Italian LemonOpens with
BrandyHeart
Haitian VetiverDries down to
Alberto MorillasThe nose · 479 fragrances · also made Valentino Uomo Intense 2021 (2021)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
By Kilian · Sold as unisex
Lemon in Zest
The clink of glasses at a brunch table where the sun filters through sheer curtains, mixing lemon zest with subtle woody notes.
Italian LemonTop
Mandarin OrangeTopBrandyHeart
VanillaHeartHaitian VetiverBase
Indonesian Patchouli LeafBaseFull bottle: Luxury tier, typically $250+. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Lemon in ZestLuxury · $250+
39%Similar accords, often for lessVetyverio Eau De Parfum · DiptyquePremium tier, $100–250 · shares mandarin orange and haitian vetiver8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
BaseFoundation
The story behind the bottle.
Lemon in Zest by By Kilian, launched in 2015, is a Woody Aromatic fragrance that embodies the essence of a bright, invigorating day. The scent opens with Italian lemon and mandarin orange, creating a zesty freshness that instantly uplifts the senses. As the top notes settle, brandy adds an unexpected warmth, leading to a heart of vanilla and aromatic vetiver from Haiti. This contrast between the citrus brightness and earthy, spicy undertones creates a dynamic composition that is both lively and grounding.
Apply two sprays to your pulse points for an initial burst of citrus. The fragrance develops warmth and depth as it settles into your skin over time, so it’s best enjoyed in the daytime when its brightness can shine through.
Fig. 01 — Lemon in Zest, By Kilian
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Alberto Morillas
The invisible architectAlberto Morillas is one of the most prolific and celebrated perfumers of the modern era. Born in Seville and trained in Geneva at Firmenich, he possesses an extraordinary gift for constructing fragrances that feel simultaneously complex and effortless.
“Technique is important, but it's the perfumer's soul that makes the difference.”
Alberto Morillas · Mizensir journal ('Nose-to-nose with founder Alberto Morillas'), July 2025
Designer By Kilian
More from the house · founded 2007 · Ireland
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $250+ price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalLemon in ZestBy Kilian · Luxury · $250+Diptyque · 2017Vetyverio Eau De ParfumShares Mandarin orange and Haitian vetiver$100–250★ 3.86 (929)36%Match
Calvin Klein · 2022Defy Eau de ParfumShares Mandarin orange and Haitian vetiver$40–100★ 3.71 (576)37%Match
Bvlgari · 2021Fantasia VenetaShares Vanilla and Indonesian patchouli leaf$100–250★ 3.82 (176)46%Match
Dior · 2013Miss Le Parfum Edition d’Exception DiorShares Mandarin orange, Vanilla and Indonesian patchouli leaf$100–250★ 3.88 (17)
With By Kilian Black Oud
Adds amber, oud and rose; shares two accords.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 42%, disliked or hated by 12%.