10 Best Smelling by Kilian Fragrances

By Kilian is a niche fragrance designer, which has actually become very popular over the past decade. ‘Niche’ perfumes, are pretty much synonymous with the word expensive, and By Kilian is definitely that.

However, while there are a lot of these upscale designers, which produce pretty foul smelling scents, By Kilian actually does have some absolute gems under their belts.

In this post, I want to highlight 10 such perfumes, for both men and women; that could be considered the best from this brand. It’s by no means, exhaustive, but there should be something worthwhile for anyone looking to try out a By Kilian fragrance.

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What Are the Best Perfumes by Kilian for Men and Women?

Amazing Release

Angels’ Share by Kilian– This unisex perfume was released in 2020 and has become one of my favorite scents to wear, as of late.

Angels’ Share starts off sweet and boozy with cognac, tonka bean, and a solid oak base note. The cognac does come off similar to apple brandy, much like the fragrance with the same name further down this list.

It add a light cinnamon, praline, and vanilla to give it further sweetness and warmth. Then, the dry down is a delicious smelling woody fragrance with all of the boozy/sweet notes sitting just underneath.

Not too heavy of a fragrance, with a decent projection, and over 10 hours of wear. I’ve really loved wearing this stuff and will probably get a full bottle for my personal collection. Angels’ Share Review

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Narcotics Floral Vanilla

Woman in Gold– To me, the Narcotics line from Kilian has the most winners, particularly for the ladies. Woman in Gold is one of the better options and gives you a great blend of floral notes, citrus, and vanilla.

Woman and Gold opens up with fresh and bright aldehydes paired with a lovely bergamot citrus and geranium. Under that, is the rose note and the tonka bean/vanilla combo that will be more prevalent in the dry down.

The rose is joined by a light freesia, both of which will become a generalized floral aroma, with patchouli and woody undertones. The vanilla will take over versus the tonka bean and that along with the woods and floral will be what’s left.

It’s a little sweet, the aldehydes are great up top with the citrus, and just enough vanilla to tie it all together. Woman in Gold Review

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Sweet and Boozy Gourmand

Kilian Black Phantom- Memento Mori Perfume Refillable Spray 1.7 fl. oz– Black Phantom is a sweet gourmand, which really shines when its cold out. You get boozy slightly spiced rum, chocolate, caramel, and coffee. Yep, it’s going to be warm and delicious.

It’s like a nice coffee drink, with a bit of rum tossed in to liven the mood. The longevity is great and the sillage isn’t too heavy. Still, I’d keep this one out of the heat, and save it for cozier days. Black Phantom is a unisex, that leans masculine.

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Floral with some Fruitiness

By Kilian – Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum – Travel Spray– The first entry for ladies, on the list, is an absolute floral affair. Osmanthus and rose, lead the pack, before it moves into become more of a bouquet with some nice amber touches.

The fruitiness here comes from the apricot note, with a very light apple. With the white floral notes, it does have a soapy/shampoo-like cleanliness to it.

The name on this one, totally doesn’t fit, but the scent itself is actually really nice. It’s much more of a ‘good girl’ and I’m not sure when that ‘bad’ side ever kicked in. So, if that’s what you’re expecting, it won’t be happening.

Tuberose and orange blossom have their moments, while the strongest of the floral notes towards the end will be the jasmine. The apricot note hangs around for the duration. You get a sweet, easy to wear floral, that’s actually appropriate for younger women also. Good Girl Gone Bad Review

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The Better Straight to Heaven

Straight To Heaven Extreme by Kilian/1.6 oz.– Yes, the original is one of the most popular Kilian scents. However, let’s kick things up, with Straight to Heaven Extreme which is even better than its predecessor.

Like, Black Phantom above, Straight to Heaven Extreme utilizes rum. It’s a really powerful start.

However, this one doesn’t go into full sweetness mode, and is much boozier overall. There is still some sweetness, with dried fruits and some vanilla, but it has a much earthier base with a nice patchouli note.

It lives up to the extreme title, as the projection and longevity, are awesome. Update: This one is discontinued. The original is still around, but you’ll have to buy Extreme on the secondary market, if you want it.

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Warm, Spicy, and Delicious

Intoxicated Refill by Kilian/1.7 oz.– Intoxicated is a simple, but wonderful blend, of mostly cardamom and coffee. Underneath that, is further spices, of cinnamon and nutmeg. This one is super fresh and warm with a spice that never gets out of hand.

It’s got a very attractive smell, with a moderate sillage, overall. There’s not much depth to this one, just a great aroma, for those who want a blend of sweet and spice.

They’ve had a few of these simpler scents that were kind of mid. This one, is a perfume that actually hits the mark.

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Best Winter Fragrance

Kilian Back To Black Travel Set– This is probably the most popular of the Kilian fragrances, it also happens to be, one of the best. Honey and tobacco, are major players here, with a cherry note that is quite present at the top.

It’s unique, with a dark sweetness, about it. Back to Black is mostly a sweet fruity tobacco fragrance, with notes like saffron and almond, peaking through at times during the wear. Really great performance, not too loud, but an all day wear.

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A Different Take on Boozy

Kilian Apple Brandy 17 ml / 0.57 fl– Apple Brandy is exactly as boozy as you’d expect it to be. Like a liquor soaked cask, with an apple aroma at the top, and vanilla sweetness in its heart. A sweet, warming cologne, for those colder days and nights of wintertime.

The opening is pretty juicy, then it’s a boozy sweetness, and finally it’s a liquored woody base. Very delicious, probably not one for everybody, but great nonetheless.

Update: This one also seems to be discontinued. They do have Apple Brandy on the Rocks, still. Not the same exactly, not as good in my mind, but might be something you’d like.

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Sweet Floral Perfume

By Kilian – Love Travel Spray with Refills– Love is a perfume with a sugary sweet marshmallow, caramel and vanilla blend, sitting on top of floral notes such as iris, orange blossom, honeysuckle, and neroli.

The orange blossom/neroli pairing, really plays well off of the candy-like top notes. Early on, the orange blossom and marshmallow are the dominant notes, to my nose. The rose and iris her are light and give a slight powdery aroma to the warm gourmand sweetness.

As it dries down, jasmine starts to make itself known more, in the floral arrangement. Vanilla, marshmallow, and musk when the caramel fades and the floral notes are just a general impression instead of being distinct.

This is a very pretty perfume, that is good for daily wear, but can have a bold character when over-applied. Best worn in autumn through the early springtime, as it can be too thick for summer. Read my full Review

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Fruity with Rose

By Kilian – Liaisons Dangereuses, Eau de Parfum Perfume 50 ml– Liaisons Dangereuses is much more of a women’s fragrance, but a man could definitely pull it off. You get a lot of peach and plum (not a lot), throughout, with a tart black currant in the opening.

Beyond that, a light rose, and a touch of spice. It’s a ‘jammy’ rose, so, the fruits create a jam like aroma around that nice rose.

It’s mostly about the fruit notes here, but the dry down does become much woodier/floral, than it had been. Quite clean and juicy, with a creamy peach note. Simply great. Not a heavy fragrance, lighter and fresher aroma versus something like Love don’t be shy. My Full Review