Best Old Fashioned by By Kilian Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Old Fashioned by By Kilian is an Oriental Fougere fragrance that blends the warmth of vanilla and whisky with floral facets of ylang-ylang, orange blossom, and tuberose. Its heart combines the rich, resinous character of immortelle and styrax with cedarwood's dry woodiness and the bright freshness of bergamot. This composition balances gourmand sweetness and aromatic depth, suitable for those who appreciate a modern take on classic oriental elegance with a boozy, floral twist.
Quelque Fleur Extreme by Houbigant £145.83
- Key notes:
- civet
- jasmine
- orange blossom
- orris (iris root)
- sandalwood
- tuberose
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- vintage/old school
An iconic classic in its own rite, Quelques Fleurs is a true ingenious scent of its time. The French perfumer, Robert Bienaimé, unveiled Quelques Fleurs the first true multi-floral blend ever created, in 1912.
Since then, his perfectly-balanced, refined bouquet has become modern perfumery’s peerless criterion for pure, meticulously-crafted, multi-floral accords. Prior to his bold invention, floral fragrances had been mainly singular flowers, or florals combined with various nuances of herbs and spices. Bienaimé’s singular triumph is remarkable for its secret, mythical formula. Upwards of 15,000 exemplary flowers and 250 prestigious raw materials are diligently-curated in the creation of a single ounce of perfume.
303 Marbre Rouge (Red Marble) by Bon Parfumeur £145.83
- Key notes:
- amber
- benzoin
- chilli
- incense
- pink pepper
- tolu balm
- vetiver
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
The fusion of the Taj Mahal's cold marble and its surrounding garden. Marbre Rouge brings the flowers inside the palace walls. Initially spicy, the fragrance warms up around cardamom before revealing its ylang-ylang heart. The amber notes of benzoin and Tolu balsam leave intensely sensual scents on the skin.
Perfumer: Sidonie Lancesseur
Ambré Lumière 2023 by Molinard £120.83
- Key notes:
- amber
- benzoin
- lemon
- patchouli
- tolu balm
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- vintage/old school
- woody
"This is Molinard’s 2023 re-issue of their iconic amber fragrance. This new format includes 90ml spray bottle and a 7.5ml roll-on.
Ambre Lumiere is retro amber with a hint of a patisserie counter deliciousness. This curious nuance comes from tolu which brings it's unique roast coffee aroma to the composition. This is combined with a special variety of chocolaty patchouli, sweet vanillic benzoin and creamy honeyed ylang-ylang."
Like a Virgin Unplugged by Art Meets Art £112.50
- Key notes:
- almond
- bergamot
- orange blossom
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- edible
- floral
Perfumer: Fabrice Pellegrin approached the song through the angle of a soft transition into a new era.
Helix by CARNER £125.00
- Key notes:
- bergamot
- cedarwood
- clary sage
- lactonic nuance
- orange blossom
- sea salt
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- marine
- woody
A harmonious blend of lily-of-the-valley and orange blossom meets a refreshing hint of sea salt and bright bergamot. Creamy lactonic nuances unfold, enhanced by a soft musk and earthy vetiver base for an exquisite diffusion.
Fiesta Habana by Cherigan £133.33
- Key notes:
- elemi
- immortelle
- rum
- tobacco
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- woody
Cuba was the nightlife, casino and party paradise of the 1930s, where Cherigan was already a favourite perfume brand of the local jet set. Fiesta Habana is an ode to the vibrations of Havana nights, enveloped in a swirl of Cuban rum and sweet tobacco. This extrait is enhanced by creamy vanilla and tolu roughed up with haylike tonka bean, spicy immortelle and earthy patchouli.
Ladano by D:SOL MMXVI £116.67
- Key notes:
- cinnamon
- civet
- ginger lily
- immortelle
- labdanum
- licorice
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
From the heart of the Mediterranean scrub, where the air hums with resin and sun-drenched leaves, Ladano rises — a fragrance shaped by the slow pulse of Cistus ladanifer. For centuries, this golden resin has been gathered from the wool of animals, breathing its scent into fabric and skin. Here, labdanum glows rather than burns — thick, balsamic, embracing. It’s animated by tickly aromatics: licorice, celery seed, cinnamon leaf and immortelle.
Dialogue with Venus by Pierre Guillaume White Collection £116.67
- Key notes:
- milky skin accord
- sea salt
- vanilla
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- unconventional
- woody
THE INSPIRATION
In 1977, the year I was born, Helmut Newton immortalised Charlotte Rampling in a series of photos entitled Venus in Fur. A feline and supersensual woman embodies sexual power: emancipated, she takes possession of her body and asserts her desires. Echoing the sexual revolution and its bohemian patchoulis, the perfumery of the 70s distils a chic eroticism, all in suggestion, where heady white flowers pierced by green, powdery and aldehydic notes anchor the fragrances of this decade in a glamorous sophistication.
THE PERFUME
Dialogue with Venus opens with a white floral accord evoking the luxurious and exacerbated femininity of the 70’s, while its fruity, silky and solar vanilla is treated according to the codes of the House of PIERRE GUILLAUME PARIS. Subtle exotic sprays flow through this floral melody like a wind of freedom, suggesting a mischievous and sexy “je-ne-sais-quoi”, an effortless chic.
Jasmin & Ylang by 100BON £29.17
- Key notes:
- benzoin
- frangipani
- jasmine
- vanilla
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- floral
A sweet fragrance with floral and balsamic notes that comforts, transports and illuminates. Its exceptional bouquet envelops us in softness and transports us to an eternal summer.
Perfumer: Serge de Oliveira
"I wanted to imagine the quintessence of floral elegance. This precious flower opens with a radiant freshness, before revealing a smooth and delicate heart. Over the hours, the note becomes comforting and enveloping, an invitation to savor each moment of calm before the world comes alive."
Lovely Problem by Space Fluid £158.33
- Key notes:
- beeswax
- cinnamon
- leather
- patchouli
- sandalwood
- smoke
- vanilla
- ylang-ylang
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- leather
A pile-up of contrasts: cinnamon along with tropical florals frangipani and ylang ylang, against the earthy bitterness of artichoke and leather. This almost-gingerbread, almost-cement perfume confuses the senses with its animal/vegetable/mineral mystery.
About Old Fashioned by By Kilian
- What makes Old Fashioned by By Kilian unique compared to these fragrances?
- Old Fashioned uniquely combines boozy whisky notes with a rich oriental fougere structure featuring immortelle, styrax, and a complex floral bouquet including tuberose and orange blossom. While many fragrances share some notes, none replicate its distinct blend of whisky warmth and floral resinous depth.
- Are these fragrances suitable for someone who likes the vanilla and ylang-ylang in Old Fashioned?
- Several options here highlight vanilla and ylang-ylang prominently, offering floral sweetness and creamy warmth similar to Old Fashioned. However, each has different supporting notes that shift their overall character from powdery to smoky or fresh.
- Can I expect a fresh or smoky scent from these alternatives?
- Yes, some alternatives lean towards fresh accords with notes like bergamot and sea salt, while others incorporate smoky elements such as tobacco, rum, leather, or incense. This provides a range of interpretations around Old Fashioned’s oriental fougere base.









