10 Best Kilian Perfumes of 2022

By Jennifer Lee| Published On: July 1, 2022| Categories: Perfumes|

The ultimate in Parisian luxury fragrances for in-the-know shoppers, the best Kilian perfumes are elegant and unique.

Kilian is a line of luxury Parisian scents founded by Kilian Hennessy. Yes that Hennessy — as in the heir to one of the foremost fine liquor dynasties, and the “H” in the mega-conglomerate LVMH.

Hennessy has continued this tradition with carefully crafted scents that epitomize elegance, timelessness, and sophistication. He launched the fragrance brand 15 years ago, after training with the greatest noses in perfumery and working at some of the most prestigious perfume houses.

Through mentorships with brands like Christian Dior, Paco Rabanne, Alexander McQueen, and Giorgio Armani, Kilian quickly became a cult phenomenon with scents inspired by art, culture, and history. There’s also an “eco-luxe” component to the brand’s scents, as each bottle can be refilled.

Over the years, Kilian has launched a long list of fragrances that now have cult followings. Here’s a look at the 10 best Kilian perfumes for 2022.

1. Kilian Love Don’t Be Shy by Kilian

It’s not easy to make a sophisticated scent from sweet notes like caramel and sugar, but that’s exactly what Kilian has done here. The sweet notes are kept at the base and balanced with warm and woody notes like musk and vanilla.

Meanwhile, the heart and top notes delight with a mix of floral and citrus like orange blossom, jasmine, honeysuckle, rose, iris, bergamot, and neroli.

Kilian Love Don’t Be Shy is a fantastic favorite Kilian perfume for her. It’s warm and sensual, making it a top pick for those long-after-dark nights out. Spritz it for a romantic date or a wild night of dancing. This was the first fragrance the brand launched, and it’s still one of the most popular.

2. Back to Black Aphrodisiac by Kilian

Men love Back to Black Aphrodisiac just as much as women do. However, with notes like saffron, nutmeg, cardamom, coriander, chamomile, olibanum, cedar, oak, tobacco, and patchouli, this isn’t for the frilly feminine type.

Instead, it’s one of the best Kilian perfumes for women and men who like to command the room. It’s also an excellent choice when you need a boost of confidence — whether for a first date or a presentation at work.

3. Rolling In Love by Kilian

If you’re looking for a conversation-starting scent that’s truly unique, reach for Rolling In Love. This is a cloud-like fragrance that’s at once floral and gourmand, making it impactful without being cloying. It’s also a powerful perfume, but not so strong that it would be inappropriate to wear at the office.

Feather-light and milk-warm, this women’s Kilian perfume delights with top notes of almond milk and musk. It’s rare to see musk as a top note — it usually shows up only at the base. Iris and freesia add to the softness, making this an excellent choice year-round, any time you need a little comfort.

4. Black Phantom Memento Mori by Kilian

This groundbreaking scent proves it’s possible for gourmand scents to be incredibly sophisticated and not the candy-sweet, juvenile juices we might expect. The result is an iconic fragrance, thanks to its harmonious blend of gourmand and woodsy notes.

The key here is nuance and balance, mixing chocolate, sugar cane, and caramel with hints of rum, coffee, and sandalwood. As good for men as it is for women, this is among the best Kilian perfumes for after dark in cooler months, thanks to its warm, spicy undertones.

5. Playing With The Devil by Kilian

As the name suggests, Playing With The Devil is a fierce and fiery scent with hints of flirtatiousness. This is one of the best Kilian fragrances when you’re hitting the town for a fun night out, either with a friends or on a special date.

Playing with the Devil is the scent that most clearly ties back to the Kilian Hennessy heritage. Notes of rum, coffee, cacao, cognac, and whisky are woven in with woody hits like sandalwood and cedar.

6. Moonlight In Heaven by Kilian

This aromatic Kilian perfume for men and women comes in a striking blue bottle that reflects the freshness and brightness within. It’s a lot more carefree than most other offerings in the Kilian fragrance portfolio, so it’s an excellent gift idea for the young people on your list.

Notes like grapefruit lemon, mango, and coconut make it one of the best Kilian perfumes to wear in summer. In signature Kilian style, you’ll sense a bold originality here with notes of rice, vetiver, and tonka bean.

While this tropical fragrance is relatively easy to wear, it’s also artfully designed to be a conversation starter, with a sillage and projection that won’t let you down.

7. Good Girl Gone Bad Extreme by Kilian

If you’re looking for a versatile floral scent, Good Girl Gone Bad Extreme will fill the bill. Don’t be fooled by the “extreme” in the fragrance name, though, as this isn’t an overbearingly strong scent.

In fact, it’s rather creamy and light (and of course floral — the classic “good girl” note) making it suitable for any occasion. The tuberose and narcissus in this Kilian perfume for women come through most strongly, deepening your natural mystique.

8. Voulez-vous Coucher Avec Moi by Kilian

Despite the forward name, Voulez-vous Coucher Avec Moi is actually a soft and light perfume that works particularly well in warmer weather.

This is a floral-forward scent, blending yellow florals with hints of green for a boost of energy and possibility. A small dose of vanilla adds warmth, making it an invigorating scent for both day and night. It’s among the best Kilian perfumes when you want something joyful and a bit flirty.

9. Pure Oud by Kilian

For a unique perfume for nighttime that both men and women will love, reach for Pure Oud. This bold perfume by Kilian is at once woody, spicy, and leathery without ever being offensive or too heavy.

Pure Oud is surprisingly long lasting, so there’s no need to re-spray. That said, given the punch it packs, this alluring perfume from Kilian is best saved for nights when you’re looking to be noticed.

Recommended related fragrances: Prada Candy Kiss Prada Candy Sugar Pop, Prada Candy Night, Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay

10. Gold Knight by Kilian

When you spritz Gold Knight, you’ll immediately sense its notes of honey, vanilla, anise, and patchouli, making it both dark and fresh. The utterly intoxicating juice is also long-lasting, so you’ll feel its unwavering support through a long day at the office or a blissful evening out with friends.

Bergamot and anise lend a measure of excitement, while the perfume’s sweet and spicy side add mystery. Gold Knight is at once feminene and strong, sensual and soothing. It’s one of the best Kilian perfumes to reach for on date night.

Recommended related fragrances: Dior Forever and Ever, Tocca Florence, Prada Candy Night

What Are Kilian Perfumes?

Kilian perfumes are luxury Parisian scents with an eco-luxe twist as each bottle can be refilled. The brand was founded by Kilian Hennessy, grandson of the founder of LVMH group (the “H” stands for Hennessy). The founder’s rich family history, sophistication, and culture are infused in every bottle.

Summary

Perfumes by Kilian are beloved by an incredibly wide range of women, from Upper-East-Side socialites to Rihanna, who is said to favor the warm, sweet Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy. In keeping with the pedigree of the cognac makers that are Kilian’s heritage, the best Kilian perfumes hold a special place in the fashion and fragrance world.

While the brand only launched 15 years ago, it’s often mentioned along with classic perfumers like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. You’ll find discounts on the fragrances in this Kilian perfume list, plus other enticing scents here at Perfume.com.

For more guides to the best perfumes from renowned brands, read on:

Jennifer Lee

I like to write about fashion and celebrities and I am excited to share what I like about perfume and other fragrances. I am happy to be a contributing author for Perfume.com. Come find me on social media and visit my website to support my work.