Guerlain Shalimar Millesime Iris 2023 Perfume Review

Quick review for this year's Shalimar flanker.

[@ankemilia7474]

My dear I just cannot wait to see your autumn list 😘🤗💕

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I think I'm going to try to get it done within the week❤

[@Joss-Fragrance-Mixology]

Great review Wendi, sounds like something I can safely skip and be satisfied with the two planifolias💕🫶💕

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

Truth is unless you are dying for something sweeter I think the other two will suffice. So you are probably good. Nice to see you❤

[@wildernessisland2573]

Prediction: 2024 Shalimar Millésime Rose 🌹 I went on a couple year long low/no buy for perfumes so I missed out on the Tonka version. I, on a whim, checked the Guerlain site a few days ago and my heart skipped a beat at seeing a Shalimar IRIS version available right there. Shalimar is my favorite and I loooove iris omg. Millésime Iris is very nice! I do sort of wish the iris was a little more prominent but it is a very nice caramel perfume. I have and love the Vanilla Planifolia version too! Anyway, long story short, I'm waiting on my bottle of Millésime Tonka now 😂

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

A Rosey Shalimar would be my dream come true! I'm already excited for next year🤣 and I really loved the Tonka version it was full of almonds and leather, really quite beautiful. I was supposed to be on a no buy this year and that didn't stick ... I did do a sort of "less buy" though. And I think that the Iris version may change in the bottle to some degree. Iris butter never goes bad.

[@brattyberatty]

Shalimar is so epic. My 13 year old son was listening to your review from the other room, and said, "Mom!, that's the perfume that was in a story I just read!" Not the Iris, of course, but the OG Shalimar. I have a 10 ml decant of this one on the way and can't wait to sniff it. I have never owned a FB. I think I might purchase the Philtre version.

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I have a theory that Shalimar is the progenitor of all perfume and everything can be traced back to Shalimar:) Also the Philtre version is a bit heavier on the iris albeit a little colder if that is what you are looking for!

[@Indecencealicia]

I also hope they come out with something spectacular 🎉

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I do too something really provocative would be great!

[@fragranceenthusiast5790]

Good evening Wendi. I really enjoyed your description of this new fragrance, and especially the comparison to the more traditional renditions of Shalimar. Great! :0)

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I appreciate that thank you😊

[@programeditor1119]

I love the OG Shalimar and some of the flankers (esp. Millésime Tonka), but I was disappointed in Millésime Iris. At least on my skin, it was pure gourmand--in fact, it smelled just like fresh glazed donuts. Perhaps it was the orris butter mixing with the caramel? I just wish there had been more iris. My nickname for this flanker is the Homer Simpson Shalimar.

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

Omg no!!!! But you are right. It lends very one dimensional gourmand. It's a crowd pleaser but could have been done better.

[@kellylyons7611]

The hunt. The hunt. My kingdom for the hunt.

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I know the chase to obtain my beloved is almost as compelling as the procurement!!!

[@DD-nu8jt]

I’m a big fan of Shalimar edp. I’ve always been curious to try one of the flankers, but I’m a bit worried about the caramel note in this new one.

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

It's a balance while I don't find the caramel/toffee to be overwhelming it is mos def on the sweeter side!

[@Indecencealicia]

I agree with you I wish it was darker and a deeper Iris because tonka is really deep

[@ataylor1604]

I am excited to have this one, based on decants of the last two years versions, (because I was late to the game and will not purchase the planifolia at today's ebay prices) I think this one will improve with age. I couldn't wait to spray, and my first wearing I really got the caramel note, and was kind of missing the iris. I like it alot already, but I do hope as it settles from its journey and ages a bit, maybe the Iris will come forward for me a bit more. I know I will enjoy it, because it is nicely vanillic and the planifolia is a biiig love of mind. The Guerlain website mentions rose in the composition, but have not picked that out yet either, but I guess there's your floral, wherever it's hiding!

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

That's the thing too I do think the perfume might settle with age, I've had that happen, next year the iris might stand out more. It's an ingredient that never goes bad and stays true.

[@StelmaDesigns]

Hi Wendy, I am a new subscriber and I love your reviews. I have pretty much all versions of Shalimar but gave away my Souffle Lumiere as it had a jasmine note I don't like. I have many vintage versions also and love them so much. When another youtuber reviewer said this was released, I figured I would have to stalk the website every day like the last two times to get it so imagine my surprise when it was on the Guerlain website and no problem to order. I haven't received it yet but the reviews aren't stellar and I am not into caramel perfumes so I hope I like it well enough! I also wish they had a different color ribbon of something as it does make it hard to tell which is which when you have many on your vanity. oxJulia

[@nenafrances5051]

The stickers on the bottle are different colours - the iris one is dark blue rather than black so this isn’t an issue for me. Also the colour of the fragrance itself is very different if that helps? The reviews on Fragrantica are almost overwhelmingly positive (4.5/5 rating, which is pretty high for Fragrantica!) which might be a surprise if you have only seen the ‘disappointed’ reviews on KZbin. I almost didn’t get the Millesime Iris when people talked about it being too powdery and too sweet. I’m glad I ignored them and tried it myself - I love it. I bought a back up and might get another one. I have the previous Millesime vanilla and tonka versions and never felt the need for a backup bottle, but the Iris is my favourite by far. While it doesn’t last as well on the skin as the others, the autumn weather means I have long-sleeved clothing to spray and sniff all day!

[@StelmaDesigns]

@@nenafrances5051 Hi Nena, I am glad you like it. I haven't got mine yet but I still wish the ribbons were different as I have a dim bedroom , and old eyes and the black and navy labels are hard to see a difference. I do look at the juice to tell the tonka apart from the vanilla, but why make it so hard Guerlain? I actually have read and watched some positive reviews but the caramel and sweetness could be an issue. We shall see!

[@user-wb7pn6px8l]

thanks for your perspective on this one Wendy, what do you think, 2024 millesime "bergamotte"?

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

Sure thing! I've heard that the next one will be a rose focus but really who knows? A high citrus Shalimar would be nice too.

[@petunia23d98]

Hi Wendy, I considered adding it to my collection as I love iris notes but the reviews seem to be mediocre at best. I already own the Shalimar Cologne, Philtre and L’Initial so I feel like I have it covered. Every reviewer seems to be describing the new version as very sweet. With a few exceptions, not my thing. Thanks for your review.

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

While I like it if you have Initial and Phitre I think that covers your bases.

[@Indecencealicia]

I’m enjoying it Tfs

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I really am too! I think it's going to be a bedtime perfume this winter. Ty for watching:)

[@user-kb8fw5kl5b]

I think I’m going to pass on this Shalimar. I heard somewhere that L’initial Shalimar has more iris than this one. Have you ever tried L’initial?

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I have the original L'Initial and that one has more iris in my opinion.

[@Jenn_N]

Hello Wendy, It's good to see a video from you! I blind bought Millésime Iris because I missed out on the previous two limited releases and felt I better jump on it when I got a release email from Guerlain. If I had been able to test it out first, I may not have chosen to purchase it. Simply because I have some of the Arts and Materials bottles in my wish list that I prefer to this. It's certainly highly wearable and the scent cloud is pleasant. I am sensitive to the vanilla/musk they use in this, to me it smells similar to the one they use in Mon Guerlain Intense. It runs close to making me nauseous if I put my nose to close to where I spray. I do get the bergamot, a ton of vanilla, soft powdery iris that fades into the dry down. I think the caramel gives a sweet, buttery quality to the mid and dry down. I do get either cumin or something a touch animalic in the mid, but it disappears as I wear it. I think the scent bubble is people pleasing and I don't dislike this fragrance. I am going to wear it a lot this fall. But... As I said, I think I expected more Iris, less sweetness and more traditional Shalimar from it. I think it's the most modern and wearable version for people who find traditional Shalimar too vintage or animaic. It could be popular with people who enjoy Mon Guerlain in it's various forms. Those are my current thoughts. It's more my first impression as I have only worn it once. I need to wear it more to get a fully formed opinion and I haven't worn it enough yet to know if it will grow on me or not. That musk note could be a deal breaker for me, it isn't in all of their lines and I seem to be bothered by it. Hence my feelings about the Arts and Materials line (which doesn't have that aroma chemical). Have a great day and take care! 😊💛✨

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

My mind went to Mon Guerlain too for a minute when I wore this. Maybe the vanilla cloud? And you detected the cumin thing? And you are right this is Shalimar for people that don't like Shalimar. Thank you for your note Jen if you'r impression changes let me know:)

[@HappyHermit-om4vi]

I am a little disappointed as well. This smells like Prada Candy but more refined. I find it a tad too sweet.

[@wendisparadeofperfumes5034]

I know I wish it was richer. Maybe it'll change in the bottle?