Guerlain Shalimar Millesime Iris was launched in 2023, created by Delphine Jelk. This is a beautiful, easy to wear modern iris-centric Shalimar. Notes of Bergamot, Italian Orris Root, Madagascar Vanilla, Caramel, Vanillin and Musk. This is the EDP, eau de parfum.
From the brand - "This Year Highlights Iris Palida: This year Guerlain Selected a rare variety of iris called “Iris Palida”, Shalimar Millesime Iris not only retains Shalimar’s signature bergamot base, but also adds a powdery vibe. In addition, the fragrance combines rose, and white musk, allowing one to feel the presence of the iris in these notes, resulting in a floral and silky fragrance."
Fragrantica - "Blind buy with no regrets - this is a delicious, light and airy vanilla iris well rounded out by the caramel and Shalimar core. The powder and sweetness aren't overly cloying or saccharine. As others have noted, it's an easy wear."
Fragrantica - "I am absolutely shocked to say this is one of my favorite Guerlains in terms of how much I enjoy wearing it. It feels so bizarre unexpected and a little uncomfortable to love it this much after having had and loved so many of the discontinued favorites of both vintage shalimar as well as so many flankers and the Les Elixirs Charnels line and DSV and so many of the other great guerlain vanillas I have loved for so long… It’s a vanilla scent, with a lot of beautifully soft iris - and a hint of Shalimar."
Fragrantica - "a beautiful greenness of iris led to some leather-ish incense (as some user have mentioned.), and not without their both presences. This phase is sophisticatedly dry and raw, contrasting against the caramel-vanilla back ground which I've once loathed (as my first review below.) in a harmony. And, yes, such balance of bitter and sweet, we once called it "oriental." I regretted what I had said just because of my the caramel issue. Now I have to say, this limited edition IS just the modern render of classic Shalimar - albeit the less-to-mere bergamot, and the highly simplified base note. Without the resin ensemble, SMI smells inevitably streamlined. Nevertheless enjoyable for a mild vintage Guerlain snob like me. "
