Smoking Hot by By Kilian

From the very first minute on my skin, it feels like a woody, tobacco-heavy perfume. To me, it’s totally masculine, with a spicy touch and a black licorice base that just doesn’t work for me. Based on how it develops on my skin, it’s an absolute no for me 😵💫—I don’t think I’d even like it if I smelled it on a man’s skin. As it dries down, the licorice becomes more prominent, leaving a gourmand fragrance that reminds me of Kayali’s Oud Chocolate 🍫, but swapping the chocolate for an intense mix of licorice and tobacco. It’s completely out of my wheelhouse.

Opening features red fruits similar to what you’d find in Plum in Cognac or Plume Impression’s Rivalite. Sweet without being gourmand; during the first hour, it’s pleasant and not invasive, yet it stands out above the common crowd. After that hour, a soft vanilla/cinnamon emerges, giving way between the 2nd and 3rd hour to apple notes mixed with a subtle tobacco that could be dried leaf, adding just body; there are no smoke notes detected throughout the perfume’s life. After 5 hours, it becomes a personal scent trail. A great option for climates below 25 degrees, autumn, and spring. Perfect for dates or semi-formal occasions.

What a cool perfume! It’s the first time I’m considering buying a Kilian fragrance. It literally smells like apple hookah, it’s certainly gourmand without being too cloying, and the scent is very original. The performance seems good, though I wish it lasted a bit longer because it’s marvelous.

This smells very, very good. The opening with tart apple isn’t saying much, but the dry-down reveals the magic; it has a worthy balance. It feels gourmand without crossing into gluttonous or cloying territory; the vanilla feels very natural, like Joussette’s Acca de la Vanille. The main and no small issue with this perfume is the performance: you have to be generous with sprays to achieve moderate longevity, which really holds back the purchase decision. This style of perfume tends to fade quickly; I’ve tried a few others with similar aromas, and they all suffer from poor performance. It’s a shame because the scent smells so good.

This is hot 🥵, what a delicious fragrance. Apple, cinnamon, with a strong presence of tobacco—it’s total exquisite. I bought a 2ml decant and immediately ordered the full bottle. It projects and lasts well, perfect for a night out or autumn and winter.

I used a 2ml sample, and after smelling it, as soon as I had the chance, I bought it. It authentically smells like an apple hookah, and certainly, the scent is very pleasant and ‘shocking’ in a perfume. My partner loves it. As a con, similar to other Kilian perfumes (Black Phantom comes to mind), it doesn’t project much, and the longevity is just right, without being too short. After about 5-6 hours, it’s skin scent until around 10 hours in my case.

It’s a men’s perfume for autumn or winter that smells like shisha, as many say. The first time I smelled it, it reminded me of bitter licorice due to that subtle vanilla sweetness. Personally, I’d wear it, but it’s not for everyone. I’d give it an 8.5.

It’s strong, but not for me. Still, it’s intriguing and slightly boozy: an atypical gourmand with a beautifully executed smoky vibe. I’m blown away by a note I’ve sensed in another perfume: Play-Doh. It’s not obvious, but it’s the cherry on top. That strange, buttery evolution of Play-Doh and crafts passed through smoke, cinnamon, and fresh tobacco. A crazy mix? Yes, but it works.

How good does this smell, right? That was my first reaction. Literally, I pictured glowing embers from an Arab shisha, slowly burning a semi-sweet blend of cinnamon and apple. It evokes stepping into a tea house, ordering cinnamon tea, taking a hit from a freshly lit shisha, and exhaling white smoke that fills your space. I love it and am a huge Angel Share fan, but these are two distinct scents; I don’t smell any similarity. Smoking Hot doesn’t stop there; it evolves and picks up an undeclared note of black licorice that gives it that vibe. Thinking autumn and winter is thinking Kilian; I believe this is one of the best launches of 2023. I’ve already bought the bottle: it’s a beast for lovers of smoky, tobacco, and autumnal scents. Sorry, Althair, but this wins by a landslide. For me, it’s a 9/10. Alongside Angel Share, they’ve become my favorites from the entire brand. Well done, sir, more releases of this quality, please.

Very dense and potent cinnamon dessert. Definitely worth a Kilian price tag and perfect for gourmand lovers.