Apple Brandy on the Rocks by By Kilian

What a beautiful bottle! Although I’m not a fan of unisex scents, I tend to prefer the feminine side. I walked in looking for more Roses on Ice by Kilian, but got distracted and ordered this instead. I thought, ‘If Apple Brandy arrives, I’ll give it to my husband’. Just kidding! The scent is fantastic: real apple brandy, a touch of wood, and soft vanilla, nothing cloying. It’s a bit intense for daily wear, but a delight for special occasions. Longevity and projection are moderate, but acceptable for this profile.

Delicious! In my opinion, it’s better crafted than Angels’ Share. If it’s not as famous, it’s due to performance: little trail and average longevity. If it were beast mode, it would be iconic, but unfortunately, the longevity and projection are just personal. A totally usable perfume for any age, versatile, and even wearable in heat; it’s sweet but not cloying. Scent 10/10, but performance 6/10.

Bought it recently, it’s the 2024 batch and it lasts a long time, at least seven hours (ideal for going out). Smells romantic, perfect for being close without overwhelming anyone; you can’t detect the rum, but there is a sweet note.

Delicious! It is exactly that: an alcoholic apple and spice drink. I feel it’s a very simple fragrance, which is why it’s so popular.

It’s a liquid apple pie without cinnamon and with a touch of liquor. The opening is fresh and juicy, with a crisp green apple that smells like a real bite, with a sour touch that makes it lively and unisex. The liquor is there, but not like a drunk at a party, but like an elegant guest who knows how to hold back. The alcohol is subtle and adds depth without overwhelming. Kilian has done well: it’s not a cloying gourmand bomb, without excess vanilla. It’s versatile and not just for winter. The Ambroxan, that beast that usually ruins perfumes, is tamed here and lets the fruity notes shine. It shares notes with Boss Bottled, but without cinnamon or plum, just clean apple. It’s more complex than Kilian’s original by removing the wood, making it lighter. It’s well executed and original, but it’s for occasional enjoyment. It doesn’t have the brilliance to justify the full price, but it’s worth trying in a sample.

To start, another rarity I like, though I wouldn’t buy it, not just because of the price, but because I know it’s not for me. Apple Brandy is exactly as it sounds: a glass loaded with liqueur and crisp apple. The dry-down is a slightly hippy amber that distils class. The crisp apple dies quickly to become roasted, caramelised, or macerated apple in liqueur. Upon spraying, it’s crystal clear and cold, with a hyper-realistic tactile brandy that moves towards a more masculine and linear phase, even eighties-style, but tremendously charming. A good option to look sharp and live a multitasking winter with high-level events. In other words, what a step up.

As a woman, I recommend it: it’s unisex, rich and boozy with woody, mossy and spicy notes from the cardamom, though the apple and pineapple dominate, especially the apple. It dries down beautifully, is wearable all year round and is a lovely scent; for me, it’s richer than Angel’s Share.

It left me speechless. It smells exactly like apple brandy with ice: fresh, ideal for summer. The apple is super natural and that alcoholic tone is incredible. It doesn’t resemble anything else. In terms of scent, it’s perfect, 10/10. My only drawback is the longevity; for the price, one would expect more, on my skin it lasts 6-7 hours.

Having used Apple Brandy New York, I’d say it’s 85% identical to this On the Rocks, but that fruity touch makes it more youthful and long-lasting, especially in performance, as the APNY wasn’t noticeable. It’s the special fragrance for a good smoking jacket or suit at night events (in winter).

It starts as a boozy fruit scent and then leaves a fruity aroma with a good base of liquor and woods. It doesn’t stand out too much but provides support so it’s not just another fruity scent. I like it very much and have no complaints about the fixative or projection. I wouldn’t have bought it due to the price for this style, but as a gift it was perfect. I enjoy and value it greatly.