ROAN
CURRENT CULTURE

2024

PERFUMER
Claude Dir

bergamot zest
pink pepper
white ginger

matcha
cotton peony
neroli

red seaweed
salty moss
musk

‘Hero note: In addition to its beautifully rich tradition and history, Matcha also has an ability to reinvent itself to continuously inspire the world. It is a wonderful reminder of the power we hold within to always to find new horizons. The ocean is mysterious, vast and limitless. She reminds you there is always more within you to discover. At the edge of the golden city, you stand at her shores. With the vibrant city as your backdrop, you give in and let your inner creativity take over. A fresh fragrance that invigorates like the ocean breeze, opening with the brightness of bergamot zest and white ginger, followed by a mindful energy achieved through calming salt notes, soft musk, and the quiet boldness of Matcha. Created with Claude Dir in a poetic depiction of the California coast where anything is possible.’ – Roan Fragrances

Whereas the other two Roan releases Porcelain Pulse and Mountain Memories made a great first impression on me, Current Culture couldn’t captivate me much. It’s a pleasant scent, but not as interesting or nice as the other two were to me.

This opens very citrussy, but instantly also sweet. I mostly get the scent of hard lemon candy, mixed with some rather prominent neroli. To me, this has a grating sweetness to it, sort of what you would find in Baccarat Rouge, which pulled this in a different direction than I was expecting. It also gets rather spicy with the neroli and ginger.

I can’t say that I get a particular ocean breeze or saltiness on my first impression, nor do I get much of the matcha; I found the tea more noticeable in the other releases from the brand. Not unpleasant at all, but definitely not my favorite from Roan.