Roots of Kente twentysecondofmay 2025

Dear Lord. I don’t know what possessed me to think I would like this one, but it’s an eye-watering inducing scent for me. It is strong and quite brassy…it seems very golden to me (which, I guess, it is, assuming that the bottle is clear and that is the color of the liquid inside.) I think there’s some powder in there, and it also smells just the tiniest bit old ladyish (but maybe I feel that way about powder?)

This one is not for me.

"Oh darling, look! That restaurant over there looks interesting." "True. And it smells good too. But... what kind of cuisine is that supposed to be?" "I have no idea, let’s check it out."

"Welcome! My name is Joschka and I am responsible for your well-being this evening. Here is our menu."

"Oh! It looks like they only have desserts." "Seems so. But we are also blind. It says it big there. Dessert bar." "Whatever, since we’re already here, let’s try it. I think I’ll have the Crème Brûlée." "I’m actually more in the mood for chocolate. Oh God, everything sounds totally delicious here!" "Dessert plate?" "Dessert plate!"

"Hi, have you found what you’re looking for?" "Yep. One of everything, please."

Joschka flambés the Crème Brûlée right in front of your nose. But we are not in a boring French restaurant, but in a modern dessert bar. I guess the chef is Vietnamese because the Crème Brûlée was made not with regular milk, but with coconut milk. Next to it stands a dessert that is hard to define, made from cocoa and vanilla. Nothing you’ve seen before. All the desserts seem so familiar, and yet what is in front of you looks so foreign. In your mind's eye, the scent immediately evokes images of several sweet combinations, but when you open your eyes, you see something completely different on the table.
Fortunately, the chef is Vietnamese, so there’s no danger of anything being overly sweet. Suitable for diabetics.
However, a warning would be appropriate here. Caution! May be addictive!

Fortunately, perfume has no calories and is only for the nose and not for the stomach, otherwise we would soon reach American weight classes here.
Definitely wearable in spring, I’d say up to 25 degrees.

By the way: Chasing others with this perfume and eating them is also prohibited! Joschka accepts no liability for any personal injuries.

What is the goal of a perfumer when creating a fragrance?
Should it be something completely new? Should it particularly showcase a concept? Should it convey a mood? Or should it simply appeal to the masses?

It’s probably not always easy to answer this question uniformly for every fragrance.
And it may not necessarily have to be (only) one goal that is pursued.

In this case, the fragrance definitely convinces in many ways!

I get an almost bitter, but by no means unpleasant note at the outset, which reminds me of coffee. It might be an unsweetened cocoa note. This note is present from then on until the base, but less as a main actor and much more as a tamer, keeping the following sweet notes (primarily coconut and tonka) in check. The sweet, gourmand notes can definitely show themselves, but they do not get out of control, which is why the fragrance is also well wearable at slightly warmer temperatures!
This phase lasts for about four hours.

In the drydown, a lightly sweet vanilla scent develops, which becomes somewhat closer to the skin, but still manages to impress the immediate surroundings.
The vanilla does not become heavy, but rather fluffy and a bit creamy. Really wonderful!

Joschka Klee has created a fragrance here that definitely stands out from the crowd while still functioning very well in social settings. Innovative yet pleasing indeed.

A fragrance that will surely find many admirers! Both among perfume enthusiasts and among people who simply enjoy being surrounded by beautiful and pleasant scents.

I am a fan of boozy scents and was immediately captivated here.
Warm boozy cocoa fragrance. Unthinkable to be without it on cold days. Like Grandpa's hot chocolate with a splash at Christmas.
That's exactly how I remember it.
100% authentic, 0% artificial. A true boozy masterpiece!
But as always, it's best to try it for yourself, as opinions often differ.

I ordered this fragrance as a sample a year ago and found it quite okay at the time, but to be honest, it didn't really impress me. No big reaction, no love at first spray. The sample ended up in one of my handbags and was forgotten.
Until I stumbled upon it again!
I gave it a second chance and what can I say, I ordered it the very same day. Opinions can change quickly.
What really surprised me: I don't like sticky, heavy gourmand fragrances. And my partner absolutely hates them. But when I wore Roots of Kente, he was just as enthusiastic as I was. That says it all. Because this fragrance is anything but a typical gourmand. It is sweet, creamy, and has a dark depth that is hard to put into words.
The drydown is the absolute highlight for me. That's where something unfolds that is truly addictive, and it's due to the combination of Indian sandalwood, labdanum, and musk. These three together create a warm, creamy, resinous pull that almost inseparably merges with one's own warmth on the skin. Added to this is the African tonka bean, which brings that soft, almost soothing sweetness that doesn't impose itself but simply lingers. You hardly notice how you keep smelling it.

What also surprised me: You can wear it in the summer too. This is because the cocoa and heliotrope notes in the heart never become heavy or suffocating. Heliotrope has a powdery, light quality that keeps the fragrance airy, and the sandalwood is a soft, milky Indian sandalwood, not a dry, hard wood. This makes it surprisingly wearable even in warmth despite its warmth.

The longevity and sillage are not ultra-strong but absolutely adequate. It's not a fragrance that overwhelms others, rather one that is perceived in your immediate vicinity, and that makes it beautifully intimate.

And the bottle… uff… It just looks beautiful on any shelf.

Roots of Kente has a completely unique DNA. You won't find anything like it on the market twice. I am so glad I gave it a second chance.