Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez was one of the most surprising fragrances I’ve tried this year. Looking at the note pyramid beforehand, I was convinced the oak would dominate the fragrance and make it too woody or too masculine for my taste. Instead, what I got was a beautiful boozy cherry fragrance that stayed remarkably consistent throughout the entire wear. The opening on my skin was an explosion of cherry and rum. The cherry is not candy-like, medicinal, or syrupy. It feels woven into the fragrance rather than sitting on top of it. Combined with the rum, it creates an intoxicating boozy atmosphere that immediately grabbed my attention. As the fragrance developed, I began to notice the black tea. The tea gives the fragrance a sophisticated dryness that keeps the cherry from becoming overly sweet. The result is something that feels mature and intriguing without becoming heavy or overly serious. The leather is present, but not in the way I feared. It isn’t harsh, smoky, or overwhelming. Instead, it acts as a soft textural element underneath the fragrance, giving it structure and depth. The oak, which I was worried about the most, never took over. In fact, the woody aspects stayed firmly in the background and never distracted from the cherry-rum accord that remained the star of the show. One of the things I appreciated most is that the fragrance never betrayed its opening. So many fragrances begin beautifully and then wander into an entirely different territory hours later. Ruy Lopez stayed true to itself. Hours after application, it was still giving me the same boozy atmosphere that made me fall in love with it in the first place. What surprised me most was how differently people interpreted it. I initially worried it might come across as too masculine because of the leather, oak, tea, and patchouli. Yet when my younger brother smelled it, he immediately thought it leaned feminine. That made me realize this fragrance truly sits in a unisex space. Depending on what notes you focus on, you might experience it completely differently. By the end of the day, I knew this was wishlist-worthy. When I came home, my room still carried traces of the fragrance, and the air smelled like cherry liqueur and rum. I found myself wishing there was a candle version because the atmosphere it created was just that enjoyable. Ruy Lopez feels like an evening fragrance. A dinner out. A conversation that lasts longer than expected. A fragrance for someone who wants to smell interesting rather than simply sweet or pretty. Final verdict: A sophisticated cherry-rum and tea fragrance with a soft leather backbone. Boozy, intriguing, surprisingly approachable, and one of the most pleasant surprises in my sample collection.

I tested this one out yesterday. I have to say that Christelle Laprade knocked this one out of the park. It's fantastic. It's addictive. I cannot stop smelling my hand. I smelled it in the store a few times on the strips. That does not suffice at all. This is a fragrance that has to be on your skin to be enjoyed! I'm going to add a few additional comments on this one since it has dried down. I walk 5 miles a day broken up over the day. Once in the morning and another at lunch during the week. It was 93 degrees outside yesterday. This fragrance is still going 4 hours later on my skin. For something that is recommended in the fall and winter months, this is easily pulled off in the late spring heading into summer months in Florida. I thought that it might be cloying but it really hasn't been. Wife liked the opening a lot but wasn't a fan of the dry down. I like it a lot. It did start off unisex in the initial spray leaning femme, but the dry down did go back a bit harder masculine leaning. Honestly think it could be worn for all occasions, but probably suitable more for the evening and intimate occasions.

Magic! Powerful! You know what this reminds me off? 3 fragrances at the same time.. Xj Tony Iommi Angels Share by Killian and Nefs from Nishane. Screams high quality. It is that good! I love these dark boozy sweet woody stuff.. so much presence... if you wear this on the right occasion people around you will feel you and enjoy it. The best part for me is the dry down, when the oakwood sets in... yummmmmmmmmm!!!! The projection is freaking incredible you may have to trow your clothes away after a night out wearing this perfume. Sorry for our beautiful ladies out there this is a masculine scent.. however we live in a free world so girls go for it!!! Youngsters??? Can’t imagine them hooked on this kind of scent this is a pretty mature fragrance kinda of type... Night out.. lots of stuff going on.. no time to get back home type of scent!!!! Totally worth it!

It feels like holding a basket of perfectly ripe plums, not overripe, not overly sweet, just balanced and juicy. There’s a fresh green undertone, subtly herbal, but the plum’s fruity richness remains front and center. A smooth tea note wraps it all in a velvety, comforting texture, adding understated elegance without heaviness. You don’t see influencers or reviewers going gaga over this one, probably because it wasn’t pushed with paid endorsements. But in my opinion, Ruy Lopez is one of the best from the house. It’s beautifully balanced, versatile, and refined, wearable in any season. Honestly, I find it far superior to Mentor, which felt one-dimensional and overpriced by comparison. Ruy Lopez, on the other hand, is a quiet masterpiece that deserves more recognition.

I've sampled the entire soulmate collection and this is by far my favorite. Full bottle worthy. Mind games as a whole hasn't disappointed me yet Sex in a bottle type of fragrance in my opinion. Its like the cherry, plum, davana and black tea are having a foursome (boy, girl, girl, girl for visualization purposes) creating a succulent wine like accord with a backbone supported by woods and patchouli, it works. It just fucking works. Edit: I used to looove this, beautiful sillage, positive feedback nearly everytime I wore it until I smelled it on someone at my job. Its smelled like dog shit on them and now I'm conflicted everytime I look at my bottle in the cabinet 😔 I still adore this one but my nose really got destroyed that day wtf...

I’m glad I grabbed the full discovery sets from Mind Games and tested everything in-store. I’ll admit I blind bought a couple off hype (which I never recommend unless you’re a collector like me) and ended up disappointed. After really living with the line, I kept coming back to Ruy Lopez. Now it’s my favorite from the house, honestly signature scent worthy. I wore it to an event yesterday and the compliments didn’t stop. Fragrance is subjective, but this one just does it for me. It deserves a higher rating, but I love that it’s not overhyped so I can keep smelling like ME. Ruy Lopez for the win 👑🔥👑

I'm not really a fan of this house in general, but they have a few good ones and this is one of those. I normally don't like tea, but this smells like the most expensive luxury tea you can imagine. The davana, rum and patchouli are perfectly blended in here and it smells almost regal. Like I'd imagine the vibe in the tea room at Windsor Palace. If you like something along the lines but not precisely like Le Labo Noir 29, but more aromatic with a splash of booze, I think you'll enjoy this one. ----------------------------------------------------- Scent 8/10 Performance 7.5/10

If you like Noir 29, this is a far better take on that style of fragrance. Fruity, green, and somehow boozy tea fragrance. Signature scent worthy, as it can be worn in all and any season in most settings. I’m glad the hype on this is not as high as others in the house because this truly has become my favorite fragrance of all time and will be for a long time so hoping will be able to gather a few back up bottles. Performance is truly remarkable. Lasts days and projects beyond arms length equally as long.

Predominantly a spicy cherry tea from the open to the dry down, but not juvenile or sweet, more dressed up and mature. The woods also come through, but the leather is mild to my nose (I like heavy leather though). Some booze mostly in the open. Longevity through the day into evening and people were still noticing it late in the day. A great option for colder weather if you don’t want sweet or vanilla. My first fragrance from Mind Games and I am impressed, the profile and performance are solid.

I love this fragrance a ton. It’s been my favorite for about 2 years now, it lasts over 8 hours on my skin I’ve worn it so much I fear I will have to repurchase it soon. It projects very well on me probably being my most complimented fragrance. In a house like Mind Games where everything is good this is a hidden gem. The only bad thing I can say is that it’s a bit overpriced for retail.

Normally I don’t like this type of scent profile, but I LOVE this one. To me it smells like a mixed drink in the best way... Maybe Cherry Coke mixed with a very dark expensive bourbon enjoyed in an underground jazz club in New Orleans. The longer it sat on my skin, the better it got. I would definitely say unisex, but maybe 62% male 39% female

I love this perfume but its so easy to overspray. The opening to my nose is basically nonexistent for about five minutes and then it blooms and if I managed to doubt if I used enough during that five minutes and go spray more I'm suddenly swimming in tea and rose.

This smells so much like chewing tequila fibers that I got as a small small child in Mexico. Very interesting memories this fragrance brings me. All I get is fermented tequila fiber. It’s really really nice. This is high on my list for my next purchase.

I smell Cinnamon, Oak, Leather and amazing Whiskey. This smells like a very successful man just finished his day and wants to hang out at night. Also smells like cinnamon tea from another angle. But the first 4 notes I mentioned are there

Almost identical to The Noir 29. Maybe a tiny bit more masculine, but the difference is hardly detectable. Absolutely gorgeous and so addictive.

Smelled in Saks and knew I needed a bottle. It’s similar to The Noir but with a bright cherry / plum note. So beautiful and sophisticated.

Ruy Lopez and The Forward are the BEST Mindgames fragrances. All you trendies and bandwagon people need to get over it

Rose and patchouli masterpiece. I need to get my hands on a full bottle asap.

Reminds me of a combination of Noir 29 and Cherry Smoke - a big Love ❤️

This one is sooo good. If you like Le labo noir 29 you would like this

Just coming back to say that this is the best fragrance ever created

If you liked sangria oak by precious liquids, this is better.

A masculine, sophisticated, tea-forward fragrance. Opening: It begins with a peppery, robust tea note. Heart: This transitions seamlessly into a boozy and balsamic accord. This boozy character is deep and persistent, offering an intoxicating warmth without ever smelling like a spilled cocktail. The core is threaded with a cherry-laced rose. Base: The dry-down settles into a firmly established woody foundation. Ruy Lopez is a strong, statement-making fragrance that exudes seriousness and confidence; it is sophisticated without being loud or brash. While the familiar, warm, and comforting boozy tea accord is generally likeable, the scent avoids being mass-appealing. My primary critique lies in the central floral note: the rose, a favored note of mine, is unfortunately delicate and tightly bound to the cherry. This makes the rose difficult to fully appreciate, creating an almost one-sided tug-of-war where the cherry dominates.

Sweet plum—but good plum. This is the only plum I’ve truly enjoyed in a fragrance so far. I don’t know what kind of plum she’s using here (and honestly, it’s not my business to know), but I like it. A lot. It’s sweet, but not that rotten-sweet I normally get from plum fragrances. There’s something a bit vintage about it, like the smell of walking into an older home with a lot of woodwork. The home is clean and neat, but you can smell the years and the life lived... grandpa’s aftershave, grandma’s rose perfume. Very nostalgic. It wears light, and I have to bury my nose in my wrist to pull it out, but it’s there. To me, it reads as unisex, but I also wear and love a good boozy patchouli, and that’s exactly what the drydown becomes. So... take that as you will.

Its ok. Bit headachy. I do like the dark cherry which is subtle the plum and the leather together. Its a softened brown leather old kind of worn not too harsh. The black tea doesnt last but a blip when you first spray. I feel like there is cypress in here but thats probably the davana with an edge of patchouli. Dont get a whole lot of rum or liquor more kind pulling things together than being super noticeable on its own. Oak makes it a touch heavy but in an acceptable way. Not something Id regularly reach for but I can see why someone would

Got Ruy Lopez as a sample when I bought another fragrance through a discounter. Loved the smell and eventually got the full bottle. While the sample smells like a “tart” Side Effect with a boozy-cherry/plum. However, the full bottle is a little more rosey and green and I’m wondering if it a maturation issue or if it a scent I wouldn’t be able to use in most situations. Sample was 9/10 but the bottle is closer to 6.5 or 7/10.

I do like this scent. I am a sucker for leathery woody cherry and plum scents, and this fragrance checks these boxes for me. However... 400 bucks?! This is good, but it is not THAT good. In fact, it would've been much better without the rose. I am giving this scent a "like" but very hesitantly, this is some overpriced shit. Update: it barely lasted an hour on my skin... Soooo not worth it.

This is marketed as floral. It's definitely not that. It's got a bit of a smokiness to it and there's nothing in it that has that note. The only floral in here is rose and it's not making a statement, it's just drunk with rum. I was hoping that the patchouli would try and save the day, but it's a bit overshadowed. I'm getting vertiver tbh. This is definitely a woody aromatic.

The opening was very harsh, then it gradually softened and became more wearable, but to me it felt very ordinary, muted, and lacking anything distinctive — just a rather simple fragrance.

On paper, it was just this sharp tea scent that wasn't bad with all things considered. However, on skin, the rose seems to rear its head much more prominently.

Smells like you spilled Fireball all over yourself.

When I first tried this fragrance it was a beautiful cherry tea fragrance with a teensy bit of pepper at the base. I’m trying it again 6 months later and wow, it is not my favorite from the house like I thought it was. Today it pulled like a rose bush that is blooming next to a decomposing pile of plums. It almost pulls rotten sour me. I thought maybe it would calm down after a few hours but unfortunately with my skin it only got more intense. This might be my first mind games miss simply because of how it wears on me - but I have no doubt it smells fantastic on the right person. I’m so thankful I got the discovery set to try it again instead of a full bottle after that initial wear.

Oak, leather, rum, pepper and a very slight hint of cherries. Not for me, but I can see why others like it.

This is a masculine rose fragrance or a more masculine leaning DNA remnant of mancera purple flowers. I knew it reminded me of a mancera fragrance (Not necessarily a bad thing) and it took me some time to figure it out. This is a well put together fragrance where rose doesn't blackmail the other notes. The plum does come through and one would think it could be a sexier flanker of initio paragon. Now from a cherry lovers standpoint, the cherry used in here is of the juiced up black cherry in beverages and not at all like the one used for TF lost cherry. The cherry here is really short lived in the opening, but if you're lucky, the cherry might come back a bit hours later like it did with me. As it progressed further into the drydown, is where I feel I get the most tea-like essence but not enough of a tea lounge experience as I had hoped. I did enjoy wearing this, and it is a worthy fragrance, but I just don't see myself getting a full bottle unless maybe through a trade.

Feminine leaning rose to my nose. No good. For me it crosses the line into femininity. Unisex in the middle or leaning masculine I'm good with. I gave this a chance. Saw a YouTube clip about this fragrance. A woman mentioning a guy should wear this.👎 for me. So far Double Attack ( walking around smelling like a chocolate bar gourmond), Scholars Mate ( pickle smell & weak), and this one Ruy Lopez ......0 for 3 from the Mind Game house. Sample always before you buy.

Screaming sophistication. I love it. Complex, addictive, hooks you immediately and you want more. Such a great fragrance and I love it. The rum and cherry notes blend together amazingly, and that's the main "benefit" of this fragrance, for lack of a better word. Not really suitable for an office, but absolutely PERFECT for a date night or a night out. I will be looking to purchase a bottle of this as soon as I can.

Flawlessly blended and very appealing to those who want a leathery green-tea smelling fragrance with good depth and performance, however this entire brand is ridiculously priced considering you’re not gonna find these discounted at all, and if so, it won’t be a significant discount by any means.. this will be one of those fragrances that I’ll actually buy once I’m rich.

Black tea, pepper and cherry notes with a very aromatic drydown. I think it does remind of The Noir 29 with a cherry twist. It is a very nice scent. It also reminds me of Side Effect. I picture a guy wearing a black leather jacket. I think it is too masculine for a lady. Nice scent.

opens up peppery with a mild cherry ,, don't really get the black tea in opening , dries down to a nice rose and rum ( a place in this reminds me of byredo eleventh hour )

Dark woody leathery with slight cherry.dried fruits and rum in the background. Not blind buy safe please sample. Performance was average for me 5-6 hours

not sure why this is being compared to side effect and grand soir butttttttttttttttttttt okay i will get a sample before i buy

Plum and sawdust with red berries? That’s what I got from it. I didn’t find it to be very wearable realistically

Love at first sniff for me!! The cherry, the rum....no one really talks about this one and I’m glad.

I apologize in advance for ruining your perception of this fragrance, but.... olive oil

Spicy leather scent. Very masculine. Lowkey nasty lol. Not impressed. 1/10