Back To Black: Who Crafts This Iconic Scent?

Back to Black is a unisex fragrance by Kilian. It was launched in 2009 and is described as an oriental woody scent. The nose behind this fragrance is Calice Becker. The perfume is available in a black flacon in amounts of 50ml and 1l.

Back to Black's scent notes

Back to Black by By Kilian is a woody, oriental fragrance with a wide range of scent notes. The official notes include bergamot, saffron, nutmeg, cardamom, coriander, raspberry, chamomile, olibanum, honey, cedar, oak, tobacco, patchouli, almond, vanilla, and labdanum.

The scent is described as having a strong honey note, with hints of tobacco, fruit, and wood. It also has a touch of citrus, spice, and sweetness. The fragrance is said to be both sophisticated and alluring, with a subtle gourmand quality.

Some reviewers describe the scent as having a powdery or baby powder-like quality, with hints of cherry, vanilla, and almond. The tobacco note is often described as subtle, with a smoky or rugged edge. The fragrance is long-lasting and has moderate sillage, leaving a trail of desire and mystery.

Back to Black's perfumer

Back to Black by Kilian is a unisex fragrance with notes of honey, tobacco, and vanilla. It was launched in 2009 and was created by perfumer Calice Becker.

The fragrance is described as a "gourmand tobacco harmony" with top notes of bergamot, raspberry, blue chamomile, cardamom, and coriander. The heart notes include saffron, cedarwood, vanilla, and almond, while the base notes are vetiver, cistus labdanum, patchouli, and oakmoss.

Back to Black is part of Kilian's L'Oeuvre Noire Collection, also known as The Smokes, which includes other fragrances such as Dark Lord and Black Phantom.

The perfume has received mixed reviews, with some praising its unique blend of sweet and smoky notes, while others find it too sweet or cloying. However, it has a strong presence in the fragrance industry and has developed a loyal following.

Similar fragrances to Back to Black

• Guerlain's L'Homme Idéal Parfum
• Serge Lutens' Chergui
• Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille
• Tom Ford's Noir de Noir
• Frederic Malle's Musc Ravageur
• Kilian's Love, Don't Be Shy
• Kilian's Black Phantom
• Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540
• Tauer Perfumes' 02 L'Air du Desert Marocain
• Parfums de Marly's Herod
• Guerlain's Shalimar Eau de Parfum
• Byredo's Bal d'Afrique
• Dior's Dior Homme Intense 2011
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Grand Soir
• Creed's Virgin Island Water
• Frederic Malle's Portrait of a Lady
• Hermes' Terre d'Hermès
• 18.21 Man Made Sweet Tobacco Spirits
• Paris Corner Emir When Soul Gets High
• Guerlain's Tobacco Honey
• Unique'e Luxury Beverly Hills Exclusive
• The Dua Brand Honey Laced Tabac
• Kilian's Gold Knight
• Naomi Goodsir's Or du Serail
• Hugo Boss' The Collection Magnetic Musk
• Soma Parfums' Halcyon
• Schlossparfumerie H - 100 Jubilee
• BORNTOSTANDOUT® Mad Honey
• Boadicea the Victorious' Defender
• Royal Crown's Tabac Royal
• Stora Skuggan's Thumbsucker
• Zaharoff Signature's AURUM

Black-owned fragrance companies

The fragrance industry is worth over $3 billion, and Black-owned fragrance brands are making their mark within this dynamic landscape. Here are six Black-owned fragrance companies that are captivating consumers with their unique blends and scents:

• American Luxury Unlimited: This company offers a range of fragrances that reflect the diverse and vibrant culture of America. Their products are designed to be accessible, affordable, and of high quality.
• La Boticá: Founded by Dawn Marie West, La Boticá is a luxury fragrance house that offers everything from home fragrance to everyday perfume. Each scent is unique and crafted with sustainable offerings from South America. Their best-selling fragrance, Casablanca, is inspired by the spirit and landscapes of Morocco, with notes of fig leaf, davana, fig, orris, white cedar, and galbanum.
• Kimberly New York: Launched in 2016, Kimberly New York has become a favorite among fragrance lovers. Their eau de parfums are infused with a blend of 20% fragrance oil and natural solvents, creating long-lasting fragrances that are safe for sensitive skin. "Diaspora", a fresh and light scent perfect for warm weather, celebrates diversity with notes of Asian pear, Fuji apple, fresh rose apple, and rosé champagne.
• Maya Njie Perfumes: Merging founder Maya Njie's Swedish and West African cultures, this indie perfume brand handcrafts each fragrance with essential oils, aroma compounds, and resins. "Les Fleurs", inspired by Minnie Riperton's '70s hit, is an earthy scent described as an "unbound celebration of life, love, and creation." It features notes of floral musk, magnolia, bergamot, neroli, fig, and wood.
• World of Chris Collins: Founded by Chris Collins, a former Ralph Lauren model, this luxury fragrance line evokes a sense of elegance and history. "Danse Sauvage", with notes of cognac accord, plum, and cedarwood, adds a sense of mystery and spice to any collection. "Harlem Nights", inspired by the 1920s nightlife, evokes the experience of smoking a fine cigar and drinking rum with notes of rum accord, orris, and sandalwood.
• Pink MahogHany: After experiencing a skin reaction from her favorite fragrance, self-taught perfumer Chavalia Dunlap-Mwamba founded Pink MahogHany. This brand focuses on creating gentle and light perfumes for sensitive skin, free from ingredients like phthalates and alcohols that can cause irritation.

Customer reviews of Back to Black

One customer describes the scent as "a gorgeous, clean honey" and "a true tobacco scent", while another says it smells like "baby powder" and "cherry pipe tobacco".

Some customers report that the scent is long-lasting, with one saying it "lasted all day and projected well, gathering great reactions from others". However, others complain that it is "too weak" and "doesn't project at all".

Overall, Back to Black receives positive reviews for its unique blend of honey, tobacco and fruity notes, but some customers find it too sweet and cloying.

Frequently asked questions