Kilian: where to start? 7 perfumes to discover the house

Kilian Paris is the house of bold names and bottled spirits. Cognac, rum, liqueurs: many of its perfumes talk about bars and late nights. But the house also does white flowers, beach scents and even a fresh cologne. With more than thirty of its perfumes in our catalogue, it is easy to get lost.

Here are seven Kilian perfumes to start with, one for each main style. The notes we mention are the ones on our product pages, nothing more.

Gourmand cognac: Angels' Share

Angels' Share (2020) is often the first Kilian people try. It opens on cognac. The heart blends cinnamon, tonka bean and oak, then the base brings praline, vanilla and sandalwood. It is warm, sweet and woody, like a dessert by the fire. If you love winter gourmands, start here. See Angels' Share.

Sweet orange blossom: Love, Don't Be Shy

Love, Don't Be Shy (2007) opens on neroli, pink pepper, bergamot and coriander. The heart gathers orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, rose and iris. The base is the house's best known: marshmallow, vanilla, musk and labdanum. A very soft, almost candy-like floral for anyone who loves cosy scents. See Love, Don't Be Shy.

White flowers: Good Girl Gone Bad

Good Girl Gone Bad (2012) is a bouquet: jasmine, tuberose, rose, osmanthus and narcissus. No gourmand note here, just generous, slightly heady white flowers. It is the most classic Kilian in spirit, ideal for special occasions. See Good Girl Gone Bad.

The woody cocktail: Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned is named after a whisky cocktail, but it plays mostly on grain and woods. It opens on wheat and davana. The heart pairs cedar and everlasting flower, then the base blends styrax and Tolu balm. A golden, resinous scent, less sweet than Angels' Share. See Old Fashioned.

Hookah tobacco: Smoking Hot

Smoking Hot opens on a hookah accord and cinnamon. The heart brings tobacco and everlasting flower, then the base sets down vanilla and patchouli. It is a sweet, smoky tobacco that suits autumn evenings well. See Smoking Hot.

The beach scent: Moonlight in Heaven

Moonlight in Heaven (2012) brings together grapefruit, mango, coconut, tonka bean and vetiver. Fruity and creamy, it smells of sunny holidays, with a touch of vetiver that stops it from being too sweet. The right pick for summer. See Moonlight in Heaven.

Freshness: Kologne Shield of Protection

Kologne Shield of Protection opens on green mandarin, bitter orange and mint. The heart blends rosemary, lemon petitgrain and neroli. The base gathers cedar, cashmeran and a sap accord. It is the Kilian to wear to the office or on hot days. See Kologne Shield of Protection.

Which one to choose?

• You love sweet scents and winter: Angels' Share, or Smoking Hot if you want tobacco.
• You prefer soft flowers: Love, Don't Be Shy.
• You want a more classic floral: Good Girl Gone Bad.
• You are after a golden, not-too-sweet woody scent: Old Fashioned.
• For summer: Moonlight in Heaven, or Kologne Shield of Protection for real freshness.

Kilian sells many of its perfumes in several sizes, and prices vary from one shop to the next. On each page, compare the offers or set a price alert before you buy.