Yes I Was Madly In Love, But That Was Yesterday
By Kilian Yes I Was Madly In Love, But That Was Yesterday is a leather-based unisex perfume that favors bold, animalic notes over sugary sweetness. Featuring raspberry, white tobacco, and leather, this 2018 release provides a grounded, mature scent profile ideal for those who prefer raw, structured fragrances rather than mainstream floral or fruit-heavy blends.
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Performance Metrics
1,504 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect a solid 6 to 8 hours of longevity on skin. Sillage is moderate, projecting at about arm's length for the first few hours before settling into a closer, more intimate scent bubble. It performs best in cooler, dry weather where it can linger without becoming cloying.
Notes Pyramid
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A grounded, leather-centric profile defined by the sharpness of raspberry, the dryness of white tobacco, and a persistent, slightly animalic leather base. It feels structural and dry, missing the sugary depth of many competitors, resulting in a mature, somewhat industrial, but well-constructed scent.
Main Accords
8 MAPPEDThe leather accord is the star, but it behaves more like raw, cured hide than luxury suede. It remains the anchor of the composition from beginning to end, supported by the white tobacco which provides a dry, smoky frame rather than a sweet, pipe-tobacco richness.
Community Data
642 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
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When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in winter and spring.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Excellent longevity for a standard daily wear
Consistent scent profile from start to finish
Leather note feels authentic and raw
Less sugary than other popular Kilian releases
Versatile for office wear in cooler weather
Well-blended tobacco note adds necessary dryness
Strong sillage creates a confident scent bubble
Not over-represented in every room
Dries down into a soft, wearable skin scent
Does not rely on common candy-like fruit notes
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Leather opening can feel harsh to some
Name does not reflect the scent profile well
Lacks the complexity some expect at this price
Not suitable for a blind purchase
Too intense for warm or humid climates
May feel too serious or dark for some occasions
Raspberry note can feel fleeting or synthetic
Not a crowd-pleasing scent for dates
Tobacco note is divisive for non-smokers
Can become flat if the leather is not liked
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Yes I Was Madly In Love, But That Was Yesterday: A Leather Review”
The opening of this fragrance is an immediate, sharp burst of raspberry. It is not a candy-like or jammy fruit, but rather something tart and slightly metallic that cuts through the air. Within moments, this fruit note begins to recede, allowing the heart to take center stage. This is where the white tobacco manifests, providing a dry, slightly smoky foundation that feels deliberate rather than accidental.
As the scent settles into the heart and eventually the dry-down, the leather takes over entirely. This is not a soft, suede-like leather. It feels more akin to a worn, animalic hide that has been sitting in a tobacco-filled room. The transition is steady and linear, meaning you largely know what you are getting after the first fifteen minutes. It does not evolve into something drastically different, which is a strength for those who enjoy consistency.
On the skin, the dominant accord behavior is one of raw persistence. The leather does not hide or apologize. It projects moderately, enough to create a personal bubble of scent that others might notice if they get within arm's reach. Because it lacks the heavy sweetness often associated with By Kilian, it feels more like a structural study of leather and tobacco than a traditional perfume. This makes it perform best in climate-controlled spaces, where the heat of the body can keep the tobacco notes from feeling too flat.
Performance is reliable, usually clocking in around 6 to 8 hours. It is an ideal companion for the colder months, specifically autumn and winter, when the dry chill of the air complements the profile perfectly. In high heat, the animalic funk can become a bit more pronounced, which might be too much for some. It suits an audience that appreciates a more serious, grounded scent profile over the playful or gourmand-adjacent offerings common in the designer market today.
Ultimately, this is a fragrance for the leather enthusiast who wants something well-blended yet straightforward. If you are looking for a complex, evolving piece of art that changes every hour, this will likely underwhelm you. However, for a dependable, mature scent that commands a certain presence without shouting, it hits the mark. Just ensure you sample it first, as the combination of tobacco and animalic leather can be polarizing for those used to softer, fruitier blends.
FAQs
What does this fragrance smell like?+
This is a leather-forward scent built on a core of animalic leather, fruity raspberry, and smoky white tobacco. It rejects the syrupy sweetness of many popular releases in favor of a drier, slightly metallic profile that feels more serious and grounded, especially in the cold weather of late autumn.
How does the fragrance change from opening to dry-down?+
The opening is marked by a sharp, slightly tart raspberry note that provides a brief fruity top. Within minutes, this settles into a heart of white tobacco. The final dry-down, which lasts for several hours, is dominated by a raw, persistent leather accord that stays close to the skin as the day progresses.
Is this a good fragrance for longevity?+
Most users find this to be a long-lasting scent, typically performing well for 6 to 8 hours on skin. Longevity can vary depending on your skin chemistry, but the sturdy leather base usually ensures it persists through a full workday in climate-controlled office environments.
How strong is the sillage?+
The sillage is generally moderate to strong. It projects enough to be noticed by those in your immediate vicinity during the first few hours of wear, making it suitable for professional settings if applied with restraint. As it enters the dry-down, it becomes more intimate, hugging the skin.
What season and weather best suit this scent?+
This fragrance shines in cooler weather. The combination of tobacco and leather feels most appropriate for autumn and winter, when the crisp air helps balance the intensity of the base notes. It can feel slightly overwhelming or heavy in the high humidity of a sweltering summer day.
Is this a versatile fragrance for different occasions?+
It serves as a solid everyday scent for those who prefer leather profiles. It works well for casual social outings or office wear during colder months. Because it lacks a traditional sweet or floral edge, it might feel too bold or serious for lighthearted, summery events or formal weddings.
Does this scent lean masculine or feminine?+
Marketed as unisex, it truly sits in the middle. The leather and tobacco notes appeal to traditional masculine preferences, while the tart raspberry opening adds a brightness that many women enjoy. It ultimately comes down to your personal comfort with animalic leather accords rather than gendered marketing norms.
Is this suitable for a signature scent?+
It can be a unique signature for someone who wants to avoid popular sweet trends. However, its bold leather profile is distinct enough that you should be prepared for it to be your main identifier. It works best if you enjoy a scent that does not try to please everyone in the room.
Should I blind buy this perfume?+
Do not blind buy this. The leather note is prominent and can be perceived as harsh or industrial by some noses. It lacks the crowd-pleasing sugar found in many other Kilian creations, so you should sample it first to see how the leather behaves on your specific skin chemistry.
How does it compare to other leather fragrances?+
It is often compared to Tom Ford Tuscan Leather, though it is generally perceived as smoother and less aggressive. If you find Tuscan Leather to be too loud or metallic, this version offers a more tempered take on the same traditional Arabic-inspired leather and tobacco structure.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREConsider Tom Ford Tuscan Leather for a louder, more aggressive version. For those wanting a lighter take, look toward leather-forward scents with less tobacco intensity, but rarely do others match this exact dry, non-sweet construction.
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