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bookwman – :
Bad, expensive bind buy. I give up on Shalimar, it’s not for me. I wanted to love the original EDP but it’s too thick, heavy, and animalic. The citrus throws me off more rather than lightening it up. I also tried Parfum Initial and although it is lighter, it is every bit as animalic, almost indolic (fecal). I was hoping this would be it, a vanilla version seemed perfect, but it’s got a weird sourness to it (more like sour milk than citrus) and the vanilla does not smell gourmand/edible at all. I actually prefer original Shalimar EDP to this. I guess I’ll be sticking to Indult Tihota/other Guerlains, even TBS vanilla, for Vanilla. I keep this in my wardrobe for the pretty bottle but never wear it.
coldlord – :
I was expecting to love this. Shalimar with an extra vanilla boost? What’s not to love?? But I’m really not sure about it. The opening has that gasoline/petrol/tar note in it that bothers me. It disappears after a while, leaving a nicer scent behind, but by that time it’s on its way to being pretty soft. Not quite the olfactory journey I’d been hoping for. If you don’t mind the harsh opening of the recent formulations, then you’ll most likely have no issues with this. Maybe I’m spoiled, but I prefer not to feel like I’m putting up with the opening, waiting to get to the good bit. Or at least to have a more prominent good bit to look forward to. Once it’s dried down, there are some nice vanilla wafts coming up though. I’ve got Mexique on the other wrist now… Madagascar is a bit more complex than Mexique, as you’d expect from the notes list, but the difference is pretty subtle, simply because it’s such a soft scent by the time they start to smell different. I’ve had them both on less than 2 hours now and have to get my nose right near my wrist to smell either. I often wonder what everyone at my gym thinks of me, watching me smelling my wrists all the time in between reps. No wonder no one talks to me… that weird sniffer lady. I hope she doesn’t try and smell me. Haha. Sigh.
franklinetmarshallc – :
I need to stop falling in love with discontinued beauties! When you wear this for date night it will follow you to work in the morning. It has that familiar Shalimar opening but less medicinal and with more leather. It is also less powdery. The Madagascar vanilla is heavenly. Not a sweet perfume, it is more of a vanilla amber while still being Shalimar.
My virtually anosmic husband not only notices this one, but compliments it! If you see it, get it; and if you don’t like it, give it to me!
gromkii – :
I’ve been trying for 8 years now to make friendly w/ Shalimar. Maybe I just haven’t stumbled upon the right flanker yet.
This particular version starts out well enough, but fades to nothingness too soon. It also wears ‘rank’ on me; likely not the right formula for my skin type.
Note: I have never been able to wear civet. This might be the clue to whom this scent will work for.
cezar-79 – :
I am not sorry I bought this as it does not disappoint. The quality of the blending of notes is exceptional. I can feel the vanilla developing into a more dark chocolate and powdery facet, the incense and myrrh (which here is opoponax)…a beautiful composition
serovsky – :
Unisex
It has more connection to Habit Rouge other than Shalimar , and is roughly what Habit Rouge when get rid of the old-men-ish flavor should smell like.
The same citrus opening, composed by lemon, with HR but presented in a more modern and less bedraggled way. A touch of gourmand vibe, ie ice-cream, is the key melody in drydown.
If you need a more modern or more wearable composition of Habit Rouge, it fits the bill.
Rating: 8.0-8.5/10
rentikleo – :
ok I have it…its sad its exacly the same bottle mexique has…
I wish they would be different…by design
gral1 – :
Mexique VS Madagaskar
Mexique:
1. Top: more fruity
2. Base: vanilla ice cream
3. Resemblance to the original EDP: 7.8/10
4. Mexique Longevity: 6-8 hours; original’s longevity: 10 hours
Madagaskar:
1. Top: less animalic and citrusy than the original
2. Base: more vanillic, almost similar to the original
3. Resemblance to the original EDP: 8.5/10
4. Longevity: 4-5 hours
I prefer Madagaskar as a guy, it’s more masculine and you get a constant blast of ‘Shalimar vanilla’ from the beginning to the end – almost linear, but good. The longevity is actually not good but still it’s a beautiful Shalimar flanker. I can’t get enough of this.
For women, I am sure all Shalimar lovers will love Mexique. It’s like your late night guilty pleasure snack. And yes, the “fat” and “carbs” in Mexique stay longer in your body.
-AB-
kinokoot – :
If you love Shalimar you can’t ignore this flanker.
It opens very citrussy but after a couple of minutes the most gorgeous vanilla kicks in and it stays as the main character for the whole time.
The Madagascan vanilla is my favourite in fragrances because it’s dense and super sweet and in this flanker is divine.
It’s quite heady and very cozy however longevity could be better.
Shame this was just a limited edition but I guess it’s still available at Guerlain boutique in Paris
oleksandr1512 – :
It is not really different from the original.I smell caramel,but not in gourmand way. The minus points are the longevity.less than 4hrs.and the bottle,they only put additional name on the flacon
assistent – :
„Nights in White Satin…”
Don’t ask me why this song came to mind, when I was wearing this wonderful perfume, for the first time yesterday. Well, it could be an age thing…the song is from 1967 after all…won’t say anymore on that particular subject! I’ll start by saying I had Shalimar, and had to swap it. It wasn’t that I didn’t try to love it, because I did…oh how I tried, but just could not get past the opening. It was just pure lemon..almost like lemon pledge on me. When the dry down finally came (which seemed like hours), it was just not worth the wait. So, when I read about this version, I was really anxious to try it. This is absolutely fabulous! The opening…a much softer citrus, perhaps the mandarin orange somehow fazes out the lemon accord), is lovely and fresh. But it doesn’t last long at all, until a wisp of vanilla pushes through. I detect the iris, and patchouli, but couldn’t really pick out much jasmine or rose for that matter. But that’s fine with me, because at this stage I’m smiling and feeling oh so happy! I’m enjoying sniffing this lovely blend, when all of a sudden..the most lovely and gracious vanilla emerges! Wow, what a beautiful vanilla! It may even be the end of my quest, for the perfect vanilla! I detect just a slight dash of incense, and musk. Not overdone, nothing about this fabulous blend is overdone. It all merges together so softly, but leaves you stunned by the beauty of the whole thing. Oh yes, I feel like I am sitting in a lovely old courtyard, in a soft silk blouse, sipping a crisp glass of white wine, at sundown…with Nights in white satin, playing in the background.Just a note to add: I wrote this review a year ago, elsewhere), and noticed the other day, while reading through some other reviews of a different version of Shalimar), that someone had copied my wording from my review. It was nearly the same, but some words were slightly changed, or left out). I was quite shocked, to say the least, as I put a lot of thought into my reviews, and couldn’t believe someone had stolen my wording, and thoughts. So, keep in mind, if you see a review similar to this one, on another version of Shalimar), it has been copied from this review. Thank you.
Piennasnids – :
Can you tell me; whisk one is softer and more vanilla Madagascar or Mexico. I have a chance to buy either but can’t sample them . I have shalimar .I have a feeling itself Madagascar but only someone who has them all could know.
Oh the SHALIMAR ,who can live without you.
джони – :
Meh. I was expecting/hoping for a more noticeable difference between this and “regular” Shalimar EDP. More vanilla at the very least.
When first sprayed (a good blast on each arm) I can’t make out any difference at all. After about an hour the Shalimar has more leather and the Ode à la Vanille has more jasmine and incense. But I have to sniff my arm to notice it. Projection-wise they could be from the same bottle. Disappointing.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to fork out the huge amount of money a full bottle commands, but was able to get a 5ml decant. That said, it was still more expensive per ml than my vintage Shalimar parfum! Oh well, basically I now have another travel spray of Shalimar, which I do love.
FreddyLumix – :
My taste in fragrances developed a lot, last year, when it was released as a limeted edition I had the chance to sample it and I was impressed, but I couldn’t appreciate it, as much as I do now but lucky managed to find a bottle recently.
Shalimar Madagscar opens with a blast of bergamot, it calms down, but you’ll get the most mouthwatering combination of citruses and vanilla there is accompanied by Tonka, a gorgous powdery Iris, smokey leather and balmy, woody notes. I love it! The image that comes to mind is a dark red plush, fluffy and cozy in an elegant, old opera house. It’s warm and inviting, complete strangers complimented on it while shopping, this doesn’t happen a lot, so I guess it’s big compliment to Thierry Wassers creation.
tolik_c84 – :
Oh dear, this is so beautiful…
It has all of Shalimar EDP virtues and no faults.
Citruses are sweeter and prettier, vanille is more intense. I noticed lack of strong smokey note and much milder animalistic note then in the classic version of Shalimar.
So it is perfect for people like me, to whom Shalimar EDP is sometimes a little bit too much of smoke and civet.
Vanille is almos perfect. It still is very “shalimar”, but just more smooth and feminine. 10/10.
Corsairss – :
Mujo thanks for your review.
I feel the same about this version of Shalimar, this is pure heaven and am I going to be blasphemous if I say I like this version better than the original?
Very hard to come by now but you gave us a great piece of info here about a new Ode coming up!!
Edit: I googled this info on new Ode and according to Guerlain among other notes it will feature plum caramel and chocolate, I’m speechless and dying to try it but will have to wait till the end of the year apparently.
valara – :
I unfortunately missed out on the opportunity to test the original Shalimar Ode a la Vanille from 2010, so I won’t be comparing the two. Instead I intend to compare this flanker to the original Shalimar, and explain my reasons for liking Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route de Madagascar infinitely more than the original.
There’s something surprisingly raunchy about this limited edition. It appears to be more animalic than the classic Shalimar, with resinous opoponax and a heavier dose of creamy vanilla. The citrus opening is more subdued, and the classic powderiness has been toned down significantly.
What’s left is a rich vanilla based fragrance with darker hints of opoponax, leather, incense and iris. Indeed this is a fragrance for those naughty women of the 1920’s. I believe they called them ‘flappers’ back in the day.
I have read many reviews that have deemed both versions of Shalimar Ode a la Vanille as the closest you’ll get to vintage Shalimar. Well if this is the case, I curse reformulations. Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route de Madasgascar is a masterpiece. In my opinion, it’s the most agreeable Shalimar yet.
This edition wears a lot smoother on the skin, and has more of a gourmand feel. Seeing that I love my vanilla scents foody, I can’t help but be enchanted by this flanker. I only wish it wasn’t a limited edition, released exclusively during the Christmas period.
If you have tested the original Shalimar and found yourself desiring more sweetness and sensuality, then Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur a Route de Madagascar is the one for you. The longevity is more than outstanding, and the sillage packs a punch. It’s one flanker that shouldn’t be missed.
alexxx7762 – :
I’m in love! This is my first ‘Shalimar’… and now I want more. I had tested it before, didn’t like it then, I thought it smelled too ‘mature’ or ‘old’. Now I just can’t get enough of it. Citrusy, fresh, then powdery dust with clouds of vanilla-scented smoke… Super classy, yet complex! Very interesting. Longevity & sillage are a great bonus. A true ‘comfort’ scent (albeit a winter one). I’m aware it’s a limited edition, but I find it not TOO different from the original Shalimar, perhaps a bit smoother/creamier in terms of the vanilla. Not necessarily ‘sweeter’. I’ll probably get the original when I’m done with my current bottle or when it’s sold out in stores.
Lisskoobonna – :
I got my bottle about 2 hours ago and immediately spray on my wrist and the shalimar edp in the other wrist, and was dissapointed as I expected something more sweet and really different then my Shalimar edp, I don’t know. But after about one hour I notice the difference. Madagascar is softer and perhaps sweeter.,
I like this version better and wish the Guerlain house keeps making this but I don’t think they will because would be more expensive.
boychenko1985 – :
Finally yesterday I got to take home a lovely blue box with my Shalimar OALV!! Only two boxes left so this is another scent I’m going to mourn for since is a very limitd edition and shops are not going to reorder when they are sold out.
As much as I love standard Shalimar this limited version is absolutely stunning, I think this is the best flanker of them all.
It doesn’t take anything away from the original, quite the opposite Shalimar in OALV becomes softer, more sensual, sweeter in a very chic way due to the Madagascan vanilla which is absolutely amazing.
Wearing this scent at night in the winter cold is the most upliftin experience ever!!
gaspar – :
To all Shalimar fans who moans about your recent Shalimar doesn’t smell it use to be, then you MUST get this. This is the Shalimar should smell like, even a friend of mine who doesn’t like Shalimar says this is wonderful. So go get this before it runs out.
Oblighblothsx – :
this is a magical potion! What can be better than Shalimar? Only Shalimar 🙂 This version is more sensual and feminine in my opinion. For special days and special mood. When a panther disguise as a kitten, but still remains a panther.
potreb – :
Help anyone! I recently moved from Milan to Bologna and I don’t have a clue on where to find this flanker in Bologna.
Does any Italian member know about this?
You can pm me if you like.
Thanks heaps
S180666 – :
Bought this today. At the Guerlain boutique I did not mean to buy this one as I am not a fan of vanilla. I confided to the wonderfully kind saleslady that I do not like scents like Casmir by Chopard and she did not insist that I tried. But then I said to myself: “Well trying costs nothing”. To me it cost the price of this beautiful beauty as I immediately felt in love with this Shalimar.
It’s mesmerizing as only Shalimar can mesmerize you. The opening has a hint of vanilla, yes, but so elegant and totally melt with the composition that it results in a very discreet addition, so perfectly in tune with Shalimar.
Usually I am a purist and would abhor reformulations, but in this case the restyling displayed a stupendous outcome.
If you are in love with Shalimar, do surrender to this version, you will not find that it’s been ruined or made unrecognizable. It is like a lady, you or me, the same old (or young) one, but made more beautiful, dressed in a more elegant way with a precious jewel on or with a new fitting lipstick.
PHACelebrex – :
This is an email from a Guerlain customer service rep regarding the differences between the 2010 and 2012 versions:
“I inform you that the new 2012 Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route De Madagascar is different than the 2010 Shalimar Ode a la Vanille composition.
In 2012, Thierry Wasser, perfumer house, pays tribute to this iconic fragrance through a new creation. Always looking for exceptional raw materials, he let us discover the most exquisite vanilla. This edition sublimes the Sambava vanilla from Madagascar. Fruit of the orchid. Infused for a month to captivate all deep and mysterious facets, the Sambava vanilla is overdosed while the leather notes of the original fragrance are attenuated. With this new orchestration enriched with an exceptional density of raw materials, Shalimar rediscovered more amber, gourmand, sensual and intense than ever.”
СергейХР – :
This new version is also called “en route pour Madagascar” and it contains a high percentage of vanilla from Madagascar.
I can’t wait to try it but I’m having a hard time finding it.
IckyAvatar II – :
has it been reformulated ?