Mind Games Checkmate Fragrance Samples | Authentic Decants

Checkmate by MIND GAMES is an Extrait de Parfum that contrasts sparkling champagne and juicy red fruit with an opulent rose heart and a dark, earthy tobacco-patchouli drydown. Davana adds an aromatic, subtly boozy quality to the opening before layers of May rose, Bulgarian rose, magnolia, and Centifolia rose create a rich floral center. As Checkmate develops, bourbon tobacco, patchouli leaves, and tree moss give the fragrance a deeper, more rugged character that balances its bright opening and polished florals. A MIND GAMES Checkmate sample is an ideal way to experience this dramatic progression on your own skin, while a travel-size decant provides a convenient option for evenings, special occasions, or regular wear. Fragrance: Checkmate Brand: MIND GAMES Concentration: Extrait de Parfum Fragrance Family: Chypre Floral Tobacco Release Year: 2022 Perfumer: David Apel Wear: Genderless Collection: Artisan Collection Available As: Sample and travel-size decants Fragrance Notes Top Notes Davana Champagne Rouge Groseille DI Heart Notes Rose de Mai Vitessence Bulgarian Rose Magnolia Rose Centifolia Vitessence Base Notes Tabac Bourbon DI Patchouli Leaves Tree Moss What Does Checkmate Smell Like? Checkmate opens with a sparkling champagne effect layered with fruity red currant and aromatic davana. The opening feels lively and slightly boozy before quickly moving into a much richer floral character. The heart is centered on multiple expressions of rose, including May rose, Bulgarian rose, and Centifolia rose, with magnolia adding softness and volume. This floral core gives Checkmate a polished and dramatic character rather than a simple fruity sweetness. The drydown becomes darker through bourbon tobacco, patchouli leaves, and tree moss. Tobacco introduces smoky, earthy warmth while patchouli and moss create a deeper chypre-like foundation. Overall, Checkmate moves from sparkling fruit and champagne into lush roses before settling into earthy tobacco and woods. Performance and Best Occasions Checkmate's combination of champagne, rich florals, tobacco, patchouli, and moss gives it a sophisticated profile that can work particularly well for evenings, dinners, dates, formal events, and special occasions. The tobacco and earthy base make fall and cooler weather especially natural fits, while the sparkling fruit and floral opening can also make it enjoyable during transitional seasons. Longevity, projection, and sillage can vary depending on skin chemistry, application, climate, and environment. Why Try a Checkmate Sample? Checkmate changes noticeably throughout wear, making a sample especially useful. The champagne and red-fruit opening develops into a dense rose bouquet before tobacco, patchouli, and moss become more prominent in the drydown. A Checkmate sample allows you to experience that full progression on your own skin before choosing a larger quantity. A travel-size decant also provides a convenient way to enjoy this distinctive MIND GAMES fragrance without carrying the full retail bottle. Available Sizes and Estimated Sprays 3ml Sample: Approximately 25–30 sprays 5ml Travel Spray: Approximately 40–50 sprays 10ml Travel Spray: Approximately 85–100 sprays 30ml: Approximately 250–300 sprays Spray counts are estimates and may vary slightly depending on the atomizer and how each spray is applied. Authenticity and Decanting Each Checkmate decant sold by Bluegrass Fragrance Company is transferred from an authentic original bottle. The fragrance is not diluted, reformulated, or intentionally altered. Each order is hand-filled into a glass atomizer and carefully packaged for convenient application, storage, and travel. Shipping Information Orders are normally processed within 2–3 business days unless otherwise stated and ship from Kentucky through USPS or UPS. Your tracking number may be created before your order is hand-filled and packaged. Carrier tracking may not update immediately after the tracking number is issued. Free U.S. shipping is available on qualifying orders over $100. Frequently Asked Questions Are these authentic MIND GAMES Checkmate samples? Yes. Each Checkmate decant sold by Bluegrass Fragrance Company is transferred from an authentic original MIND GAMES bottle. What is a fragrance decant? A fragrance decant is a smaller quantity of perfume transferred from an original bottle into a separate atomizer. It allows you to sample a fragrance or purchase a convenient travel size without buying the full retail bottle. Is Checkmate diluted? No. Checkmate is transferred from the original bottle without intentional dilution, reformulation, or alteration. Is the original MIND GAMES bottle included? No. Unless specifically stated otherwise, you are purchasing a hand-filled decant rather than the original MIND GAMES retail bottle or manufacturer packaging. What does MIND GAMES Checkmate smell like? Checkmate combines sparkling champagne, red currant, and davana with a rich rose-and-magnolia heart before drying down into bourbon tobacco, patchouli leaves, and tree moss. Is Checkmate a rose fragrance? Yes. Rose is a major part of the heart, with MIND GAMES officially listing Rose de Mai, Bulgarian rose, and Rose Centifolia alongside magnolia. Does Checkmate smell like tobacco? Yes. Bourbon tobacco is one of the official drydown notes and becomes more noticeable as the fragrance settles, adding smoky, earthy warmth beneath the florals. Is Checkmate sweet? It has fruity sweetness and a sparkling champagne effect in the opening, but the rose, tobacco, patchouli, and moss keep the overall profile darker and more balanced than a conventional sweet fragrance. Is Checkmate powdery? The multiple rose notes and magnolia can create a soft floral texture, but the fragrance is grounded by tobacco, patchouli, and moss rather than being primarily powdery. Is Checkmate unisex? MIND GAMES positions its fragrance collection as genderless, making Checkmate suitable for anyone who enjoys floral, tobacco, and chypre-style compositions. What seasons are best for Checkmate? Fall and cooler weather are particularly natural choices because of the tobacco, patchouli, and moss base. The sparkling champagne and floral opening also make it versatile for spring and cooler evenings. Is Checkmate good for the office? It can work in professional settings when applied conservatively, although its rich florals, tobacco, and patchouli may be more noticeable than a lighter fresh fragrance. Is Checkmate suitable for travel? Yes. A Checkmate travel-size decant provides a convenient way to carry the fragrance without bringing the full-size MIND GAMES bottle. Independent Retailer Disclaimer Bluegrass Fragrance Company is an independent fragrance decanting business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or licensed by MIND GAMES or its trademark owners. Brand names and trademarks are used solely to identify the authentic fragrance being offered. The original fragrance is independently transferred and repackaged by Bluegrass Fragrance Company.