The Verdict

Scent Profile: A fruity floral gourmand with peach, rose, and honey.
Seasonality: Best for cooler weather, but versatile enough for year-round wear.
Sillage: Moderate, projecting up to 6 feet.
Longevity: 5–6 hours.

Introduction

Kilian, the luxury fragrance house founded by Kilian Hennessy, is synonymous with opulent, storytelling scents that often blur the line between art and sensuality. Forbidden Games is part of Kilian’s L’Oeuvre Noire collection, which explores themes of passion, temptation, and indulgence. This fragrance is a playful yet sophisticated blend of fruity, floral, and gourmand elements, making it a standout in Kilian’s repertoire.

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes: Peach, Apple, Plum, Cinnamon
Middle Notes: Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine, Bourbon Geranium
Base Notes: Honey, Vanilla, Opoponax

Fragrance Profile

Forbidden Games opens with a burst of juicy peach, complemented by the crispness of green apple and the subtle sweetness of plum. The cinnamon adds a warm, spicy undertone to the opening, giving it a slightly gourmand feel right from the start. The heart of the fragrance is a lush floral blend, with Bulgarian rose and jasmine taking center stage, softened by the earthy, slightly minty touch of bourbon geranium.

As the fragrance settles, it reveals a warm, sweet base of honey and vanilla, with opoponax (a resinous, balsamic note) adding depth and richness. The result is a scent that is both playful and indulgent, with a creamy, dessert-like quality that lingers on the skin.

Occasion

Forbidden Games is ideal for daytime wear, particularly in social settings where a light, approachable scent is desired. Its fruity and floral elements make it perfect for casual outings, while its gourmand base adds enough depth for more formal occasions. It’s also a great choice for evening wear in cooler weather, where its warmth and sweetness can shine.

Season

This fragrance is best suited for cooler weather, particularly in fall and winter, where its warm, gourmand base feels most at home. However, its fruity top notes and floral heart make it versatile enough to be worn in spring and summer as well, especially in the evenings.

Performance

The performance of Forbidden Games is solid, with a well-balanced evolution from the initial fruitiness to the creamy, honeyed dry-down. While it’s not the most complex fragrance in Kilian’s lineup, it delivers a consistent and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Longevity

5–6 hours.

Sillage

Moderate, projecting up to 6 feet.

Conclusion

Kilian’s Forbidden Games EDP is a delightful blend of fruity, floral, and gourmand elements that strikes a perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication. Its juicy peach opening, lush floral heart, and creamy, honeyed base make it a versatile and enjoyable fragrance for a wide range of occasions. While it may not be the most complex or long-lasting scent in Kilian’s collection, it’s a solid choice for those seeking a sweet, approachable fragrance with a touch of luxury.