If you like Angels’ Share from By Kilian but don’t want to smell like everyone else, we have a few other alternatives for you to try.
Kilian Hennessey found Angels’ Share’s inspiration in the history of his family business of Cognac making. “Angels’ Share”, or “La Part Des Anges”, is a term referencing “an evaporation of liquor in Oak Barrels that lifts, while aging, like a silent offering to the Gods”. Meaning, this portion that evaporates is a share of the essence of the Cognac for the Angels.
The main essence of Angels’ Share is Cognac Essence, Tonka Bean Absolute and Oak Absolute, and hints of Cinnamon. The aroma is a sweet, spicy, mouth watering, Boozy scent meant to have the essence of a glass of Hennessy Cognac.
Herod from Parfums de Marly - This scent is basically Angels’ Share before there was Angels’ Share. It came about 8 years before Angels’ Share(2020 ~ Herod in 2012), and the first time I actually smelled Angels’ Share, I thought, “This is Herod in a By Kilian bottle”. They have a very similar profile with the Cinnamon, Tonka Bean and Woods, but where Angels’ Share has the Cognac, Herod has Tobacco, Incense, Labdanum and Patchouli. With an added dose of Vanilla Pods, Herod is going to be sweeter, but is a better price for a bigger bottle.
Layton from Parfums de Marly - This scent is a more complex version of Angels’ Share with less sweetness. It has notes of Apple, Bergamot and Lavender that add a more aromatic, airy quality, and while it does have Vanilla, the Guaiacwood, Patchouli and Coffee add more depth.
Side Effect from Initio Parfums - This scent has a more deep and spicy nuance versus the sweetness of Angels’ Share. While there’s no Vanilla, Apple Pie, type essence to Side Effect, you get some sweetness from the Cinnamon Bark and Saffron, and lots of depth from Rum and Sandalwood.
Belvedere from Eight & Bob - This scent has the boozy sweetness that Angels’ Share has, but without the sugary Vanilla nuance. The sweetness in this scent comes from Honey, Plum, Caramel and a hint of Vanilla, and the rich booziness from Rum, Amber and Patchouli. It has a bit of a warm and mature vibe.
Naxos from Xerjoff - This scent gets a special mention here, as it has a similar profile to Angels’ Share, minus the Vanilla and Booze essences. It has a smooth, sweet, warm blend of Cinnamon, Honey, Cashmere, Tobacco Leaf, Tonka Bean and Vanilla Bean, with a little bit of brightness from Citruses and Lavender. If you’ve tried Angels’ Share, and you wished the boozy essence was less intense, Naxos may be your perfect fit.
Some of these options are in the same ballpark price range as Angels’ Share($415), and some are less than $300.
There may be a few more you can find at Parfumerie Nasreen that have a similar essence to By Kilian’s Angels’ Share, but these are the ones we think come the closest.
We’d love to hear what some of your favorite alternatives are!
