When Lattafa released the original Khamrah, it quickly gained a reputation as one of the most addictive, budget-friendly gourmands on the market. With its boozy, spicy, cinnamon-laced sweetness, it rivaled fragrances many times its price and became an instant darling in the fragrance community. But with Khamrah Qahwa, Lattafa decided not just to tweak the formula, but to take it in a darker, smokier, more mature direction—anchored by one of the most irresistible notes in perfumery: coffee.
The Opening: Spices Meet Roasted Coffee
The first spray of Khamrah Qahwa is both familiar and surprising. That recognizable blast of warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom greets you just like the original, but it doesn’t stay in the spotlight for long. Very quickly, a rich roasted coffee note rises to the surface. It’s not a faint suggestion of coffee—it’s bold, aromatic, and slightly bitter, the way freshly ground espresso beans smell before brewing.
This roasted facet balances the sweetness right away, keeping Qahwa from being as syrupy or dessert-like as the original. Instead of smelling like a cinnamon roll drenched in syrup, Qahwa feels more like an after-dinner spiced coffee cocktail—boozy, aromatic, and indulgent without tipping into cloying territory.
The Heart: A Darker, Decadent Sweetness
As the fragrance settles, the middle notes take over with a rich interplay of gourmand accords. The dates and praline from the original DNA return, adding chewy sweetness and nutty depth, but the coffee weaves through them so seamlessly that the sweetness feels more restrained. It’s almost like pairing a sticky date pudding with a strong espresso—the contrast makes each element more vivid.
Hints of rum-like booziness swirl in and out, giving the scent a sophisticated edge. Where the original Khamrah leaned playful and cozy, Qahwa carries a touch of drama, like dim lights, velvet seating, and an after-hours jazz bar.
The Dry-Down: Smooth, Sweet, and Long-Lasting
Eventually, the fragrance mellows into a velvety base of vanilla, tonka bean, and creamy woods. This stage is smoother and rounder, softening the sharper roasted edges of the coffee without losing its presence. The tonka adds a slight powdery quality, while the woods keep the sweetness grounded, preventing it from becoming overly gourmand.
What’s most impressive is how the coffee note lingers throughout the entire life of the fragrance. Many perfumes use coffee as a fleeting accent, but in Khamrah Qahwa it stays center stage from start to finish, giving the fragrance its unique personality.
Performance: Potent and Long-Wearing
Like its predecessor, Khamrah Qahwa is no lightweight. This is a powerhouse fragrance with enormous longevity—10 to 12 hours on skin easily, and days on clothing. Projection is equally strong, especially in the first few hours, where just a couple of sprays can fill a room. Overapplication can make it overwhelming, so a light hand is recommended unless you’re outdoors in cold weather.
When to Wear It
Khamrah Qahwa is tailor-made for autumn and winter evenings. It shines in cold air, where the warm spices and coffee richness bloom beautifully. This is not an office fragrance—it’s too commanding and too gourmand for daytime professionalism. Instead, it’s a scent for nights out, intimate dinners, festive gatherings, or any occasion where you want to stand out and leave a lasting impression. It’s indulgent, sexy, and almost edible, yet with enough sophistication to feel luxurious.
| Top Notes | Middle Notes | Base Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon | Coffee | Vanilla |
| Cardamom | Praline | Benzoin |
| Ginger | Tuberose | Tonka Bean |
| Mahonial | Myrrh | |
| Oud | ||
| Amberwood |
Who Will Love It
If you enjoyed the original Khamrah but found it a little too sweet or youthful, Qahwa offers the perfect alternative. The roasted coffee twist makes it feel more mature, more unisex, and less “dessert in a bottle.” Coffee lovers, in particular, will adore how authentic and persistent the note feels here. Fans of bold gourmands like Kilian’s Intoxicated or Mancera’s Aoud Café may also find this to be a fantastic, more affordable option with just as much character.
Final Thoughts
Lattafa Khamrah Qahwa takes everything that made the original such a hit—its rich spices, gourmand sweetness, and beastly performance—and adds a layer of roasted depth that makes it stand out in its own right. It’s darker, moodier, and more refined, like Khamrah’s sophisticated older sibling. If the original was a cinnamon-spiced dessert, Qahwa is that dessert paired with a strong shot of espresso and a splash of rum.
For the price point, it’s hard to think of another fragrance that delivers this level of richness and longevity while offering such a unique twist on a popular DNA.
Rating: 9/10 – A gourmand powerhouse with a bold coffee core, perfect for lovers of sweet, spicy, and indulgent scents.
