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Post by Erica Golding
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Hello my fragranced loves! Today, I’m pondering the latest flanker of one of the world’s most timeless, enduring, beloved perfumes. Shalimar has a new spinoff, and she’s lovely. However, the name is a bit misleading….
Shalimar Cologne: Eau de Toilette by Guerlain 2015
Shalimar Cologne EdT by Thierry Wasser
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, lemon, lim, grapefruit
Heart: Freesia, rose, jasmine
Base: Vanilla, orris, white musk
Yes, you read that right! This is not Eau de Cologne strength classic Shalimar; rather, it is an Eau de Toilette strength perfume that represents the emerging secondary definition of the word Cologne: A fresh, bright, inviting, lighthearted fragrance. Don’t let the term cologne fool you into thinking that this scent is a subtle, dilute concentration. Two sprays, and I’d be willing to wager that this beast is Eau de Parfum or even Extrait – it’s intense!
Shalimar Cologne opens with a shimmering lemon bergamot effervescence. The lemon is much more prominent in the first few minutes than any other Shalimar I’ve experienced. Frankincense lends her mysterious resonant signature, a woody incense cloak as familiar as a favorite silk scarf. Innocent white musk purrs at the base. As the scent wears on, the fresher citrus notes fade and the laundry musk really takes over, smooth yet loud.
On my skin, this scent has much more in common with the aroma of classic Shalimar than, say, Parfum Initial or Souffle. It’s still its own creation, but definitely recognizable as Shalimar. I’m not really sensing vanilla or any animalic musk, and the impression is lifted and clean with a whitewashed hazy roundness.
Personally, I like this more than Souffle, but not quite as much as Parfum Initial. I had trouble finding a brick-and-mortar retailer, so my bottle came from Strawberrynet. It was so hard to find that I wonder if this ship has sunk before it’s even had a chance to sail. Why name a new fragrance in such a confusing fashion? Even experienced perfume lovers see this at a glance and immediately assume it’s classic Shalimar in the EdC concentration. Shalimar Cologne is NOT cologne strength – my goodness, I said it already but this fragrance is very concentrated and intense!
Guerlain counters the world over have Shalimar Cologne EdT, go grab a free spritz
How do you feel about this little variant? Do you think it’s doomed by its confusing marketing? Are you curious or are you sick to death of flankers?
Until next time, let perfume help you appreciate life’s little pleasures.
-Erica
Australian Perfume Junkies 
I quite like it, I always spay it when I’m at David Jones.
On me it’s rather a citrusy vanilla scent with a gourmand feel. Definitely no cologne here 😉
Love child of Creed Sublime Vanilla and Lolita Lempicka L.
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That is so fascinating! I hardly got any vanilla at all. On my skin, this flanker feels like the vanilla was replaced with white musk. I adore the citrusy opening, I don’t normally go for citrus perfumes but this one is a delight!
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LEMMING!! We were in Guerlain today and I completely forgot to sniff this. GRRRRR!
Love your review Erica.
Portia xx
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Hahaha oh no! Well there’s always next time, good enough reason to go back out shopping, wheee! I hope you have fun with it once you give it a whirl! xoxo
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I need to agree with Portia here. I have to try this out, hmmmm. I can see myself layering it with a little vintage Shalimar Parfum don’t you reckon? A very tempting review. xxx
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I didn’t even think of that! I bet it would be awesome, with the extra citrus boost of the Cologne and the deeply sexy animalic vanilla musk of the parfum. Purrrrrr
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Hi Erica,
Loved your review! A cologne EdT had me puzzled too. I was wondering what that could possibly mean? Maybe it is a “homeopathic” Shalimar – the greater the “dilution” the higher the “potency” ? Anyway, I have not tried this one but your review (and Agnes’ comment too) are tempting. I am very curious! The photos are beautiful too (Portia?).
Azar xx
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Thanks Azar, Shalimar Gardens in Lahore and Rainy Delhi
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I think they are playing on the use of the term Cologne outside of talking about scent concentration. So many people speak of wearing “cologne” when they are actually wearing EdP or EdT, and they really just mean that they are wearing a fresh fragrance. That’s just my take on it, they don’t really address it on the Guerlain site. The fragrance description is,
“A sparkling ambery scent Effervescent, delectable, refreshing Shalimar Cologne opens with a luminous, refreshing and sparkling surge of bergamot, lemon and grapefruit. The Calabrian cocktail then gives way to a heart of freesia, jasmine petal and rose, brought together like a bouquet of freshly-cut flowers. The composition culminates with an addictive and enveloping base of white musk, vanilla and iris.”
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Not to be confused with Shalimar Eau de Cologne, which is yet another thing entirely!
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Hahaha right?! Why does it have to be so misleading? Such a lovely scent, I hope it catches a foothold!
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Interesting. Cologne structures work well on me. So does cologne strength, but that is a different thing.
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Yes, this is a refreshing lifted aroma, but it is definitely not a cologne strength – spray lightly and carefully or you will be nuclear hahaha!
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You know, I haven’t fallen in love with Shalimar yet, and was interested in trying a bunch of the flankers to see if I could find one that will unlock the wonders of Shalimar for me. I’ll try this if I see it in a store somewhere! Thanks for the review.
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This is certainly a friendlier variant, with less bergamot and more citrus at the opening, so you won’t get put off by the astringent opening that can give classic Shalimar a challenging first impression. Do give it a try, I hope you can find it!
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A wonderful, dashing review Erica. I like this one very much, although unlike you I do get plenty of vanilla. I also sense that it is slipping out of the market already. Souffle (which I find forgettable, I literally cannot remember what it smells like after it has faded) seems to be promoted a lot more. What’s with that? Why can’t Guerlain have a bit more faith in its own workl? I just hope that the prices of the Cologne will drop a bit, and I too will go for a FB.
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It is hard to find, I have just ordered two from FNet. I love this one, it is friendlier. Mr Bon Vivant on the Basenotes review maintains it is closest to Eau Legere. If I didn’t love it already that would be the clincher.
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