By Kilian
Back to Black
By Kilian released Back to Black in 2009, composed by Calice Becker for a unisex audience. The opening is a rich, dense blend of white honey and tobacco, immediately joined by the sweet fruitiness of cherry and raspberry. Almond adds a nutty counterpoint, while gingerbread, nutmeg, saffron, and cardamom introduce a warm, spiced sweetness. A touch of bergamot and coriander provides a fleeting freshness. As the initial burst settles, vanilla, tonka bean, and benzoin deepen the sweetness with a resinous warmth, supported by amber and French labdanum. Chamomile and olibanum contribute a subtle aromatic quality. The base notes of patchouli, oak, and Virginia cedar provide an earthy, woody anchor, preventing the sweetness from becoming cloying and maintaining the tobacco's presence. This creates a warm, opulent, and enveloping scent. It suits cooler seasons like autumn and winter, particularly for evening wear or special occasions, where its depth can unfold slowly.
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Accords
Note pyramid
From the encyclopedia
- Contains Gingerbread, a note found in only 23 fragrances
- One of 103 By Kilian fragrances in the encyclopedia
OurScent readers
Performance
Longevity
long lasting
OurScent estimate from the accords
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Sillage
strong
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Audience & value
Gender
unisex
OurScent estimate from the stated audience and the accords
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Price value
way overpriced
OurScent estimate from the house’s prices
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Where it works
Climate
cold
OurScent estimate from the accords
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Season
autumn and winter
OurScent estimate from the accords
3 more votes show the readers’ answer
How it lasts in our climate
Not enough reports yet on how Back to Black lasts in our heat. If you have worn it, tell us — three taps.
OurScent’s verdict
Suits you if
- you want a scent that lasts all day
- you like a scent that is noticed
- you want warmth for autumn and winter
- you live somewhere cold
May not suit you if
- you spend the day in a closed office or a crowd
- you want it for a Gulf summer day
- you are on a tight budget
An editorial assessment by OurScent, based on the composition — not a reader review.
Reader reviews
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Who made it
Questions about Back to Black
- Does Back to Black last in the heat?
- Our estimate from its composition, until enough readers vote: longevity “long lasting”, and it is better in cold weather than on a hot summer day.
- Who is Back to Black for, and in which season?
- The house makes it for men and women. From its accords, we estimate it is best in autumn and winter.
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Signed by Calice Becker
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Alternatives shops sell
Shops sell these as an alternative to “Back to Black”, in their own words. We make no claim about how they smell.
All alternatives to Back to Black
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عطر 726
«بديل من - باك تو بلاك من كيليان»
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