twentysecondofmay
ROOTS OF KENTE

2025

PERFUMER
Joschka Klee

aldehydes
Brown sugar

coconut milk
cocoa
tonka bean
heliotrope

labdanum
amber
sandalwood
vanilla
musk

I’ve met perfumer Joschka a couple of times briefly, but this is my first time trying one of his creations, and while this is a rather trend-following full-on gourmand that I can imagine isn’t the most intricate fragrance that he’s created so far, it’s done really well.

Straight from the opening, the coffee wakes the nose up, but what stands out most in the hours that follow is a distinct scent of brown sugar. I’ve seen brown sugar listed as a note more often, but rarely has it felt like it was distinguishable enough for its moniker; here it is.

Some spices, but definitely a growing lactonic quality follows. And whereas I think that the first hours of Roots Of Kente would be my favorte among the twentysecondofmay releases, the drydown gets a bit too lactonic, sweet condensed-milky for my taste. Very mass appealing and not as cloying as some other gourmands, but I personally would’ve liked it more toned down or growing into a more spicy-woody base.

Still, a thumbs up and this seems to be a strong performer as well; I tested all 4 of the brand’s launch-releases on the same day and Roots Of Kente won the battle over the airspace.