Shalimar Parfum

If Shalimar extrait "smells like grandma," then grandma is having one hell of a sexy time in assisted living! I can't even do this perfume justice, and others before me have said it better than I ever could, but I can't help but wax poetic here. If you can find a vintage bottle of Shalimar extrait, it's unbelievable. I've always loved Shalimar in all of its concentrations, including a number of citrusy flankers (eau, light, legere) and especially the very wearable vintage eau de cologne, but the extrait has always been my no.1 fave fragrance of all time. I wear it just for me. It's intimate incense vanilla like none other. I don't know anyone else who does vanilla like Guerlain. I have several bottles of extrait ranging from the early and mid 1970s, a Saint Gobain bottle from the 1980s, and decants of the 90s, 2000s, and the current formulation, but anything before late 60s/early 70s has always eluded my budget. Well, my most recent score is an incredibly well-preserved Marly horse (the older, smaller gold horse stamp that lacks detail) 1 oz bat bottle from either late 1950s or 1960 based on the sticker, box, and presentation. I'm so happy I could cry. The juice inside, dark amber-colored like a fine aged bourbon, is amazing from start to finish, telling its beautiful story while continuing to grow better and better as it melds with my skin. It's so very warm and smooth at this point, now an hour later, and the animalics are tempered by the most beautiful floral (I had never *really* smelled the florals in Shalimar until this batch) before finally reaching a perfect Guerlain vanilla. *sigh* I'm seriously stunned because I thought I knew Shalimar, but apparently I didn't. It's not the brash smoky incense-leather of the 80s and early 90s, and it's not the watered down brighter citrus-vanilla powderiness of the current extrait, although I'm sure some of those citrus top notes used to shine more but have disappeared with age. I love those formulations, too, don't get me wrong, but they are nowhere near the intoxicatingly rich-yet-smooth feel of this 1960 extrait. My c.1980s extrait in the wide-base Saint Gobain bottle was my very first Shalimar, and it's what I always used to consider as the definitive Shalimar before I knew any better. I mean, honestly, I still thoroughly enjoy what's left of that bottle, too, but, in all its 1980s glory, it's much louder and more aggressive in its presence than this 1960 extrait. The screechiest I own is the late 70s extrait, and it's the one decade, or part of a decade, I have that I could do without. When people speak of the blast of medicinal or bitter, smoky, burning leather mixed with petrol phase in the middle of Shalimar's development (it's not well-blended and jumps out from the rest of the composition), that's the one that immediately comes to mind. It's that short-lived moment in that 1970s extrait that makes me regret having even bothered with it at all until it finally settles down, and I'm not one to shy away from leather. This 1960 extrait, on the other hand, has none of that harshness found in the 1970s batch while still retaining a smokey leathery earthiness in the sweeter vanillic background. I can't express how much I adore it and how well blended it is. There's no break in the transitions as it evolves. Wow. The drydown several hours later, still lingering on my wrists, is Guerlain at its finest. Lucky for me, the online seller didn't know what they had or they would have listed it for at least twice what I paid. I feel like I hit the jackpot and can only hope that someday I will get my hands on a 20s-40s bottle. One can dream. : )

I purchased @ auction many years ago a vintage bottle of Shalimar body/bath oil produced circa early 1950's before the introduction of the 15 ml. (1/2 fl.oz) huile pour le bain limited range in the clear glass 'lyre' bottle with the gold cap, my bottle had originally contained roughly 50 mls. although slight evaporation had removed all volatile elements of the product over the 60 or so intervening years since production, the deep gold emollient had turned into a pourable black tarry sludge that resembles used motor oil and the tiniest smudge from handling the white plastic cap upon opening persists on skin for at least 12-24 hours plus, gone are the top citrus notes leaving only the bulk of the middle including May rose(centifolia), Grasse jasmine, Florentine iris and the powerful 'Guerlain' balsamic base (Guerlinade) of vanillin, incense, powdery styrax, tonka & sandalwood, WOW! A veritable powerhouse of all that is dark, carnal and utterly skanky in a perfume of such oriental proportions. I have since transferred the bulk of this precious unguent into a Baccarat *Chauve Souris*Shalimar flacon and is stored in climate controlled conditions along with my other rare extracts and vintage perfumes, the rest I keep in a small vial to use sparingly during the cooler winter months, this rare commodity is not technically extrait/parfum as such although I imagine after considerable concentration of the pure elixir vitae this would be the ultimate result, of this I have no doubt. Upon application the dry down just keeps evolving into the most incredible densely lush vanillic/ashes of roses combo that defies most modern orientals! BTW, my other assorted bottles of vintage parfums, body oil's & extrait's of ~Shalimar~ are just as special although a lot tamer by comparison, I consider this most unusual past treasure as my reference point to the greatest oriental fragrance ever created, Thank's for reading, it's great to share with like-minded collectors and aficionados, I guard this fragrant oddity most zealously and use it even more sparingly! I have several Baccarat flacons that contain from 2 fl.oz's up to 4.2 fluid ounces, these are sealed and carefully stored for those proverbial rainy days, one can never have enough Shalimar parfum :)

[200] Shalimar is both a bona fide classic and a personal favourite. The original modern oriental fragrance, it is rightfully considered the best of its ilk. Featuring a groundbreaking use of vanilla, Shalimar paved the way for countless oriental and otherwise vanilla-centric perfumes, and is still utterly relevant today. A legend among perfumes, Shalimar is an opulent, timeless classic. I have a tiny vintage miniature of Shalimar parfum from the 1990s. While each concentration is similar and instantly recognisable as Shalimar, there are some differences. The parfum is more muted and less symphonic than the EDP. In Chanel No. 5 fashion, the parfum more closely resembles the EDT. Also, as is often the case with the extrait/parfum version, sillage is more intimate despite the stronger concentration, but longevity is better. I tend to have a soft spot for old-style parfums for these reasons, as well as for their elegance and precious ingredient concentration. The parfum is extremely well-blended, featuring the famed Guerlinade accord throughout. The citruses of the opening are more muted here than in other concentrations. Lemon is most evident, and its typical sharpness is tempered beautifully by the woody-vanilla accord. Soft spices emerge pretty early on. Rose, jasmine and iris are evident, but are softer and less nuanced than in the EDP or EDT. They are wonderfully powdery, rounding out the Guerlinade accord. The florals, along with the vanilla note, are reminiscent of high-quality vintage toiletries. Cleaner and less earthy than the EDP, the floral heart lasts for a long time on my skin, becoming slightly soapy, and is deeply pleasant. The drydown is dark and rich, with the spicy-amber accord being complemented by the smooth, perfectly sweet vanilla. The drydown phase is where the parfum most resembles the EDP in particular, but it is a touch more leathery and animalic. Sillage is moderate and longevity is excellent. Best suited for autumn/winter. Utterly beautiful, the parfum is more muted, yet richer and more streamlined than the EDP. Possibly the most elegant version, it is also the version that feels most vintage. To be used sparingly. An icon and a masterpiece. 5/5.

I got a bottle of this almost 2 months ago (current formulation) and I absolutely love it! It makes me dream. I first found out about the existence of Shalimar about a year ago! I heard about it from SuperDacob on YouTube and while I was at Macy’s, I thought I’d try it since I love vanilla! I tried the EDP on a card and I was a little shocked by it at first. It was my first encounter with a complex fragrance. I could tell it was well made but I didn’t think it was for me! Well, after a few hours, the card magically became the most hypnotic, mystical, magical vanilla I’ve ever smelled! I became addicted to smelling the card and went back for the EDP! After some time with it, I thought I’d try the OG extrait! I waited till Saks had a sale and got it 25% off! What a steal! I loved the box and presentation of the extrait, so luxurious and exactly what I would expect from the famed French perfumery. After breaking the beautiful seal and applying the extrait to the back of my hand, I was taken back in amazement. It’s so delicate and smooth, it almost smells like a more intense version of the dry down of the EDP! It opens with a slight licorice note that dissipates in a few seconds. It’s probably a note I can’t identify but I do like it! And the vanilla is so beautiful and yummy! There isn’t really much that I can say besides it’s the most beautiful and delicious fragrance I’ve tried and it’s my favorite! I do still love the EDP and use it often! I also like putting the EDP over the extrait when the extrait has begun to fade. It revives the extrait and adds such a beautiful quality to the EDP. All in all, I now refuse to live without it! It is so beautiful and I am so happy to have taken a chance on Shalimar. It is a true classic that has a story as beautiful as the fragrance itself. Jacques Guerlain really delivered when he created this timeless classic fragrance. I wish he were still here to dream and to see how people love his art to this day.

GUERLAIN Shalimar Parfum Extrait Jacques Guerlain 1925 New formula At least some of the original notes (Kafkaesque) Bergamot, Lemon, Jasmine, Rose, Orris, Opopanax, Tonka bean, Birch tar, Patchouli, Incense, Vetiver, Civet, Castoreum, Vanilla, Musks Possibly in the new version Benzoin, Peru Balsam, and Sandalwood (The Perfume Shrine) If you check the list of the notes nowadays it’s very simple and unfortunately it is the case in new formula of edp but in this extract there is a depth in it which includes a way more than “Bergamot, Florals, Iris, Rose, Jasmine, Vanilla and Tonka Bean” (extrait, Fragrantica). For sure you can find there a leather note which is from Birch Tar and from the combination of balsams and resins (Opoponax, Myrrh, Benzoin, Peru Balsam) and there is a beautiful slightly smoky feeling, like Sandalwood like creamy texture as well blended with Vanilla. I’m sure in the old formulas Civet, Castoreum and Musk play the big role and bring the sensuality, glory and some mystery to this scent and I will haunt some vintage version. Parfum is definitely better one than edp and it has more personality as well. From fragrantica (edp) “Some people may find the scent too strong or overwhelming”. The reason for that phrase imo is not that the juice would be that strong but the most of the people voting here are maybe more used to mainstream designers and therefore it feels exceptionally heavy and very different. Yet, the both edp and the new formula of extrait de parfum are very wearable and versatile but it’s also good to bear in mind that even if I’m not categorizing the perfumes so strictly into the seasons, Shalimar is shining when the weather is cold. Thank you for reading, I hope my review was helpful. I would appreciate a lot if you want to follow me on IG and/or YouTube (English subtitles): @ninamariahperfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗