By Kilian Back to Black is part of the Collection L'oeuvre Noire (Black Masterpiece). While the first six By Kilian Perfumes in the series were well-received, that many at one time was a little overwhelming. When By Kilian Back to Black was released in 2009, that changed everything. It's deep honeyed tobacco notes, fully spiced was a huge break-out hit, and we couldn't keep it in stock for months, as well as just trying to hunt it down as supplies dwindled. During that holiday season, everyone wanted this warm comfort scent to wear, it was the perfume "sit by the fire and cuddle up with" fragrance.
Kilian Hennessy launched By Kilian in 2007. Yup, the Cognac Hennessy, grandson to the founder of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton Group, he followed his interest in scent, writing his thesis on the semantics of odors. After spending time with leading perfumers, he launched By Kilian with the Collection L'oeuvre Noire (Black Masterpiece) series. There are now 10 fragrances in that series. The over-the-top marketing copy drew a lot of criticism in the early part of his launch, but the gorgeous packaging - black lacquer boxes and black bottles - started to win us over, as did the artistry of the fragrances.
Fragrantica: "I get a ripe yet slightly tart cherry note in the beginning, which gives way to rich honey and tobacco mixed in equal parts."
Fragrantica: "It's sweet and vanillic, yet dark and heady. Intoxicating, yet invigorating. It is the embodiment of sensuality, but it's also not a treat for the faint of heart."
More information and By Kilian reviews can be found at:
Basenotes Fragrantica Perfume Posse Grain de Musc The Non-Blonde
| Perfume Name | By Kilian Back to Black |
| Year Introduced | 2009 |
| Perfumer | Calice Becker |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Strength | Eau de parfum, edp |
| Notes | honey, fruit, wood, amber and tobacco, with a hint of citrusy tacts of bergamot, spicy nuances of saffron and cardamom, and sweet touch of raspberry |
| Country of Origin | France |
This is super sweet black honey. I was curious to smell not reading the notes, referring to the hype. It’s lovely. For eccentric winters when don’t want to be alone but might be. Guys can use, this but I’m lovIng this behind the ear of my Wife. We’re in love. Sweet beautiful
Great performance. A little sour, a little sweet. Lots of honey.
This is super sweet black honey. I was curious to smell not reading the notes, referring to the hype. It’s lovely. For eccentric winters when don’t want to be alone but might be. Guys can use, this but I’m lovIng this behind the ear of my Wife. We’re in love. Sweet beautiful
Great performance. A little sour, a little sweet. Lots of honey.
This fragrance is complex that wears down to sweet scent. The honey scent sticks around past a full day. If you like sensual food this may be for you.
This one plays really curious tricks with my mind. Sometimes I interpret it as gorgeous cherry/tobacco, but most of the time the same smell gets interpreted as strong baby powder. Very curious from psychological point of view, but I am not quite ready to have this quality in wearable perfume. I am quite fascinated with it as a toy though.
This smells exactly like an old, beloved candle I used to have, and I thought I'd never find anything close. But I have! This fragrance is deep and dark, but doesn't make me think of tobacco. I don't know what it reminds me of, but it's thick and luxurious and you can get absolutely lost in it. And by the way, I think it's totally unisex.
I love this fragrance. Cherry, tobacco, and vanilla, among other delectable notes, all blended in a wonderful way. Very sexy, more feminine than masculine, and lasts a long time. Probably better for winter, but I can't stay away from it in the middle of June in the south!
Give this a chance. It's vey rich and smells much better once it's on the skin. I've had several ppl tell me they've never smelled anything so delicious. Great scent!
It's rare that I come across a well known and respected scent and find it so unpleasant. I truly can't imagine anyone liking this one, and I always try to find positive elements. It's the dirty musk, old underwear element, which can be thrilling in Musc Ravageur or Amouage Gold or Youth Dew, but in this one is just offensive. It also has something of the minty element of Tobacco Vanille and maybe some saffron, neither of which I like at all. The rich gourmand elements of Ambre Narguile and Angel are there but overwhelmed by the laundry hamper note.
