Shalimar Guerlain 1986 Eau de Parfum

Much has already been said about Shalimar, but I too must now add my mustard, for I am addicted to this fragrance. I bought this scent blindly because of the good reviews here and the scent pyramid.

At the first test I was almost a little disappointed: too smoky, too unsweet and tart, almost too masculine. Where was the vanilla I had been so looking forward to? But as it seems, Shalimar is demanding and takes its time. After several tests I liked it more and more. That's why I went up from 8.5 to 10 in the fragrance's rating. Also the mentioned vanilla finally came out. Not a sweet, killing vanilla, but a finely spiced vanilla that combines beautifully with the balsamic notes (I guess incense?). With time, this vanilla comes out more and more, especially in the base. Then the scent becomes slightly sweetish, which surely comes from the tonka bean. I hardly noticed bergamot in the prelude, and hardly any trace of the flowers, the jasin and the rose. These seem to merely support the fine composition. With me the fragrances of the base are clearly dominating.

But I found Shalimar best when I sat outside a café last week in the afternoon with a curious friend, a 31-year-old Japanese man, and sprayed Shalimar on his arm for testing purposes. It was a very special first for him, because he had NEVER tested perfume in his whole life. What the wind blew into my nose then, smelled wonderful and enchanting. And he also liked the scent very much. He thanked me afterwards 3 times that he was allowed to test this fragrance! I think Shalimar has class and style, doesn't look overloaded despite the opulence, and never annoying.

I also smell leather out, although it is not indicated in the pyramid. Not a strong-smelling black leather like in Tom Ford Ombré Leather, but rather delicate, butter-soft, shiny, cognac-coloured leather, which I also smell at L'Heure Bleue EdP, although it is not listed in the pyramid. This note gives the fragrance something noble, almost noble. I see before my mind's eye a handsome young man in light brown riding boots. With a sword. Yes, Shalimar is enchanting on gentlemen too!

What I noticed most is that the scent is there right after spraying. No smell of alcohol that has to dissipate first. A special feature of Guerlain fragrances, as a saleswoman at Douglas once explained to me. Which speaks for the high quality of Guerlain perfumes. Also durability (12 hours plus) and sillage are excellent.

My conclusion is that Shalimar is definitely worth a test, because it stands out from the crowd and has style. Since he is demanding, I would test him several times before making a judgment. Of course not everyone can love this fragrance, but I think it speaks for itself that it has been around since 1925 and hasn't disappeared from the market. I, for one, love it, and I'm a student! Not at all an old-lady scent.