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Asian Tales

Water Calligraphy Kilian 2012

6.1 / 10 120 Ratings

A perfume by Kilian for women and men, released in 2012. The scent is floral-fresh. The production was apparently discontinued.
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Main accords

Floral

Fresh

Aquatic

Sweet

Green

Fragrance Notes

Cherry blossom

Cardamom

Jasmine

Grapefruit zest

Magnolia

Waterlily

Vetiver

Perfumer

Calice Becker

Ratings

Scent

6.1120 Ratings

Longevity

5.886 Ratings

Sillage

4.985 Ratings

Bottle

8.294 Ratings

Value for money

5.612 Ratings

Submitted by Kankuro, last update on 02/26/2024.

Interesting Facts

The fragrance was part of the collection Asian Tales.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

L'Eau d'Issey Eau de Toilette

Honour Woman Eau de Parfum

Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions

04/17/2012

3Scent

Delphine67
81 Reviews

Delphine67

3

waterlily

Very flowery scent. waterlily and magnolia are the dominant notes.
The drydown is flowery and a bit powdery even. Some may say a slight aquatic perhaps. Not my kind of scent

02/09/2013

6Scent 5Longevity 5Sillage

Missk
1357 Reviews

Missk

1

A more expensive L'eau d'Issey

Water Calligraphy is a nicely presented and skilfully composed floral aquatic. I'm not a huge fan of aquatic scents, but whenever I get the chance to smell an aquatic of this calibre, using quality ingredients, I can understand why people love them. It is best enjoyed during the heat of the day.

This fragrance is predominantly focused on water lily and sweet, dewy jasmine. It smells rather pretty on the skin, and even the tart opening of grapefruit goes down a treat. It is definitely a fragrance that has the ability to grow on you.

In terms of creativity, I feel it somewhat lacking. Many comparisons can be drawn from the very popular Issey Miyake L'eau d'Issey, which is a staple in almost every aquatic lover's wardrobe. I find its somewhat generic approach disheartening. I hoped to discover a new and exciting take on an aquatic that hadn't been done to death.

I wish that the vetiver accord in the drydown was stronger, and more earthy. In this composition it presents itself as salty and woodsy, which is certainly pleasant but nowhere near as striking as it should be.

Overall, Water Calligraphy is fresh, crisp and summery with a slight oceanic twist. It seems to be more of a hit with men than it is with women. Many have agreed that the scent is well-constructed, however the price does pose a slight concern. Is it really worth the big bucks?

In terms of aquatics, Water Calligraphy is easily one of the nicest. It's a slightly different path for By Kilian, but I'm rather liking the risks they're willing to take for their consumers. I won't be buying a full bottle, but that's not to say that I didn't thoroughly enjoy it.

04/19/2012

8Scent 10Longevity 7.5Sillage

Chanelle
752 Reviews

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Chanelle

Very helpful Review 13

Plitsch Platsch

So far, I had a very specific image of Kilian in my mind: powerful, extravagant, and sometimes quite oriental luxury fragrances. This has changed with Water Calligraphy. I had to test it long-term twice to believe it. All the notes I hoped to find in WC (hahaha - you get it..) because I like them, e.g. jasmine, cardamom, do not reveal themselves to me or not noticeably. From beginning to end, I practically only smell water lily, oceanic, slightly sweet, slightly green, but too dominant for me. A slight grapefruit peel note that occasionally appears makes the scent appealing to me, but I am still puzzled, as overall it feels very familiar and also very un-Kilian. Is this supposed to be a summer fragrance? Is this a fresh Kilian, in contrast to the otherwise heavy ones? I am one big question mark.

06/06/2012

6Scent

Ergoproxy
1130 Reviews

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Ergoproxy

Top Review 9

Pseudo-Asian from the Distillery?

It seems that Kilian wants to conquer a new customer segment, or why else would they have oriented themselves olfactorily towards the currently prevailing mainstream taste with these two new releases?

Water Calligraphy also feels immediately familiar to me! Such shallow scent trails have been wafting through all the department stores in Hamburg on warm days for quite some time.

In contrast to Bamboo Harmony, this Kilian has a bit more assertiveness and fills the space somewhat better.

I can't discern a great scent progression. The fragrance remains constant with its floral-watery and pseudo-Asian fresh accord.

Even though there is an effort here to spread the magic of Asia with a shallow, light floral scent, it doesn't even come close to succeeding. A Japanese brand did it better years ago. Kenzo's Parfum d'Été goes olfactorily in a similar direction, but with much more finesse and, above all, statement.

07/29/2014

6Scent 5Longevity 2.5Sillage

Taurus
1164 Reviews

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Taurus

Very helpful Review 7

Watermark

At first, I thought it was due to my stubborn cold that I perceived Water Calligraphy as just a fleeting scent. But even now, days later, when I am relatively recovered, the fragrance still comes across as quite minimalist.

The supposed grapefruit peel is almost nonexistent. Instead, jasmine and cherry blossom are much more apparent to me. OK, there's a hint of cardamom and the faintest touch of magnolia also joining the mix. The rest fades away somewhere between imagination and mere fantasy.

So, what remains for me is rather a blurred image of a fine, yet somewhat reserved fragrance with floral notes and a slight creaminess. I could also say that "WC" reminds me of a subtly perfumed night cream for older ladies.

No, this Water Calligraphy is certainly not a work of art - but it's also not a poorly mixed generic water. However, I expect something more interesting and fascinating from Kilian. This one feels too tame, too timid, and interchangeable for me. Perhaps it is a scent for people who usually can't relate to fragrances...

More reviews

Statements

11 short views on the fragrance

Reniferka

7 years ago

5Scent 5Longevity 4Sillage

6

Jasmine aquatic shampoo. Similar watery floral scent one can get elsewhere for a fraction of the price.

Eggi37

3 years ago

6.5Scent 6Longevity 6Sillage

19

20

A young lady is looking in the Asian drugstore
for a fresh & invigorating toner
Type: Cherry Blossom
Feels like being reborn

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Amylovesyou

8 years ago

4Scent 4Longevity 4Sillage

9

2

That's kind of cheeky... A fragrance that's insignificant with no longevity and sillage. And for so much money...sad but true.

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Rieke2021

3 years ago

6Scent 5Longevity 4Sillage

6

3

Delicate, lightly green floral water, where only jasmine stands out for me. Refreshing + graceful, but nothing special. For fairies + elves.

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Andi136

8 years ago

9.5Scent 7Longevity 4Sillage

5

1

It's quite nice, grapefruit and water lily; unfortunately, it's also very subtle. Still there, but the sillage is low.

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Jolanda12

3 years ago

7Scent 7Longevity 6Sillage

4

1

A gentle jasmine breeze wafts over the lily pond,
it's spring, everything is blooming, magnolias are unfolding their splendor.
One can truly enjoy here.

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