Shalimar Souffle Intense

Wearing it today. It's a true Shalimar for me, dark blue, not offensive like a jewel. I don't understand why it's discontinued. Shalimar Souffle is ok but lighter. This one is just deeper, hence more interesting. Deep, elegant, like a dark blue color of the bottle. I understand that they went for "vanilla shalimar" to expand the customer base, but this is such a gem. There is no other fragrance for women from well-known brands that smells like it. Please don't compare it to the likes of Devotion because it's another league entirely.

It took me a number of wears to get a handle on this. There is something distinctly "eau de shalimar" about this -- the oily-fresh citruses that come off as lemon and lime; but whereas Eau de Shalimar ultimately lands in doughy, vanilla cupcake territory, Souffle Intense lands squarely in balsamic, inedible territory. Souffle Intense is a bittersweet, citrus white-musk with muted Shalimar DNA, fresh and lightly powdery with a distinctly balsamic vanilla at the base which makes me think this is perfect for autumn. A crisp fragrance for crisp temperatures, I get a crystalline patchouli at the base which also screams "fall." When you get flankers of flankers, I suppose it makes sense that you keep wandering a maze that puts you farther and farther from the heart of the original; I agree with the reviewers who say this seems to have little to do with the Shalimar saga. I am enjoying my sample very much (thanks to my perfume fairy godmother!) -- it's a pleasant fragrance in its own right, but I'm not sorry to have missed the release of this one. The saga continues, though...can't wait for an opportunity to try Shalimar L'Essence!

This Shalimar flanker-of-a-flanker is lovely but very, very similar to Shalimar Souffle de Parfum. I love the Souffle de Parfum and wear it almost as often as original Shalimar (which is one of my all-time favorites for fall and winter), so I feel confident in arguing you don’t need both flankers. I even smelled them on side-by-side strips to compare and confirm my opinion. Firstly, Guerlain Shalimar Souffle de Parfum is all the citric and vanilla notes of original Shalimar without the heavy amber/incense backbone. It has gourmand vibes without being overly sweet. It wears lightly (close to the skin) and gives the overall vibes of a fluffy but sophisticated lemon cake. Good for all-year wear. In comparison - Souffle Intense is heavier on the vanilla, especially in the opening. The lemon is there but takes more of a backseat compared to the original Souffle, which opens with bright lemon notes right away. Souffle Intense retains the “gourmand” quality and ventures a little more into “vanilla cake” territory than original Souffle. I’d only wear the Intense version in fall and winter. So yes, there are differences but minor ones, in my opinion. Obviously it all depends on personal tastes, but personally, I don’t find the Intense version quite different enough from what I already like in original Souffle. They are both basically “fluffy cirrus vanilla” fragrances. As an additional argument - the regular Souffle flanker is still available whereas this Intense version has been long discontinued. You’d need to go to some effort to find it (eBay, Mercari, etc.) if you really feel this is a must-have for you. I’d say - if you think you might be drawn to Intense, just get Souffle, enjoy it, and be assured you’re really not missing out.

So.... I don't hate it, but of ALL the Shalimar flankers I have (at least 8), it's my least favorite by far... I would say it's the most feminine of all and that's saying a LOT considering I own all the Millésimes and Eau de Shalimar... It also smells the least like Shalimar and, this could just be my nose, but it smells far more synthetic than any of the others.

Anyone know last year of production for this?

I'm grateful I only bought a sample of this. After reading enticing reviews of vanilla custard, lemon tarts, fluffy cakes, I hoped for something delectable. Sadly for me, it is overwhelmingly bitter. No sweet softness, just nose piercing, sharp, bitter citrus discomfort. I wait as patiently as I can for a cuddly dry down, but it isn't coming for me. Perhaps some of us are just far too sensitive to the tart bitterness of certain citruses. What others enjoy as a slight tang, is to others an eye watering pain akin to having a nose hair pulled. I've struggled previously with a similar discomfort with the lime/ vanilla of Elle L'aime, where the sharpness of lime overwhelms all other notes and refuses to subside or give the vanilla a chance. I can tell the vanilla is there quietly in the background, but the aggressive citrus bodyguards are keeping me from getting close. If you already know you don't enjoy bitter notes, this may not be for you.

Selling my 50ml. CONUS only.

A custard dessert, airy and whipped. Steaming vanilla clouds fill the room as you remove it from the warm stove. As it cools, you peel a thin curl of lemon rind delicately from its flesh and dip it in sugar before warming it lightly against a flame. A few seconds is all it needs, just to where the sharp edges of the sugar crystals begin to round and soften into an ambery golden sigh. You rest the candied lemon over the custard. A generous dusting of powdered sugar marry each delectable part. And like any forever story, it begins with a delicious kiss. This is Shalimar Soufflé Intense.

I really don't get how people can say this smells nothing like Shalimar. Maybe you need to smell Shalimar again?

Tried it today for the first time, it was a gift. I didn’t like the opening on me at all, it was soapy and I almost scrubbed it. But after 3 hours on a muggy, hot afternoon it mellowed to something pleasant. As if I was still barely wearing Shalimar - clinging to its very last notes - while having morning after breakfast of lemon cake drizzled with vanilla icing with slivered almonds on top in an upscale hotel lobby. I won’t wear this often, it smells too current for me. But I’ll reach for it if I want to smell a little more virtuous.

I purchased another 50ml. Souffle Intense is so special. It’s really is a denser, richer version of Souffle de Parfum. There is something about the benzoin that Guerlain uses that every fragrance Guerlain uses with Benzoin - Bois D’Armenie being my favorite- smells mystical and luxurious. When I smell them next to one another Souffle de Lumiere shares the same benzoin depth of Intense with added Ylang-ylang.

THE perfume. By far my favourite Shalimar flanker. If Guerlain ever brought this back, I would sell off most of my collection tbh.

Beautiful oriental, rich benzoin, lots of vanilla, citrus - very gourmand, with an oriental twist. But I agree definitely no shalimar dna here, not sure I'd have placed it as such if I blind tested it. It needs more bodour powderiness, and that dirty opoponax, that's what makes shalimar shalimar. It's also what keeps many people - me included if I'm honest - from really committing to shalimar. Nice scent though!

One word - enchanting. This perfume will take you to a magical place in the Orient where you will wear it like a precious jewel. It leaves a beautiful trail that makes you feel like a princess in a big palace. It should have been the first Shalimar and be called Blue Sapphire because this fragrance is dark blue - sensual, deep, mysterious. I understand where these descriptions about lemon pie, French patisserie, cola and garage come from. But they miss the complexity and nuances of this perfume. It's way more sophisticated, so well blended that it's impossible to describe it in just one way. And don't just focus on the opening or middle notes. Wait several hours until it dries down. That's when the magic happens. I don't think it's only for women. Guys can rock it too.

Of all the Souffle flankers Intense is my favorite. I just enjoy the deeper benzoin aura it creates around you. A shame I can only find 50mls. If you want to sell or swap yours please message me. I’m currently looking for a backup as my 50ml is less than 1/2 full Edit: found my backup bottle 🥰

My love for Shalimar has so far resulted in a vintage bottle of EDT from the early 90-ies, an EDP from 2010, the Ode de la Vanille from 2013, and the Eau de Cologne from 2019. I have however waited until now to buy Souffle Intense, as I thought it wasn't for me. Unfortunately, I may have been right. The opening of Souffle Intense is very similar to the 2012 version of Miss Dior. Even the original Libre by YSL comes to mind. There is a fruity/patchouli sharpness that doesn't work on my skin. (I have had to declutter both Miss Dior 2012 and Libre because of this, and I think it is the mandarin orange that turns out so sharp and sour on me.) When that first generic and screechy phase is gone, Souffle Intense moves towards more pleasant and Shalimar-familiar vanilla/smoke territory: I get a hint of both the sumptuos vanilla from Ode de la Vanille and the dry and rich smoke from Shalimar Eau de Cologne. It is a heavenly mix, but is it worth the wait? I can't make up my mind. The dry down is a lovely guerlinade, quite similar to the dry down of my Shalimar EDP. The question is does Souffle Intense add something more or different? I am not sure. But the dark blue bottle is stunning!

Absolutely amazing fragrance. I get iced citrus, vanilla, and a bit of smokiness. I love wearing this on the coldest days of winter, in the mountains, frolicking in the snow. It's truly a unique masterpiece, which sadly has been discontinued. I'm so glad I stocked up with a back up bottle! I have a few Shalimar flankers, and this is by far my favorite.

Why the f@#k! Have they discontinued this gem of a fragrance, it's so annoying when they do this. Any way I do have half a 50ml bottle left which I'll be using sparingly. I thought maybe I could purchase the original souffle de Parfum but here in Australia I could only find 90ml bottle online going for $260 Aus dollars that's too expensive for a designer, I don't remember guerlain being that expensive.

Oh my goodness. This is timeless elegant and gorgeous. I have the OG, which stands on its own. The Soufflé Intense flanker has only a slight vibe of the OG, but I like that it is softer and gentler. There is sweetness to it, but it’s not cloying. I think this is masterfully crafted. I also have the regular Soufflé flanker, and it is a weak sister to the intense version. But I really like that one, too, with its airiness and lovely citrusy note. The dark blue bottle is stunning. Bravo, Guerlain. I have not tried all the different iterations of Shalimar, but I have no doubt that the rest in the line is exceptional. Update: 09/16/2023. I got the Lumiere version, and Intense is my favorite of the Soufflé line. Too bad they discontinued this.

This smells like a vanilla coke w/ lemon to me. This perfume really reminds me of Vanisia by Creed. I had a small bottle of it. I hated it, my husband bought it for me and I wore it for him but was glad in the end that it is all gone. Very vanilla coke w/ a hint of lemon.

I have and love this, which bears very little resemblence to the original Shalimar to me, which I also love. So sad they've discontinued it. If anyone has this up for swap in the UK, please DM me, I'd love a back up bottle!

I love shalimar. Somehow to me it was always about darkness and secrecy. Intimate, enhaced body smell with vanilla and citrus. Perfect to say the least. Its flankers are marvelous. Genetics of shalimar is here, but it matures into something new. This one is deep bouquet of dusty dry flowers. Deep purple, dark red and black. Seductive contemporary daughter of shalimar family.. Love it

Are *ALL* of the Shalimar flankers about pruning the original formula of its "skanky" musks... For people who can't handle them?

Nothing like the original which I don’t like anyway. It’s citrusy but fluffy and very comforting. It lasts forever on clothes. I’m so sad it was discontinued.

Currently I have 3 versions of shalimar souffle; edp, intense and lumiere. Eventhough the souffle line is marketed as a flanker of shalimar, the resemblance is very little (none for some). Iintense version opens with bright citrusy note, like in edp, then comes subtle white flowers, nothing indolic. At the end is a huge blast of powdery benzoin mixed with Guerlain's famous vanilla. To my nose it is denser and more powdery than edp. I love to wear it during colder days, expecially pairing with a cashmire pullover. It has a very good longevity (10+ hours) with stong/medium sillage. I am very happy that I could catch a backup bottle before it was discontinued.

I am wearing this on a rainy October day in the UK, which I think is the perfect season for this scent. It is indeed an intense version of Shalimar Souffle EDP, but I must say the Souffle + Souffle Intense line is quite different from the OG Shalimar line to my nose. The citrus and powdery notes are much more prominent in the Souffle line, with the classic Shalimar vanilla dialed down, so the overall impression of the Souffle line is brighter and a bit sharper than the OG Shalimar line. The Souffle Intense version is a bit more vanillic and rounded than the Souffle EDP, but not by much.

Hmm, I don't know but it smells like bug spray right now. It just arrived yesterday. Perhaps it will smell better after it's had time to rest?

It’s Beautiful. I have constantly sniffed my wrists. However, I don’t like the fact it’s a modern adaptation for a modern nose. I found it rather acceptable, and with shalimar being the legend that it is, it’s too bland and mild in comparison. If you are the sort that thinks shalimar is outdated have a jolly good time with this one ! But I personally think shalimar should be kept glorious.

On me, this is a soft and fluffy lemon pastry and I find it absolutely divine. I think if you’re someone who wants a ton of Shalimar to be apparent, you will be disappointed. The Shalimar dna is there, but it’s a whisper. This is only ever so slightly powdery on me, and the spices of Shalimar are only serving to bring out more of this pastry type of gourmand. That being said, it doesn’t lean quite so heavy into gourmand territory that it would totally alienate those who dislike gourmands. This may be a gourmand for those who don’t normally like them, and a more perfumey fragrance for those who typically only like gourmands. It straddles the middle where I think many people can find comfort and joy in it, and the only people who I think it would disappoint are the ones who specifically want a strong shalimar-esque flanker. I absolutely adore this and wish it was permanent.

I find this much better than the original Souffle which is so faint I could barely smell anything n neither could my son. I know it means breath but it was like gnat's breath, it needed help like an iron lung. This lives up to it's name & is actually stronger. It's quite a leathery vanilla, on me anyway.