Guerlain Shalimar Souffle Intense (Thierry Wasser) 2017-New Perfume Review + It’s That Good! Draw

 Ad for Shalimar Souffle 2014 © Guerlain

As an early adapter of the original Shalimar Souffle in 2014, and as a confirmed hardcore “Guerlainiac”, I have been vibrating at a higher frequency awaiting the new Shalimar Souffle Intense 2017 release. My wait is over and honestly it was worth every moment of delicious anticipation. The original Shalimar Souffle (pronounced SOO-fluh meaning “a soft breath”) released as a Shalimar flanker in 2014 was divisive in that it had little relation to classic Shalimar, and might have been better served to have been released as an Aqua Allegoria Cologne.

Roy Lichtenstein©

Perfume drama can go from 0 to 100 in no time at all, and the buzz about Shalimar Souffle hit a fever pitch. Perfumistas were scandalized and clutching imaginary pearls in shock, many quickly dismissed it as the “nail-in-the-coffin” dumbing down and clear demise of Maison Guerlain. Personally I loved it, and fearing a quick discontinuation immediately bought multiple bottles. Much to everyone’s surprise it went on to be a commercial success, with new limited-edition bottles released every year hence. It has since become the darling of the Duty-Free. So now along comes a flanker to the flanker, an “Intense” version.

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring 2009, Paris

“Shalimar Souffle Intense, a new Eau de Parfum created by Guerlain. A sensual and enchanting creation to be worn like a precious jewel. Thierry Wasser has breathed new life into this legendary perfume, taking it to the heights of sensuality. To emphasize and give to the vanilla its oriental side, Thierry Wasser combined Tahitian Vanilla with Vanilla from Madagascar. A carnal facet reveals itself when the sensuality of the vanilla meets the orientalism of the balm tolu” –Guerlain

 Lucille Prache’s  beautiful Illustration of 1925 Shalimar and its ingredients. See more of her artwork at www.lucilleprache.com

Appropriately bottled in a vivid and breathtaking deep cobalt blue bottle, the new Souffle Intense stays closer to the original Shalimar DNA, which will please the multitude of Shalimar lovers, myself included. I have been wearing it exclusively for almost a week now and can honestly state I have reached my “VERY happy camper” status.

Tim Walker; Vogue Italia Jul 05

Flanker though it may be, it is a thoroughly addictive and delightful creation. Shalimar Souffle Intense is essentially much more of a very good thing. Amped up Vanilla, dialed back citrus but still enough that despite the lack of a culinary connection, Souffle Intense still puts me in mind of a creamy, toothsome lemon curd and vanilla cream éclair.The Guerlainade vibe is all there, and the extra shot of vanilla ensures that this is a very approachable and enticing perfume, and might just be the perfect “gateway” Shalimar for those who would traditionally avoid the fragrance for whatever reason. If classic Shalimar has never worked for you before you might want to give Souffle Intense a try. It might just be “the one"that finally converts you and brings you over to the “Shali side“.

Notes: Green notes, White Flowers, India Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom Water Accord, Tahitian Vanilla, Madagascar Vanilla, Musk, Tolu Balsam, Benzoin

P.S.A: Although not available in the USA (yet), you can purchase Shalimar Souffle Intense EDP through the Toronto, Canada Guerlain Boutique and they will ship to the States free of charge. You can contact them by calling during normal business hours: 1-416-929-6114. Manager Charlotte and her staff are everything that professional brand ambassadors should be; knowledgeable, personable and utterly charming.

Disclosure: The bottle and opinions are my own.

–Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief (I eschew Shalimar in every incarnation I have tried, including the 1925 vintage by Jacques Guerlain but after reading this review, I am convinced that I will finally cross to "the Shali side")

 Robert’s Bottle of Shalimar Souffle Intense

Thanks to Manager Charlotte Wolfe and the Guerlain Toronto boutique, we have a 4 ml. decant of Shalimar Souffle Intense Edp for one registered reader  worldwide, so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Roberts’ review, if you’ve ever tried Shalimar Souffle, if you are a fan of vintage Shalimar (or any Shalimar) and where you live. Draw closes on 9/27/2017

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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19 comments

  • Lynne says:

    I already have Shalimar Souffle, so it starts at love. 🙂 When Robert said it was the perfect gateway to Classic Shalimar deniers, this is exactly why I loved souffle. I can only surmise that the intense will be another love.

  • Xoe says:

    Shalimar is a scent I long to love. Robert’s review leads me to below eve that Soufflé Intense may be the version n that opens up the Shalimar world to me. I have never tried Souffle at all. So this is intriguing. I live in the US.

  • Shelley Waddington says:

    You had me at the name, Robert.
    I’m a fangirl of vintage Shalimar but have never smelled the Souffle or the Souffle Intense. You say, “Souffle Intense still puts me in mind of a creamy, toothsome lemon curd and vanilla cream éclair.The Guerlainade vibe is all there…”
    I say, WHAAAAAT!?!? Robert your writing makes me fierce in wanting this!
    I live in the US.

  • Jackie b says:

    I love the description of the pastry notes, makes me want to try this flanker on a flanker!
    I am a huge fan of Shalimar although not until late in my perfume life.
    And Shalimar Cologne also.
    I live in Australia.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I am sorry to admit this, but I do not own any fragrances from Guerlain. I have tried Shalimar a few times, but it just doesn’t go from the ‘like’ category into the ‘love’. Lemon curd and vanilla cream eclair might be what it needs for me to finally purchase a Guerlain. I love Lucille’s artwork. Very whimsical. Thanks Robert! I would love to try this. I live in the US.

  • Alica says:

    I like the very true statement that it is a fragrance for Shalimar avoiders. Thus very wearable. Vintage Shalimar is a MUST for me, the ultimate fragrance queen. Thank you for the drawing.

  • Watertiger1 says:

    I love and own Shalimar edp, but I would really love to try this one! I have been looking for a new bedtime scent, maybe this is the one!
    I live in Canada

  • Rustee46 says:

    Like Michelyn, I have never been a fan of Shalimar. Neither do I own any Thierry Wasser, of his vast fragrance creations, other than Limon Verde. But you had me at “toothsome lemon curd.” 🙂 I have not tried this fragrance but would love to. I live in the US. Thank you for the chance!

  • NiceVULady says:

    If something smells like lemon curd and a vanilla cream eclair, I might just try it. I’ve never been a big fan of Shalimar, so I would need to sample this first before I got carried away down the rabbitt hole. If anyone can make me want to try something, then Robert is that person. Thank you so much for the draw. I really hope I win because I really would like to see if this is something I would like. I live in the USA

  • Blu0rc1d says:

    Your description sounds positively scrumptious and I crave that double dose of vanilla. Paired with the lovely presentation (I’ve been tempted by the Shalimar Souffle editions, but not gotten my nose on the juice, so not enough for a blind buy) this sounds like a win-win. My mind links vintage Shalimar with more mature, sophisticated ladies, but I’m willing to get hooked on the Guerlainade and would love to try the Souffle Intense here in BC, Canada.

  • Hasib says:

    Nice. Haven’t tried Shalimar or many Guerlain Fragrances
    Like to have a chance . Thanks for the giveaway

  • Greg Sh says:

    Guerlain has a house has always been one of my favs. They continuously bring out masterpieces and aren’t afraid to go out of boundries to Crete them. Would love to try this scent!

    Canada

  • andrei.np says:

    I live in Romania (EU)

    I like the original and its flankers, and thought f wearing the EDT version, but it ultimately felt too feminine for my taste. I gave the EDT I had bought for myself to my mother and it suits her way better 🙂

    The EDP, on the other hand, is much more unisex to my nose, and Robert mentioned the Souffle Intense is closer to the original than the regular Souffle, so that’s interesting. I’d love to give this version a try, as it is not yet available in my country. Thank you for the giveaway!

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thanks for the review! Shalimar is the queen of orientals and their flankers as princesses. Shalimar is/was the signature scent of many including the Late Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. I adore the classic & iconic Shalimar from the house of Guerlain & luckily I have 4 bottles of the Shalimar (1990 era). I agree with Robert saying: It might just be “the one”that finally converts you and brings you over to the “Shali side“. The bottle color is wonderful like other flankers. Never tried the Shalimar Souffle
    Thanks for the generosity & draw. Pakistan

  • Iphigenia says:

    What I find truly appealing in Roberts’ review is the very part where it mentions:
    “Souffle Intense still puts me in mind of a creamy, toothsome lemon curd and vanilla cream éclair.The Guerlainade vibe is all there, and the extra shot of vanilla ensures that this is a very approachable and enticing perfume..”
    I am a big fan of Shalimar the classic edp and the cologne but I never had the opportunity to experience the Souffle Intense. I live in EU.

  • doveskylark says:

    I love reading about people’s love for Shalimar. I know there are people who just collect the vintage, who wouldn’t try a flanker. Here it was wonderful to read Robert’s review of this version. I felt his excitement and love for Shalimar Souffle Intense. I have only tried the vintage. I liked it, but didn’t feel the passion so many others have. I just remember it as a very comforting scent, one that I enjoyed wearing to bed.
    I live in the USA.

  • Tom Schroeder says:

    I like that this is an approachable version of Shalimar given the vanilla emphasis, and also that it retains the Guerlain DNA. If anybody can do vanilla right, it is Guerlain. I have not tried it but want to. I don’t own Shalimar, but may have to circle back around and check out the line. California, USA.