Back to Black

Continuing with my By Kilian journey, today I have Back to Black. I know I can't be the only one who thinks of AC/DC when I read the name, right? Anyway, this is probably one of the more talked about By Kilian fragrances. Not as much as Angel's Share, mind you; but more so than Intoxicated that I reviewed previously. Like with Intoxicated, I have no idea what to expect from this fragrance. Based off the name, I'm assuming something dark and brooding, very masculine, maybe some dark wood or tobacco notes. Let's get into it and find out what it's about; Scent: The opening is sweet, warm, and fruity. The primary notes I get are white honey, tobacco, raspberry, and vanilla. The strongest of the notes are the tobacco and raspberry. The tobacco is at the forefront of the opening with a warm and sweet accord accompanied by plenty of smokiness. For me, it evokes the memory of burning pipe tobacco. Right underneath the tobacco is a strong dose of fruitiness from the raspberry. I initially thought it was cherry, and the note breakdown here corroborated that; however cherry is not listed in the official note breakdown for the fragrance, raspberry is. With that in mind, it definitely is raspberry that I'm smelling; sweet and fruity with a bit of a rosy nuance to it. Up next is the white honey and vanilla. The white honey is actually listed as just honey on the official note breakdown, so I'm not sure how the "white" got added in, or even what "white honey" actually is. Nevertheless, it does have the usual sticky sweetness that honey notes typically carry. It's very present and realistic, more so than the honey in JPG's Le Male Elixir, but doesn't go over-the-top like the honeycomb note in Zoologist Bee. Think of a happy medium between those two. Lastly, the vanilla lingers in the background with a soft but noticeable sweet creaminess. The dry down is sweet, warm, and smoky. The primary notes I get are tobacco, honey, vanilla, and almond. The strongest of the notes are the honey and tobacco. The honey has become the standout note in the dry down with the same sticky sweet accord from the opening. It is stronger and more prominent than it was in the opening, and gives the dry down a gourmand edge. Behind the honey remains the tobacco, still warm and sweet but with a ramped up smokiness compared to the opening. This is followed by the vanilla and almond. The vanilla still carries the same smooth and creamy sweetness; still subtle and understated but unmistakably there. Lastly, the almond note has emerged in the dry down for a nutty, bittersweet finish in the background. The dry down is much more gourmand than the opening, but the increased smokiness adds a beautiful depth. Performance: Initial projection within the first hour is very strong and can easily fill a room. In fact, my wife was able to smell it in the other room after I sprayed it. Sillage is very strong as well and leaves a dense and heavy scent trail. After about 3-4 hours the projection was still at least 6 feet and the scent trail was still easily noticeable. At the 7-8 hour mark the projection was still 3-4 feet and the scent trail was still noticeable. At the 11-12 hour mark the projection was still about arms length and the scent trail was still noticeable, meaning this fragrance lasted over 12 hours before becoming a skin scent. When to wear: Back to Black is a fall/winter fragrance best suited for evening wear. Even though the fragrance does have a gourmand quality to it, it never goes over the top so I could see this fragrance being worn both casually and formally. Parties, weddings, out-on-the-town, date nights; Back to Black will work. I wouldn't wear it to the office though, as it would be too much for that setting. Blind buy: I have tried other fragrances that focus on tobacco and honey, but interestingly enough none of them are really comparable to Back to Black. There's just something about it that sets it apart. Still though, if you like sweet and warm tobacco fragrances, Back to Black is a safe blind buy for you. Final verdict: Back to Black is one of those fragrances that checks a lot of boxes for me, scent wise. Smoky tobacco, check. Sweetness, check. Bright fruit notes, check. Essentially, if it reminds me of hookah or pipe tobacco, I'm in. Back to Black fits that description, and as such I fell in love with the scent. So far, By Kilian has been killing it in terms of performance for the fragrances I've tested, and Back to Black is no exception. Very strong projection and scent trails for the first 3-4 hours, and lasting over 12 before becoming a skin scent. Versatility is okay, but not great. It'll work for anything formal or casual in the cooler months, but don't wear it in the heat or to the office. Mass-appeal is what I would call average. A lot of people will think this smells great, but the smokiness will turn some people away. To wrap this up, I think Back to Black is an excellent fragrance that's masterfully blended. I won't go so far as to say it's a masterpiece, as that's reserved for fragrances that just blow me away; but it gets close. Either way, I'll definitely be getting a bottle of this for my collection. Scent: 10/10 Longevity: 10/10 Sillage: 9/10

The evening in Paris feels electric, charged with the kind of tension that only the city’s midnight hour can bring. The streets are quiet, the air thick with the remnants of day, now softened by the cool touch of nightfall. You find yourself in a dimly lit bar, tucked away in an elegant corner of the city, where velvet lounges and dark wood paneling set the stage for a night full of possibilities. There’s a sense of anticipation in the air, as though the entire room is holding its breath. You’re dressed in a sleek Celine leather bomber jacket, smooth and dark, exuding the kind of understated luxury that speaks volumes without saying a word. Beneath it, a black Loro Piana cashmere turtleneck fits like a second skin, its softness both comforting and subtly sensual. Your tailored Saint Laurent trousers hug your form, the deep, dark fabric an elegant backdrop to your quiet confidence. On your feet, Berluti loafers complete the look—polished, refined, yet effortlessly cool, each step you take smooth, purposeful. The fragrance that surrounds you is Back to Black by Kilian—a scent that feels like the lingering trace of a very alluring lady’s kiss, one that leaves an indelible mark on your neck. It opens with the soft warmth of honey, sweet and inviting, like the trace of lipstick that lingers on your skin after an intimate kiss. It’s powdery, smooth, and sensual, like the softest caress, but there’s an edge to it—a depth that quickly emerges as tobacco makes its presence felt. The scent now shifts, becoming smoky and rugged, as if the kiss has left you with a memory of something more—of shared moments, of passion, and a hint of rebellion. The honey lingers, but it’s now tempered by the roughness of tobacco, like the residue of a cigarette smoked after an impassioned encounter, leaving behind a trace that’s both sweet and dark. As the fragrance evolves, there’s a subtle sweetness that comes from the cherry and almond, a creamy, intoxicating scent that balances out the smoky tobacco. The cherry adds a hint of tartness, like the aftertaste of a forbidden kiss, while the almond smooths everything out, adding a creamy richness that brings the fragrance back into something refined and elegant. Yet, even as the sweetness lingers, the tobacco never fully fades. It’s still there, a rough edge that adds a level of complexity, a sense of cool sophistication mixed with untamed desire. The dry-down of Back to Black is where the fragrance truly captures its essence. It’s dark, smooth, and undeniably magnetic—like the memory of that kiss that’s now etched into your skin, combined with the lingering scent of cigarette smoke and desire. The combination of tobacco, cherry, and almond is grounded by a faint, almost unnoticeable smoothness, as if the roughness has been softened, but only just enough to keep you wanting more. Back to Black is a fragrance for the man who embraces the tension between sweetness and rawness, elegance and sensuality. It’s the scent of a very alluring, unforgettable lady’s kiss that has left its mark, combined with the smoky aftermath of desire. It’s both elegant and daring, sophisticated and bold—a fragrance that lingers on your skin, leaving a trail of desire and mystery that is as impossible to ignore as the memory of the night itself.

Back To Black opens with a very realistic note of Honey & a beautiful mix of Spices. Ginger, Cardamom, & a note of Gingerbread are all resting upon a note of pungent Tobacco that feels dry due to the use of Nutmeg & Coriander. This opening smells of fresh warm Gingerbread Cookies drizzled with honey cooling in a Tobacco Humidor. This note of Gingerbread, & the note of Honey, are two that you will subtly smell throughout the life of this fragrance. Its then followed by a note of Raspberry thats softened with notes of Chamomile, Geranium, Almond, & Tonka, which creates a soft powdery, yet very upscale feel to the overall composition. But make no mistake about it. This Powdery nuance is what takes us "Back To Black. Its not an accord thats "White" in its feel. But rather, its a Powdery nuance darkened up by the Leathery undertones of Saffron, along with the dark red fruit nuances of Raspberry. Underneath all of this its Tobacco is slowly becoming more pungent & Earthy with help from the note of Patchouli just before a dark Cherry note makes its entrance transitioning this once dry Tobacco note in its opening, into a full on moist Cherry Pipe Tobacco. This Cherry note feels ripe, deep red & dark. Its very authentic & supported by the note of Saffron which lends its Leathery nuance to the idea of a Cherry's Skin. Sadly this note of Cherry only lingers for about 40 minutes as the Tobacco continues to transition further. This time supported by the notes of Labdanum, Olibanum, Amber, Saffron, & Oak the fragrance dries down into a Honeyed Tobacco Incense with soft Spiced undertones. A full 20 hours later In the final dry down Back To Black rests as a skin scent of Powdered dark spices with hints of Honeyed Tobacco. Kilian's Back To Black is not the strongest Projector. Only projecting moderately for about an hour. But the true strength of this fragrance is in its Sillage. Its a dense fragrance. So its one that will rest on you, & as you move about it will leave a beautiful Sillage Trail. However, its important for me to note that while dense, Back To Black is not going to be heavy enough to Project outdoors in the cold Fall & Winter air. Back To Black is an indoor Fall/Winter fragrance. With that said, even after 20 hours I'm able to catch wafts of this fragrance in its Skin Scent stage whenever my body heat rises & I make subtle movements. Kilian's Back To Black is one of the best Tobacco Fragrances to date. Its one that will smell wonderful on a Thick Sweater, on Date Nights, at Holiday Parties, & Family Dinners.

Maybe I passed on this one too quickly due to looking at the notes, but after I tried it, I am heavily considering this as my signature scent. Looking at the notes I was thinking:"cherry? raspberry? almond? gingerbread?? this must be a cute gourmand scent" while I am an alt guy looking for sth darker and more edgy, but after smelling it, i know the notes misguided me a little. While yes that long list of notes do add to the scent, what i smelled was tobacco, honey, and cherry, with tobacco being the most dominant note. The tobacco here is that cherry-like cigar type(well yea there is also a cherry note) which reminds me the tobacco used in herod, it's smoky, edgy, a bit sweet and not overpowering, with the honey perfectly complimenting it. While it does have notes of almond, gingerbread, and other gourmand-ish notes, i wouldnt say this is a gourmand, since they are really just in the background subtly supporting the main notes. Overall, i would say this is a smoky, honey tobacco fragrance that's sweet but not too sweet. As for who likes this type of scent, if your a fan of cherry tobacco fragrances, like tobacco vanille or herod, then this is def up ur alley(tho i wanna gatekeep it now that im considering this as a signature), as for who I imagine it to be like or what type of person it suits, first of all while I'd say this is pretty masculine i think ur gender doesnt matter that much, but if ur like a clean cute girl type of person, or if you're just a regular person then it is probably not for u, it def takes a type of person to pull it off, def for someone with a bit of an edge, as I mentioned above i'm an alt guy and i can envision myself pulling it off, and i imagine someone who can feel a bit dangerous, like maybe unapproachable in a way, wears black a lot, has a bit of ruggedness to them(think of bikers and shit idk), and wears eyeliner a lot. If u fit any of that description, I'd say it will fit u, i think u rlly gotta have some sort of edge to ur image or personality to pull this off as it def isn't for everyone, but goddamn is this a love at first sniff. Heavily considering to buy a full bottle!

Opening on paper: (in order of appearance) Leather. Honey. Tobacco. Resins. Amber. Cherry. But what a fantastic blend this is! I guess this is what people mean when they say a good worn-in leather jacket is like a second skin. I never had one, while I have a particular taste that I can't afford in leather. When I look at the very long list of ingrediënts I'm thinking yes, ofcourse that's all in there, it couldn't do without any of that ;), yet the blend is a singular thing of beauty. And here I was expecting something depressing for some reason. What a delightful find. I'm thinking this really needs to be one of the crowning jewels of my tiny collection. Well deserved. I'm going to wear this virtual second skin for a bit to see what happens... On skin: Warm honey, some cherries, leather, resins and a light vanilla tobacco. It's a perfect blend. Very sensual and unisex. Seems suitable for evenings at cold to moderate temperatures. I highly recommend you buy a decant and let the perfume speak for itself! PS I feel like I should elaborate on leather, since it's not mentioned anywhere else. So I've been thinking where that comes from. I guess that comes from the honey, which comes from beeswax, which can be used for leather care. Tobacco also has an association with leather for me. It was often carried in a leather pouch in which the scents of honeyed tobacco and leather blended together. Interesting how the brain makes its own interpretations based on personal experience.

I always loved ‘The Russian’ character on Sex and The City, played by Mikhail Baryshnikov. His character ended up being "not the right guy for Carrie", but no matter. He was romantic and grand; intellectually gifted but sensuous and physical. Wealthy, culturally literate, even esoteric, but charmingly folksy in a luxe sort of way. He was uncompromising, but curious. The Russian was curious about Carrie, who ended up being little more than a curiosity for him. But he was her last "big love" before she settled down with Big. And this is the scent of a big love. It's strong and sweeping, bold but comforting. You can lose yourself in this bear hug of a scent. It smells like vanilla, tea, tobacco, caramel, herbs, licorice, sugar, honey and cherries. The big loves are the ones that consume you. "Where have you been for the past two weeks?" ask your friends. "How can it be 4am already?" you ask yourself. "What day is it?" He asks you as you both come up for air. An aphrodisiac is something to help you relax and feel special, it helps you to be mindful of sensations in your body and to pay less attention to the world outside. Back to Black does this for me. I received my carded sample on Washington Street in New York City. I came upon the store by accident. I spent a lovely 20 minutes in the store with the shop girl, alone. She was a beautiful girl in a simple, expensive black dress and the store was exquisitely decorated. I highly recommend you visit when you’re there!

At first sniff it reminds me a bit of Tobacolor by Dior, but a LOT more tame and relaxed in comparison, but as you see with the absolute chaos of notes above me, this fragrance evolves quite a lot throughout its wearing, the only consistencies it has during its lifetime is the note of Honey, Tobacco, and a sweetness that varies throughout the wearing, at times the sweetness meals fruity, at others it smells more gourmand its quite weird, this is definitely a "weird" fragrance at the end of the day, definitely not everyone's cup of tea, and I personally think that despite being a good idea, and I commend Kilian's willingness to try something bold and different, I think the fact that this fragrance has so many different nuances, kind of strip's down its identity, and makes it a lot less memorable to me personally, I had to keep reminding myself what was sprayed on my arm because I kept forgetting it was 'Back go Black. Overall it's a very luxurious scent that smells expensive, and performs well, I get around 10-11 hours longevity with strong-medium projection for the first 4 or so hours, after that it becomes around a medium or slightly weaker fragrance, I can only imagine how long it would last on clothes tho, good for winter and autumn alike, and perfectly unisex, nothing in this fragrance leans too heavily to either gender. I really like the DNA, but it's not my favourite, my final verdict is a strong 8.3/10

When I was torn between this and Ellis Brooklyn’s BEE, every gourmand lover I asked called Back to Black a masterpiece by comparison. I thought they might've been exaggerating, but after purchasing a bottle, I have to say that I absolutely agree. It’s a near-photorealistic honey, spun with something darker and more complex beneath. The sweetness is ever-present, but never cloying or saccharine. As with all things Kilian, there’s a well-blended booziness that is subtle, seductive, and harmonizes perfectly with the honey and sweet notes, adding depth rather than confusion. While this scent leans a touch feminine, there’s a masculine edge that keeps it interesting and wearable for anyone who likes their sweetness with a side of mystery. Longevity with this scent is phenomenal. It's clocking eight hours on my skin easily, even after a full day of classes. Versatile enough for daytime (as long as you have trigger discipline), or for intimate evenings: not a club scent, but perfect for a close encounter, a date night, or a quietly decadent evening at home. As a self-proclaimed gourmand aficionado, I consider this a must-try for gourmand fans who need a break from predictable vanillas and crave something new, without fully crossing into niche category.

OK, so go with me here... Whenever I smell Back to Black, my mind goes to Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. Even just the trailer itself. Get thee to a YouTube app to see for yourself. There's that sexy Chris Isaak guitar riff; Cruise and Kidman in various states of undress; BABY DID A BAD, BAD THING; Cruise and Kidman in various states of infidelity; a dangerous sense of mystery; BABY DID A BAD, BAD THING; the extravagant wealth of the 1% of the 1% of the 1%; that infamous sex cult ritual; BABY DID A BAD, BAD THING. Because, to me, THAT is what Back to Black evokes. My mind interprets the cherry-accented, densely sweet honey-tobacco accord as SEX! DANGER! MYSTERY! WEALTH! It's so rich (in multiple senses of the word), so sexy, so confident. Its restrained projection acts as a gravitational pull, piquing the curiosity of those around you, seducing them closer into your orbit. The perfume's subtitle "Aphrodisiac" is no joke. So, I'll excuse myself now. I've just spritzed a single spray, dabbed between my wrists. Baby's in the mood for a bad, bad thing... (Forgive me, Father, for I will sin, even without a Venetian mask.)

Back to Black by By Kilian is no ordinary fragrance; it's a dark and sweet masterpiece. Launched in 2009, it hits hard with a blend that's as bold as it gets. Imagine a symphony of white honey, tobacco, cherry, vanilla, raspberry, almond, gingerbread, amber, tonka bean, nutmeg, benzoin, chamomile, saffron, patchouli, cardamom, French labdanum, olibanum, oak, Virginia cedar, coriander, geranium, and bergamot – it's a fragrance arsenal that doesn't mess around. This ain't just for the ladies; it's a scent for men who embrace their dark, sweet side. Back to Black is a journey into a world of richness, complexity, and unapologetic boldness. It's like a magnetic force that draws you in with its sweet darkness. This perfume isn't subtle; it's a statement. It's for men who don't shy away from making an entrance, leaving a trail of intense sweetness that lingers. Back to Black isn't just a fragrance; it's a bold declaration of your presence. If you're not afraid to embrace the dark and sweet, this one's for you.

Back to Black - an intensely sweet and alluring gourmand. It opens with powerful notes of honey, cherry, vanilla and raspberry; it’s sweet and fruity with some dry touches in the background. The heart consists of a thickening of the cherry and honey combination with the addition of a slightly powdery almond and tonka bean which adds to the deliciousness of this scent. It then dries down to a sweet, syrupy honey with a dry, smokey tobacco to give it some power. The cherry begins to dissipate while the vanilla becomes stronger all while warm spices begin to creep in from the sides. The performance is great - it lasts all day and projects well, gathering great reactions from others. Back to Black is one of the greatest gourmands on the market, it’s sweet and delicious with lots going on however it never gets overbearing. This fragrance reminds me so much of Christmas and it’s perfect for nights out in the winter.

This is straight up a weird scent for the weird girl (in a very good way). My skin picks up the sharp tobacco note. In the first few seconds, it smells off-putting. But then, when the tobacco note fades away, I get this sweet honey-cherry mix with something floral. The honey smells very smooth and nectar-like, not sharp at all. I think the sharp tobacco gives a unique twist to this otherwise sweet perfume, and that makes it weirdly unique! I don't think it's a crowd-pleaser or compliment-getter. It's just for those days when it's raining outside and you feel gloomy. It's a scent only for you, if you like it! There is something ancient, dark, and sad about it. It's musty, earthy, and a bit dirty. I imagine an abandoned house, a dungeon, or a noir-style crime scene whenever I sniff it. I have been searching for a scent like this and I think I got it!

"You go back to her and I go back to..." Is what Amy Winehouse said, Back to Black. If you want a scent that you should wear to most formal occasions, wearing a black suit and tie then this is for you! Its strong smell of incense, Honey and tobacco / woodsy envelops that perfect image of a man in a suit. (Just like the Perfume describes it) Even tho the amount of different notes used in Back to Black are many, I only get the rich honey, the strong incense and the hint of tobacco / wood's. But those notes are blended to perfection, Back to Black is the perfume that stands out a lot, almost flying under the radar since Black Phantom is the one getting the hype. Back to black is perfect for occasions where you want to stand out! I blind bought it, but it is not safe for the price and the strong smell of incense and honey.

I will forever have a bottle of Back to Black in my bathroom cupboard waiting for use; it's been with me for years and clearly isn't letting up. I adore this scent with my entire being, the sweet tobacco really feels almost boozy instead of commercially sweet, which redeems it massively. It's a perfume you'd want to wear with a more advanced outfit, as just the smell makes you feel more proper. It's a true unisex in my opinion, whoever wears it just needs that sophistication to pull it off. I am absolutely addicted to fruit warm spicy perfumes, and Back to Black captures it perfectly. It did dry down quite unpleasantly on my sister's skin, but it has never been anything more than gorgeous on mine, so it seems to be quite temperamental, so definitely order a sample size before anything else just to check.

I loved this from the first spray, and bought a bottle. This is exactly what I've been wanting to smell: honey, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg/spicey, cherry, tobacco. I find this evokes an feeling of warmth, a luxe and comforting vibe. Because of the vanilla, and possibly the honey note, there is a cleanness and an innocence to this fragrance, despite its simultaneously decadent undercurrent with the tobacco-ey depth and overall sophistication of the whole. The cherry note is for me more like a black cherry gateau kind of louche 70s thing, it combines well with all the above notes and I like it a lot here. Perfectly unisex. It is sweet but not cloyingly so. Honey, vanilla, berry and tobacco all work together to make what may be among the smoothest, most well-blended of fragrances I've ever tried.

I couldn't understand this at first. There's a unsweet and sweet parallel going at the same time which was throwing me off. I'm guessing that being tobacco and cherry. I can really pinpoint honey, not saying it's not there I just cant identify it. I'm guessing its the overall sweetness that glues the tobacco and cherry together. I'd figure because it has the best of both worlds of musk and sweetness, women will love it. So I kept it. It's kind of really hard to tell because I haven't had anyone say anything about it good or bad. Tho, nobody avoids or keep their distance when I have it on that I can tell either. Though I love it because I have a use case for it though its a little to sweet and the cherry note is a little of putting for me. Another plus is that this last forever

This is the one and only signature scent of mine. Notes, I can't decipher, I couldn't tell, neither do I need to as they are listed anyway. Gingerbread (gingerbread???), honey, tobacco, this and that, whatever. I don't even want to know, I don't want to deconstruct it. This thing is a true Aphrodisiac. If pheromones had a smell it would be gingerbread, tobacco, honey, chamomile etc. And it tells stories. They can be different to anyone but there is a narrative in this fragrance with picks and curves and complex characters. It's a perfume for dreamers, explorers, time travelers, lovers, philosophers. And if you don' t like it.... well too bad.

I own an older bottle from early 2017 and it's an amazing scent with incredible performance. I was shocked when I tried the modern formula at Sephora. It smells completely different. The 2023 scent has good performance but it smells like it's loaded with artificial sweeteners. It's not terrible, but not anywhere near the older bottles. Try them side by side and you'll see what I'm talking about. In the vintage the cherry and honey leap off your skin. The tobacco is detectable and the amber and benzoin is rich and luxurious. I suggest you get an older bottle if you can. Este Lauder screwed up an excellent formula.

It is so luxurious and cozy. A perfect scent for winter. It is very sweet and hazy. In my opinion totally feminine, too sweet for any male. My favourite Kilian. It projects a small bubble on me and lasts long, among the best performances but it does not fill a room and people around me cannot perceive it, only I feel it on myself as if suspended on a smoky, aromatic tobacco and honey cloud. I absolutely adore it and managed to find it still in perfumerie but it is missing on Douglas site which irritates me, as this is in my top 10 favourite scents and the best Kilian.

FINALLY I GOT THIS!!!!😍 This is perhaps my favorite fragrance but want to keep it special since it was my first love for luxury fragrances. Honestly I can’t grasp most of the notes mentioned in the list, but the honey, vanilla, and cherry is beautifully blended which I think is creating this alluring and mysterious overall scent. For me, this truly does makes me drooling and somewhat “excited” as the name suggests! Some say this is not meant for the summer but try it on a hot summer night! Anyone who thinks this is a masterpiece is a friend of mine!