- Brand: By Kilian
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By Kilian Old Fashioned Review
By Kilian Old Fashioned highlights:
Launched in 2024, By Kilian Old Fashioned is a premium unisex fragrance that masterfully captures the depth and warmth of an 18-year-old Single Malt Scotch whisky. Designed by the renowned perfumer Sidonie Lancesseur, this luxurious scent is part of Kilian Paris’s exclusive “The Liquors” collection, a line inspired by the art of fine spirits and the legacy of Kilian Hennessy.
With its rich, layered composition and artisanal character, Old Fashioned delivers an olfactory experience that blends modern sophistication with timeless tradition—perfect for those who appreciate bold, complex fragrances with a story behind every note.
Know By Kilian Old Fashioned:
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Reviews of By Kilian Old Fashioned:
As someone who appreciates the complexity of boozy, warm scents, Old Fashioned By Kilian truly surprised me with its photorealistic whiskey opening. The first spritz hit me like a glass of smooth, double-oaked bourbon garnished with orange peel rich, smoky, and just sweet enough to intrigue.
I immediately noticed a hay-like nuance that gave it a rustic, masculine edge, somewhat reminiscent of Tom Ford’s Amber Absolute, but softer and more refined.
While the performance isn’t beastly it settles into a close-to-skin scent within a few hours the dry-down evolves into a luxurious blend of woods, light spice, and an almost raisin-like sweetness that lingers beautifully.
It leans mature and elegant, ideal for fall and winter evenings, and I’d absolutely reach for it on a crisp night out. Though I wish the longevity matched its exquisite opening, the storytelling in this fragrance makes it worth revisiting.
When comparing By Kilian Old Fashioned with other fragrances in the collection, like Angel Share, Apple Brandy on the Rocks, Angel Share Paradise, Blue Moon Ginger Dash, and Roses on Ice, I find that Old Fashioned stands out with its deep, whisky-inspired warmth, offering a more grounded and sophisticated profile.
While Angel Share and Apple Brandy on the Rocks have a stronger, sweeter, and more vibrant presence, Old Fashioned is more subtle and introspective. The former fragrances generally offer better performance in terms of longevity and projection, whereas Old Fashioned tends to fade quicker.
By Kilian Old Fashioned Presentation:
When I first laid eyes on Old Fashioned By Kilian , I was struck by the brand’s signature elegance in presentation. The bottle, housed in the iconic black lacquered case with gold detailing, speaks of luxury and sophistication exactly what you’d expect from a house like Kilian.
It feels weighty, well-crafted, and instantly gift-worthy. However, while the aesthetics are top-tier, I did find the design slightly repetitive if you already own other Kilian bottles; it doesn’t stand out much on a shelf full of Kilian scents.
Still, the magnetic cap and the crisp gold engraving make it feel premium. What impressed me the most was how the design subtly hints at the fragrance inside dark, boozy, and rich just like an Old Fashioned cocktail in a glass.
The presentation definitely sets the stage for the sensory experience, though I believe a more unique visual identity could have made it truly unforgettable.
What Online Magazines Say About By Kilian Old Fashioned:
| Online Magazines | Gender | Price | Longevity | Sillage | Popularity | Season | Overall Impression |
| Fragrantica | unisex | overpriced |
|
|
– | Fall and winter | – |
By Kilian Old Fashioned Notes:
- Top Notes: Wheat Absolute, Davana Essence
- Middle Notes: Immortelle Absolute, Cedarwood Essence
- Base Notes: Tolu Balsam, Styrax
Kicking off with Wheat Absolute and Davana Essence in the top notes, it opens with a warm, grainy sweetness that feels like stepping into a distillery at dusk. The Davana adds a fruity, almost wine-like edge, which I find intriguing but slightly overpowering at first sniff, perhaps a touch too boozy for some. Still, it sets a unique stage, unlike the typical citrus-heavy intros in mainstream fragrances.
As it settles, the heart reveals Immortelle Absolute paired with Cedarwood Essence. Here’s where I’m torn: the Immortelle brings a rich, honeyed warmth that’s utterly captivating, evoking caramelized whisky notes. But the Cedarwood, while grounding, feels a bit too sharp, almost stealing the spotlight from the softer florals. It’s a daring choice, though, and I admire Kilian’s risk-taking in balancing rugged and refined.
The base notes Tolu Balsam and Styrax are where this fragrance truly shines. The Tolu Balsam wraps you in a resinous, slightly sweet embrace, while the Styrax adds a smoky, leathery depth that lingers like the memory of a fireside dram. It’s intimate, luxurious, and perfectly unisex, though I wish the sillage were a tad stronger to match its commanding character.
Overall, By Kilian Old Fashioned is a whisky lover’s dream warm, complex, and evocative. It’s not flawless; the sharp cedar and intense opening might not suit everyone. Yet, its storytelling through scent is masterful, making it a standout for those craving something daringly different.
By Kilian Old Fashioned Performance:
I’ve been wearing By Kilian Old Fashioned, for a few days now, and its performance has me both charmed and frustrated. This whisky fragrance, woven with notes of Wheat Absolute, Davana Essence, Immortelle, Cedarwood, Tolu Balsam, and Styrax, opens with a heady, boozy rush that feels like cracking open a bottle of aged single malt warm, smoky, and perfect for cozy fall or winter evenings.
The initial burst is bold, with the grainy sweetness of Wheat and the fruity, liquorous Davana creating a vivid, almost tangible distillery vibe. But here’s where it falters: the longevity on my skin clocks in at a mere 3–4 hours, vanishing far too quickly for a scent of this caliber.
It’s a letdown when the rich Immortelle and resinous Tolu Balsam, which promise depth, don’t linger as long as I’d hoped. The sillage is equally fleeting; it projects decently for about an hour before settling into a soft, skin-hugging whisper.
That said, I adore this intimate glow. It’s elegant, unisex, and feels tailor-made for close moments, like a quiet dinner or a fireside chat, where the smoky Styrax and woody Cedarwood add a refined edge. Occasionally, I catch faint traces of it hours later, especially in cooler weather, hinting at potential with the right chemistry or heavier application.
Still, for a Kilian fragrance, I expected a stronger, more commanding presence to match its sophisticated whisky inspiration. If you’re drawn to boozy, amber heavy scents, this is a must-try, but sample it first to see how it performs on you.
Where and Where?
I love wearing By Kilian Old Fashioned, for fall and winter date nights or cozy bar hangouts, where its boozy, amber warmth shines in intimate settings. The Kilian fragrance feels perfect for quiet, romantic evenings but lacks the sillage for crowded events or daytime office wear.
Its subtle projection suits close encounters, not lively parties. Test this niche perfume for low-key, cold-weather moments.
- Seasons: All seasons، best in fall and spring when the amber warmth and woody depth truly shine.
- Occasions: Ideal for evenings out, leisurely gatherings, date nights, or even business meetings where subtle elegance matters.
- Attire: Matches best with smart casual, formal wear, and elevated business attire.
Conclusion:
As someone who values storytelling in scent, I find By Kilian Old Fashioned both captivating and frustrating. I admire the bold use of notes like Wheat Absolute and Immortelle, which create a unique, artisanal feel, yet I can’t help but wish the projection lived up to the richness of its composition.
Still, for intimate evenings and quiet, cool-weather settings, this fragrance delivers a soulful, sensory journey that’s hard to forget even if it doesn’t always linger as long as I want it to.
Pros:
Unique, whisky-inspired boozy scent with a photorealistic opening
Unisex appeal, balancing masculine and refined notes
Complex, layered composition with captivating dry-down
Ideal for fall/winter evenings and intimate settings
Cons:
Limited longevity (3–4 hours) and weak sillage
Repetitive bottle design lacks uniqueness
High cost vs. performance may disappoint