Angels’ Share by Kilian

Angels’ Share was released by Kilian in 2020. I bought a bunch of decanted samples from this brand, in order to finally give them full reviews, and this was among the lot. I hadn’t heard anything beforehand, so really had no expectations of this perfume in particular. So, how does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Angels’ Share Smell Like?

Notes include: cognac, tonka bean, oak wood, cinnamon, praline, vanilla, sandalwood

Click here to try: Angels’ Share at Sephora

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Kilian describes it: the perfume Angel’s Share is Kilian Hennessy’s most personal fragrance creation yet, inspired by his eighth-generation inheritance of Hennessy savoir-faire in cognac making. The perfume goes deep into the cellars of founder’s mind and memory, and into its most mysterious dimension: “la part des anges” or “angels’ share”— an evaporation of liquor in oak barrels that lifts, while aging, like a silent offering to the gods.

Wow. This is a gorgeous fragrance. Right away, I understand the comparisons between Angels’ Share and something like Oajan by PdM. Also, the base is the same smell as Nirvana Bourbon. Plus, it has a similar apple-like sweetness found in 1 Million Prive (I go more into this, at the end).

Putting aside its comparable scents for a second, Angels’ Share opens with an amazing blend of the cognac note, tonka bean, and oak. The opening really gives off an apple brandy sort of vibe, but with the oak of the barrel really coming through.

It’s interesting how much of that cognac takes on the apple aroma. Paired with the other notes it does get a delicious baked goods sort of scent.

Also, when compared with its Liquors companion Apple Brandy on the Rocks, Angels’ Share has more of an apple scent. Apple Brandy on the Rocks goes for more of a mix with the prevalent pineapple note. Which is one reason that scent was a disappointment for me.

Underneath that, is the cinnamon spice (which is never too heavy), and the praline/vanilla mixture adding to the delicious vibe that this By Kilian scent is putting out.

The sweetness does subside after the first hour. It’s still there, but it really resembles a warm syrupy fragrance. What really comes through, is the oak and some sandalwood.

It’s not that all the other notes fade, but they are behind the oak barrel soaked in cognac fragrance. This is what I get for the rest of the way.

So, the tail end is oak, sandalwood, cinnamon, and a sweet/syrupy booze aroma. Much less of that fruity infused booziness and a lot more of the woodiness.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one is pretty moderate on my skin, the upper end of moderate. However, it does have pretty stable and decent projection throughout the wear. Just wear a bit on my wrist and I kept getting whiffs of this delightful smell, for a long time.

Angels’ Share isn’t going to choke out the room, but it will create a nice scent bubble around the wearer.

The longevity is great, just not the very elite level. It sticks around somewhere in the 9-11 hour range for me, depending on the day. Update: With a full bottle sprayer, this one actually goes over the 13 hour mark at times, it’s really the oak and vanilla notes but it’s still there.

This one just works extremely well on my skin and will hang around.

Seasonally, autumn and winter is the best time. Anything above a temperate climate is going to have poor results with Angels’ Share.

Update: Yep, this is an absolute killer when it’s cooler outside. The sweet warmth and spice of the cinnamon are absolutely amazing. I wore this last year for many winter activities like ice skating and received complements at the rink.

Within that limit, Angels’ Share is very versatile. It is a true unisex fragrance. In comparison to something like Oajan, I guess this does lean slightly feminine, but I’ve had no problems wearing it at all.

Probably not the best formal wear, but it’s fine in other circumstances, and can easily be a nightlife scent. Not a ‘club beast’, but it would absolutely work, in a more understated way.

I personally enjoy wearing it in the evening. It helps to create a chill atmosphere and it’s wonderful to catch that opening act in the crisp air, when stepping outside.

Overall Impressions of Angels’ Share

Do I like this fragrance? Absolutely. It’s actually kind of annoying, because I already have so many full bottles of perfumes that I want to buy for myself, and this just adds another expensive one to the list.

The opening act is utterly fantastic. I already had a great liking for this style of fragrance and this might be my favorite of the bunch. At least initially, I’ll update if my enjoyment of Angels’ Share subsides.

Update: I bought the full bottle, anyway. This has become one of my favorite fragrances ever. I had a high opinion of it, during the initial review and have become a bigger fan of this scent.

It has also become one of the most popular fragrances around it seems. I guess that’s thanks to a large social media influence. But, to me, it deserves all the accolades it gets.

While the dry down, isn’t as sweet and the woodiness isn’t my favorite aspect; this one does keep the opening aroma around in the background. As such, it remains a great wear because that oak note does seem like it has been covered by the cognac/apple brandy aroma.

This scent is awesome. I recommend giving it a try, if it sounds like it’d be your style, and you live in an appropriate climate…or just wear it inside.

What Fragrances Smell Like Angels’ Share?

Well, as I’ve already mentioned: Nirvana Bourbon by Elizabeth and James, 1 Million Prive by Paco Rabanne, and Oajan by Parfums de Marly.

None of these is an exact rendition of Angels’ Share, but each has somewhat similar aromas.

Nirvana Bourbon is like if you stripped this By Kilian fragrance down to the oak and vanilla notes. Then, layered the rest of it on top.

1 Million Prive and Oajan both have that sweet and spicy warmth. Prive has much more spiciness and isn’t nearly as refined. Plus, more resinous to my nose. But for the Paco Rabanne line, it’s probably the best they’ve ever done (if not, definitely top 3).

Oajan is a bit thicker, less sweet (still plenty sweet) and boozy. I do love that scent, but I’m for sure preferring Angels’ share, at the moment.

The latter two have the most in common in terms of the overall style of this perfume, even if they aren’t exactly the same. If you’re familiar with them, you’ll know approximately what to expect from this.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.