Shalimar Guerlain Perfume Philtre

Already reinterpreted on numerous occasions, it does not lack olfactory variations. However, Shalimar still offers itself a new variant of its scent. Guerlain decides to count us an unpublished chapter of his love story. Focus on Shalimar Philtre de Parfum, a 2020 creation by Thierry Wasser.

Shalimar Philtre de Parfum, a more powdery essence

Shalimar Philtre de Parfum takes up the main olfactory notes of its predecessors . However, it wants to be more sensual and plays more on the powdery notes of iris, while accompanying them with an overdose of vanilla. It all starts with the tangy and slightly bitter freshness of bergamot, now airy with lemon and lavender. Then, the iris, earthy and powdery, comes into play. This flower first blooms in a floral heart, woven of rose and jasmine. More discreet than before, jasmine gives texture to the whole while remaining fresh. Then, little by little, Guerlain dares a contrast and warms up its vanilla and coumarin recipe. Overdosed, vanilla reveals the creamy and syrupy glow of Shalimar Philtre de Parfum. The whole thing ends with a woody and balmy patchouli alliance,

A bottle echoing an Indian love story

On the bottle side, Shalimar Philtre de Parfum looks like its predecessors. Indeed, its bottle remains unchanged. It must be said that she draws her creative origins from exactly the same place as her elders: in India. As a reminder, the Shalimar perfume is inspired by an Indian legend. It all began in the 17th century, when Emperor Shah Jahan had a desperate love for his companion Mumtaz Mahal. Together, they liked to walk hand in hand in the gardens of Shalimar. Unfortunately, while giving birth to one of their children, Mumtaz Mahal died suddenly. Mad with grief, Shah Jahan decided to have him build the most beautiful mausoleum, in the gardens of Shalimar. Now world famous, it is the Taj Mahal.
The Shalimar Philtre de Parfum bottle was created with this love story in mind. Thus, it is a chiseled pedestal basin inspired by water from a fountain in the gardens of Shalimar. This is also where its midnight blue cap comes from. In addition, it also recalls the shape of the typical fans of the Roaring Twenties. If Shalimar Philtre de Parfum resumes the silhouette of its predecessors, it offers itself a new pale yellow juice. A small tassel bearing Guerlain’s initials is also attached to its collar. As a reminder, this design owes its existence to Raymond Guerlain in collaboration with Baccarat, which also earned him the first prize at the International Decorative Arts Exhibition in Paris in 1925.

Shalimar is one of the most beautiful compositions in women’s perfumery. Designed in 1925, this perfume is over a century old but has lost absolutely nothing of its splendor. Already embellished with numerous olfactory reinterpretations, it is still offering itself, in 2020, a new variant of its scent. This time, it becomes Shalimar Philtre de Parfum. So what about his new roster? How about lifting her little hood to get drunk on her sulfurous breath, inspired by one of the most beautiful Indian love stories?

The refreshing and aromatic start of Shalimar Philtre de Parfum

Shalimar Philtre de Parfum owes its existence to Thierry Wasser, official master perfumer of Guerlain. Here, he has chosen to give us a new interpretation of the emblematic Shalimar, while giving it a new face, sublimating its legendary sensuality with a more powdery accord. It all starts with the bitter and tangy breath of bergamot. Remember, in its first version, this one was overdosed and was 30% of its original recipe. From now on, bergamot is more in the background. Shalimar Philtre de Parfum contains, alongside it, a lemon that is just as zesty but more airy. Lavender, for its part, gives it an aromatic and Mediterranean facet, immediately illuminating this fragrance with a floral and solar glow.

The iris blossoms in a floral heart

Then, all the powdery elegance of Shalimar Philtre de Parfum blossoms in a floral heart. Here, it is woven with rose and jasmine, an emblematic duo of women’s perfumery. However, do not believe that Guerlain goes for simplicity. In reality, these two flowers are played with lightness. Very discreet, they serve above all to texture the whole. The iris, on the other hand, appears at this point. Its powdery notes reinforce the finesse and subtlety of Shalimar Philtre de Parfum. By using one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery, Guerlain intends to make Shalimar Philtre de Parfum another prestigious essence, the incarnation of all the nobility of ancient India and the force of feelings. The whole thing is also accompanied by coumarin, offering here more depth to this composition.

The creamy and sensual base of Shalimar Philtre de Parfum

While Shalimar Philtre de Parfum s’ impetus on absolute freshness, its base gradually becomes warmer. The chiaroscuro game initiated by Guerlain is a real success. Vanilla is played in overdose here. More specifically, Shalimar Philtre de Parfum combines vanilla absolute, vanillin and ethyl vanillin. Syrupy and creamy to perfection, it exacerbates its sensuality in a breath of Tolu balm and benzoin. Finally, a woody trail is felt. Patchouli brings more structure and character to the whole, while giving Shalimar Philtre de Parfum greater persistence.