Shalimar Guerlain 1986 Eau de Parfum

How many times have I tried to put this fragrance into words, to describe it? I’ve started and stopped again. It is so hard to do justice to this masterpiece with words... How do I even begin? Shalimar is not pleasing. That comes to mind immediately. But only in a positive way. Because who needs a "pleasing little water"? And the fact that we are talking about a true icon here. And rightly so. By the way, I am referring to the currently available version of the fragrance, as unfortunately I do not currently own a vintage variant. And I certainly do not know how the fragrance smelled in 1925 when it was created, except through a few hints from Thierry Wasser in an interview. But I have known this fragrance for many, many years and according to my memory, I still recognize it immediately today, or rather it corresponds fundamentally to the scent I have had in my mind since our first encounter (and never forgot). I am referring to the Eau de Parfum, as I primarily use this one, but I mean the scent itself in principle. The composition, the character of the creation itself. I believe that Shalimar is one of the few fragrances that has survived a reformulation or revision (if it has taken place - which I assume) well and without damage. That is a great gift, because the loss of this masterpiece would have been a huge one. Of course, like all Guerlain classics, there is also this wonderful story that inspired the fragrance. The great love story that led to the construction of the Taj Mahal alongside the Shalimar Gardens. Epic proportions already in the creation story of this perfume. Modesty is out of the question. Think big. Go big or go home. And that is perfectly fine. It just fits. Because Shalimar is opulent. Shalimar is deep. Shalimar is intense. Shalimar is unique. In short - Shalimar is great. And what makes this fragrance so unmistakable? It is, as is usual with master perfumers, mostly the composition itself. The interplay, the completion, how the individual notes and elements connect, complement, emphasize, and create contrasts. What a juice this is. My goodness. It is pure magic. It is said that Shalimar was "the first oriental fragrance." In my opinion, one can only correctly refer to it as the first WESTERN perfume with an oriental scent direction. Anyway. In any case, IT is an oriental. And what an oriental it is. Powderiness, as it is sometimes mentioned, I associate with this fragrance only very, very subordinately. Likewise, the floral notes. I do not perceive them here as solitary and characteristic on their own, but as a common harmony that contributes to a whole. For me, much more leatheriness and smoky notes are absolutely in the foreground. Animalistic allure at its finest. Erotic? Certainly. But not vulgar, rather mysteriously, stylishly provocative. Magical. And of course the vanilla, which never drifts into a sticky, nauseating sweetness, but remains carrying, connecting, and in a certain way spicy at all times. Shalimar intoxicates but never becomes exhausting. At least not for me. Throughout its entire development, the fragrance remains strong and present, but still personal, in my opinion. That is why I also consider Shalimar to be a true signature scent, like most of the great Guerlain classics. Thus, alongside L'Heure Bleue, it has also become my signature scent.
And now I am back exactly where I started - I am at a loss for words. Although I feel like I have so much more to say about this fragrance because it evokes so much in me. But sometimes silence is simply the more fitting way to express one's feelings. Therefore, I will conclude with the words of Jacques Guerlain: "To wear Shalimar is to unleash your senses."
One more note. I recommend everyone to watch the wonderful commercial "The Legend of Shalimar" from 2013. Just like the fragrance, it is a masterpiece.