TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
2024
Sidonie Lancesseur
Perfume
Autumn, Winter
OLFACTORY ARCHITECTURE
By Kilian
Old Fashioned
Unisex 2024 The Liquors
Old Fashioned Old Fashioned by By Kilian is a sophisticated 2024 addition to The Liquors collection, inspired by the refined heritage of an 18-year-old single malt whiskey. The fragrance opens with a unique blend of wheat absolute and davana essence, creating an authentic boozy and grain-rich profile. This "old money" aesthetic is designed to evoke the atmosphere of a luxurious library or a private club, offering a mature and elegant olfactory experience that captures the essence of a timeless Scottish tradition.
The composition transitions into a warm heart of cedarwood and immortelle absolute before resting on a rich, resinous base of styrax and tolu balm. While celebrated for its realistic whiskey notes and impressive longevity of up to 14 hours, it remains a polarizing choice due to its linear development and potent alcoholic opening. Despite its intensity, the scent settles into a comforting woody aroma, making it an ideal, high-end selection for special evening occasions and cooler seasonal wear.
Old Fashioned delivers exceptional performance, with many users reporting an impressive longevity of 12 to 14 hours on the skin. Its initial projection is strong and bold, successfully capturing a sophisticated "old money" aesthetic that commands attention. The fragrance maintains a powerful presence, especially in cooler weather, ensuring the authentic whiskey-inspired notes remain perceptible throughout the day.
While the sillage is significant, some find the boozy opening too intense for professional office settings. However, its high-quality balsamic dry down provides a long-lasting, refined finish. The scent's durability and projection make it an ideal choice for elegant evening occasions and special events where a memorable, mature impression is desired.
Launched in 2024, Old Fashioned is a sophisticated addition to By Kilian’s The Liquors collection. Developed by perfumer Sidonie Lancesseur in collaboration with Kilian Hennessy, the scent pays homage to Hennessy’s heritage in fine spirits. While its name suggests a classic cocktail, the fragrance is specifically inspired by the complex, smoky profile of an 18-year-old single malt scotch from the Scottish Highlands, emphasizing heritage and refinement.
The fragrance is widely considered a modern reissue or evolution of the brand’s previous Harrods-exclusive release, Single Malt. By removing the prominent plum note and introducing davana and immortelle, the 2024 version achieves a more photorealistic, grain-forward whiskey accord. To mark its debut, British actor Lucien Laviscount was appointed as the first-ever brand ambassador, embodying the scent's fusion of British charm and French sophistication.
KEY ADVANTAGES
- - Authentic whiskey-inspired scent profile that captures the essence of an 18-year-old single malt with realistic boozy and grain notes
- - Exceptional longevity and performance, with many users reporting 12 to 14 hours of wear and strong projection
- - Sophisticated "old money" character that evokes a refined, mature, and luxurious aesthetic suitable for special occasions
- - Complex and high-quality balsamic dry down featuring rich notes of cedarwood, tolu balm, and resinous styrax
- - Refillable art deco glass bottle design that combines luxury craftsmanship with practical sustainability
POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS
- - Significant issues with longevity and projection reported by many users, with some noting it vanishes within an hour
- - Overpowering boozy opening that can be perceived as overly alcoholic or sharp rather than refined
- - High price point makes it difficult to justify given its linear scent profile and performance concerns
- - Limited versatility due to its literal "whiskey" smell, making it less suitable for professional office environments
- - Highly polarizing nature with some users finding the scent musty, dark, or reminiscent of nausea-inducing experiences
Designer Biography
Sidonie Lancesseur is a distinguished Parisian perfumer who discovered her calling at age twelve. After studying at the prestigious ISIPCA, she joined Robertet, where she was mentored by the legendary Michel Almairac. Almairac deeply influenced her signature style, instilling a preference for short, modern formulas where every ingredient serves a specific purpose.
Known for her elegantly simple and nature-inspired compositions, Lancesseur often features woody notes like patchouli and vetiver. Her acclaimed portfolio includes iconic scents for By Kilian, such as Straight to Heaven, along with successful collaborations for brands like Frapin, Azzaro, and Olfactive Studio.
Global User Sentiment
| SOURCE | RATING | SENTIMENT CLUSTER |
|---|---|---|
| Fragrantica | 4.02 / 5 | AMBERWARM SPICYWOODYHERBALPOWDERYBALSAMIC |
| Sephora | 4.7 / 5 | WARM & SPICYWOODY & EARTHYBOOZY & AMBER |
