't compare it to any type of food. If I didn't know any better, I might guess at this point that the fragrance's base was tonka bean and sandalwood. There's something almost earthy in the background, but it might just be my natural musk peeking through. When I hop in the shower after my workout in the evenings, my sharp and sour sweat cuts cleanly through the fragrance, which has all but dissolved into a warm memory. I've worn it every day since getting my free samples at the mall. There's something so addictive about this fragrance and the way it evolves over time. I can't stop smelling myself whenever I wear it, and even worse, I can't stop wearing it. My sample has maybe 1-2 more sprays left and I'm slightly panicking about what to do. I'd buy it in a heartbeat, if it wasn't $400. For now, I'll try to return to Dillard's and convince the sales associate to give me another sample, which I'll try to only use sparingly.

I received a sizable decant of Mind Games "Double Attack" with a recent Neiman Marcus perfume purchase. I knew nothing about this house, or this fragrance prior to trying it out on skin. So, to my nose, this fragrance is a "WOW" as it opens and performs in a true niche way. Because "Double Attack" is touted as a chocolate-orange fragrance, I was expecting an initial overload of thick, sticky, gourmand chocolate and sweet orange. But the fragrance surprises. There is evidence of bitter orange and many spices in the opening. I love the saffron addition. The fragrance morphs with pleasant, slightly floral, mid notes before drying down with a dusty, chocolaty, vanilla, wood base. I LIKE this fragrance 'cause the chocolate is NOT the thick, edible, sticky, cloying, gourmand chocolate you get in many chocolate-based fragrances. The chocolate notes in Double Attack beautifully blend with the other base notes lending to the fragrance's dry, arid, cocoa powder development. The agave adds something slightly green, light and airy to this fragrance. It's really nice. For the price tag, longevity isn't great. But so it goes with many of the specialty, niche fragrances that are pumped out in today's market. Beautiful and as many "niche" fragrances go, this is NOT a mass appealing perfume. But Double Attack is a safe blind buy for anyone who loves a non-gourmand, mixed-note, chocolate type fragrance.

From the very first seconds the fragrance greets you with a juicy, slightly tart orange as if zest is being freshly squeezed into the air. The citrus feels natural, with a hint of bitterness from the peel. Soon after a touch of dry cinnamon emerges, adding warm spiciness and giving the composition a defined character. The pepper is very soft, not sharp, but subtly highlights the chocolate note, making it more intriguing and “grown-up.” Agave though elusive, brings a light, barely-there green sweetness, like a delicate veil that softens the spices and links the top and base together. The base is especially cozy- a soft airy trail of chocolate and woody notes, with a gentle sweetness and comforting warmth that wraps around you. This is the kind of gourmand scent you want to smell on women 30+. It’s beautiful, refined and elegant- even sensual.

I got a sample of this - I love this woodsy dry bitter chocolate fragrance, but I cannot smell it after an hour :(. To me, it smells exactly like how you'd picture the notes, dry vetiver dark chalky chocolate. With a name like double attack, you'd think it's a little more powerful in the projection. It's subtle and not a show-offy fragrance. I can picture a guy wearing this, someone goes in for a hug, and get a compliment like "hey dude you smell really nice"! As opposed to, "I know what you are wearing, it's Sauvage or Aventus - can smell that from a few feet away". More masculine leaning, but I enjoy it as a lady when I'm just doing activities that are relaxing and easy going but I think it's much more versatile for the gents; appropriate just about any setting from casual to professional/dressed up, but just spray like 10x .

Cuddlebug chocolate, marmalade, and something like papyrus (greenish vanilla peppery smell). Maybe it's the agave that gives it that fresh green vanilla sharp smell. What a beautiful contrast with the buttery chocolate and tart orange. I smell pepper, but not pink pepper, more like one of those chile ristras like you see in Albuquerque. I have tried lots of these Mind Games fragrances. So far they have all been gorgeous; Double Attack is the best for me because it expresses a sense of mystery. BUT...none of them lasts!! Why?? If these had even four hours of longevity, they would be classics. For this price, I could practically get something from the Chanel Exclusifs line that would stay with me all day. But man, Double Attack is beautiful and original.

I tested it at Neimann Marcus and this was immediately one of my 3 top favorites from the brand. How does it smell? Great! Like a deep, complex gourmand. After a few moments I realized why I liked it so much - it reminded me of one of my top fall/winter perfumes that got discontinued - Jo Malone Blue Agava and Cacao. I came home, compared the notes and bingo! A big overlap in notes. For those who don't know Blue Agave and Cacao, it's an agava-lime-cacao scent. It reminds me of a cocktail. Double Attack has a subtle animalic(?) note in it. Overall, a very good, unique scent. Unisex. For day or night in fall or summer night. Also, I love the concept and the design of the full size bottles.

This one is utterly stunning! It opens with a soft, smooth chocolate hit lifted by clean aromatics — instantly polished, instantly “ooh, that’s nice.” No harshness, no burnt notes, just effortless charm. As it settles, it stays beautifully balanced: creamy chocolate, gentle woods, the fresh herbal lift that keeps it unisex and so very incredibly wearable. It’s one of those quiet-luxury scents that feels natural, warm and expensive without shouting. Honestly? It went from “lovely” to “ok... I get it” to "Ouch! It is HOW MUCH..??!" pretty fast... but if I'm honest, it'll still be a full bottle eventually - it is actually worth it. Definitely sample first — but on me, it’s gorgeous.

This... smells like my grandma. But I really really like it. To me, it's reminiscent of something between Angel and Angel Muse but more grown up and more expensive. It's soft where Angel is too strong. I would say, if you like Angel and just wish it didn't punch you in the face so hard, try this one out. This is really unique. It's really beautiful. And, for me, it brings back happy memories of someone long gone. Full bottle worthy. Addendum: Absolutely in love. Signature fragrance worthy. It's like snorting liquid crack. What am I wearing, dahrling? Oh, that's Double Attack by Mind Games, dahrling

I have no idea why I come back to this place for reviews. It's like a Cabal of fragrance dickheads that crap all over everything they can't afford to wear. MGDT is exactly what it's supposed to be. Smells like high-end luxury. Beautiful. On the skin it's absolutely intoxicating. Always get asked what I'm wearing.

Gourmand Heaven. If you like fragrances like Angel’s Share, you will love this. Not quite beast mode but I get a good 7-10 hours. The chocolate in this fragrance is one of the best I’ve ever smelled. The citrus up top gives it a hint of freshness but this is mostly chocolate and woods on me. Just stunning!

I'm not sure why everyone says this scent doesn't last long. I can smell it on my clothes for two to three days after the fact. I love this scent, I've worn it about every day since I got a sample back in October then immediately bought a travel size.

Very impressive chocolate fragrance. My sympathies go out to those who cannot appreciate the distinguished elegance this delicacy of a fragrance offers. Instant love.

Love this combination of notes. A lightly orange-scented spicy chocolate. Very ethereal and not really deep, it disappears quickly on my skin.

Great warm spicy scent with some orange mostly dark chocolate that becomes like a smooth soft milky chocolate.

This is a beautiful chocolate fragrance that smells like walking into Charlie's chocolate factory.

I love it, so incredibly sexy. Leans pretty masculine and incredible for the winter!!

I liked it, but the scent doesn't last long, maximum 20 minutes.

💃🏻 🎶 I'm in love with the coco, coco 🎶💃🏻

This is really pleasant, pretty, well-rounded (nothing is sticking out at all) type of fragrance. The performance is the type that could be worn to work because it wears lighter, feels more elegant in that way. But as "nice" as it is - I am not sure this is worth the price. I'm also not sure it would stick out enough in my mind for me to reach for it if it was in my collection. The Froward is still my favorite from Mind Games, but I haven't tried all of them. This one is more gourmand, feminine-leaning but would smell incredible on a man too. It is a softened chocolate with soft spices (mainly feeling the peppers & not the cinnamon), on a soft woody base. The citrus is not the star of the show but just adds a little lift. Well-blended, easy-reach, grown gourmand that could be worn by any age and IMHO by any sex. Non-offensive. Sampled only* 7.5-8/10

To me the first note I get is leather, but Double Attack quickly settles into itself with a really interesting mix of spices, sweet vanilla and orange, and, of course, the star—cocoa. I say cocoa rather than chocolate because the smell reminds me of a very dark chocolate bar or cocoa powder more than a candy chocolate bar. Mexican hot chocolate is definitely an apt comparison. A great gourmand for people that don’t love gourmands as they usually come—overly sweet, vanilla heavy, highly synthetic. Really nice, complex, interesting fragrance. I suppose I agree with the masses that this leans masculine but I think especially in cold weather this is absolutely unisex.

This is a very airy chocolate scent. The notes listed here aren’t accurate. I got an official sample from BG the notes are bitter chocolate, saffron, bourbon and vanilla. The notes are blended to perfection. This isn’t very sweet and it doesn't become cloying at any point. It’s weird how saffron can either be leathery or airy. The saffron in this fragrance is very airy. This seems to be a gourmand skin scent and that is very interesting.

The opening of this is amazing, I wish it was like this throughout. 😍 It eventually dries down to a warm spicy vanilla with loads of chocolate. At times it gives me Hypnotizing Fire vibes from The Harmonist (which I own and love). I think I need to play around with it a little more to determine if I will eventually buy the bottle. For now, I love it more on paper than on skin but I'm not writing it off just yet. 😉

Smells like a sweaty Coco Puff. Reminds me of the horrible Al Rehab Choco Musk. This is a classy, upscale Choco Musk. Gets better as it dries down but I can’t see passed that comparison. It’s too spicy; the orange note is weak and subdued by this synthetic dark chocolate. Not a balanced mix. As it gets better, all the notes seem to blend into each other. Maybe I got a gnarly sample... 🧐

I got a lot of orange at first, which settled into a nice blend or orange, cinnamon, chocolate, and vanilla. Nothing was dominant or overpowering (one spray) but the fragrance also didn’t last very long for me. I like the scent, it wasn’t a vanilla bomb or a sweet chocolate gourmand. I found the blend to be fairly unique and appealing. I will wear it again with a couple sprays. 6/10.

My gf got this as a sample when she bought MFK-OSM. I agree with most of the comments below. This has the best chocolate note I've smelled. It's not overly sweet like most. The chocolate note blends with the woods after the dry down and doesn't stand out like most chocolate notes. This actually blends with my skin scent really well. I like it a lot.

this is a very light fragrance. it smells very well blended smell of chocolate and bitter orange but not in a uncomfortable way. i really dont know how to discribe this, but it smells prettyy good. The problem is that it is not strong at all, but very nice in a light way. i can imagine a surgeon weaing this cause it aint too strong and nice 8/10

This fragrance was a 9/10 for me until I checked the fragrantica notes. This is a very masculine woody chocolate that remains wearable and not too sweet. Loving this fragrance I went to the fragrantica page to then see Pimento as a heart note that is now all I can smell. Still good, but the pimento smells throws me off every time I notice it.

Definitely get a nice blast of chocolate on the opening but unfortunately, this only lasted a few minutes for me until it became more of a spicy, earthy type scent. Not really what I was looking for from a chocolate fragrance so that aspect & the fact that the sillage is almost non-existent, means that this is a pass from me.

This was my favorite out of the entire collection—an interesting spicy cocoa with other stuff intertwined, but after I left the store, I started to smell something that reminded me of Baccarat Rouge! It wasn't as unpleasant, but definitely not what I signed up for...

A nice earthy, patchouli, chocolate scent that stands out quite alot, not sure this is something I would wear, but that doesn't particularly mean it's bad either. 7.5/10

My first time trying Mind Games. The only note that stands out is cocoa. Nice but faded fast on me. I'll let it macerate for a bit and try it out again later..

on my skin the pimento is negligible leading to it smelling like a more refined version of bad boy with rich choclate and the tiny tiniest bit of spice

I get airy chocolate. Nice but overpriced in my opinion. I think the price is in the bottle, not the juice.

Bitter chocolate with one drop of orange and vanilla, performance no extra than 4 hours on my skin

my favorite chocolate scent spicy, sweet

very good. but expensive. Not worth it.

Double Attack opens beautifully and honestly gave me one of the most intriguing gourmand openings I’ve smelled in a while. The first hour to hour and a half is fantastic: dark chocolate, agave sweetness, soft spice, and subtle florals all blend together in a way that feels sophisticated, warm, and grown-up rather than juvenile or candy-like. The opening reminded me of Mexican hot chocolate with a refined twist. The pimento and pink pepper are handled very well here — warm and aromatic without becoming painfully spicy. The bitter orange also adds an important brightness that keeps the fragrance from becoming too dense or syrupy. The agave note is especially beautiful and gives the scent a slightly green sweetness that makes the perfume feel unique and atmospheric. What impressed me most initially was how balanced and well blended the fragrance felt. No single note screamed over the others, and the scent came across as textured, elegant, and genuinely intriguing. I could absolutely understand why people describe this as a sophisticated gourmand. Unfortunately, the drydown completely changed the experience for me. After the first couple of hours, the chocolate, vanilla, agave, cinnamon, and floral nuances faded significantly on my skin, leaving behind a much drier vetiver-forward scent. The bourbon vetiver slowly took over the composition and eventually became the dominant note to my nose. What started as an addictive spicy dark chocolate fragrance slowly transformed into a dry grassy woody scent that lost most of the qualities that made the opening special. As the fragrance continued to develop, it also became sharper and projected more than it did initially. While it never became overwhelmingly loud, the smooth warmth from the opening disappeared and the drydown started feeling more perfumey and less atmospheric. By the later stages, I could barely detect the chocolate or vanilla anymore. This ended up being one of the most disappointing “great opening, frustrating drydown” experiences I’ve had. If the opening had remained consistent throughout the wear, I would have seriously considered a full bottle. But for the price, I personally cannot justify paying hundreds of dollars for a fragrance whose best qualities disappear after the first couple of hours.

I'm initially testing this blind from the discovery set, and didn't look at the name or notes. It opened up relatively light (this being the second to the last one) and I got a little bit of a musky sweet vanilla gourmand hint in the opening. As it develops and dries down I get bittersweet chocolate (a scent I know well from going through 2-3 fancy bars a week). But again, the whole fragrance seems fleeting, it's not very big on first spritz or opens up as it dries down. Because it isn't really there-there, there isn't a lot more to say. Looking at the notes, clearly the chocolate is there with vanilla rounding it out, and the bitter orange and geranium keep it fresh and friendly, but the rest don't seem present at all. I like what I get, but I don't understand how underwhelming the whole fragrance is. Have I seriously eaten so much chocolate I can't even detect the water I swim in? It almost makes me wonder if my sample is faulty, or something. I agree and reiterate what French Desk says, "After the first 2 hours, becomes a very light, powdered chocolate with mostly a soft, sweet vanilla skin scent. Barely there at hour 4 or do I become nose blind?!". I feel I'd have a better experience literally mixing something with Arko Dark to get closer to the projection and longevity this is lacking, and do it at the same or lower price point.

Double Attack starts with this musty opening that really catches you off guard... like opening an old closet with a dusty, woody vibe mixed into the bitter orange and pink pepper, kinda sharp and off-putting at first sniff. It takes a minute, but then the cinnamon warms up with agave and a touch of geranium, shifting into this rich dark chocolate heart that's bitter and spicy... reminds me of breaking off a piece of fancy cacao with a boozy hint sneaking in. Down the line, it mellows into creamy vanilla with sandalwood and vetiver, leaving a smooth, earthy trail that's cozy and a bit smoky. As far as performance goes, this extrait hangs around 6 to 10 hours on skin with moderate projection that draws noses for the first couple hours before settling closer... best for fall and winter, shines more at night on dates or evenings out, though it can work daytime if you're feeling bold. I'd compare it to a spicier take on Jo Malone's Blue Agava & Cacao, hitting that chocolate-gourmand spot with extra citrus bite, but at a luxury price that not everyone loves. All in all, it's intriguing and well-blended once past the rough start, solid 3.7 out of 5 if you dig bitter-sweet scents without too much sugar.

Opening: To me, this opens like a chocolate-patchouli scent that quickly shifts into a bittersweet, earthy, Ani-like green vanilla. Not a sweet or gourmand vanilla. I also pick up something smoky, and that earthy quality lingers throughout the opening. There’s something a bit funky(?)... interesting. I’m curious. Mid: Around the 40-minute mark the original structure is still there, but it starts to round out. The scent becomes sweeter and more blended, and the notes are starting to harmonize. But something is off. Maybe it’s my body chemistry, but it feels like something’s clashing, like sugar and salt. It’s like the fragrance is trying to find its own identity. I think I understand the concept, but the duality of it is leaving me undecided. Maybe that's the whole point? Drydown: It starts to feel more cohesive here, and I think I understand it a bit better. Still not for me—at least not yet—but I can acknowledge that it’s unique. And that’s becoming rare nowadays. That said, not everything unique works for everyone. Maybe it's an acquired taste. Something about it continues to provoke me, and even after multiple wears, I still feel perplexed. Definitely worth trying and exploring further.

I got a tester from mind games from Nordstrom so I KNOW it’s real (2ml from a sample kit) so imagine how completely mindblown I feel reading through these reviews... I get boring-ass (albeit high-end, very exclusive) hand cream. This smells like lotion to me (and yes, I moisturize but 1. Not with lotion that smells like this- the one I normally use is unscented and 2. Because of this I tried it 3 times on clean unmoisturized skin) and it still smells like hand cream... on my clothing too... it’s not bad, it’s just so excruciatingly boring. I can’t believe this is one of the mind games selections the YouTubers go nuts for... it’s so boring.... I had to double check... triple check... no one can convince me that someone that even has the $400 to burn is like “yes, this is what I’d like to spend my $$$ on!” I’d honestly see buying $400 of French fries to throw at seagulls as more worth the money than this fragrance... again, not bad but just so painfully boring!!!

I agree with @marty15312 — there’s a musty vibe in the opening, and not in a good way. I’m not sure what’s causing it, but I can’t imagine it was intentional. My guess? The vetiver might be behind that off-putting start. The chocolate here is realistic, I’ll give it that — but it’s lighter, less dense than I hoped for. It doesn’t hit with the richness I expected, especially for something in this price range. I wish I could say more, but honestly... do I think it’s worth the price? No, I most definitely do not. There are far better offerings in the Mind Games line — this one just didn’t land for me. Musty and weird isn’t what I signed up for.

This would be such an amazing dark chocolatey scent... if the vetiver wasn't so prominent to my nose. It sticks out like a sore thumb in this formulation, giving it a weird, grassy, almost herbal feel. That doesn't mean that I think this scent is bad overall; just that it had the potential to be a lot better. Potential to have been around a 7.5/10, but... 3.5/10 imo

Reminds me of various designer scents but done a little better. I have Manhattan Nights and this is close. The Scent Private Accord is close too. For the price I expected more; more unique, better performance, nicer bottle, although the cap and presentation are fine. Overall it’s a 3/5.

Smells like orange stick candy, the ones with an orange jelly filling, and a dark chocolate coating. Dries down and kinda smells funky to me, it reminds me of something ive smelled in art class back in middle school. Don't like that dry down, but the opening isn't too bad.

To me, this is at best a caramel sweet praline perfume. All the notes scream praline. It is very weak - like an immediate skin scent. It smells nice, but so does a great skin lotion for less than $20. The pricing here is stupid for what’s inside.

A chocolaty vanilla fragrance with orange in the opening that disappears quickly in the dry down. Hints of cinnamon in it as well that add a little “something” but not enough. It’s nice but not that special.

Smells like Mexican hot chocolate. Heavy on the spicy pepper and bitter chocolate. Personally, not for me. Leans a bit too masculine for my tastes.