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. 🤗

I have the vintage parfum and it smells heavenly. The vanilla and the powdery notes smell absolutely lovely. I specifically love the powdery notes in this because they smell quite elegant rather than being more on the baby powder side like I smell in the modern. Not saying the modern powdery notes smell just like baby powder, but it smells a bit more of a sweet or juvenile powder, where in the vintage its an older woman type of powder. Kind of like the floral perfumed powders woman used throughout the 50's and 60's. The smokiness to this is nicer. The bergamot you can faintly smell. The modern is beautiful, but, I like this more than the modern version. It doesn't radiate in through the room but since it's the extrait, you can smell it when giving a hug or walking by someone, you can get a whiff of it. UPDATE: I purchased the modern parfum extrait and I have to say THIS IS MY FAVORITE PERFUM FOR FALL AND WINTER! Maybe even for certain occasions in the spring and summer. While the vintage perfume smells heavenly, I do have to say I can smell the civet more in the vintage compared to the modern, and its a little off-putting. It does give the vintage a bit of a more sexy smell but I can definitely smell it more now. I like the vintage parfum better than the EDP, but I like the modern parfum more than vintage. I also want to add that comparing the vintage to the modern, they smell almost identical even though they have been reformulated. You can still identify this as Shalimar the second you smell the modern, where as a lot of companies that have reformulated legendary perfumes and changed the smell all together, Guerlain does a great job of keeping this fragrance a classic.

Shalimar Extract is the most sophisticated frag from the most sophisticated parfume house in France, featuring one of the 3 most difficult ingredients to prepare for being the dominant component: "the most buttery Iris", rightly says redskyatnight. But there's a lot more to it, with it's unique oriental touch. A timeless jewel, almost 100 years young. A look at the votes above simply tells the story : how many frags on this site have a love or like to dislike ratio close to infinity ? It's the only frag I know which is totally independent from mood, season, daytime, etc., sort of a solid rock inviting you to come and be its object, not the other way around. You must be an unconditional parfume lover to appreciate this wonder, as sillage and longevity are incredible (when our son is in our home, he smells it from his far away bedroom when I spay it on me ...). Everything is perfect, from the spray at evening to the drydown the next morning, after a long travel through kaleidoscopic gardens and landscapes. I'm 64 and didn't notice any change in this frag over the decades, except that like every really great frag, it is not affected by age - I actually think it is even getting better with age. So for my retirement I went for the 250 ml bee bottle of Extract, not really cheap (actually around 1000 € in France), but with 25% off sometimes available in the Guerlain Boutiques and their website, given the quality of this juice and the price of the tiny 30 ml bottle, I felt it was a bargain ... and a taste of paradise which now can wait for years to come to me ....

It's not every day that I can find an occasion to wear Shalimar, but when it fits, it really does fit. It generally involves subtle dabbing, cold weather, and walking around outside on a brisk day where I can enjoy the sillage and then the smooth drydown later. Like a lot of the classic Guerlains (and much of classic perfumery!) this feels like an impressionistic painting--that is, something to be enjoy from afar because up close it's all muddled and chaotic. I have come to like the weird powdery/acidic experience of smelling it on the skin at close range, but clearly this was meant to be wafted, leaving a seductive trail. The overall impression is of a smoky, incensy, vanilla leather. The huge shot of bergamot at the top does give a fun and juicy contrast to the darker notes. That said, in the vintage with all that original photosensitizing bergamot, the sharp and herbal aspects of the citrus peel (which have a completely different odor profile from the neutered, currently acceptable bergamot) serve as a beautiful connector to the resins and leather in the base, rather than as merely a fun contrast. At the end of the journey of the parfum, the final vanillic leather left on the skin is so beautiful and soft that it can definitely be appreciated close up--perhaps an intentional end of the evening sensuality! The modern extrait still smells great, but is missing the roundedness in the leather accord--whether that came from birch tar or the different musks or what have you from the original, I'm not sure, but the vintage is truly magic.

The bottle of this I'm trying is old. How old? I'm unsure. But old. It's from an auctioned lot of an estate sale. Yes, Guerlain is as French as possible. But yet...this fragrance gives me vivd mental imagery of imperial Russian monarchs, the Romanov family, bitterly frigid conditions outdoors, and the absolutely un-processably gorgeously lavish Winter Palace indoors. This is to say, this fragrance is unreal. It's difficult to even make sense of it all. On my skin, it's pissy when it opens. Vinegar-y, sharp...skanky. I believe the bergamot is shot. I've made vinegar from citrus peels....this is reminiscent of that. But it doesn't last long, as that evaporates, the smoothest, orris-y, leathery, decadent AGED tonka just BLASTS off. There's dry, matriarchal rose. There's golden dusty narcissus (probably not actually, but that's how it reads to me). There's INDOLES like mad, a dignified sexuality. What am I even saying? No...it makes 0 sense. But it actually makes perfect sense. Overwhelmingly though is simply...emboldened elegance. And warmth. Warmth enough for absolutely anything. This bottle is going to my mom, because Shalimar was always her signature. I have the EDP anyway, it's aging gracefully, and the EDP is FAR more wearable (an eldest princess, but not the Grand Duchess). No doubt I'll inherit this anyway when the time comes (though I don't care to dwell on that, but this perfume will be a balm for my heart on that day). So beautiful, beyond description, beyond time. A masterpiece.

I reluctantly woke up to the "cold" this morning here in Florida. It is in the lower forties. For us that is cold. I usually apply some fragrance before brewing my joe if I cannot smell my bed time fragrance anymore. This was one of those mornings. I wanted to wear something boldy comforting but out of this world feminine. Not sure why but my hand led me to my vintage Shalimar Parfum that sleeps in her Baccarat Flacon in her little purple box. Upon first dab I was smitten. The Bergamot is pretty intense and a beautiful eye opener no doubt. I was awake then for sure! Within a minute the feminine cloud of Vanilla, Tonka and Floral notes enveloped me so I was lured into looking at my rings. I put a vintage Chrome Tourmaline one on. I also looked over my scarves and decided to put a fuzzy Alpaca one on to complement my not so fancy but cozy waffle weave pajamas and my really furry slippers. Then I went and made coffee. I become more confident and want to celebrate my womanliness when I wear my Shalimar Parfum. This is when I love to wear something vintage. I also want to feel soft fabrics and hear soft tones like Jazz or even Ambient House music. I become softened and bold. A delightful place no doubt. I know some people cannot wear the EDP. I suggest you try the Parfum. I have a vintage and newer flacon. I find both much more wearable and softer. Give this gorgeous Grande Dame a try! She may delight you too!

I’m not going to say anything new here. I don’t think there is anything new to say, nor am I enough of an expert or eloquent enough to try. I’m simply going to pile on one more review of a perfume that has probably been reviewed and discussed more times than any other in history save for Chanel No. 5. Shalimar is one of those perfect perfumes. Everything about it is perfect; there is not a single thing wrong with it, and nothing should be different. From the hazy and gauzy bergamot top languidly laying over a floral heart full of love and devotion, to the legendary, opulent, and silky vanilla, animalic musk and amber base, every part of the perfume is seamlessly and expertly stitched together to present one of the most elegant floral ambers ever created. And yet, I rarely wear it. So, why? Why don’t I more often wear a perfect perfume that I love? It just might be too perfect. Wearing Shalimar feels intimidating. Shalimar was the name of a legendary garden created by an Indian Shah to show his love for his queen, and wearing the perfume feels like I’ve stepped into something more majestic than I can comprehend, that I am unworthy of it. I don’t wear Shalimar, it wears me. Perhaps I lack the confidence to own it when I wear it. Perhaps its legendary status has caused to me to subconsciously put it on a pedestal that I cannot reach. It’s special. So very special. Long live Shalimar.

There used to be a fine dining establishment in my town by the name of "The Colony". This was the epitome of elegant service, beautiful decor, wondrous wines and delicious food. Exceedingly high prices, but so justified. It seemed that only the most gorgeous women and powerful, exciting men dined there. One could often catch a subtle breeze of smokey vanilla-laden leather wafting throughout. Yes, it could only be one... Shalimar Extrait. Pearls and gemstones against black velvet or silk; hair done in French twists or chignons. And at the pulse points, a touch or two of Jacques Guerlain's Shalimar. Shalimar Extrait is perhaps "The Oriental", but it is also so French. Rather good to wear around food, as it speaks volumes, but in a pleasant murmur, such as conversation at The Colony. Drink your Champagne and inhale this love-inspired parfum and be content. So content. I don't think of Shalimar as a "sexy" fragrance. More as an opulent, seductive glance sort of scent. Never could understand what some smell as "band-aide" in its' notes. Perhaps it is some resin mixed with leather? It is powdery, but not like powder-puff powder. Just enough to be oh, so feminine. Guess I’ve said more than enough. Can you tell that I wish I were dining at The Colony, twisting my pearls and sniffing my Shalimar annointed wrists? Damn this is just about Heaven.

I purchased 2 vintage bottles one from the 80's and my favorite one which is from the 60's or 70's with the Marley Horse logo. The bergamont in this is beyond amazing! I only put a drop on my wrists and this will scent the whole room just from me typing, it's that good! My bottle is small but thankfully a dab is all you need. I love the civet in this I was not fond of it in the current Shalimar edp at first but thanks to this I now fully appreciate this scent and what is in it. I only wear this extrait on very special occasions or when I just want to sniff it, it actually relaxes me. I don't get too much floral it is there just not super pronounced in this bottle. In this bottle that I own it's all about the bergamont. civet,Iris, and vanilla. I love how Guerlain does vanilla it is mainly why I still buy their scents today. Plus I love the powderyness the Iris brings There is not much more that needs to be said about this that hasn't already been said except to enjoy this and the history it brings with it. I'm so grateful I own a small bottle of this juice. I would like a bigger one but for now I only need a few drops and it just takes me to such a wonderful place. All while lasting on my skin till the next day! So, I guess I wrote this review because I wanted to share my love for this classic as well. Adore it!

As TillyWave says, no real review is needed here. I like modern Shalimar, prefer vintage. Love eau de parfum and parfum de toilette and the older cologne, like the Ode a la Vanille versions very much. I'm not a huge fan of edt but only in that it's the last concentration I'd choose - it's Shalimar, The Queen of the Orientals and to me, it's all good. But the extrait is on beyond good. Again I prefer vintage, though modern is still lovely. It's not at all hard nor outrageusly expensive to find good bottles of Shalimar parfum from the 70s - early 90s on Ebay so that is what I have a hoard of. There's nothing else on earth like it. I am one who loves the smokey bergamot opening which is much more pronounced in the extrait than any other version. The heart is to die for - so rich, with it's beautiful iris, jasmine, rose, vetiver on a base of leather, oppoponax, incense, civet, tonka, sandalwood. The drydown..oh the drydown. An Oriental masterpiece. Shalimar parfum is what I would grab first in an evacuation. It is the one perfume I have never been without a bottle of since I turned 18

My late dearest ballet teacher and later boss wore Shalimar, and I still think of her when I smell it. I remember the trail she left when she busily paced through the corridors of the opera house on high heels. She was a strong willed woman, yet gentle with great humility, and so full of passion and love for the art of ballet, her dancers and students. Through hard work and the passion that she installed in me, I became a soloist in the company when I was only 20 years old. She remained my mentor and role model until she passed away from cancer a year ago. To honour her memory I recently ordered a flacon of the extrait and I was lucky to get my hands on a rather rare version; this extrait has also been produced in the flacons similar of the Mitsouko and L ́Heure Bleue, and this is what I got. The fragrance is deeper, spicier and heavier in the animalic aspect than the perfume versions which suits me just perfectly. Wearing this is my tribute to the Grand Old Lady of ballet in Norway, Ms. Anne Borg! <3

A comparitive review of the modern EDP vs a 60s - 70s acid etched parfum bottle in the purple box. One gripe I've always had with the current EDP is this strange flatness residing in the middle of each whiff you take. There is leather and vanilla and bergamot, yes, but these notes aren't rounded and somehow feel unfinished. It's like Michelangelo stopped carving David halfway through. Not so with the vintage parfum! All the buxom, heavy hitting notes are here, not competing for attention but working together to produce something plush, spicy, and full bodied. Everything is elevated, like someone turned the speakers up to 11. It smells kind of like big barrels of Earl Grey and Chai sitting next to each other by a warm fire on a starry fall night. Sweet and intoxicating. I have to admit, I still love the EDP, but it's a shadow of what Shalimar is meant to be. Every person into perfume should smell a vintage bottle at least once.

My impression of this parfum is vanilla, smoky incense, a bit of leather, with a powdery finish. Perfect for cold nights when you want to feel cozy. A bit more opulent and rounded than the EDT. Less cistrusy in the opening. This smells like a vanilla-forward flanker of L’Heure Bleue. CK Obsession is also similar, but they don’t get the vanilla right. Nobody can do vanilla quite like Guerlain. It’s certainly of a bygone era, and can be perceived as dated if you’re not used to richer perfumery. It may catch you off guard if you haven’t smelled something like it. A must-try if you’re interested in the history of perfumery. Perfumes these days rarely tell a story like this one does. It gets better and better the longer it’s worn. This is it, folks! Luxury at its finest. *chefs kiss*

I came across two f these last week at a very good price. Both are Marly Horse Extrait editions in a purple velvet box. I received the smaller bottle, the bigger is still in transit. I am curious to see how they compare, they are both from 1967. The one I have on hand has evaporated a little, but it is heavenly. I don't detect much difference from the current Shalimar formulation, aside from some extra warmth, and maybe more smoothness. Shalimar is one of my favorite perfume creations on Earth and I have many versions of it, so I am naturally thrilled to finally have this little piece of history in my hands. The Extrait is a must have for any Shalimar lover, please don't wait until all of these are gone. Just gorgeous!❤️

Reaching the shore of the base of the extrait is being suddenly wrapped in a fuzzy, golden blanket made of amber and night, warmed as if you have been cold all of your life and you just happended to notice. But the thing that really ties the knot in my throat is the huge, fresh, oily, animalic bergamot that splices several shades of green throughout the fragrance reaching to the base and back like the flare of green light in Daisy Buchanan's dock bleeding its gleam on the silky night sky of the harbor, an encore of freshness and warmth sailing against time and space to meet each other. I know there is no bulletproof excellency in fragrance, but this is in the nearest ball park to perfection.

I bought myself an early Mother’s Day treat in a .25 oz bottle. The extrait is SO much better than the edp, which I own and love (once the car repair shop smell has settled) but this...!!! NOW I get the sweet, fresh citrus opening and it’s very nice! The plush sweet vanilla, the leather, it’s all in perfect balance. The edp is fine, but now I understand what Shalimar is supposed to smell like. I can’t stop smelling my wrist! It’s wonderful. This is my fourth parfum extrait and I’m afraid my perfume habit is about to become much more expensive! And I realize that it may well be that with classic/historic fragrances, a parfum extrait may be the ONLY trustworthy concentration.

I've had this for years, but I'm wearing today and wanted to sing it's praises. So here goes; "O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior's birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O divine night! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine." Please don't think I'm being sacrilegious, I just think this scent is that amazing. I've always envisioned the three holy men wearing this when they followed the Star of Bethlehem.

Effortless timeless, ever so modern, sensual yet comforting... however, like the other Guerlain extraits prior to JPG, it only lasts at most 3hs... for something that retails at this price point it’s a bit disappointing but I have come to the recognition that almost all perfume (extrait) formulated prior to the WWII only lasts about the same amount of time no matter the material nor the concentration... the current formulation does not smell much different from the vintage, comparing to a bottle from the 60s, the current one only lacks some of the depth that can be achieved by maturation through time, so there is really no need to hunt down for vintages imo

Even though it was created in the flapper era, I associate Shalimar with the 70s disco decade, as this was the perfume my mother wore during my childhood. I can remember the bottle on her vanity next to the iconic black Erno Lazlo soap that was so popular then. It also reminds me of her disco date nights with my father. She would always wear this light blue silk blouse and gold hoop earrings. I have often contemplated wearing this perfume myself, despite the decades that have passed and the many reformulations. However, I always hesitate. Perhaps my memories of this scent and its association to my mom are too indelible for it to become mine.

I have a purse case with an 8 ml refill. The refill bottle dates back to 2002. It is 24 years old, and smells heavenly. Yes, extremely similar to the EDP version, but much stronger, much heavier on smoke and leather. And it's so heavy on the bergamot, it borders on being obscene. Parfum takes FOREVER to get to the vanillic dry-down, unlike the EDP. I would love to compare my vintage (shut up, yes, 2002 is technically vintage) to the modern one... BTW, if you really love it, you should probably stock up because starting in the fall of 2026 IFRA introduces new restrictions on citrus oils, including bergamot. For our own good, OBVIOUSLY. :(

I have finally decided to test it, and I'm in love. I haven't bought a bottle yet, but it's at the top of my wishlist now. Don't trust the opening, just let it sit and go back home with it. I can't stop sniffing my pulse. I cannot even start to imagine what the ORIGINAL one must have been! (When all frag ingredients were allowed). I wish I could find a vintage bottle. But this is still a masterpiece. Reference/context: I'm 49 y.o. grew up in Buenos Aires, moved to Italy in my 20s travelled a lot and I grew up in the 80s/90s fragrance world. Also, I test anything Jean Claude Ellena creates.

All of the reviews for this particular Shalimar speak of the beautiful leather accord, but mine (which was my mother in laws) doesn't have that. It's an incomparable vanilla, iris, citrus dream. Maybe bc mine is much older? I'm not a huge fan of leather, which is a real kicker considering I love Shalimar, some iterations more than others. But this particular variation is my bench mark of which all others are measured. I'd be interested in someone with experience with this decade, somewhere in the '70's, thoughts.

Guerlain Shalimar Extrait (1925) - classical amber - what has not been said about this famed #jacquesguerlain creation? Citrus Bergamot opening with an Amber heart mixed with Guerlain’s florals, Vanilla and animalic musks. This specific vintage extrait still has a clear Bergamot opening with the vanilla and resins richer and more rounded. A universal and timeless masterpiece. Reminds me of worn-in leather jackets, rooty cedar trees and freshly turned earth, and my visit to tajmahal

update 1/24/2022 extrait smells like earl grey tea in an expensive leather jacket to me. love in cold weather. dabs on knees under jeans is the best way to wear this. don't over apply. here is what i said a few years ago Lemon, leather, flan, creme brulee, smokey, vanilla, incense, and Earl grey tea. I don't get any flowers in this. My bottle is from 2017 and I don't smell any Civet, I think. The extract was my first guerlain, wow.

Beautiful Shalimar! The Queen of Orientals. She is opulent and wears her pearls every damn day. And in an ever uncertain world we must wear the pearls. Shalimar Extrait is my favorite concentration. Even the modern formulation is incomparable! I have very sensitive skin and she burns ever so slightly upon first application. A perfume lover's Mona Lisa. You must experience this Dame at least once in your life.

I’ve just purchased current batch and must say it is distinctly different than my previous one I bought 5-6 years ago. The current Parfum has a sharper citrus note right off the bat, the rest that comes after is a lot paler and less potent than it used to be just few years back. It’s more in the vain of EDT! Parfum used to be much denser/heavier. I don’t know what to think about it... disappointing.

Looking for something unique, mysterious, sophisticated, sensual and fascinating? Look no more, Shalimar parfum is pure and definite perfection. It’s dark, elegant, timeless and gorgeous like no other. This jewel smells of history, love, seduction, magic, forbidden things and desire. If Chanel N5 is a night at the opera, Shalimar is a night of unleashed desires and passion. Perfect, just perfect!

My Mother said this was my dainty, lovely little Grandmother’s signature fragrance. My Mom wears this when she feels like she needs her Mom close by. She wears it for strength, courage or whenever she is lonely. It is simply beautiful, like my Grandmother.

Lemon, leather, flan, creme brulee, smokey, vanilla, incense, and Earl grey tea. I don't get any flowers in this. My bottle is from 2017 and I don't smell any Civet, I think. The extract was my first guerlain, wow.

More men need to try this. Period. THE benchmark oriental. Possibly only vintage (1977) Opium comes close.

I bought a 60s/70's baccarat version of this - scored on an estate sale - mainly for the bottle as it's gorgeous and looks great on my display stand. Also because it's such an iconic perfume. I've had a love hate relationship with the newer formulas, I keep wanting to love them, going through decants and deciding, not for me. I am intrigued by the story behind this, that each aspect of the bottle is symbolic, the blue crown, the urn shape of the bottle, the whole story about Mumtaz's death...it's just fascinating. The perfume itself was a little surprising for me actually because it's so different to the newer formulas, or at least what I remember of them. There's no petrol / bandaid / civet here. It's all creamy, buttery, powdery florals and tonka. Opening now a touch dated, but you can tell that in it's time, this was definitely a luxury. Like someone said below, it smells regal. Beautiful sophisticated dry-down, and the more I smell it the more I like it, but I have to say I find myself craving that dirtiness that is so symbolic, (based on notes - perhaps only later on became symbolic?) The same dirtiness that usually ends up putting me off from buying a whole bottle. All in all good compromise, a beautiful iconic bottle, creamy floral vanilla scent (sadly the bergamot has mostly evaporated through age). I will probably keep trying to love the newer formulas, like some madwoman. (Love the french lady few reviews below flipping out about the newer versions btw! Worth a google translation :)

I inherited this perfume reminds me of looking through my mother's vanity; opening all the pretty bottles. It's oil-smudged rubber falcon & golden label, & the way the lid is carved into little "pinch" shapes like a dumpling begs to be opened lol. The aroma to me is mature, but doesn't remind me of some department store the way some complex perfumes do. Smells like something I'd wear to a NYC party in the early 90s although I'm not a fan of 'nighttime' scents bc I never wanted to smell like I had just left the club, but the posh soho party this scent suggests is different lol. Since my bottle is old, very old, mine may smell different. It was a gift from my mother's first marriage & she's on her third and final, so my bottle's more than 30-40 years old. It's powdery, but not too powdery; spicy, but not too spicy; incense, but not too..you get the idea. It's a little sharp for me. I'd have to find the perfect environment for it, but it's mixed masterfully well.

The current version might be better named "Sahilamr", since it's so disappointing and unrecognisable. The original Shalimar (recreated vintage smelled at Osmothèque) has a dark base that smells smoky, animalic, leathery, resinous. Not a minuscule trace of any of that in the current extrait. And this "extrait" concentration, with more than 30 dabs with the stopper, performs mostly as an EDT: light, fleeting, baseless, amorphous. Put it in another bottle and it can totally be a Jo Malone perfume called "Bergamot Vanilla". It's a shame that the masterpiece is long gone. Surely IFRA is to blame, but Guerlain as well: if they could make a decent version of Mitsouko that still manages to smell wonderful, why can't they put their heart into it and do the same with Shalimar, instead of just bottling an anaemic vanilla dilution and selling it as "Shalimar Extrait"?

Shalimar extrait is a total animal - civet and leather are most prominent. It's dirty in the BEST way. Of course, that means the above note pyramid is missing a lot. This is the most buttery iris. The vanilla is dry and woody, like an old book. I don't get any citrus, as it has probably evaporated from my old bottle. Sillage is hard to determine; a dab is not overwhelmingly strong on myself, but I'm sure it leaves quite a trail. Longevity is stellar. The extrait is of course excellent for that touch of vintage glamour as you dab the ambery elixir in special places. I save it for special occasions and pampered evenings in, and it never gets old.

I'm not sure if this is what I actually sampled, but the tiny cubic tester from the boutique prints "Shalimar Parfum" even though they don't sell it 🤷🏻 First of all, the sourness is absolutely PUNGENT unlike any other version I've tried, then it remained strong and slightly unpleasant until the drydown, which has a touch of that "golden age" civet reminiscent of a rich grandma. It's definitely more opulent than other versions and extremely warm and comforting towards the end, but the "scare" of the first hour makes me recoil. 😖

I have what I believe to be 90s vintage parfum mini (5ml). It has the alternate bottle design. It has less of a rough start than the modern EDP or EDT, quite enjoyable! I am starting to find, like many others on here, that sometimes the vintages are actually just more palatable than modern versions of the classics. There is still a noticeable leather accord, but it isn’t as strong as in the (likely 90s also) vintage EDT. Edit: ended up getting an 80s 15ml which is beautiful for the cooler months :)

Classic iconic smell, good for a special event, sophisticated, powdery, light floral, vintage smelling, a bit of an aggressive opening but with a nice creamy dry-down and good projection and longevity.

It depends who wears it Its very difficult to make it work. You can smell the vanilla all thruout the time that you're wearing it, Its a warm sensual vanilla. Tho the perfume still smells like a grandma, its a sweet grandma that gives her grandchildren candy everytime they visit. It stays on your skin for a bit more than 5 hours and you can smell it 8 inches above the place that you put the perfume. I mainly smell The warm vanilla,tonka bean,flowers and for some reason mandarin. It gives me a head ache but if you're making sure that it wont be headache inducing for you then totally wear it its all about skin chem. I own the small one with 7,5 mls and I just lightly pressed the lid covered with perfume on my skin still extremly powerful. 6/10

Shalimar isn't a parfum its a mood. While its never been a mood I'm in very often, I do appreciate it, especially the opening. Where this goes south is in the dry down. I've never found a version that wears well past the one hour mark.

Un massacre !! Un massacre total avec le Shalimar des années 2000 !! Imaginez La Joconde totalement refaite au pinceau ! Ils ont massacré Shalimar ! Ce n'est plus du tout le même Shalimar que l'on a connu ! Je me souviens de l'avoir senti sur ma maman et ma mamie, c'était un Chef d'Oeuvre oriental poudré... Maintenant c'est un flacon d'essence pour automobile diesel !! Je suis furieuse comme toutes les autres !!! Guerlain doit revenir à l'ancienne formule !

This really is worth it - compared with the EAUs. I wore the EDT and then layered this on top of it. Pure Luxury. Reminds me of Jicky, in that you'd have to get the EXTRAIT to fully understand (& thereby even have a chance at appreciating) this little Cloud of Heaven. The EXTRAIT is literally a Cloud of Heaven you be surrounding yourself with

I didn't like it , is so vintage same to old classic shampoo , is sharp and creamy in same time it caused a headaches to me. If I like something in this scent maybe the vanilla , u can smell it when the scent dry down after 30 min . Vanilla here is creamy and royal . I give this scent 6/10.

I’ve always enjoyed the story of Shalimar perfume. For those that would like to know more: After being breath-takingly moved by his visit to the Taj Mahal, perfumer Jacques Guerlain was inspired to create a perfume to honor the love story when he returned home to France. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (circa present day India) in 1631, to be built in the memory of his wife and love of his life Mumtaz after dying traumatically while giving childbirth. Driven by undying love & grief, he set out to create what he believes was Paradise in the afterlife creating the Shalimar Gardens where the 4 rivers of the universe meet in the center of her tomb and to honor their love for each other. Created & released in 1921, the perfume Shalimar won 1st Prize for fragrance of the Year and Bottle Design of the Year during the beginning of the rolling 1920’s in Paris during the artistic movement, which paved new architecture design, new fashion, the birth of jazz music, innovative art painting styles, modern culinary and the renaissance in perfumery. It’s initial success spread across the world, something new in the industry. The perfume was all the rave hype at the time, representing a seductive scent of high fashion & the good-life partying. There was a trademark dispute over the name ‘Shalimar’ where for a short period of time Guerlain had to change the perfume name to ‘#90’, until they won the right to using the name in 1925 which it was re-released. Today marks this as the perfume’s 100th year anniversary. It uses at the time a newly synthesized Ethyl Vanillin which is x3 times more potent than Vanilla, which also gave off a deeper and creamier version of that natural ingredient. Revolutionary important for olfactory art because it’s one of the earliest uses of synthetic molecules that freed scent artists from the limits of only using natural materials, as well as being one of the first fragrances using what was deemed at the time as oriental ingredients. Shalimar became reformulated a number of times beginning in the 1960’s, destroying the original scent dna of the fragrance, including notes that are now banned by the EU due to being found toxic and allergenic to a rare group of people. This included banning ingredients of untreated ‘raw’ Bergamot, Oakmoss, real Birchwood and real animalic notes which the original Shalimar dna was based on. The original formulation used real untreated Bergamot citrus, which became rancid over the decades, thus turning retro bottles of this perfume unwearable. So because of the reformulation of ingredients and retro bottles going rancid, this generation will never truly know what the real original Shalimar smelt like. You’ll need to find & ask a Granny. :D The bottle shape was based as an Urn sitting on a pedestal, a motif inspired from the Taj Mahal arches over-looking the beginning of one of the water garden’s rivers, and a fan-shaped sapphire for the top which fans at the time were a trendy fashion assessor & symbol of the Rolling 20’s. Today, there is a 250ml bottle with Guerlain’s branding of bees which is the symbol of kingdom for France (69 bees to be exact *wink). The original hand-made glass was in collaboration with Baccarat crystal, where occasionally there are still Limited Edition Baccarat versions released in celebration years. One bottle is sold for every min of the day. And the Parfum, Extrait versions are said to be the best versions today to come closest to the original’s formulation, although still a far distance to what it actually is supposed to originally smell like. It is to also be noted that all the batches over the past 100 years smell completely different due to a new formulation made each time. Shalimar is also rising star perfumer Cécile Zarokian’s (creator of ‘Ani’) personal favorite perfume and the one she wished she created.

I just wanted to address the remarks seen widely across reviews of classic perfumery, including this one of course, about smelling like ' a grandma/ an old lady.' It must be kept in mind that some of these distasteful remarks reference our grandmothers and other ladies of that era who didn't always have the luxury of bathing daily or shampooing their hair, weekly was the norm if you had a shampoo and set, people didn't have much money so their set had to last. Many women smoked, some didn't even have bathrooms in their house, hence the need for public bath houses. Did this mean they were dirty and stale? A little staleness was perhaps inevitable for the generation who had their clothes dry cleaned and had to have a strip wash at the sink twice a day and could only afford their hair done weekly or fortnightly, baths being on the same schedule. Of course in that era, few could afford such luxuries as ' French Perfume', so drug store scents were in vogue, Emeraude being one which was similar to Shalimar and L'Aimant similar to No 5, big perfumes were the thing. Maybe yes, they helped cover up some unwanted odours and cigarette smell but people were doing the best they could with the resources they had available. These women were someone's Mothers. Grandmothers, beloved Aunts, strong women who dealt with things we haven't and hopefully, never will...Remember them not with distaste but with love and respect, sooner than you think, you too will be old...Back in their day, they were flappers who wore Shalimar, their daughters did their bit for the war, wore Evening in Paris or Californian Poppy if they could get them, worked in factories, danced all night, cherished their one lipstick and drew seams up the back of their legs with a brown pencil. They read books, cooked a meal out of next to nothing and they were grateful for what they had, a sharp contrast to today's attitudes where greed and vanity prevail. As to Shalimar herself, I won't add much in the way of a review to this magnificent piece of art which is the extrait. I would caution those who have nothing more to say about it other than ' smells like an old lady/ grandma' as that you come across as a dilettante and in order to truly love classical perfumery and gain some understanding, you need to at least spend some time with Shalimar, Habanita, Quelques Fleurs, Vol de Nuit and the rest. Whether you like them or not is beside the point, test and appreciate them for their art and place in perfume history rather than dismissing with ' Ew, old lady!" That says everything about you, not the perfume. Lastly, for those who want to see London back in the late 1960's and what public bath houses were like and how many Londoners had to live, there's a great film on YouTube called Deep End with Jane Asher and John Moulder Brown.

I’m overcome with emotion every time I wear Shalimar Parfum. It is rare that just a smell can move you to tears — especially one without any memories or a loved one attached to it. This is how she moves me. I have a vintage 1995 bottle and have every intention of expanding my collection of Shalimar with more vintage finds (for a reasonable price of course, although I would pay a small fortune for this beauty if I had the pennies), particularly pre 1980’s bottles. Now, how to attempt articulating some kind of description of this scent and do it justice... I don’t think words could ever describe but I will try. Bright in the opening with Guerlinade bergamot. Once nestled into the warmth of your pulse points... this is the most ethereal silk robe on skin after applying a beautiful powder veil, the clouds of it dissipating while the sunlight breaks in. This is the delicate iris and vanilla dancing and intertwining, the hum of bergamot still at play in the background. This is the light and the shadows of sunrise and sunset breaking through, falling on a golden ornate mirror frame. The silk of the robe glides across your skin with a gentle caress, buttery soft. The fine ribbons of powder veil with incense smoke still drifting in the air like echoing whispers. This is where the smokiness appears and weaves in and out through the iris and vanilla, subtle florals emerging gracefully — everything in perfect and perpetual balance. Once all the facets of this remarkable creation have evolved and are in harmony, the love for both this parfum and yourself are solidified, eternal. Everything is so soft, safe, simple, familiar. Sentimental and special. There’s no place you’d rather be than here, in this moment. With yourself during the golden hours — and Shalimar Parfum.

When it comes to Shalimar, I have champagne tastes on a beer budget. While I love Mitsouko and Samsara in any concentration, it is Shalimar that I have sampled countless bottles of Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Parfum, and while I like all of them, there is just something missing, We are talking over 7 years of testing Shalimar and either finding it lacking or finding it lovely, but nothing make me say "Ohh...." in that way that perfumes does when you finally find what you're looking for, when everything clicks and maybe you can stop looking altogether. That indeed is Shalimar in Pure Perfume Concentration (unfortunately.) I snagged about 4 mls of the stuff from Ebay for $20 and this perfume really hits the spot. This is thick and full and blended. It opens with offensive rubber and smoke and leather and bergamot oil, and in the middle are sweet creme brulee, carnations and roses and incense, dries into amber and balsams/woods/sandalwood and vanilla. Ultimately it is the middle/drydown that does me in--it is the most complex and perfectly blended drydown I have ever smelled--florals, leather, incense, woods... In the age of the topnotes being the stars of the perfume and the drydown being frankly, a faint musky drysheet, it's hard to remember that the drydown is the part of the perfume that you have to live with, and the drydown is what counts most. Shalimar is the drydown and what you have to live with, discount the difficult topnotes, well, that's what perfumes are now, all topnotes, so why wouldn't we know to wait around awhile? So. I love Shalimar in pure parfum. She doesn't need another review but really she's amazing in this concentration.