Shalimar Souffle Intense

I'm blown away by this perfume after smelling it for the first time today, to the point where I felt compelled to write a review. As someone who owns various versions of Shalimar, including some tried and true hardcore ones as well as flankers, I have a good understanding of what makes each one unique. Having read reviews on Souffle Intense, I expected to love it. However, it turned out that this 1.6 oz bottle is available for trade if someone wants to give it a try (UPDATE: Traded). What I adore about Shalimar is its unpredictable evolution, and unfortunately, this perfume didn't meet my expectations because of three key reasons: Firstly, Souffle Intense is the sweetest Shalimar flanker I own, and in fact, it's now the sweetest fragrance in my collection. If you enjoy sweet fragrances, consider how much sweetness you prefer - I like some, but this one is too overpowering for me. Secondly, there's an aquatic-like note that didn't agree with me; it lingers throughout the scent (four hours on my skin so far and still going strong). I hadn't read about this in reviews, and it caught me off guard. It could be due to the melon or fruit note people have mentioned - I'm not used to this quality in a dark, vanilla fragrance. Lastly, Souffle Intense has lost the distinctiveness that sets it apart as a version of Shalimar. As others have noted, it's best judged on its own, separate from other versions of Shalimar. It takes on a more popular scent profile, reminiscent of Tom Ford's Black Orchid - although it's not similar to Black Orchid. This fragrance has a mainstream, wearable quality that makes me think of strong, modern scents like that one. There's truth in all the reviews I've read; I hope I've added some new characteristics to help describe this Guerlain for those who haven't tried it yet. If you're interested in swapping, feel free to reach out to me.

It's infuriating when a great fragrance is discontinued, and I'm still trying to make the most of my remaining supply.

Green floral notes with creamy undertones are truly stunning, don't you think? The subtle sweetness of benzoin and the restrained presence of vanilla create a sense of depth and sophistication. Notably, this perfume reminds me of Dior's "Pure Poison", but this rendition exceeds my expectations in every way. It's no surprise I'm enamored with Guerlain once again!

Here is the paraphrased comment: @gelkita, @Chischek 👋 Guerlain's fragrance distribution works differently across countries: Their flagship scents are widely marketed globally, but smaller flankers might not reach international markets. Many exclusive fragrances are developed for the French market only, like Souffle Intense. Keep in mind that Guerlain branches in Belgium, Germany, and other non-France countries operate independently, with their own marketing teams making decisions based on local demand and sales data to avoid stocking unsold products. This is why you may see more fragrances listed on the French website compared to others. So, the sales assistant at Champs Elysees was correct about what's available. However, it's not always a discontinuation that occurs; sometimes it's just a distribution policy decision. If you're concerned about a specific fragrance being discontinued, Guerlain occasionally releases an "end of life" document for their sales team, but it seems few people bother to read it.

I recently acquired this Souffle Intense from Guerlain and unfortunately, it's been a blind buy disaster. I've tried their Shalimar Cologne, eau de Cologne, and edT, which are all lovely! However, on my skin, this intense version comes across as cloying, giving me headaches and smelling like cheap sandalwood - reminiscent of Samsara from the same brand, which doesn't agree with me either. While the bottle and box are stunning, the scent is just too overpowering for me. If anyone is interested in swapping it out for something else by Guerlain or Angel Mugler, I'm open to discussing!