Kokorico

Kokorico, inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier Kokorico (2011)

Kokorico pairs two unexpected notes: the green, sappy smell of a fig leaf and the dusty bitterness of cocoa. The fig leaf arrives first and gives way quickly. What remains is cocoa held dry by patchouli, an earthy, slightly smoky leaf oil, over cedar and vetiver. It reads dark and earthy rather than gourmand, closer to raw cocoa beans than to a dessert.

About the original

Olivier Cresp and Annick Menardo of Firmenich created Kokorico, which launched in France in September 2011 and reached most of Europe in early 2012. It came as an eau de toilette in a black bottle shaped as a profile, packed inside Gaultier's tin can, and the pack won recognition at Cannes Lions. A later flanker, Kokorico by Night, is a sweeter composition and a separate scent. The original is absent from the brand's men's range, which now centres on Le Male, Le Beau, Scandal Pour Homme and Ultra Male, though we have found no public statement from Gaultier about it.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Jean Paul Gaultier stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Men who find most designer woods too clean or too sugary are the natural audience. The cocoa is bitter and dusty rather than edible, and patchouli gives the whole composition a cellar-like darkness that some will find austere.

Related scents

• Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male
• Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male

Notes of the original fragrance, as given in the launch information.

Top notes: Fig Leaf

Heart notes: Cedar, Patchouli

Base notes: Cocoa, Vetiver

Fig leaf opens it: green and bitter, more stem than fruit.

Cedar and patchouli move in underneath, and the cocoa surfaces alongside them, dry and unsweetened, like cocoa bean rather than chocolate.

Vetiver, a rooty grass with a smoky dryness, joins the cedar in the base, so the finish stays woody and lean.

Is Jean Paul Gaultier Kokorico discontinued?

It is no longer in Jean Paul Gaultier's current range, although we have found no official statement from the brand.

Is this Kokorico or Kokorico by Night?

The original Kokorico from 2011. Kokorico by Night is a later, sweeter flanker with a different formula.

Does Kokorico smell of chocolate?

Not in a sweet way. Its cocoa is dry and slightly bitter, paired with patchouli and woods rather than with vanilla or sugar.

Is Jean Paul Gaultier Kokorico coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Jean Paul Gaultier that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Jean Paul Gaultier and Kokorico are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Jean Paul Gaultier in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.