Rum accord from Martinique, akin to ‘pirates water’, spikes the scent of strong coffee at its heart, balanced by vetiver essence. A deadly bite of cyanide accord hides menacingly, like the smile from death itself. Smile back as sugar cane and dark, creamy sandalwood assure that a trying journey holds a sweet reward.
Heir to a long line of cognac makers who were pioneers in luxury, Kilian decided to take up the torch of family tradition. His childhood haunts included the family cellars in Cognac. Remembering the "angels’ share" as part of his heritage, he was led into the world of perfumery. The "angels’ share" is what the House of Hennessy calls the percentage that - inexplicably - evaporates from cognac cellars, like an offering to the gods. Many of Kilian’s fragrances today carry this childhood memory as they are reminiscent of the sugar in the alcohol and the wood of the cognac barrels.