Intoxicated by By Kilian is an Aromatic Spicy fragrance for women and men launched in 2014. The nose behind this Eau de Parfum fragrance is the well-known perfumer Calice Becker.
The woody perfume Intoxicated is part of the Kilian Paris Cellars collection. Like the rest of the fragrance releases by Killian – Intoxicated was a hit when it was released and is still a very popular scent today.
The keynotes of this Aromatic Spicy fragrance are Mocha Coffee, Cardamom, and Vanilla.
A description by the brand:
Inexplicably addictive, Intoxicated curbs craving like a cup of rich Turkish coffee, laced with green cardamom–both in oil and absolute–doubling the addictive stronghold of this stimulating substance. Warmth rises like stream with a spicy cinnamon and hallucinogenic nutmeg. At its base, like at the bottom of a delicate porcelain mug, floats the crystallized sweetness of caramelized sugar.
| Perfume Name | Intoxicated |
| Brand | By Kilian |
| Year Released | 2014 |
| Concentration | Eau de Parfum |
| Scent Family | Aromatic Spicy |
| Gender | unisex |
I recently visited a Kilian fragrance counter where I got to try Intoxicated. This is my experience of the fragrance.
What does Intoxicated By Kilian smell like?
Intoxicated smells a bit like a gourmand fragrance with notes of coffee and cardamon. The cardamom keeps it from going too dark and full gourmand. While there is a distinct coffee note, it’s definitely not a coffee-centric scent either, and it’s a Turkish coffee note, to be exact.
The inspiration for Intoxicated is also said to come from a cup of smooth dark Turkish coffee. If someone has tried Turkish coffee, they would understand this fragrance can’t be likened to a standard cup of coffee as they know it in the western world. It’s the rest of the spices, like cardamom, which make it so unique.
This scent has a super classy demeanor to it, and I can only imagine this must smell like the palaces of gulf royalty! It makes me think of Thierry Mugler’s Angel Man, but it’s more sophisticated and refined.
| Top Notes | Cardamom, Coffee |
| Middle Notes | Cinnamon, Nutmeg |
| Base Notes | Vanilla |
My Experience
As I put on Intoxicated, that coffee note is there. But it’s not just coffee – it’s rounded out by the aroma of the other notes like cardamom. After a few minutes, the coffee note becomes a little less pronounced, but it never disappears entirely. At this point, more of the other spices start making an entrance.
I can start picking up a lot of cinnamon, and to my nose, it’s slightly more sweet than spicy. I also get notes of tonka bean, vanilla, and tobacco.
The last few hours, the scent was a combination of beautiful creamy coffee and soft cinnamon, but also an interesting combination of green and dry aroma in the background. I think it’s a combination of nutmeg and cardamom that forms the backbone of this aroma,
Overall, I felt the dry down didn’t differ remarkably from the opening, so the scent is a little bit linear but in a good way.
Sillage & Projection
Intimate sillage and projection on my skin. This is a scent for the one who wears it – like a warm blanket on a cold winter night.
Longevity & Versatility
The fragrance is pretty versatile, but if I had to pick specific seasons, it would be fall and winter. I’d avoid wearing this in the summer and warmer days of spring. This is a fragrance made to be appreciated during cooler weather.
You can really wear it everywhere. I’d even say it’s quite office-proof. Probably not the most office-proof scent out there, but it’s so inoffensive that I’d classify it as work-friendly. The longevity is moderate on my skin, and I got about 4 hours of wear. For a scent of this price, I’d expect a lot more.
Closing thoughts
While Intoxicated is a really nice scent and not unappealing, it’s hard to wrap my head around the price of this scent. Sure it’s nice, and I’d happily wear it if I somehow were presented this as a gift. If I wanted to add a similar fragrance to my collection, I’d happily opt for Thierry Mugler Angel Man instead.
Also, in terms of its overall performance, I find the scent is underperforming in relation to its price tag. It’s a well-rounded and sophisticated scent, so if you manage to get your hands on a sample, by all means, experiment with it. However, I’d steer clear of a blind buy.