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By Kilian Black Phantom fragrance
By Kilian

By Kilian Black Phantom

EDP Unisex · 2017 · by Sidonie Lancesseur
6.6 /10

By Kilian Black Phantom scores 9/10 for longevity and performs best in Cold conditions.

Best in Cold 9/10 longevity
From USD 400–600From EUR 368–552From GBP 316–474From PKR 110,000–170,000From AED 1,450–2,200From INR 33,200–49,800From SAR 1,500–2,250
9 Longevity
8 Sillage
6 Versatility
5 Value
5 Climate Avg

Fragrance Notes

Sweet Warm Spicy
THE SCENT, LAYER BY LAYER

From the first impression to the lasting trail.

Top notes

The first impression

Heart notes

The character of the scent

Base notes

The lasting impression

Notes unfold and overlap differently on every skin.

Top Notes — first impression, 0–30 min

Heart Notes — the core, 30 min – 2 hrs

Base Notes — the foundation, 2 hrs+
Accord ProfileSweetWarm SpicyACCORDPROFILE

Occasions & Seasons

Best For
Evening Special Occasion Dating
Seasons
Fall Winter

Climate Performance

Avg 5 / 10
Extreme Heat
2/10
Poor
45°C and above
Riyadh, Jacobabad, Kuwait City, Phoenix
Hot & Humid
3/10
Poor
Around 35°C with high humidity
Dubai, Karachi, Mumbai, Miami
Warm & Dry
4/10
Average
Around 30°C with low humidity
Lahore, Delhi, Muscat, Los Angeles
Mild
6/10
Good
Around 20°C
Islamabad, Bangalore, London, San Francisco
Cold
10/10
Excellent
Below 10°C
Murree, Shimla, Moscow, New York

Expert Analysis

What Makes It Unique

A dark and mysterious gourmand, blending a boozy rum note with rich coffee, chocolate, and caramel for an addictive, indulgent experience.

How It Wears

Strictly a cold-weather or air-conditioned fragrance; its dense sweetness would be suffocating and headache-inducing in hot, humid climates.

How It Compares

Often compared to other boozy gourmands like Kilian Angels' Share or even some Mancera/Montale offerings for its powerful, sweet projection.

The Controversy

Some find its intense sweetness and heavy gourmand profile cloying or overwhelming, limiting its wearability to specific, cold weather occasions.

Exploring By Kilian Black Phantom

By Kilian Black Phantom rewards patience. Released in 2017, this EDP from Kilian does not announce itself immediately — it unfolds. The Sweet, Warm Spicy structure is layered, nuanced, and deliberately uncommercial. For those who have moved past designer signatures and are searching for something more considered, By Kilian Black Phantom is a destination worth the journey.

A dark and mysterious gourmand, blending a boozy rum note with rich coffee, chocolate, and caramel for an addictive, indulgent experience.

The Scent: Notes, Structure & Dry-Down

By Kilian Black Phantom opens with Rum — an assertive first impression that carries across a room. As the opening settles, the composition pivots to its heart of Dark Chocolate, Coffee, Almond and Heliotrope. What lingers on skin and clothing hours later is the base: Caramel, Sugar Cane, Sandalwood and Vetiver.

Strip it back to the bones and the profile reads Sweet, Warm Spicy — the kind of profile that rewards a second and third wearing.

Longevity & Projection: By Kilian Black Phantom on the Clock

Longevity (9/10): By Kilian Black Phantom delivers exceptional longevity for EDP. On most skin types expect 12+ hours. A single morning application typically carries through well into the evening without reinforcement.

Sillage (8/10): By Kilian Black Phantom projects as a confident aura, detectable by those nearby. One or two sprays is all that is needed — over-application will overpower rather than impress.

Versatility (6/10): By Kilian Black Phantom is context-aware, performing well across a range of situations without feeling mismatched. It thrives in its intended context but may feel mismatched further outside that sweet spot.

Value (5/10): At around $400, there is a real question of whether the experience fully justifies the investment. Consider the alternatives in this review before committing.

Climate Performance: Where By Kilian Black Phantom Works Best

Of the five climate zones we score, By Kilian Black Phantom does best in cold (Murree, New York) at 10/10 — it keeps its shape there instead of turning sharp or fading fast. The number to watch is extreme heat (Riyadh, Phoenix) at 2/10, where you are better off reaching for something else.

Strictly a cold-weather or air-conditioned fragrance; its dense sweetness would be suffocating and headache-inducing in hot, humid climates.

To see how it ranks against every other fragrance for your conditions, run the Climate Matcher.

Occasions & When to Wear

By Kilian Black Phantom is best suited to Evening, Special Occasion, Dating. The projection ensures presence without deliberate effort — ideal for outdoor gatherings and social occasions where you want to register.

Seasonally, By Kilian Black Phantom performs best in Fall, Winter. The climate data supports this range, though performance at the extremes — deep cold or intense heat — may vary.

Often compared to other boozy gourmands like Kilian Angels' Share or even some Mancera/Montale offerings for its powerful, sweet projection.

Price & Value

Internationally, By Kilian Black Phantom sits at $400–$600. That places it firmly in luxury territory — a considered purchase competing with the top tier of niche and designer-exclusive releases.

Regional pricing: PKR 110,000–170,000 in Pakistan, AED 1,450–2,200 in the UAE, ₹34,000–₹50,000 in India. The currency switcher at the top of this page converts every price on the site — EUR, GBP, SAR and more — using current rates.

Where to buy: Internationally: Sephora, Selfridges, Online Retailers. GCC/UAE: Sephora, Faces, Bloomingdale's. Pakistan: Scentsation, Naheed, Online Retailers.

Best By Kilian Black Phantom Dupes, Ranked by DNA Match

If price is the only thing keeping you from Kilian Black Phantom, the closest match is Paris Corner Emir When Soul Meets Body at a 85% DNA match — near enough that most noses would struggle to separate the two blind. The full shortlist:

Paris Corner Emir When Soul Meets Body (85% DNA match): $25 / PKR 4,500 / AED 80 — a saving of approximately 94% versus the original.

The Clone Finder searches the full database by note DNA if none of these fit.

Verdict

By Kilian Black Phantom earns its premium through genuine distinction rather than marketing mythology — a fragrance that rewards the wearer rather than impressing bystanders.

An overall 6.6/10 puts By Kilian Black Phantom in solid-but-situational territory: strong where it is strong, ordinary elsewhere. Match it to the right season and occasion and it pays off.

Some find its intense sweetness and heavy gourmand profile cloying or overwhelming, limiting its wearability to specific, cold weather occasions.

Still deciding? Put it head-to-head against anything else in the database — scores, notes and prices side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does By Kilian Black Phantom last?

By Kilian Black Phantom has a longevity score of 9/10. On average skin, expect 12+ hours. Performance can vary with skin type, application method, and ambient temperature — heat accelerates diffusion while dry skin absorbs fragrance faster.

Is By Kilian Black Phantom worth the price?

At around $400, By Kilian Black Phantom by Kilian is a premium-priced option that warrants careful comparison with alternatives. Its performance scores, climate range, and composition quality make it a considered purchase — evaluate your priorities against the alternatives before committing.

What does By Kilian Black Phantom smell like?

By Kilian Black Phantom is characterised by Sweet, Warm Spicy accords. Opening with Rum, the heart revolves around Dark Chocolate and Coffee, settling into a base of Caramel and Sugar Cane.

Is By Kilian Black Phantom good for hot or humid weather?

By Kilian Black Phantom was not designed for extreme heat (score: 3/10). In genuinely hot climates, reserve it for cooled indoor environments or evening wear.

What is the best clone or alternative to By Kilian Black Phantom?

The closest alternative is Paris Corner Emir When Soul Meets Body at a 85% DNA match. At around $25, it represents a saving of approximately 94% versus the original.

Is By Kilian Black Phantom for men or women?

By Kilian Black Phantom is marketed as a Unisex fragrance. In practice, its character is better defined by its composition than by any marketing category.