Back to Black, aphrodisiac by Kilian

Brand: Kilian

Concentration: EDP

Scent overview

Back to Black is a richly textured, unisex fragrance that balances dark tobacco and smoky incense with honey, cherry, and plush vanilla. Its seductive warmth and artistic complexity make it especially captivating in cool weather and intimate evening settings.

Is Back to Black, aphrodisiac worth it?

How it smells: Opens with dried fruits, cherry and honey, tobacco and incense at the heart, then dries down to vanilla and amber.

Scent Score: 79/100 (Great). Hidden gem. Established and performs well, but few people know about it. Performance 89, reputation 64, versatility 79, layerability 81 and value 74, each out of 100.

Scent Character

EDP · Introduced 2008 · Unisex

Key accords: Dried fruits, Cherry, Honey, Tobacco, Incense, Cardamom

Top Notes

Heart Notes

Base Notes

Occasions: Evening, Date, Special Occasion, Casual

Seasons: Fall, Winter

Fragrance overview

Back to Black, aphrodisiac by Kilian belongs to the oriental fragrance family. A smoky-sweet blend of honeyed tobacco, dried fruits, cherry, incense, and vanilla wrapped in warm woods. Back to Black, aphrodisiac opens with Dried fruits, Cherry, and Honey. The heart brings Tobacco, Incense, and Cardamom. It dries down to Vanilla, Amber, Cedarwood, and Vetiver.

How to wear Back to Black, aphrodisiac

On skin, Back to Black, aphrodisiac by Kilian has excellent longevity, strong projection, an intensity of 8/10, EDP concentration. It's best in fall and winter. Reach for it for evening, date, special occasion, and casual. Its best layering match in the catalog is Bleu de Chanel by Chanel. Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Bleu de Chanel on top for woody lift. Start with 2 sprays Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Bleu de Chanel and adjust to taste.

How the notes develop

Back to Black, aphrodisiac opens with Dried fruits, Cherry, and Honey.

The heart brings Tobacco, Incense, and Cardamom.

It dries down to Vanilla, Amber, Cedarwood, and Vetiver.

What to layer with Back to Black, aphrodisiac

  • Chanel Bleu de Chanel bottle

    Bleu de Chanel by Chanel

    TrySame price for you · we may earn a small commission.

    Signature Worthy · 98/99

    Oriental and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share incense and vetiver.

    Order: Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Bleu de Chanel on top for woody lift.

    Ratio: 2 sprays Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Bleu de Chanel

  • Kenzo Flower by Kenzo bottle

    Flower by Kenzo by Kenzo

    BuySame price for you · we may earn a small commission. Is FragranceNet legit?

    Signature Worthy · 98/99

    Oriental and floral scents naturally complement each other, and they share incense and vanilla.

    Order: Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Flower by Kenzo on top for floral lift.

    Ratio: 1 spray Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Flower by Kenzo

  • Maison Crivelli Oud Maracujá bottle

    Oud Maracujá by Maison Crivelli

    BuyTrySame price for you · we may earn a small commission.

    Signature Worthy · 98/99

    Oriental and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share vanilla and amber.

    Order: Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Oud Maracujá on top for woody lift.

    Ratio: 2 sprays Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Oud Maracujá

  • Maison Crivelli Absinthe Boréale bottle

    Absinthe Boréale by Maison Crivelli

    BuyTrySame price for you · we may earn a small commission. Is FragranceNet legit?

    Signature Worthy · 98/99

    Oriental and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share cardamom, cedarwood, and vetiver.

    Order: Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Absinthe Boréale on top for woody lift.

    Ratio: 2 sprays Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Absinthe Boréale

  • Born To Stand Out Indecent Cherry bottle

    Indecent Cherry by Born To Stand Out

    BuyTrySame price for you · we may earn a small commission.

    Signature Worthy · 98/99

    Oriental and gourmand scents naturally complement each other, and they share vanilla, amber, and cedarwood.

    Order: Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Indecent Cherry on top for gourmand lift.

    Ratio: 2 sprays Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Indecent Cherry

Pairings to approach with care

  • d'Annam Monsoon Tea bottle

    Monsoon Tea by d'Annam

    Not Recommended · 30/99

    Back to Black, aphrodisiac has noticeably more projection — use a lighter touch with it to keep the blend balanced. Monsoon Tea brings a citrus contrast to this oriental scent.

    Order: Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Monsoon Tea on top for citrus lift.

    Ratio: 1 spray Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Monsoon Tea

  • Armani Privé Figuier Eden bottle

    Privé Figuier Eden by Armani

    Not Recommended · 31/99

    Back to Black, aphrodisiac has noticeably more projection — use a lighter touch with it to keep the blend balanced. Privé Figuier Eden brings a green contrast to this oriental scent.

    Order: Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Privé Figuier Eden on top for green lift.

    Ratio: 1 spray Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Privé Figuier Eden

Related fragrances and why

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are listed for Back to Black, aphrodisiac?

Back to Black, aphrodisiac opens with Dried fruits, Cherry, and Honey. The heart brings Tobacco, Incense, and Cardamom. It dries down to Vanilla, Amber, Cedarwood, and Vetiver.

How long does Back to Black, aphrodisiac last, and how strong is it?

Back to Black, aphrodisiac by Kilian has excellent longevity, strong projection, an intensity of 8/10, EDP concentration.

When should you wear Back to Black, aphrodisiac?

It's best in fall and winter. It suits evening, date, special occasion, and casual.

What layers well with Back to Black, aphrodisiac?

Bleu de Chanel by Chanel is its strongest match (98% compatibility). Oriental and woody scents naturally complement each other, and they share incense and vetiver. Apply Back to Black, aphrodisiac first as your base layer. Its oriental character creates the foundation. Wait 30 seconds, then layer Bleu de Chanel on top for woody lift. Start with 2 sprays Back to Black, aphrodisiac : 2 sprays Bleu de Chanel.

Explore SCNTMIX

Find layering combinations in MixMode · Read fragrance layering guides