By Killian Sweet Redemption
by Tom
Completely due to jealousy, I am inclined to despise Killian Hennessey. He is too beautiful, too young, too rich and too talented. He is by all accounts a perfectly charming man as well, which makes me even more wretched. 
I’ve liked his fragrances, but haven’t really loved any.
Until now.
Sweet Redemption is perfectly lovely. I’ll quote the press release:
“Inspired on one hand by Baudelaire’s homage to sweet and deep fragrances, yet on the other hand by the dark and mysterious poetry of Jim Morrison as he seemingly forebode his own demise. ‘Sweet redemption, the end’ is a final bow to these cursed poets, a final commentary on the irresistible charm of the forbidden fruit that tempts us throughout the ‘L’Oeuvre Noire’.This redemption, this liberation, becomes even more desired when we learn of its intensity… the innocence of orange blossom… the roughness of the sour orange leaf absolute… the sweetness of the vanilla absolute. The dry down is composed with a strong balsamic ? almost religious ? accord built around myrrh,incense and benzoin.”
Well. okay. I get a really lovely orange blossomed touched with vanilla. It skates back and forth between being really true to the orange blossom to having an almost chewing-gum aspect to it that sounds dreadful but it’s totally captivating in a very happy, youthful way. The balsamic aspects in the drydown aren’t to me churchy at all, or for that matter that strong. They just add depth to the opening, making for a scent that I can only write of as serene- I think my blood pressure dropped 10 points at first whiff. It’s probably the best use of orange blossom in a scent in years.
It’s $225 for 50ML at the usual suspects, which would bug me, but then how much is Prozac these days? Plus, there aren’t any side effects to this, except perhaps anorexia of the wallet. My sample was from LuckyScent.
Kilian does seem to have it all, doesn’t he? And I actually hope he’s REALLY happy – he’s given Calice Becker the opportunity to create several perfumes that make ME really happy! And you, Tom, have earned your Prozac in a bottle with your witty reviews (not to mention that photo)!
Oh drat drat drat, not orange blossom, bubblegum, and references to Jim Morrison….how can an ole black-wearing art student not go *thunk*…..what age is this Killian anyway???
I thought I had the collector’s urge under control here, but an ‘authentic’ black bottle is always nagging….
Speaking of temptation, have you seen the GOLD travel atomizer that the ouds come in?
Tom,
I got that bitter green of the blossom, then the sweet – but not schweet! I was intrigued enough to want to try it again – and normally I’m not an orange blossom fan.
xo >-)
I was placing a small order at LuckyScent today anyway so I added this to the list. I like Back to Black and really love Cruel Intentions from Kilian.
I hope you like this one as well.
I’m not normally an orange fan, but this one seems to zing the whole time between orange, vanilla and greenish notes, whenever I start thinking that the vanilla is too much it switches back to green-orange. Unfortunately I don’t seem to get the incense notes, maybe they are providing the background harmony… Btw I received the sample more or less directly after release, as I have for all new releases since I ordered the discovery set through the Kilian website… good investment
thanks Bee, nice to know!
Spray-on Prozac! A lovely idea.
😕
xo >-)
OTC spray-on Prozac would be nice. I know a few people I could use it on…
Are you kidding? I’d be SO first in line for that…:d
xo >-)
Ok, I’m in…must try this immediately!!! Great review. I’m new to the By Killian line and this sounds right up my alley!
Hope you enjoy it!
Sounds delicious. I didn’t want to love the Killian line….the copy is so pretentious. But I’m finding that I’m smitten with a number of his scents.
Now, to find the money!
I think that is the issue for a lot of us. Moolah.
Orange and vanilla always sound to me that the fragrance will smell like a creamsicle. Can anyone who smelled it comment on this?
I actually love beautiful bottles, and have long coveted a Killian black bottle. On the other hand, none of their prior scents have moved to me to quite make that substantial purchase.
I am no fan of The Creamsicle Accord, meself…so I am pleased to report that this doesn’t venture into that accord – at least not so I noticed it! I usually hate vanilla and orange together (prefer my orange a little laser-y) – this is more ‘hefty orange blossom’, with that hint of bitter green.
Very pretty and not too sweet.
xo >-)
It’s not creamsicle; it’s the smell of the blossom, not the fruit.
Although, I have liked creamsicle on other frags..
Refrained from reading your review as I was writing my own, but I see we’re both smitten. Mind you, since this reminds me of another love of mine, Vamp à NY, I’m not hugely surprised.
Oooh, can’t wait to read yours!
It’s up!
Because I am recently smitten with Beyond Love and in no financial condition to be dropping that kind of moolah at present; I have done a little research that revealed that if I just buy the refill vials for the travel spray, I can get the juice at a much less exorbitant price. I like a nice bottle as much as the next Frag Hag, but it’s not like I’m wearing the thing on a string around my neck, for pete’s sake.
Although that gives me an idea…
I’m thinking the same thing about those refills..
I haven’t been tempted by anything new in forever, and now two days in a row, I’m tempted! You’ve sold me Tom, and Kilian’s is a house that usually works for me.
I’m sorry!
Tom, no need to be jelous, you are very charming too!
This is very lovely. I ordered two samples from Luckyscent and put them in a sprayer. When the vanilla comes in, it reminds me a litte of Love, but the orange here is stronger. Absolutely love it and was so tempted that I compromised, I did not buy the full $225 bottle, but I got the 4 x .25 oz refills for $70. I will have to wait until a September shipment.
I’m thinking of the refilsl as well..
sorry to be an insufferable copy editor, but is that forebode supposed to perhaps be foretold? Because I’m pretty sure Morrison is really dead.
It would, however, make an excellent beginning to a zombie film: Morrison rising from his resting place to face the throng of pilgrims: the earnest rose throwers, the cigarette-butt leavers, the this-beer-bottle-is-a-fitting-tribute-to-the-dead fellow travelers on a road less traveled.
I agree, but it’s their press release. That would make a great horror movie!
Hmm, the idea of being inspired by Morrison’s poetry is beautiful. But I think Morrison himself probably smelled of vomit and booze.
Yeah, I’m ignoring that part. And you forgot the leather pants that were never dry-cleaned.
I guess I am not a romantic soul..
I think its just lovely, I am fighting the urge to buy it..
me too.
OMG- why Tom why? This sounds sooo good!!! And a perfume inspired by Jim Morrison- that I’ve GOT to sniff.
Oh I think you must, and you must report!
Yup, I agree :)
I got my sample from Luckyscent this week-happy to see it was a spray vial. I wasn’t sure how strong this fragrance was going to be so I spritzed carefully and then did something unheard of for me-I dropped the sample into my purse and drove around town, running errands and re-sprizting every couple of hours just ’cause! It smelled pretty,made me happy and went perfectly with the sunny day :)>-
Yep. I’ve been addicted.