Afternoon Behind Closed Doors with Kilian Hennessy

Written by Ally Santos

On June 6th, I had one of those is-this-real-life New York moments; the kind that makes you silently thank your past self for not hitting snooze on life. I was invited to a private masterclass with Kilian Hennessy himself, held at the impossibly chic Aman Hotel, right in the heart of Fifth Avenue. The view? A direct line to Louis Vuitton’s trunk-shaped flagship, like a little reminder that luxury here is both literal and looming.

Photos provided by the brand

The event was very intimate. Just six of us. Not six rows. Six actual humans. I had to mentally coach myself not to fangirl so hard or not to say anything weird (spoiler: I said weird things anyway), but once I stepped into the room, that nervous energy turned into pure excitement. The space was elegant but relaxed, like the fragrance equivalent of a cashmere robe: indulgent, but not trying too hard.

We kicked off with an intro from Kilian Paris’s boutique director Michael James, who laid out the brand’s core philosophy: don’t be shy. Not “smell good” or “look polished.” Just don’t be shy. Which made sense. Kilian Paris isn’t for the timid. These scents walk in before you do and make eye contact with everyone in the room.

Naturally, we started with Angel’s Share. A favorite of mine, and apparently Kilian’s too. I already loved it, but learning that it was inspired by the part of the cognac that evaporates from the barrel to the ceiling, the so-called “angel’s share”, just made it hit even harder. It’s boozy, cozy, and now somehow even more poetic.

We also got to explore Angel’s Share Paradis, which surprised a lot of us. People were expecting a darker, deeper flanker—maybe something even more intense, more mysterious. But instead, Paradis took a left turn into something lighter and fruitier. It opened with an unexpected splash of red berries, which gave it this juicy, flirtatious vibe that totally caught me off guard. It still had that boozy warmth underneath, but it felt like someone spiked a fruit punch at a very elegant garden party in the South of France.

Unexpected, but so easy to love – Sunkissed Goddess, – which is basically summer skin in a bottle. Think golden limbs, salty kisses, and SPF regrets.

Then came cocktail time. Yes, mixology. They handed me a shaker and a list of ingredients and said, “Go for it.” I stared at the gin like it might stare back. I’ve never made a drink in my life, but I channeled my inner bartender (read: chaotic improviser) and somehow ended up with something delicious. Or at least drinkable. I was too proud to notice.

And then, like a plot twist in a rom-com, Kilian Hennessy walked in.

Kilian Hennessy and Ally Santos

He was charismatic, well-dressed (obviously), and refreshingly down-to-earth. We weren’t getting the polished press version. We were just chatting. He spoke about his creative process, how Angel’s Share is still his favorite fragrance of all time, and that while he doesn’t personally layer fragrances, he loves that people play around with scent. “It’s creative,” he said. “It’s just not how I wear it.” Which, to me, is peak cool guy confidence. He’s not trying to convince you. He’s just doing his thing.

He also talked about working with some of his favorite perfumers and is currently collaborating closely with Matthieu Nardin. He shared little anecdotes about the fragrance world, the challenges and thrills of creation, and the pressure and pride that comes with his legacy. You could tell this wasn’t just a job or a business move for him. This is something he lives and breathes.

At one point, we were asked to share our favorite Kilian scents. I said Dark Lord and Back to Black, which feels very on brand for me. A little moody, a little mysterious, probably listening to sad music on a rooftop somewhere. He nodded. He then explained both fragrances with intention.

Kilian Hennessy also let us in on a few hush-hush things. For all the gourmand lovers out there, something delicious is coming in September. He didn’t say much, but his grin gave it away, it’s going to be good.

And if that wasn’t enough to keep us buzzing, he hinted that something even bigger is brewing for February 2026. He didn’t spill the full tea, just enough to keep us intrigued. Let’s just say the angels might be getting more than their share next year.

The event wrapped up with photos, hugs, and a quiet moment of “Wait, did I just spend the afternoon with Kilian Hennessy?”

Casual. Sort of.

Unforgettable? Absolutely.