Guerlain has launched Shalimar Ode à la Vanille, a new limited edition variation on their iconic Shalimar fragrance for women.
Shalimar Ode à la Vanille is an oriental developed by house perfumer Thierry Wasser, and features vanilla from Madagascar and Mayotte that has been infused for 4 years. Other notes include lemon, bergamot, rose, jasmine, iris, incense, opoponax and tonka bean.
Guerlain Shalimar Ode à la Vanille will be available in Eau de Parfum, in the new bottle designed by Jade Jagger, £61.50. I will update with the size when I find it. (via diarydirectory.com, parfums-tendance.fr)
Update: see a review of Guerlain Shalimar Ode à la Vanille.
Noticibly missing from the list of notes is the civet, musk, patchouli and vetiver of the original Shalimar. If indeed all of those heavy hitters are missing, then this almost sounds like an entirely different perfume. I for one am game to try it.
You never know what they choose to list or not list vs. what is actually in there. But I’d be surprised if they weren’t trying to make this a more modern version…which is ok with me, I liked Eau Legere.
I’m betting the size is 30ml or 50ml. more likely 50, but the bottle looks small.
and seen as it’s limited edition it won’t be available everywhere or in big qunatities. but if it does actually smell more like vanilla I’d like to try it.
they’re also listing a larger bottle for £88 so maybe 50ml and 100ml?
£88?? I haven’t looked anywhere for the prices but that definitley sounds like 100ml to me, and yeah the £61.50 I guess is the 50ml.
Guerlains don’t generally work for me, and opoponax is a tricky note for me as well… but I have to say, that is some gorgeous packaging!
I love you EST! 😀
Yes it is!
I am quite the opposite E. Just about every Guerlain I try, I adore. One notable exception is Shalimar. Though I admire it, I just don’t enjoy wearing it. I think I’ve tried it in all of its forms, and the vintage perfume did work the best, but I just don’t love it.
Rustic, I’m with you. Love so many Guerlains, but Shalimar does not work! This Ode sounds infinitely better to me, and I’d be eager to try it.
Ditto!!!
Who said opoponax!?! I suppose I must test this now 😉
I’ve never smelled Shalimar. Shame on me huh?
Hey, it isn’t like it’s hard to find! Although vintage is best, as usual.
This is true. 🙂
I will remedy this. Vintage extrait is on its way. 🙂
Oh thanks so much Julia! 🙂
Hmm… is that a request to be showered with samples of Shalimar? 😉
HA! Not hard to do around here huh?
Ack – I still owe you some l’Heure Bleue~!
I thought I owed you some L’HB!? Maybe that’s Tamara. I promise I haven’t forgotten!
All right, where’s Daisy? Sign me up for this one!
are you sure it’s a good idea to encourage me like that??
Daisy, you’re the perfume angel. You need no encouragement!
😉
Ha! the CEO claims I need a big dose of DIScouragement. 😉
and—I caught him looking in my perfume cabinet last night!!! I doubt he was scoping out the collection for Christmas gift ideas….more like a few upcoming comments about how I have “more than enough perfume”….you’d think he’d get tired of saying those sorts of things.
It’s all about perspective… my hubby has a massive LP collection, and, since reminding him of this a few months ago, no longer flinches at my perfume purchases.
Anyway, maybe this is a sign that I should try and host my first split!
lOL –yep, I’m fond of opening the garage door and pointing at his ’65 Corvette …….quiets things down right away 🙂
Daisy
Hubbies never learn! Seem to think they can be in charge of our perfume. Silly! (Slaps hand away!)
yes, and yet we keep them around because they do the iccky jobs like cutting grass and taking out the garbage…..
I just called the boutique in NYC and while it’s supposed to be available in Europe on Oct. 2, it won’t be in the US until the end of October. At which time Dee and I can arm wrestle over who gets to host 😉
My hubby plays golf…and between the club membership, tournaments, something called a “Sky Caddy” and other acoutrements, I have some leeway. Good thing too.
Well, whichever one of you hosts, count me in!
Daisy – this is the time for you to create your secret “Bat Cave” to store the bulk of your fragrances. What a husband (or partner) never knows is best for everyone involved, lol! I have my main drawer, but I also have a secret drawer full of backups and other lovelies. My husband always says I hide things from him in plain sight, but there is lots to hide. Camoflage is best.
If anyone hosts a split of this one, then I’d like to be in on it please.
I already have mine on order. Can’t wait to get my hands on it. What could be better then more Vanilla in Shalimar!
Oh! Having palapatations! *fans self*
OY!! Shalimar has never been my friend….it reads like I should love it…..I would like to love it. (I love their bottles! ) Of course they’re waving all those vanilla-promises under my nose…you know I’m going to have to give it a go! (resistance is futile)
My sentiments exactly.
Don’t you mean “scentiments”? 😉
But of course Alliecat – how remiss of me! 😉
Who needs Shalimar when you have Fifi Chachnil? I have both, but I like FC better…..
ME!! Actually, I need them both. I purchased a bottle of Fifi a couple of months ago and it is quite enchanting. So girly! My other girly fave right now is Nanadebary Pink. I got that one in July and I’m almost halfway through a 50ml bottle.
OG Shalimar is my favourite perfume of all time (why else would I live on Shalimar Drive?) but I’m sure I will spring for a bottle of this to go along with my Eau Legere.
ahhhhhhh….Fifi !!
I was having so much fun making labels for my decant of it I had a fleeting thought of fififififi in italic script tattooed in pink all around my wrist.
Who needs Shalimar when you have Fifi Chachnil? I have both, but I like FC better….. Or Angelique Noire for that matter. AN is my fav vanilla ever.
I recently fell hard for a sample of AN, Ann.
Love love love AN as well. I must try Fifi Chachnil. I keep hearing wonderful things about it.
I’ll finally be sampling that Fifi Chachnil in the near future thanks to a certain scent enabling goddess. 😉
I have a sample of that Fifi that’s been awaiting cooler weather… but I think I’m going to have to at least try the Vanilla Shalimar too. You know I lurve me some Shalimar Light.
Sounds yummy! Going to go hang out at the counter to see the status of any samples. Would I have better luck at the boutique or the regular department store counter? Anyone have ideas?
Well, I found it. It is in stock now. How cool is that. Unfortunately, no samples. They are having an “event” at the boutiue today between 5 and 7. Maybe I’ll go.
You have to go so you can give us your review during the next random weekend posts.
Oh, I was sold just reading the name of the article. I was going to buy some Shalimar in the modern formulation… Just a small bottle, mind, just to see how it compares with the vintage because sometimes you just have to take one for the team and all… 😉
Who am I kidding. I’ll be on this like white on rice. I love Shalimar! This sounds delish, though I’m not sure what Mayotte is…
Mayotte = Pacific island
Mayotte is a tiny island northwest of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. It’s where Jean-Paul Guerlain has a plantation and the name for his fragrance, Mahora, arose from the name of the indigenous people.
Ah. Thanks for clearing that up. I’m still in my fledgling Guerlain stage and don’t know all the history and details yet. And am so not that well-traveled despite longing for such a vacation on brisk days like today. 🙂
I can’t wait to read reviews on this. It sounds so yummy.
OOP! My bad. I thought I had read that it was in the Pacific, and lazy me, I didn’t get out the Atlas to look. Thanks for the correction.
I can’t wait to try this! I love Shalimar in all its forms, but it never seems quite “right” on me after a while. Maybe this one will turn into true love…
I have one on pre order too. Interesting that the boutique in NYC says end of Oct. The boutique in LV says the middle of the month. Which means that no one really has any idea, huh?
Whaaaat? hmmm…..mayhaps I need to talk to the LV store instead! (they make better predictions!)
Where can you pre-order this?
I called Jorganne at the Guerlain boutique in LV. Fair warning – they charge your credit card when you call. I paid for mine back in August (it was originally supposed to ship at the first of Sept). Let me know if you need her phone number.
I blame this entirely on Thanna….I just called the Las Vegas boutique and reserved a bottle….shhh, don’t tell the CEO…..
oh –they’re 50ml and run $110 for those of you who were wondering.
LOL…looks we all reserved a bottle with Jorgeanne in LV. 🙂
Thanks for the info!
This sounds perfect on paper (umm, screen?) so would love to give it a whirl but have to admit I’m a bit worried. Shalimar and I have never made friends so not sure her sister and I will get along any better. Ever the optimist, however, I will seek it out for a test drive!
I’m intrigued by this. Usually I don’t like variations on scents that I already adore, but I think I may have to give this one a sniff.
Gee – Doesn’t Shalimar have enough vanilla already? If not, try Eau Leger! Maybe this is their way of resurrecting Shalimar Light without the controversy over the former’s creator(s).
Maybe the Bergdorf boutique will at least have a tester bottle by next weekend. I’ll be in the city for an opera and a musical on the 9th. If the CEO is willing to be dragged over there during the lapse time, I’ll be able to compare.
Well, if you can FIND Eau Legere…
But do tell us what you find out!
I love Shalimar and will definitely try this.
The only Guerlain I really struggle with is Mitsouko . . . I revisit it every few months to see if things have changed.
Isn’t perfume diversity a wonderful thing? Mitsouko is close to a HG perfume for me.
Mitsy hates me.
Pout.
Yes, but Shalimar hates me and I so wanted to be able to appreciate it. And as I mentioned above, when I tried the vintage extrait, I thought I finally ‘got’ it, but that was short lived. Oh well.
I am entranced by how Mitsouko smells but one spray and I am being suffocated by a shroud of silk.
I bought a bottle anyway (the newer reformulation, post oakmoss) and am determined to conquer – or be conquered, which is the case so far.
Ruth – the new formulation without the oakmoss may be your problem with Mitsouko. IMO, the oakmoss keeps it from being cloying and makes it fresher (NOT in the modern sense of dryer sheet chemicals!).
Good idea! I will try to find a sample or mini of the pre- reformulated Mitsouko to see if that is the issue.
God whatta B that chick is! Mitsy is one mean broad to me too Mals.:P
Its only availble in 50ml size.
Ooo – this sounds lovely. My SA at NM said that the Shalimar in the Jagger bottle that they have now is actually a slight reformulation since it is a limited edition. I have a couple of samples but am scared to try it (Shalimar has made me queasy in the past). It isn’t this, I know. I have to say that the bottle is really sleek and beautiful in person.
I have loved the idea of Shalimar forever, and have never been able to wear it – isn’t that funny? I think I have had a few bottles here and there that eventually get tossed or given away. I feel like I shoud be able to wear it when I’m 70. We’ll see if this one does the trick.
Hi everyone!
I’ve read this blog for years, but this is the first time I’ve ever commented (created the account just for the occasion).
I’m lucky enough to live in Paris, and I got a spray-down of Shalimar Ode a la Vanille today. Lovely, really.
Shalimar is the perfume that made me fall in love with perfumes, and I love vanillas…and this did not let me down. The vanilla notes are prominent, like a vanilla bean wrapped in a veil of Shalimar. The vanilla stays in Shalimar territory and doesn’t travel to the foody/ovely-sugary category. It has a lighter feel to it; this is a perfume that can stay more personal (and therefore more wearable is daily situations) and doesn’t enter a room before you do, like the original Shalimar can.
I’m really trying not to break down and buy a bottle…but I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold out!
alicia
welcome Alicia! I’m so glad you’ve joined us …..and also that you’ve gotten to try this. Shalimar overwhelms me so it’s very good to hear that this version seems more “personal” …I’m so excited to try it ; I’m practically hyperventilating!
Resistance and willpower etc etc are all very good….but I’m certain you’ve done something recently that should be celebrated with a bottle of fragrance….you’ve had a birthday, an anniversary? Oh heck, sometimes you have be creative here: I’d reward myself for cleaning out the refrigerator! Or reorganizing my closets! 😉
hahaha That’s just the kind of enabling rhetoric I like! My birthday *was* two weeks ago…AND I cleaned the appartment today! Sounds like a verified double-whammy of deserved-ness 🙂
If you don’t mind my asking, do you know if there is a way to get an email when someone replies to you? I saw your reply only because I was coming back to see if my comment had been approved.
Thanks!
What a nice presentation box.