Shalimar Millésime Tonka

So very, very beautiful. I just got a little sample dabber with my purchase of a larger decant of Shalimar Millésime Iris, and I wish I had bought a larger decant of the Millésime Tonka and ignored the Iris flanker altogether. I can actually smell *more* iris in this one than the supposedly iris-centric flanker, where the iris just comes off like fresh donuts, likely on account of the orris root, or iris butter. Surprisingly, this Shalimar is distinctly less gourmandish, despite ramping up the tonka. In contrast to Shalimar MI, Shalimar MT is still recognizably Shalimar, and not just at the tail end of the drydown. It smells slightly lighter and airier than OG Shalimar, in a way that makes me wonder if there is heliotrope, even though I don't think it is listed. It does have a bit of a boozy quality, but I find that to be true of very good vanillas (in their "bean" form, not just extract). I will indulge in a full bottle one day! Update: Or perhaps not. This was a limited edition, and alas, it appears to be sold out on the Guerlain website. Not going to pay a premium on eBay, so I will just have to make the most of the few dozen drops that remain! Lesson learned: don't sleep on those limited-edition Shalimars if you like them. Too bad I don't like the SMI flanker nearly as much; that one is still available. Update: The peerless Sarah of SarahsPerfume on Etsy is hooking me up with a larger decant. She provides such a wonderful service, and I highly, highly recommend her wonderful business if you would like to sample perfumes before spending lots of money on a bottle you might not end up liking enough to wear regularly. Everything I have ever ordered from her was wonderful, and she seems to be able to predict, like some kind of perfume psychic, what you might like after you order a couple of things. She is obviously doing this for the love of fragrance because her prices are beyond reasonable, and the customer service is extraordinary. I don't know her in real life, and I'm certainly not getting a commission--just recommending a decanter who is fast, generous, and obviously in possession of exquisite taste! Update: The Dua brand dupe for this, Royal Tonka, is surprisingly great. I don't understand the down votes at all. I currently have the OG Millésime Tonka on my right arm and the Dua dupe on my left, and I can't tell them apart once the drydown begins. Anyway, I know dupes are bad form, but for a discontinued fragrance, it beats paying insane eBay prices for perfumes of questionable provenance. At least if you hate it, you're not out all that much money. Update: I still love beyond all measure, but husband thinks I just smell like a clean baby when I'm wearing it. I looked up the notes for Johnsons Baby Powder, original formulation, and indeed they seem to be identical to those of SMT. It got me wondering if maybe the chemists copied the DNA of Shalimar, one of the most popular fragrances after 1925, but I'm confining this thought to speculation right now and not going down any research rabbit holes. Still, I see why he would think I smell like baby powder. I find it clean, cozy, and comforting, but perhaps unsexy? Then again, I would find it disturbing in the extreme if my husband found the scent of baby powder sexy, especially in light of horrific recent headlines. To me this still smells like the sublimation of tonka, a whispery powdery marzipan iris, essentially heaven itself. I will be very sad when my SMT runs out, even though I have other Shalimar flankers I love almost as much, not to mention my serviceable dupe by Dua, Royal Tonka. But this one--this one. So good.

Shalimar for holiday season 🎃🎄🎆 Probably this is the most exciting writing for me amongst my recent posts this year. It's because I will talking about a fragrance that originally borned almost 100 years ago, claimed to be the pioneer of oriental perfume. The original Shalimar maintains it's classic status and still available to date. It has to be an amazing perfume to be able to withstand the test of time. Unfortunately the OG is not suited for my taste and character. Not until now because I finally found the one that works best for me 🧡🤎. Shalimar Millésime Tonka is the newest flanker just released in 2022 that I find so beautiful because it is interpreted in a very modern way and steer the character of the OG to a totally different direction. A very serious and formal Shalimar is now a happy and playful one whilst still maintaining it's confidence. Main highlight in this one is combination of fresh juicy citrus with bitter almond and tonka bean that has balance amount of sweetness and caramelized quality. It is so delicious almost delectable but the experience didn't stop there. It goes beyond the gourmand territory because of the added layer of original Shalimar's identity. The OG's DNA is still present in a very subtle manner acting as a complementary mix just perfect to elevate the experience. The leathery and powdery aspects blended so seamlessly for a fragrance connoisseur enjoyment to wear and appreciate. Few hours later Guerlain's Madagascar vanilla trademark starts to emerge beautifully accompanied with the highest quality of resinous amber accord comparable with my favorite amber fragrance which is Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Ambre Précieux. The whole wearing experience makes this fragrance a multi-faceted perfume with seamless progression. As a comparison it's like wearing Xerjoff Lyra with a tiny drop of the original Shalimar in the beginning and then followed by Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur plus Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Ambre Précieux all together in a very harmonious blend. Interestingly this fragrance morph quite differently in warmer weather. The animalic leathery aspect is more noticeable and the resinous quality is stronger too. For me this is a huge plus meaning I can enjoy it all year long. I highly recommend this to everyone who loves Shalimar and also who does not because it hits the right spot in between. The only suggestion I can add to this already stunning release is an Extrait version or more concentrated juice. It will then be a perfect fit to my taste as a masterpiece oriental delight (perhaps Guerlain will release an upgraded version some day 🤞✨). Thank you for reading and I'm hoping this is helpful for your online purchase decision since it's availability is exclusive and also limited. Enjoy!! #vscentorientreview

Excellent flanker. Like a REALLY excellent flanker. IMO, a good flanker has just enough of the original to get a sense of it, those that are very familiar with the scent should recognize they are related. But they should not be so similar that it would be redundant to have both. Not something that is trying to ‘replace’ or be better than the OG, just something that takes inspiration from it. It should be be able to stand on its own two feet. Millesime Tonka hits that sweet spot. And it’s been the only Shalimar flanker that I’ve enjoyed. It’s a tonka lovers delight On my skin I get very little citrus in the opening. Mostly bitter almond and lots of it. Strong, but I’m liking it. There is that ‘rubbery/leather’ scent that I’ve always liked in the original, but like bitter almond, that fades out quickly and then just hits the right leather and almond feel. I completely agree with the previous review mentioning the almonds seem to turn into marzipan. Absolutely delicious. It shifts towards more of a nutty Tonka base within 15 minutes or so. And the overdose of Tonka is wonderful- smooth powdery Tonka dust, a little cocoa and almost tobacco like, it’s so very warm. And that leather? Well now it’s a nice soft suede. The vanilla is outstanding, which is to be expected from Guerlain. There’s a sense of caramel in here that is very well balanced, never getting too sweet, just adding depth. That vanilla-caramel-tonka is incredibly creamy but so well behaved! The only floral note I can detect is the iris with the other usual Shalimar florals far in the back. The iris really helps keep that sweetness in check. And after four or five wearings I’m starting to detect hints of incense. Not overpowering, but it’s there. All in all it is a rich, nutty, smooth, gourmand-ish scent, that somehow manages to not be too heavy, with that classic Shalimar amber base. It could easily be worn by any gender. Why oh why didn’t this come in a bigger bottle? I’m kicking myself for not ordering an extra one and it sold out on the US site in less than a day. This would honestly be my signature scent in the cooler months. And I’ve never had, nor wanted, a signature scent with the amount of fragrances that I adore up on the shelf. As it is, with my husband and I using and loving it as much as we are, this little 50ml bottle is going to be empty in the next few months. Edit: For anyone interested, I see comparisons of this scent to Tonka Imperiale. I don’t get that at all. TI is exceptional but highlights the significantly sweeter and more heavy side of Tonka, whereas this flanker is dry and airy. Especially when comparing them side by side. Cuir Beluga on the other hand? Yes. Not identical at all but the soft and cozy sueded vanilla in CB is very similar to what you get in MT.

9/28/2022 Edit This is not Tonka Imperiale. I have both bottle types (newer one is a small 10 ml) and Feve, not close. So I'd sample first if your looking for that profile, lol. I'm editing again because I'm getting more Shalimar in the last few wearings. Creamy~ creamy~ creamy, but you will not get away from Shalimar. Last years vanilla centric release is a lot less challenging and easier for those who find Shalimar hard to love.This one, the tonka just goes almondy and creamy. I can't say creamy enough, lol. It's a lovely edition to the ranks, maybe next year they'll highlight the Iris. One can hope. OG review; How it smells to me, it's a creamy almond Shalimar with a very light leather. Not an animalic leather, just an almost suede feel to the scent. I do get how someone got chocolate cake, but I think that is a facet of the tonka. I didn't get any of the bright top notes of og Shalimar, at all, not yet anyway. I will note that with lasts years release I didn't get any leather or much lemony iris at first and 6 months later, I get those notes in addition to the gorgeous vanilla. It doesn't smell like Tonka Imperiale to me. Not even close, my bottle is old though, I guess I can check it against a newer sample and see, but I'm still not sure my it will change my perception. TI has a different spice profile. My over all impression is a creamy almond, light velvety feel like a suede, with a slightly sweet vanillic tonka facet that goes a bit (tiny) chocolate ~ like a good vanilla can smell like chocolate sometimes ~ with the Shalimar DNA. Overall, I'm glad I purchased bc I love Shalimar in all its iterations, but it may not be every ones cuppa. The scent will probably evolve over time like most do, so I'm looking forward to that as well. I am surprised that it isn't as powdery as I thought it would be (beyond the usual Shalimar powdery) with the extra tonka, but the almond is just creamy and velvety (maybe that's a suede leather note?) I don't think it's gourmand at all, even with the prominent almond. I sprayed 2 sprays on the back of my hand about 4 hours ago and it's still going strong, but my husband doesn't smell it unless I put it close to his nose. Edited to add: I am catching a citrus whiff now, but not sure if it's bergamot or the iris. Sometimes I interpret Iris in perfumes like my garden Iris' that have a lemony scent to them.

I was excited to try this limited edition of Shalimar, and I ended up falling in love with it, so much so that I bought a back-up bottle. Shalimar is the original and best of the classic orientals, and I have various vintage iterations in my collection, mostly miniatures. While it is objectively excellent, it is heavy and vintage in style - not the easiest scent for a young woman to wear today. I have tried modern flankers like Soufflé and Le Parfum Initial, and while they are great, SMT is the first Shalimar flanker that I truly adore. The Shalimar DNA is certainly intact here, and as the name suggests, the tonka bean note is placed centre stage. It is a slightly gourmand variation thanks to the soft almond note, and is well-blended throughout. Warm and cosy, it is the equivalent to swaddling oneself in a cashmere jumper. This has been my Christmas 2022 perfume, hopefully evoking memories for me in the future. I have received many compliments, and one relative mistook it for CK Obsession (fair!). SMT opens with warm almond, more hazy and heliotrope-like than sweet marzipan. Bergamot adds fleeting citric freshness, and soft, powdery florals creep in. Iris is most evident, with muted powdery rose complementing it beautifully. Clean, powdery jasmine remains in the background, rounding out the bouquet. Soft tonka bean adds warm spice to the base, slowly becoming more prominent as it develops. Vanilla completes the Guerlinade accord, adding soft, powdery sweetness to the base. Smooth and dry, SMT is not syrupy at all, instead it features the perfect amount of delicious muted sweetness. There is a soft sweet hint of amber as it fades, becoming a vanilla-tonka bean skin scent. Sillage is moderate and longevity is long-lasting. As well as the obvious, SMT reminds me in parts of various scents: Dior Fève Délicieux (tonka bean-dominant, but sweeter and more gourmand than SMT); Frédéric Malle L'Eau d'Hiver (cosy, non-gourmand heliotrope-almond) and Guerlain Cuir Beluga (Guerlinade plus powdery vanilla), while paying homage to the great Shalimar. A beautiful, modern take on a classic, this is Shalimar for a new generation. A personal favourite. 5/5.

I tried Shalimar EdP a couple of times on a paper strip in a department store and didn't like it AT ALL. To me she was way to intimidating and borderline raunchy. I tried Souffle on my skin and didn't like that either. It smelled off to me. Fast forward three days ago when I heard about this limited edition release by chance. I looked at 1 or 2 YouTube videos, read some reviews here on fragrantica and I was intrigued. The package was shipped directly from Guerlain France and arrived today. Now to the perfume. I'm not gonna hold you: it is a MASTERPIECE!!! The very first thing that came to my mind was: this smells like QUALITY... and then this is SPECIAL. There are more qualified people on here to really get into the notes, but let me try haha: In the beginning I can smell some boozy notes, like rum or some other liquor, and leather mixed with some citrus. Add to that a hint of incense. The opening is my least favorite part, but it is still quite good. Thankfully, the opening is softened by an amazing almond/tonka accord. In the middle and the base this heavenly delicious almond/marzipan/tonka accord takes center stage!!! It is not too sweet but sweet enough, if you'd smell it you would know what I mean. It's perfection! Almost gourmand category 🥰 On my skin, I hardly get any florals but the vanilla/tonka is so refined and elegant. There's a whisper of or a nod to the OG from opening to the very deep drydown. In my opinion Shalimar MT is the perfect fragrance for people who find the OG too intimidating, but that are interested in non-mainstream fragrances. It's quite agreeable yet still encaptures the essence of the OG. I'm very happy that I was able to order a bottle. Had I known that I would love SMT so much, I would have ordered 2 bottles or even 3 👀 I know it's cliché, but I literally can't stop sniffing my arm. I'm hooked and don't ever want to be without Shalimar MT!!! 50 ml for a limited edition perfume is a joke, though! Maybe the best release of 2022. Such a wonderful perfume 🥰🥰🥰 I HIGHLY recommend! PS: I might give La Grande Dame another chance and this time on skin... I feel like a changed woman 😌

I'm not a die-hard OG Shalimar fan--I didn't care for Souffle and wasn't able to get to the Planifolia limited release, but I had to take a step back and question my life choices after one spray of Millesime Tonka. I am reeling and intoxicated with its luscious smoky orgy of Tonka, Almond and Vanilla. After the fresh opening with some bergamot that leaves pretty quickly, the almond gets pretty intense, but it's so lovely. The Shalimar dna and iris is there but it’s softer, sweeter, and stays in the background supporting this almond bomb. My only complaint is that I wish the citrus lasted longer and the silage is pretty conservative especially knowing the OG's performance. I want to wear this whenevr I feel like it, but it's really a shame that this must be sprayed sparingly if I want to have it and enjoy it a year from now. It almost makes me want to get rid of my bottle. It's torture for me to not be able to spray my perfumes liberally and often, and it's hard for me to just have one bottle knowing it's going to be unaffordable at some point - perhaps I don't need it at all. I impulse-bought this after seeing it was sold out completely in minutes and then catching it for sale on eBay/Mercari for a $50 premium. I think there are still a good amount of 50 ml bottles circulating for around the same price (between $180-190), as well as multiple people selling decants and samples. Initially people were trying to scalp them for crazy prices of almost $300, but I don't think the $50-60 markup price off $180 is unreasonable, especially for something this volatile with price and availability.

I got this as a Christmas gift, and WOW, I love this! But I am also a huge fan of both Cuir Beluga and Tonka Imperiale (they are both in my "Top 10 For Life" list), and it does remind me of both. Upon first spray it reminds me more of Cuir Beluga. Shalimar is in the background, but not very strongly. A few hours in as it dries down the tonka becomes the dominant note and it leans more towards Tonka Imperiale, so it probably leans more towards Tonka Imperiale for the duration. People are comparing to Feve Delicieuse and there is only a very slight resemblance as it's not nearly as gourmand as Feve, and I get cherry with Feve, whereas I do not here, and it is much lighter than Feve. I could not wear Feve in warm weather, but I do think I could wear this perfume in springtime. This perfume is quite powdery, so if you do not like powder don't be sad if you missed it. Speaking of missing it, I am lucky that this perfume was procured as a gift for me, because I know that it was very difficult to obtain as I tried to do so earlier. It has been annoyingly elusive and unavailable to many who would have bought it. But I still love it. I find it to be elegant, sophisticated, and gracious (which by the way is quite the opposite to those greedy trolls who had hoarded it and then tried to sell it as much higher prices!). It's also comforting. The Shalimar bottle is also so pretty.

From the middle into the drydown, it smells like my favorite Guerlain l’initial, but tweaked ... It’s like you mix them with Tonka Imperiale and from the combined notes you now remove the zesty orange, the distinguishable caramel, the dryness of tobacco and the feminine creamy patchouli. But you zoom on non-sugary radiant vanilla& rounded tonka+salty almond& roasted iris - dancing in perfect order and balance, and there you go ... you end up with amazing opening and amazing drydown and you name it Tonka Millesime. If you like Cuir Beluga (which is featuring hazelnut + leather), and the almond in VC&A Bois Dore (which goes woodsy and ambery) you will be happy with Tonka Millesime, for as long as you are ready for the powdery Tonka+Iris combination, in the usual gorgeous Guerlain way. It’s also true to its name - I’m smelling it next to Babycat and other vanillas and this one definitely feels vintage and timeless -free from added “molecules” - beautiful! This alone makes it worth it all the way. It’s so lacking in synthetic feel that it feels almost safe to eat lol.

Not so much a flanker as a tribute. Whereas the original is all about bumping bergamot and heavy hitting florals up against smoke and skank, this is all about the confrontation of sweet and sour, thanks to an almost aggressive amount of tonka, which can smell sweet and confectionary, like almond paste and vanilla, but also like hay and herbs and tobacco, a nostalgic, achingly familiar scent, like something you tasted and smelled as a kid and have been trying to put your finger on ever since. It’s used beautifully here, making Shalimar Millesime Tonka perfect for anyone who wants to experience the plushness of the original without its more Grand Dame facets. Some people bitch and moan that these flankers are NOT SHALIMAR!—to which I say of course they’re not, but so what, get over it, it’s just smells. I love seeing how far Guerlain can push the Shalimar DNA—it’s like looking at photos of one’s great grandparents and picking out which family members share their features. This is simply great stuff and it's a damn shame it’s discontinued.

So I have to be honest, I never thought to compare this to Tonka Imperiale or Feve Deliceuse, and it hadn't hit me that they were even similar. But after seeing them shown as similar I decided to compare them, and I have to admit those 2 perfumes are probably the closest ones I have to Millésime Tonka. (And I have other Tonka dominant perfumes.) I feel the biggest difference is that this flanker has a lot more incense to it. That note is very prominent imo. And Feve is a little more sweet, while Imperiale has more aromatic qualities added to the almond vanilla vibe. Honestly I'm glad I have all 3 and don't find them redundant. Maybe because I love this type of perfume, but for me they're different enough to justify having them all. And Millessime Tonka is especially unique due to the heavy incense and guerlinade dry down. I absolutely adore it. I even got a compliment from a stranger recently. (And btw I don't care for the original Shalimar at all, the lemon opening mixed with leather is too harsh for my nose. Just can't get past it.)

Ah... It opens beautifully with almond and some bitter citrusy from bergamot. I can understand why lot of people they don’t really like with the opening, but I think it’s really fine. It’s not something that you can’t accept at all. It’s just a bitter citrusy kind of thing. After 5-10 mins later, the iris and jasmine plays a big role in here which gives a powdery kind of smells and as a bell for what comes next! Then, boom! The Tonka and Vanilla’s right there. They gives you a beautiful scent and what makes this perfume so good! Even after 6 hours on my skin, I can still easily detect the scent without any big effort. It’s tonka, vanilla, jasmine and iris! So, it’s sweet and powdery! Far from the image of “old lady” and gourmand kind of scent, imho. I really like this one so much. Even my wife said that she knew I applied a perfume on my skin, even that she was out of our room. So I think it’s enough to say that this one has a good projection. Update: It’s been 15 hours now, and I still can detect a bit of this scent on my skin. 🥴

Finally! I have this! A wonderful lady in my fragrance group sold her sealed box to me for the price she bought it at last year from Guerlain plus shipping. At that price $150 this is so worth it if you love: almonds, Tonka and sweet smoky vanilla! This is Shalimar’s gorgeous leathery/smoky vanilla dry down with the in your face bergamot removed and replaced with delicious almond syrup and amped up Tonka, particularly Tonka’s tobacco, hay and nutty characteristics. There is a powderiness to MT from the Iris but this isn’t a lipstick Iris or floral in anyway. This is all about deep, leathery (dry) almond/vanilla and Tonka. This is unisex whereas the new Shalimar Millesime Iris is very feminine. That’s one is Shalimar’s smoky leathery vanilla with prada candy’s musk and a little bit of lipstick Iris. Both are amazing but different. I can’t wait until next year! Oh! Feve Delicieuse- is more gourmand! Creamier, sweeter, some touches of cherry and a bit of smoky leather but those are the only things in common.

SHUT UP! ON THE SITE ON 10/7 AND I WAS ON WAITLIST, AND NO NOTIFICATION! WHOA! I guess you gotta check everyday! Anybody know what time to check is best? I got scalped on Ebay, and I don't even think it's the real deal :( Nauseated. I love Shalimar, in winter, and love some of the Souffle's they released. I adore powder and almond, so I must keep trying. PM me if you want to trade, etc. Sigh...... Edit: So, I wore this last night, and I get a creaminess and almond playdoh, along with the Shalimar cut in half. It's not bad, it is worth trying, IF/WHEN it comes back in stock. Do not get scalped. I think I have loved Shalimar in all versions, but the best for me is the original. I love the vintage label, and always loved their bottles, so glad they didn't change them. I am on waitlist. I can't complain, everybody is having cutbacks/supply issues/laws more than ever now, so I will stick with Guerlain. They have always created masterpieces along the years.

This was a blind buy recommended to me. It was a love at first sniff!! A beautiful Tonka, Vanilla and bitter almond combination on my skin. It’s good lasting power and projects quite well. It has a very similar vibe to my fève délicieuse 2016 batch. That being said I find this perfume more powder and mature than Feve and I find Feve to be sweeter. But I love both the different takes of very Tonka bean based fragrances and they’re different enough for me to justify having both! I had to buy a back up of this!! I absolutely adore Tonka and this has quickly become one of my favourite perfumes 😍 10/10 would recommend still available on myorignes they charge in euros so if in the U.K. I’d recommend purchasing with one of the modern bank cards (monzo, starling etc) to avoid extra fees making the purchase not worth it xx Also I’m a perfume reviewer so feel free to see some more of my reviews on my instagram page le_parfum_d_ollie

Edited 10/22 -The Black Bat symbol on the bottle is apropos. There is a darkness to Shalimar Millesime Tonka that comes from the depth of the tonka bean and amber. I get a bit of a leather note mingling with the tonka and amber. The bitter almond is perfect and becomes nuttier as the fragrance develops. Sometimes I smell the bitter cocoa from the tonka. It is balanced by the sweetness of the florals. Iris develops in the dry down and adds a lovely powdery finish. The vanilla is sublime and there is a lot of it. It smells like the same vanilla used in Shalimar Millesime Vanilla Planifolia. The bergamot is not nearly as concentrated as it is in other Shalimar flankers. It leads the pack and then quickly steps to the rear. To me, SMT leans more toward a powdery amber type perfume best worn in fall and winter. It is a boozy and powdery tonka vanilla with a Shalimar DNA that smolders on the skin in the dry down.

bitter sweet. so nutty and warm that you feel it in the back of your throat—you know how some things are so warm you might get pimples by eating them? this is one of those, except it’s not edible, though it makes me want to eat it. and i say bitter sweet because the nuttiness makes it bitter for me, but there are vanilla undertones that make it sweet. it’s everything. do i get shalimar? yes and no; i probably wouldn’t have been able to say this is a derivative of shalimar had i not known. there’s more shalimar in the dry down than in the opening. the opening is quite powdery, and it develops more into a perfume as it dries down, i even get some makeupy iris and other perfumy florals. in my opinion, it’s more closely associated with fève délicieuse than tonka imperiale, and it’s actually reminiscent of tonka sarrapia—except i like this way better. it also kind of reminds me of le labo labdanum 18.

Today I was lucky enough to receive my bottle of this Shalimar MT, ordered from the Dutch Guerlain website. And I love it! To me it smells much closer to the original Shalimar perfume, of which I had a 7,5 ml bottle in the eighties. My first ever purchase of perfume. Later I also bought the edt of which I still have about 25 ml left. This edp reminds me of the impression of dabbing that first perfume, those precious drops for which I had saved up, on my then ±14 yr old wrists left on me: special, rich, ambery, warm opulent and dramatic. Nobody in school smelled like me in those days! Last years Shalimar MVP is quite nice, but it never really grabbed me... And this one does, so I guess it must be more the tonka mixed with the Guerlinade, than the vanilla, that does it for me. I am so happy with it!

I received this today and I have been testing it on my skin for a few hours. I agree with the reviewer below....this is an iris dominant fragrance on my skin. It opens very almond and iris heavy and then it dries down to a powdery iris with a touch of tonka. I'm getting very little vanilla. Luckily I like iris but this fragrance is surprisingly soft and almost a little flat. I enjoy this much more once it warms on the skin so perhaps I would enjoy this more in Spring and early summer? This is not love at first sniff but I am happy to have a Shalimar in my collection. The original Shalimar was created the year of my beloved grandmother's birth! :) Edit:. The deep dry down is super makeup iris-y powder with a musky vanillic touch. Very classy, intimate sillage.

I am quite stingy with my good reviews so hear me out when I say this is a masterpiece. The only tip is if you really want to experience this scent, you need to give it a couple minutes. It has a slight animalic opening for me. I don't enjoy animalic notes and I survived so no need to panic about it. After it settles down, you will be left with a cozy tonka,vanilla and almond mixed with the Shalimar dna. Also the iris, something that I really enjoy about this perfume. This is really a classy scent and I find it can suit much younger audience than the classic Shalimar. The only bad thing about this one is you literally can't buy it anymore. I feel lucky to have a bottle. Please make it a permanent flanker Guerlain, but bring it back without any reformulation!

Alright, I'm not sure if I'm even reviewing on the right perfume (considering I am reviewing a perfume that I have been 'borrowing' from my sister, so I have not really had time to look at the bottle closely, especially considering most of the perfume bottles in this brand are carbon copies of each other... Shhh..🤐) but, I had to review on this because it's such a great perfume! Very sophisticated and yet not overpowering smell, while also having a nice sweet scent too. It reminds me of the Jergon's Cherry Almond hand soap almost.. The main scent is definitely cherry almond, but it's got a sweet vanilla scent to it.. but it's smooth and sophisticated, a little boozy too? I will forever glaze this perfume😍😍 (maybe one day I won't be too broke to afford it)

By the luck of the fragrance gods, I managed to snag a bottle of eBay at a reasonable price for a discontinued gem. Shalimar Millésime Tonka is everything I knew I loved about gourmand scents with this particular scent profile. Comparisons were made with Fève Délicieuse and I think they are similar but different. Millésime Tonka has the sweet powdery almond facet with a soft cherry note to it, whereas Fève Délicieuse has more a more prominent cherry and dusted cocoa note. I would say that the closest scent to Millésime Tonka is Tonka Sarrapia and they are about 90% similar, but the former being softer and less powdery. Sprayed it on the back of my hands, with Shalimar L'Essence on my wrists. I am in heaven! Bring on autumn, my perfume wardrobe is ready!

Today, I got an email early, but was doing other things, so I thought it would be null. It wasn't, and I put it in my cart, and didn't close my cart for about 3 minutes, came back, and it was all sold out. I mean, this is getting silly. Last week I got an email also that it was back in stock, and I checked every hour that day, and nothing came into stock. I think I am done with Unicorns, what is the point? I love Shalimar, but to me the Planiflolia one is so much better, however I do like this, just not sure if I like companies teasing so much. Stock it or drop it. I will use what I have, and forget about it. I do hope someone on here will let me know when the new LE comes along. What a let down. :(

I just managed to snag a FB on the US Guerlain site after ensuring that it was worth it by sampling a decant. The bergamot and leather opening is so classic Shalimar, but without the raunchy animalic notes, and then the tonka and vanilla in the dry down become super buttery and powdery. A gorgeous fall-winter scent that I can't believe will only be available as limited edition. I haven't smelled last year's LE Vanilla Planifolia, but I can imagine that it would be similar to this one with less of a nutty-caramelized scent, so I'm glad I was able to snag the Tonka instead. This develops beautifully on me at room temperature-cool weather, and I can't wait to keep smelling it all winter

Wow. I'll start by saying that I can appreciate the original Shalimar EDP and EDT, but not on myself. This, however, is something I *love* wearing! I'll admit I sought it out because of the hype, but I've worn it every second day since I got it and I'm just mesmerized by it whenever I catch a whiff. The almond and stronger tonka works so well to me, and I definitely still get something leathery that reminds me of the original but just much more "me". I never feel like I need backups (let's be real, I already have way more fragrance than I realistically need), but with this being limited edition I'm terribly tempted to snag another bottle. It could just be FOMO, but it's sooooo good.

was YouTubing The Perfume Guy's channel where he talked about Shalimar Tonka, think he mentioned he was in France when this was released about loved it so much he bought 2 bottles. I was curious and went on Guerlain's website where it was but was sold out. Luckily I checked the next morning and it was available and I immediately bought a bottle bc in 30min it was sold out again. To my noise I actually prefer this over the O.G, love the dark Ambery Tonka juice which reminded me of Shalimar and Tonka Imperiale mixed together. Very well blended and very smooth. this is very unisex as I couldn't detect a dominate femme note. looking forward to wearing this in the fall. Very well done

I was lucky enough to grab this from Guerlain's US website before they ran out. (Did it even last one day?) It’s definitely Shalimar, but side-stepping the almost-shocking bergamot opening of the EDP (which I love) for a smooth voyage right to the more vanillic – or should I say, tonkic (is that a word?) – heart. Perhaps it’s a little “easier” than the original, but it sure is gorgeous! I find this, like many of the Guerlain classics, completely unisex, if that matters to you (assigning fragrances gender is mattering less and less to me), so if you’re a man who wears Habit Rouge or L’Homme Idéal, you might as well board the mothership and wear beautiful Shalimar.

I knew this was probably the more unisex Shalimar flaker, of course is leans fem but a dressed up guy can def pull this off. it smells amazing. I'm not one to do a note breakdown but I wore in a few times and I noticed I get a lot of non verbal compliments from women, they just smile when their around me. I see a lot of reviews how it smells like Feve so I decided to layer it, And let me tell you these 2 more made to layer with one another. think of a heart necklace cut in half, and when you bring both together is just a Grand masterpiece. Trust me if you have Feve try laying it with Shalimar Tonka & you'll find your signature scent.

I was able to get the last available bottle in Prague, what luck! There was so much prize expressed for this version of Shalimar that it got me thinking: is this one finally for me? Especially after all that search for the version that would be wearable for me? Yes, yes yes. This is a journey through the romanticism of this fabulous DNA for someone who had a hard time understanding the original. Every wear is dramatically different and uncovers hidden facets that you can't get from just one try. Warm, powdery and elegant beauty. Love it love it love it and I am really happy to introduce Guerlain to my small collection.

As a man i absolutely loved this one that i had to purchase 2 bottles (pitty they come in 50ml bottles) the bottle is still cute though :D right after the first spray i got the shalimar DNA , immediately after that i get bitter almond in the opening with some Iris. The dry down is where tonka and vanilla linger in together in harmony, but yes it's powdery and sweet. It also reminds me of Tonka cola by Mancera (minis the bitter almond opening and powderiness of the Iris). Reminds me also with fève délicieuse, but the latter is way way sweeter than Shalimar Millesime. Beautiful Creation, too bad it's a limited edition

hype is real, this is a really nice scent. who would EVER think I would purchase a Shalimar? 🤪 As someone who really dislikes Shalimar. This is good. The dominant note is definitely tonka, but you get the bergamot, vanilla and a bit of smokiness. But not like the ashtray that Shalimar gives you, phew. I would say the closest scent to this is Dior's Fève Délicieuse, however Millésime Tonka is less sweet, more powdery/perfumey, more smoky -- less gourmand. The dry down is very perfumey - typical of past era and evokes nostaliga. Guerlain is REALLY dumb for making this a limited edition.

This is as beautiful as the hype tells you! I bought a bottle off the US website a week ago. I love the intense Tonka note with the beautiful Shalimar base. This leaves the most beautiful trail. I got last years Vanilla centered limited edition and this one is even better, although I will admit they have a lot in common. If you love Tonka this is a no brainer. And just as a fyi, if you’re turned off by the rose noted above, do not worry, because I do not detect it at all. I’m sure it’s there adding nuances, but it is not a rose presenting fragrance.

I wore this to bed last night. It’s been 24 hours and I still smell it in my skin. Anyone who says it has poor longevity is crazy! It’s projects moderately for 6 hours. It’s delicious and a mix of Tonka Imperiale and Shalimar. I feel many are smelling it once, just the opening and leaving a review after smelling the first 10 minutes. This has gotten sweeter and more nutty everytime I wear it. The more air that gets into the bottle the lore gourmand it becomes. I almost sold my back up bottle. I quickly changed my mind.

Others have covered the scent well—powdery almond with hints of Shalimar leather and that vanilla in the dry down. Was fortunate to get a bottle for Christmas. It reminds me of Hermes L’ambre des Marveilles—the powder and vanilla combo I think, but more rounded and smooth. I do love it! That being said I am a huge fan of the Philtre de Parfum. Assuming both were limited releases and I could only choose one it would probably be Philtre, for its complexity (lavender, citrus, vanilla and classic Shalimar DNA).

This is on the US Guerlain site, has been since late yesterday afternoon, so if you want it but were not willing to order from overseas, you may want to jump on it. I know I'm updating it's availability a lot , lol, but so many people felt left out with last years limited release and eBay scalpers really cleaned up. I think if you want it you should have a safe and reliable way of getting it. Plus, Guerlain has a great return policy if you don't like it ~ always a great thing.

It's back in stock at news-parfums dot com. I'll try to post a link, but it''s not letting me do that on the Guerlain thread. 70 euros plus 24.99 in shipping. Great site, they have a brick and mortar store in Marseille, France. I've used multiple times this year for scents that aren't released in the US. Takes about 10-12 days to get to me on the left coast. Good luck, lots of great Fragranticans have helped me find perfumes I was dying to have, so paying it forward.🙃

Rich, deep and long lived. SMT is beautiful. I can’t wear the OG (too much skanky animalic leather on my skin). But here I get a dry, buffered sweetness which is mellow and deep but never cloying. The Tonka is intense and I get it supported by a dark and resinous vanilla. The florals aren’t distinct but add a lovely dimension. Hard to sample let alone purchase, but stunning.

I just got it delivered, the first 15 min were kind of hard for me because the bitter almond was too strong for my liking , then ... then ... it settled to this creamy Tonka/vanilla shalimar so very different from vanilla millésime which I adore , I’m warming it up to it quite easily, I just have to retry the opening tomorrow

More deeper and darker than the original Shalimar. Immediately you get the dna from Shalimar with bergamot-little fresher and lighter. After 30 mins —Wow !! The vanilla and tonka appears and you get this deeper and warmer elegance. A beautiful scent , perfectly blended. And not as sweet as last years plafonia, more balanced.

I was wondering how close and how this new variant could differentiate from the original, and I am impressed. It is still Shalimar but with a new step on something very sexy and gourmand. I get a soft almond and caramel note in it and I love it. Well done. It is a Ding dong! 🤗 (Need a bottle of it before it disappears...)

I absolutely LOVE this! I am a huge love of the Thierry Wasser era of Guerlain. Until today Shalimar Initial was my favorite Shalimar. It has been dethroned. This is everything I love about Guerlain. I smell a fluffy soft cloud of vanilla, tonka, and iris. It is a little clean, but still human. I am swooning!

Remember my friends, once this is gone it's gone forever (unless you want to pay YUGE price increases). Check Guerlain's website everyday until it goes from Email When In Stock, to Add To Cart. Today, for me, it said Add To Cart and I'm extremely happy. Will update when it arrives with first impressions.

I blind bought this after seeing the tonca bean and Vanilla as a base, I can officially say this became one of my top 5 fragrances!! I can't stop smelling it and I immediately bought a backup bottle. If you live in Dubai or you have someone there, you can find it at Ounass & Bloomingdale's!

EDITED: I smelled a different shalimar i think i smelled EDP, something more thick. This is masterful! this tonka isnt thick and syrupy, I really enjoyed this one!!!! I like this more than tonka imperial, this shalimar is more lighter and airy and just beautiful. changing this to a 9.5/10

Very majestic and dark. Innocente vanilla is mature here. It is shalimar, no doubt, but this is contralto singing in the cathedral. I love the impressive omnipotence and darkness of it. Its very hard to find it, but as soon as i did, just had to buy it. Bravo Guerlain!

It's one of the most gorgeous powdery perfumes out there. It starts off as a baby powder but dries down to less animalic Shalimar DNA. More delicate and crowd pleasing than the OG but still very elegant and beautiful. It's one of my favorite Shalimar flankers.

I’m so happy that I bought this! So beautiful and elegant. I don’t care about the season or reason! This is signature worthy! Warm, boozy and darker than the original Shalimar. If you have the chance to try this, please do! This flanker, I really love!

The only Shalimar I like and I want. Love the bitter almond and suits really well for autumn/winter. It envelopes you like a warm blanket in the middle of freezing winter. DM me if you want to sell yours :)

Warm, velvety tonka smacked hard with a heliotrope flower. I do not detect a lot of the Shalimar DNA but I do get quite a sense of an enveloping Guerlanade. Beautifully blended and perfect for fall.

Looking for another bottle of this delicious nectar! Mine is almost empty it’s such a Glorious nutty version Shali! Pm me is you wanna sell yours or perhaps trade from my large collection.