21 Felanilla Pierre Guillaume 2008

At first spray, Felanilla brings up a distinct memory of the way Shalimar smelled on my mother when I was growing up - a warm, radiant vanilla that just makes you want to get closer to the wearer. Having recently tested Shalimar, I find it to actually be a good deal smokier than my memory of it. This perfume has no smoke and is perhaps a bit quieter and less sparkling than the grande dame Shalimar, but the general elegant and seductive feel is still there.

I find this to be a very alluring, sensual scent. Staying fairly close to the skin, this is the kind of scent that would draw people closer to get a whiff of you. Vanilla (and amber to a lesser extent)is dominant, but not in a sweet foody way at all. Hay and bananawood lend an aromatic woodiness and green character to the dominant vanilla/amber notes (serving a role similar to the citruses in Shalimar).

As the perfume enters the drydown phase, it becomes less aromatic, more powdery and I think a bit less distinctive compared with the fantastic opening and middle. Not being a huge fan of powder, I'll admit to a bias there. I found myself wanting to spray the perfume again to experience that opening even though the scent was still going strong. Still, this perfume settles into something both sophisticated and cozy.

Anyone looking for a modern oriental with a classic feel, should definitely give Felanilla a try.