HIRAM GREEN
SHANGRI LA (2022 EDITION)

2022

PERFUMER
Hiram Green

Spicy notes
Oakmoss
Peach
Lemon
Jasmine
Bergamot
Orange
Cinnamon
Rose
orris
Vetiver

‘Ever since I stopped production of Shangri La in 2018 my customers have asked me to bring it back. I thought I should finally listen and am pleased to announce an updated edition of Shangri La. The original Shangri La was introduced in 2014 as the followup to my debut fragrance Moon Bloom. It was inspired and named after the fictional land descried in James Hilton’s 1933 novel Lost Horizon. Hilton describes Shangri La as a mythical Himalayan utopia, an earthly paradise isolated from the rest of the world where people are almost immortal. I translated the beauty and purity of Shangri La into a contemporary interpretation of a classic chypre perfume. Chypre perfumes are characterised by a contrast between a fresh citrus accord and a woody-oakmoss base. The first chypre dates from 1917 and since then this fragrance genre has enjoyed enduring appeal. It takes a good nose to distinguish the 2022 edition from the original Shangri La. The most noticeable difference is perhaps a lighter and warmer character with greater emphasis on floral and spicy notes. Adding more oak moss was not an option as the original version already includes the highest regulatory amount possible. Shangri La is a bright and airy perfume with a lush and exotic character. The fragrance opens with a sharp burst of lemon, orange and bergamot that is followed by a rich bouquet of peach, jasmine, orris, rose, cinnamon and warm spices. This opulent heart is anchored by an earthy base of vetiver and oakmoss. ‘ – Hiram Green

Shangri La was the second ever release by Hiram Green back in 2014. It was discontinued in 2018 (I believe due to IFRA regulations it had to be changed and Hiram didn’t want to continue putting out a different or inferior formulation). Luckily, in 2022, Hiram Green was able to bring it back in a form that supposedly mimics the original closely. I have tried the original, but my memory isn’t good enough to make a comparison to this 2022 version. In the words of Hiram Green himself: ‘It takes a good nose to distinguish the 2022 edition from the original Shangri La. The most noticeable difference is perhaps a lighter and warmer character with greater emphasis on floral and spicy notes. Adding more oak moss was not an option as the original version already includes the highest regulatory amount possible’.

When I smelled the original version back in 2019, I loved it; it was probably my favorite Hiram Green alongside Voyage 2019, so I was excited for Shangri La to make a comeback. This scent profile is reminiscent of Guerlain Mitsouko, which is arguably the greatest fragrance ever created. It still gives me the same feeling now, perhaps of the Mitsouko Parfum, which is a tad less fruity to my nose.

I say that, because I find the peach quite understated (from my memory, which may be incorrect, the original version was more peachy). The peach is definitely noticeable, but it comes across more like a peach dessert, than the brighter, fruitiness. Instead, I get a lot of spices and moss and it’s rather sweet, not in the last place due to the use of cinnamon. It has a beautiful warmth and exudes coziness throughout the wear. Somewhat vintage-smelling, with its tingling, diffused spicy oakmoss, and lacking some of the acidity.

This is definitely a sweeter take on a green chypre, which I personally love. My vintage Mitsouko Parfum has an almost chocolatey sweetness in the base and Shangri La isn’t too far off. If you’re looking for a more green, forest vibe, it may be more spicy and sweet than you expect. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely get green in Shangri La, but it’s done in a way that someone who doesn’t like green fragrances can appreciate.

Aside from that, jasmine adds a floral tinge, but as with the peach, I find the florals more subdued than I expected or remembered. I thought Francesca Bianchi Libertine Neroli was somewhat similar, but having smelled Shangri La again, they’re not as close as I recalled; there is less of a green sharpness and daring aspect to the opening of the Hiram Green.

Instead, this is full-on comforting and cozy for me. I could definitely see a bottle of Shangri La in my collection this year.