Happy Monday.  Scent Of The Day is Shalimar Parfum Initial the cruelly discontinued gem from Guerlain in house perfumer Thierry Wasser. Billed as a Shalimar for the younger generation, it presumably failed to meet sales expectations and was purged from the lineup. Guerlain does have a track record of resurrecting perfumes and placing  them in their exclusive line at triple the price, so who knows maybe they’ll do this to Shalimar Parfum Initial one day.

Even though Shalimar is one of my all time favourite perfumes, I reach for this lighter, more carefree version more often. It’s particularly good in winter and has great longevity. I also love the bottle designed by rock offspring Jade Jagger with its silky blue tassle.

Since the sad departure of Shalimar Parfum Initial, Guerlain has produced another flanker. Meet Shalimar Souffle de Parfum. This is a lighter, frothier take on the grand dame  with exceedingly tenuous ties to  the original.

Shalimar Parfum Initial’s opening is more potent than its younger sister Shalimar Souffle de Parfum.  There’s more of everything. It feels oriental in nature along with an intense gourmand leaning that seems to fit the requirements of a modern day, more youthful Shalimar.  Bergamot forges a link to the original, while iris, rose and jasmine lend a pleasurable plushness. The slivers of iris and the sweet base get me every time.  Lashings of tonka, vanilla and caramel are not quite old school Guerlain, but they’re a worthy addition and every time I spray this perfume I’m suitably impressed. It’s not the Queen Bee, no flanker will ever take Shalimar‘s crown, but this is (was) my favourite flanker so far.