Shalimar Cologne

This is my second Guerlain fragrance (other is L'Instant edp), and I am not a huge fan of the original Shalimar because of the civet - I appreciate the artistry and the importance of its contribution as a great classic. Shalimar Cologne was a blind buy, and I would say it's successful. The reviews here were very accurate and helpful in my opinion. I find the lemon to be sweet and cheerful and feminine. I don't know that I find grapefruit or lime (I typically very much dislike lime on myself as a note) but the lemon and a bit of bergamot are there for me, predominantly lemon for sure. Others have noted a lemon pastry note, from the vanilla and lemon, and I agree. It's sweet and carefree and cheerful. I think the freesia is a sweetness contributor but is not identifiable on its own, and I don't notice rose per se, although I do love a bold rose. There is lovely powder, which I'm learning to enjoy but have not typically worn at all for feeling it had an older feeling. I'm finding a modern quality in some powdery fragrances, and I think that's a reflection on my own age (haha) and the fact that there's a growing desire among women to embrace the elegant classic vibe that some of the beautiful powdery fragrances provide and not to just consume whatever trendy product is being marketed on the shelves at the cosmetic store. To me, the powdery fragrances do feel retro, but I think there's a timelessness too, and that young women bring their own youth to whatever they wear, so I'm changing my thinking as I'm learning more here about fragrance, thanks to all of you! I can see that it's a new interpretation of the classic Shalimar, although they're certainly not at all alike. I think it's an impressive accomplishment that something totally new can be created that still pays homage to the original but is entirely its own as well. If you're wanting to love the original Shalimar but just can't (I know that's like a form of sacrilege, so I apologize!), I think you might really love this. Our noses are not accustomed to some of the notes in the original, and I find in particular my husband and kids don't love some of the notes from the classics, even if I am learning to. Shalimar Cologne would be pleasing to anyone, I would think. Definitely a spring beauty, and I can see also cool fall days. Normally I would think the citrus would lend itself to summer wear, but I'm going to have to try that personally (bought in January in cold climate). I don't know if the degree of sweetness would be too much in extreme heat. Seeing most reviewers say summer works, I will assume it's a great summer fragrance.

There's a couple of reviews at Basenotes that are a useful prelude to this one. In short, Cologne 2015 is a reincarnation of Mathilde Laurent's Eau Legere given a modern tweak by Thierry Wasser, the current in house perfumer at Guerlain. This rather overlooked, underrated, ravishing, charming thing has this wonderful back story. There was in-fighting between Mathilde Laurent and Jean Paul Guerlain when Eau Legere, the very first Shalimar flanker was made. Jean Paul was the head of Guerlain and its governing perfumer. It was slightly changed and renamed Shalimar Lite, which, to a bony Frenchwoman conjured up images of fat American matrons, and the marketing failed. Mathilde Laurent had gone on to better things by this stage and Jean Paul tweaked the fragrance one more time and called it Eau de Shalimar. Jean Paul retired and a new 'Governor' came to town, Thierry Wasser. Perfume critics, such as Luca Turin, never stopped banging on about how lovely the original Eau Legere was, such a sad discontinuation and the plaintive comments trickled in through the forums, Oh, Eau Legere...... Flick to 2015 and Shalimar Cologne 2015 is the closest thing you will get to Eau Legere, but the marketing money has gone the way of 'Souffle' I do respect 'Souffle' and will buy a bottle one day but 'Cologne 2015' is my drug of choice. It has 'history' and you and me got a whole lot of that. It could be the biggest thing that the world has ever seen. P.S. Don't get this mixed up with the Eau de Cologne, available in the US market in the old fashioned bottle, not the same animal.

Champagne Vanilla Sparkling, sweet, floral, and just so lovely it hurts, this is Shalimar Cologne. SC has the Shalimar trajectory: Citrus top, floral heart, vanilla base. The citruses are so pleasantly bittersweet they make my mouth water: Sharp grapefruit and lime, sweet and luscious lemon meringue, and a smooth green bergamot on top of it all. Soon the musk joins the transition. I think that the musk is in place of the traditional smoke, incense, and motor oil of the original Shalimar. The write up lists it as a base note but I smell it pretty quickly. The musk wraps around the sweet rose and jasmine flowers. It's all still light though, and with the top notes hanging on everything just smells like a sparkling champagne melange of flowers, citrus, and velvet musk. Vanilla emerges, and that's what the life of the perfume is: Guerlain Vanilla, vanilla wrapped in a hint of sweet floral (it smells to me like a ylang ylang vanilla but maybe it's the freesia note giving it such a floral accent) and iris musk. Vanilla-iris-flower-musk. I get GREAT longevity out of this, over 12 hours with a strong application, and I LOVE the vanilla iris musk drydown. FN still has this for like $35...I like this so much I bought a backup, and honestly I like it more than Eau de Shalimar, which always has a rough edge that didn't always agree with me. Shalimar Cologne is so smooth, and sweet, and beautiful, and has that champagne effect that is lovely. Actually that's what they should have called it: Shalimar eau de Champagne.

Shalimar Cologne EDT is lovely! First of all, the bottle is elegantly beautiful with a rich backstory. I definitely get a lemon meringue or lemon cookie vibe from this on the first spray. The initial blast is my favorite, as it is so sweet and lemony. Absolutely no bitterness or sharpness, just citrus clouds! I've been looking for a sweet lemon scent without that nasty bitter rind, sharp masculine woods, or nose-burning sensation. This is it. As Shalimar Cologne EDT dries down midway, it becomes more powdery. The florals are very understated, and barely keep the fragrance from becoming edible. It reminds me somewhat of this deodorant I love (Sexy Intrigue by Degree-- "tahitian vanilla, rose, and jasmine") that used to be a body spray, but more refined with a dash of lemon. About 10 hours later, I have a very subtle skin scent: a kiss of lemon on vanilla powder. I am guessing the orris (iris?) is part of what keeps this fragrance so "clean." Cologne is so fluffy and well-blended you don't get Tiffany Intense's heavy, dreaded vanilla-benzoin and dryer sheet combination. Shalimar Cologne EDT feels both fun and "noble," if that makes sense. Lemon meringue lovers-- try this if you want something gourmand with a subtle floral twist. Now I'm craving the lemon cream cake from Olive Garden.

The review from islandaromatika is spot on ! A more luminous fresh interpretation of the original Shalimar. It's fizzy and fresh but has the same character and same undertone as Shalimar. So it's not your little fruity citrusy number , not a gourmand , not similar to anything else out there but a true Shalimar child ! People who love the original will love this as their daily fragrance, a lighter version or a summer switch from the original. People who do not like the original because it's too leathery and too old school and heavy for them may find this quite wearable ,,,, yet it isn't all that much different ,,, think of it being like PREMIERE AND CHANEL 5 ,,,,, this is the same here , similar but fresher and younger. But the same character and very much related. So if you always wanted to love Shalimar but just could not do it , you can now ! I still smell all the same notes , even leather , which might be the combo of orris and vanilla and musk . It has this classic Shalimar smell , old school but made modern so to speak. ,,,,also this is very similar to eau de Shalimar which has been one of my favourites for years . Almost like an updated version of eau de Shalimar. The more I wear it the more I love it and the more I do smell lemon loaf !!!