Mint, Coffee, and Mischief: A Real-World Wear of Crème de Menthe Café

Let me say it plainly. I am picky with gourmands. I love them when they flirt, not when they smother. Crème de Menthe Café by Statik Olfactive dances on that line, and I kind of love the audacity.

The opening is a cool mint shimmer, more crème de menthe spritz than toothpaste, with a bright icy lift that wakes the senses. Then the coffee arrives, not syrupy, not café-chain sweet, but roasted and a bit bitter, like the last sip from a well pulled espresso. There is a creamy thread that keeps it from going too dry, a gentle froth that softens the edges without turning it into dessert. Think mint leaf crushed on a saucer next to a short black, a dusting of cocoa and a wink of sugar rather than a sugar bomb.

As it settles, the mint quiets to a fresh breeze and the coffee warms into the skin. I get a nutty tonka vibe, a little wood, a soft skin musk. On my wrist it reads cozy but not sleepy, polished without trying too hard. I wore it to an early edit meeting and got the raised eyebrow from a colleague who usually hates sweet notes. Translation, it projects tastefully then tucks in close.

If your gourmand reference points are the plush rush of Montale Intense Café or the full-throttle swagger of Mugler A*Men, expect something leaner, cooler, more adult. If you enjoy the spiced caffeine kick of By Kilian Intoxicated, this feels like its minty cousin that studied abroad and learned restraint.

Practical bits:

• Performance on me was 7 to 8 hours with a gentle aura that sits a foot off the skin after the first hour.
• Unisex, very date friendly, perfect for shoulder seasons and late nights in summer when you want lift without heat.
• Two sprays feel right. Three if you want that mint to sparkle.

Verdict. Crème de Menthe Café is a gourmand for people who pretend they do not like gourmands. It is clever, a little provocative, and refreshingly unsweet. I will be reaching for it on days when I want to look composed and feel just a touch wicked.