Phew, it's a hard nut to crack. What do to? You need a quick decision...
On one hand, I'm one of those people who thinks that "it's not all bad with the LVMH takeover" - I haven't smelled Shalimar extrait from 1998, but when I for instance compare a Mitsouko PdT from 1987 (first batch, very pre-LVMH) and a Mitsouko EdP from 1998 (LVMH), I get no difference whatsoever: It's just as loaded with oakmoss, rich in resin notes, and in all as deep and dark and long-lasting as it was before. Actually, since Mitsouko doesn't mature very well, the old bottle has actually lost a bit of its tension. It wasn't until the IFRA restrictions began to complicate matters some years later that it all went downhill.
That said, I know there is a certain charm about very old Shalimar extrait. Even if the balsamic base notes should not have been changed too much, old bottles have due to age alone matured to a degree that makes them smell quite special, pitch dark and smoky with a medicinal, almost varnish-like biting smell. Shalimar matures extremely well. You won't find the same effect in 90s bottles, LVMH or not.
Maybe you provide your answer yourself: You already seem disappointed about the bottle, you dream about an edition with the Marly horse inside the lid and a label with just "Shalimar" written on it, and you'd maybe not stop chasing this even if you buy this bottle...? Try to envision this scenario. If so, I guess you'd be less dissatisfied if you cancel your bid? Of course, you'd then have to temper your impatience about finding
the bottle that you want!
I hope you'll find the least dissatisfactory decision
