Description from the brand: 

This intense eau de parfum celebrates vanilla in every form. Delphine Jelk has added the precious Madagascan vanilla tincture stemming from Guerlain's ancestral know-how to the ethylvanillin found in Jacques Guerlain’s original formula, giving Shalimar a new intensity.

Discreet and subtle, bergamot illuminates the floral heart which blends rose absolute with the powdery elegance of iris. Little by little, Shalimar’s amber note unfolds. Used in abundance, vanilla infuses it with new facets – smooth and woody with a hint of leather. 

Shalimar L’Essence fragrance notes

  • Head

    • bergamot

  • Heart

    • iris, rose absolute

  • Base

    • madagascan vanilla, leather, amber

Latest Reviews of Shalimar L’Essence

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Got my bottle today after testing two 1 ml samplers for the past several weeks. I have numerous bottles of Shalimar from various decades and several flankers, but this one had me craving its mystery. So I bit the bullet and got the 90 ml bottle. I love the prominent vanilla napped with this sort of smokey powderiness. It's gorgeous as it unfolds and has decent longevity. One kvetch: I'm disappointed with the cheezy plastic cap. For nearly 200 bucks and on its 100th anniversary, would it have killed this storied maison to give it a glass or even metal cap? (They do so on the AA line.) Nevertheless, I love it and glad I got it.
17th December 2025
298136
Most obvious difference is the lack of a pungent bergamot note. The powdery feel is a bit toned down, the florals aren't too prominent. The leather and incense is largely absent if not present at all. Dry down is pretty linear with a nice vanilla feel. Millesime Vanilla Planifolia, has a slight amber feel not truly vanilla. L'Essence is much more vanilla forward. I enjoy this one more than Millesime Vanilla Planifolia given my affinity for vanilla. However, I still prefer the Ode A La Vanille flankers over this.
13th September 2025
294455