SHALIMAR L'ESSENCE BY GUERLAIN

OFFICIAL BRAND STATEMENT

Few perfumes span ages and fashions without losing their aura. Shalimar, composed in 1925, is one of them. The first amber perfume in history created by Jacques Guerlain, Shalimar celebrates its 100th anniversary. To mark this exceptional event, the Maison is revealing Shalimar L’Essence, a new intense variation which concentrates Shalimar’s distinctive codes: its quintessence. A homage to the timeless modernity, daring and seduction of Guerlain’s most famous scent for women.

“To wear Shalimar is to let your senses take over.”
Jacques Guerlain

More than a perfume, Shalimar L’Essence is a declaration of love. One made by Delphine Jelk, Guerlain Director of Perfume Creation and Perfumer, to the Maison’s heritage icon, and specifically to its most emblematic note. The cornerstone of its scent, the secret of its universal seduction: vanilla. Tender and sensual, enveloping and seductive, the precious pod is a symbol of Guerlain’s palette. An essential element in the Guerlinade that distinguishes many of the Maison’s fragrances.

Guerlain has reinterpreted the logo of its iconic bottle for Shalimar L’Essence. A nod to Art Deco, the artistic movement contemporary to Shalimar. Assembled in a bold graphic logo, the letters are crafted in a golden shade reminiscent of the perfume itself. Firmly anchored in its history yet unmistakably contemporary, this bottle forms a bridge between the eternal Shalimar and its future iteration.

bergamot

rose
ethyl vanillin
iris

burbon vanilla

6-8 hours on skin
About a day on clothes
Projection is soft to moderate

MY THOUGHTS

Shalimar L’Essence: not your expected modern interpretation of the Guerlain classic. To me this release is clear showcase of what happens when a classic looses its soul and becomes the definiton of an empty shell. A disappointing evolution.

I find myself in complete agreement with quite few of the fellow fragrance enthusiasts who have voiced their concerns about this iteration of Shalimar. What we have here is essentially looks like Shalimar. But it doesn’t either, at the same time. Yesterday I quickly sprayed it on my hand from friend’s bottle and I got a watered-down, prosaic interpretation of Shalimar Vanilla Plantifolia. Shalimar L’Essence is just utterly basic, scraped off all the sharp edges non-sweet vanilla with vague association.

It seems to be tailored for those just beginning their fragrance journey rather than appreciating the complexity that made the original legendary bestseller for 100 years. Need I remind you, this is the scent they chose to release for 100 years anniversary of Shalimar! THIS? One dimentional and flat for the lack of better words. We are presented with simple dessert vanilla that lacks any compelling narrative. Missing the iconic backbone of guerlinade with its acidity, sandpapery texture, this reformulation has complete lack of structural integrity of a Shalimar.

FIY, to my nose this is the most disconnected and disjointed flanker of Shalimar series. And I am not a die hard fan of original either (I do appreciate it still). With Shalimar I enjoy edt over edp, love Souflee and adore Millesime Iris. I strongly believe that Millesime Vanilla flanker put Shalimar back to the peak of sales rotation for the brand. But this… WTF, seriously.