Shalimar Philtre de Parfum

Totally yes and thumbs up to this one. First, it’s Shalimar, the Shalimar DNA is there and very recognisable from beginning to the end and I could not confuse it with anything else. It’s original Shalimar just dressed up with a different veil (and a beautiful one). Just to make the distinction clear between the other reinterpretations that were Souffle de Parfum which was basically not Shalimar even if nice and Parfum Initial which was closer but still a totally different perfume. I imagine it can come close to Sur la route de la Vanille series but did not have a chance to see those. So what is the veil made of. Opening is mouthwatering bergamot, more jammy and juicy and less on the more bitter and green bergamot oil side of the original in EDP and especially perfume version. So maybe that’s the lemon effect. Then the iris comes up with touch of lavander but don’t think it will dominate like Chanel 19 or Lutens’ Silver Mist type. It’s also not Mon Parfum in my view. It brings a vail of dry and more (compared to original) powdery note that just blends in. And yes it is more powdery but it’s like more powder on the original notes not a completely different direction. And don’t think « lipstick powder » bomb either. And then the vanilla comes out in a beautiful and more gourmand way all along. I don’t see the patchouli in there (which for me is great as I have a bit of a hard time with it except in Angel). It’s more cozy, it’s elegant, slightly more airy, less indeed the smokey amber of the original but it’s Shalimar from beginning till the end. A twist on the original that I find very respectful of who the original is. I think it’s great worn generously during the day and then the original Shalimar over what remains of it at the end of day and night.

A Wonder of Philtred Essentials... This 2020 Thierry Wasser signed Amber-Floral version of the iconic Shalimar has a streamlined, timeless yet vintage bombshell-worthy vibe. I could imagine Gal Gadot wearing this, a bewitching trail following her as she starred in the film Wonder Woman 1984, which was also released in 2020. Opens with a burst of citrus & lavender, but already the Shalimar DNA is present and iris is swelling through with carrot-leaning nuances. As it transitions to the heart, the iris becomes elaborated with additional powdery, velvety and faint licorice-leaning tones from jasmine & rose. The way the iris & rose are done here gives me reminders of Habit Rouge Guerlain. In the base, the vanilla & tolu-balsam with patchouli accents settles out very similar to Shalimar Eau de Cologne, and carries the composition well beyond average performance. This only gets better with time, both on the skin and in the bottle. Overall I find this most similar to the now discontinued Shalimar Eau de Cologne. I'm a longtime fan of Shalimar, and this version is no exception. It's a love for me. Enjoy! Update 04/22/25: Sprayed this on this morning, and noticed it's gotten a lot more vanillic and smooth. It's still a Shalimar, but the patchouli is done really nicely and combined with the tolu-balsam brings out a nice creamy near-leatheriness. My son liked it and thought that I was wearing an oud scent, and there may or may not be a little oud in here, or akigalawood. I'm loving it more each time I wear it. 10/10.

IT'S HERE!!! IT'S HERE!!! I've been stalking it across the world for months and it's finally here WITH me! The presentation from ordering direct from Guerlain was beautiful, I must say. Sturdy, crisp white box with gold emblem and ribbon, nestled navy box in paper wrapped in perfectly folded tissue - decadent and gorgeous, appreciated. But, alas, the perfume! Upon first spray it sparkles and is undeniably Shalimar - the opening reminds me almost like the drydown after many hours of wear of the Extract. But then it settles into something creamier with vanilla and sweet lemon pastry, green on the edges. Maybe after many hours (will it last that long?) there will be an almost soapy underlay? Is that a little rose? Time will tell, I just couldn't wait. For those that compared it to L'Initial I was hesitant, because that one was my least favorite (too powdery) of all the relatives I've been able to try. I'm well familiar with Shalimar's EDT, EDP, histories, and flankers Souffle Intense and De Lumiere. The sweet lemon cookie is borrowed from the latters, but the vanilla here is more pronounced, softening the edges and leaving it devoid of the 'bite' that Souffle Intense has. I'm loving this Philtre, and it might possibly be my favorite flanker of all. But in full confession I'm fearful the sillage and longevity won't be the royal presence I crave - I want it to stay forever, and I want it to project. Time will tell, but it might be a douser to get it there. I'm afraid it's already fading on me...

As someone who loves many of Guerlain's creations and especially Shalimar, I bought this blindly because there's no way to test it in my country... And I can't tell you how happy I am with my purchase! This flanker resembles the OG the most, which leads me to believe it has more notes than those listed here. The leather is toned down to almost nothing, and so is the incense and civet, making this version more wearable, but no less beautiful. The Tolu balsam gives it a subtle cinnamon-y note, which is detectable in the OG as well. I think the lavender lovers will be a little disappointed in this flanker, as that note is noticeable only on first spray, leaving the sparkling citrus notes to shine, along with the powdery iris and the lovely Guerlain vanilla, the latter becoming more and more prominent, at least on my skin. I find this flanker suitable even for summer, the lemon vanilla creating a golden aura around me, making me feel as if I'm sunbathing. Yes, the vanilla here is amped up compared to the OG, which smolders on my skin with a high dose of leather, civet and incense. All in all, this flanker is exquisitely crafted, most probably made for that segment of the public that isn't crazy about the incense-leathery-animal notes of the OG. Also, it's long lasting and moderate in sillage. So I think this is a safe blind buy for Shalimar lovers, or even for vanilla lovers. I just hope and pray Guerlain will never discontinue this flanker!

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet! With the possible exception of Shalimar l'Initial, this is my favorite version of the classic. The vanilla, pushed towards the front, along with the lemon, make it so unique. I don't think I need to tell anyone here how sublime Guerlain's vanilla accord is, so I will talk about the delicate powderiness of the dry down, attributed to the iris. It certainly doesn't drown out anything else, but it does temper any initial sharpness from the lemon while still maintaining it's aroma. It is very chic, in a classic way, but with a modern touch. I have yet to try any of the Millésimes, so I can't compare, but it's hard to imagine a more lovely version that sells for half the price. One more thing I want to add. As much as I adore this, I will sometimes layer it with Serge Luten's Un Bois Vanille, and they merge seamlessly into a new, but similar, scent. The longevity and projection are both very good by today's standards, and though it is unisex just like any other perfume, it leans towards feminine in my opinion. Get it before TPTB realize they have a sleeper on their hands and discontinue it because it's not pulling in the money like Mon Guerlain and it's flankers! EDIT - after reading all these reviews, I realized it's far more popular than I realized. But take heed - l'Initial was also deeply loved, so it's hard to say what will stay and what will be snatched out of our perfume lovin' hands!

Shalimar Philtre de Parfum is a modern, almost cologne-like twist on the classic, featuring a Jicky-like lavender note up top that gives way to reveal the familiar Shalimar-shaped heart. Lighter and less ambery than the original, it is an interesting approach to a Shalimar flanker, taking inspiration from other classic Guerlains without descending into a sweet scent, as is trending in feminine perfumery. Philtre opens with a strong, natural-smelling lavender note that briefly dominates, masking any resemblance to Shalimar. It quickly subsides, giving way to smooth tonka bean, and thus it becomes familiar. Powdery florals emerge, alongside Guerlain's trademark powdery vanilla, forming a version of the legendary Guerlinade accord. The amber accord that emerges as it dries down is soft, sweet and balsamic - more palatable to a modern audience than the strong smoky, leathery, animalic amber base of the original. A pinch of patchouli adds earthiness. It becomes musky as it fades, fading to a dry amber-vanilla skin scent. Sillage and longevity are moderate. A softer, modern iteration of Shalimar that stays faithful to tradition, Philtre is a worthy flanker that is sufficiently youthful as well as being timeless and elegant. Transeasonal and feminine-leaning too. Millésime Tonka is my flanker of choice, but Philtre is superb. A modern classic. 4.5/5.

Ok!! - so I got this on the mail today, together with the Guerlain L'Initial! And they are both absolutely lovely perfumes. Of course, I will review L'Initial at the right spot. 😍 I also have Shalimar eau de Parfum (iconic, intoxicating, so beautiful and sensual, but so strong! I can only wear that one on my wrists, not near my face, even though I love it!) and S eau de cologne (almost like the edp, but lighter and easier to wear) and finally Shalimar Souffle de Lumiere (which is lovely, but not my favourite). Philtre de Parfum is somehow very much what I expected the original Shalimar to be - it has that oldfashioned dark vanilla, a little citrus and also a bit of that leathery, rubbery feeling, but so much softer and more smooth. This one I will not be so shy of really using a lot; I don't think it will offend anyone, or scare someone off. I just bought a 50 ml, but I love it so much that I will surely buy a 90 ml eventually as a backup! And then some. I actually never want to be without this! 💖 After another hour or so: I think this is MUCH sweeter than L'Initial: more like dessert. At first I thought it was the other way around! More modern to me, now. Still love it - they are like two sides of a softer Shalimar! And: I have already recieved compliments from every person I have met, while wearing this...

The best interpretation of Shalimar for the current era; particularly for those who could not get along well with the smokey-leathery side of the original. Well crafted, elegant and cosy at the same time. Opening is the usual citrusy start, similar to the Cologne’s but Vanilla is already there from the start. There is also the resemblance with the Initial for a short period of time (iris). Then vanilla is getting more and more prominent. The vanilla here is super soft, creamy, like the famous “Floating Island” dessert, still not cloying, not super sweet, but just gorgeous and quite addictive. Lavender is non existent. I can confirm the comments below regarding the weather influence - specifically humidity. I tried first at 24-25 celsius, very high humidity; performance was weak, citrusy opening longer, other notes barely opened up.and longevity was disappointing. Then next day back home, 28-30 degree Celsius, 40% humidity: super creamy, different notes were opening up, longevity and performance improved significantly. Can’t wait for the fall to see how this beauty behaves in colder weather. I regret only one thing - I purchased the smaller bottle....

Vintage Shalimar parfum is my absolute favorite scent on the planet, but the modern edp is frankly still amazing. The fact that Guerlain has managed to keep it up makes me paradoxically angry with them for not working the same magic for classics like Parure. Philtre is wonderfully fresh in the opening while remaining very recognizably Shalimar. The emphasis is on the lemony top note. It has the same waxy lemon-iris note from Shalimar Parfum Initial (now just called "L'Initial") and more lavender I think than regular Shalimar. It's overall lighter and less dense than regular Shalimar, but definitely still a very ambery scent. This perfume can really make you realize how similar Shalimar and Jicky are, because of the extra lavender. So, to me, it feels like a mix of Shalimar edp, Jicky edp and Parfum Initial. I don't think I'd pay retail for this and definitely wouldn't pay an inflated price once it becomes rare, but it's worth it for sure if you can get a deal if you like Shalimar, and especially if you want an all-weather Shalimar, since OG can get oppressive in humid heat.

As a life-long Shalimar fan, I really appreciate the creative efforts to keep the brand current and come up with new interpretations, but to my nose, Wasser's Shalimar Philtre and Matilde Laurent's Legere stand head and shoulders above the rest. They both build their charm around the light and airy, "less is more" approach, but they are by no means simple or linear. While the sorely missed Legere draws its freshness from the citruses, Philtre gets its wearability and daytime charm à la Jicky from the masterfully blended lavender, which I find absolutely beautiful and addictive. However, the real star of the composition is iris - equal parts confident and melancholic, but more modern than in L'Heure Bleue and more prominent than that in Jelk's Millesime Iris. With my half bottle of Shalimar Legere now slowly but surely turning, I am happy that I still have a full bottle of Shalimar Philtre to enjoy, but deeply saddened that neither of them will be replaceable in the future. Why do they give us these gems only to take them away in the blink of an eye - twice!

I just adore Shalimar, the original parfum, eau de parfum & toilette, the newer cologne and including this latest iteration that is heaven in a bottle, an amalgam of lemon meringue pie, heady lavender, royal iris & the most exquisite creamy vanilla fougere centric eau that is proportioned in a way that has revitalized the original in a fresh and modern construct, I purchased my first bottle when it hit the stockists here in Oz about 10 months ago, since then I have amassed another 4 X 90 ml. bottles just in case Guerlain decide to ditch it or if it becomes unavailable heaven forbid & I am presently searching for more, YES MORE!!!! This really is gorgeous juice, a fragrance that transcends all seasons, it is that special, also great to wear in concert with the pure parfum resulting in a Shalimar that would shake the very foundations of the Taj Mahal ...I rest my case, seriously though' grab a bottle or two or even a third, you certainly won't be disappointed, By the way, did I mention how much I luv SHALIMAR!!!!!!

Well, as a diehard fan of Shalimar I was not quite sure to expect after reading the list of notes. Lavender, iris and citrus notes!!!! I tested this fragrance in a 20 degree room. I eat fusion cookin and Im a vegetarian. Trust me it makes a big difference to how a fragrance works for you or not. Well, I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought it might be challenging but no. The Shalimar DNA is very evident on the opening but.....there is very little of the heavy, lush, sexy resinous leather base. Philtre is lighter, its elegant and classy but still a touch sexy. Amusing to think Shalimar was considered the fragrance of very bad girls when it first launched. The lavender, iris and citrus dominate for most of the timeline with the resins naturally the last to float around you. Not bad sillage. This is the scent of a woman who looks classy but turns into seductress at the blink of an eye. Very French. Worth checking out.

The most beautiful vanilla I have ever smelled. If it wasn't for the top notes which seemed a bit too lemony/medicinal (I didn't get much lavender, really), I would have bought it immediately after trying it for the first time. It was sometime in August and I greedily used up my sample in a matter of days because I couldn't get enough of that gorgeous drydown, which wasn't cloying at all in the summer heat. It was very sensual, chewy, addictive, yet somehow airy and spacious. Sweet, but still elegant. I didn't get much rose or jasmine, but I did perceive the refined dustiness of (what is probably) iris. No smoke and no darkness. It was bright, powdery, soft, with no sharp edges. I'd really love to try it in cold weather as well and I wonder how it will evolve over time, but I haven't been able to obtain another sample. Nevertheless, I truly hope Philtre remains available and easy to find. Such a beautiful fragrance.

Unfortunately unicorn but really special edition of Shalimar. Soft, airy, ethereal, lemony vanilla with recognisable Shalimar DNA very smooth and rounded. It reminds definitely on the original edp but also little bit of L initial and a od new Shalimar Essence. Similarity with L initial are prominent iris and airy feel on the bed of the original DNA, although this one is much smoother and doesn't have that sharpness of iris-citrus combo. It reminds me even more on Shalimar Essence with that tolu balsam note in the base which isn't listed on Essence flanker but I smell something similar. Essence is much thicker, deeper and balsamic but they share similar level of roundness. I have to add that my bottle of Philtre is at least 4 years old and it has matured nicely, it became more deep and prominent than it was at the beginning. It has decent performances with full day longevity and nice, personal space aura.

This is, in my opinion, the best Shalimar flanker in quite a while. I’ve never really managed to get along with the Souffles, and while I enjoyed the bergamot and iris of Parfum Initial, it lacked the warmth and depth of the original. Philtre combines the best parts of both the original and my favorite flankers: it has the effervescent lemon opening of Eau de Shalimar and Shalimar Legere, with the slightly raspy diaper-in-an-ashtray (but in a good way!) powder heart of the original Shalimar, married to the warm vanilla drydown of Ode a la Vanille. The only thing missing for perfection is the leather of the Eau de Cologne, but I really can’t complain. Flankers these days so often feel derivative and uninspired, but this one is a lovely surprise. I’ve only tested from a sample but I see a bottle in my future!

This is exquisite. If you are a lover of Shalimar OG it's as safe a blind buy as you'll ever get. I was afraid it was going to be too much of a copy of Shalimar Cologne (not EdC) but there is far less citrus and powder. It has all the lovely citrus opening, just cut a little short and a bit subdued, but still that Shalimar spiciness that just makes me sniff my wrist obsessively. I think it's the Tolu Balsam that gives it the depth that the original has bc of the leather. But it gets to the good part much faster. About 10-15 minutes on me and we get to that golden, smooth, spicy vanilla. And it is just a touch sweeter than normal, but not in anyway gourmand. Just perfect. Ahh, so glad I bought. On a side note, I don't get the lavender. Maybe, like another review said, weather plays a role.

This is how you do a proper flanker! This is still very much Shalimar. It has the citrus, the Guerlain vanilla, powdery iris, and something balsamic but no smokey incense or leather that you’d find in the edp which I also do love to bits! This is a dessert Shalimar; think lemon meringue! The lemon is the most prominent top note; and it’s a bright and happy lemon that is made sweet with the vanilla. The iris makes everything all soft and dusty almost in the best of ways! and the balsam makes it very warm, cozy, and enforces the fact that this is indeed a Shalimar! I love it and I hope it never gets discontinued. Very soft and sweet with a little depth with Shalimar’s personality fully intact. If you like Shalimar or want to try a sweeter, lighter version; this one is for you!

I just wanted to say that I am so happy I purchased this after it had been out for only a few months now that I know it has been discontinued! Guerlain makes stunning flankers for Shalimar, but they are here one day, gone the next. I'm surprised that the Millésime have been around as long as they have been! I can't get over the discontinuation of the L'initial line, which was my favorite. But I LOVE the vanilla in this one. It's not as in-your-face as the OG, and though the citrus is still present, the vanilla steals the show. I suppose someday they will release a watered down version in the now generic upside down heart bottles, but I doubt it will come close to this version, with the moderate sillage and good longevity! Adieu, mon amour!

Shalimar has become such a favorite of mine, I want to wear it all the time. It's better suited to night, though, so I looked into its flankers here on Fragrantica. Shalimar Philtre de Parfum sounded like what I was looking for based on reviews; it's more floral and less animalic than the original. I took a risk and bought it blind. I was lucky. It's exactly what I was hoping for. The vanilla and citrus notes predominate, which I love about the original, but after that comes a lot of powdery warmth and sweetness from the lavender, iris, and violet. My husband said it reminded him of a confectionary shop he's visited. It's just as suited to night as Shalimar, and to cool weather, but I plan to wear it during the day and well into spring.

I met the Shalimar gardens, in the form of Philtre de Parfum, only recently thanks to a suggestion of a dear friend of Fragrantica, to whom I will be eternally grateful. So, Philtre de Parfum was a surprise, I had no idea what it was smelling like, when my blindly online purchase has arrived. My first impression was of a fairly classic scent, with a modern twist opening, a divine lemony opening. This freshness settles on me like a honey cloud, vibrant and slightly buttery so that its density and slight imaginary hint of butter soothes me. I’m on a new journey of love, with this new baby to know. Big hug my dear friend, thank you from the bottom of my heart!🙏🏼