Burberry London for Women Special Edition 2009: A Timeless Tribute to British Elegance
Rediscovering the limited-edition gem that captured the heart of a city in a bottle.
In 2009, as the world was navigating a global financial shift, Burberry offered a moment of sartorial and sensory solace with the release of the Burberry London for Women Special Edition. This wasn''t a flanker in the traditional sense, but a celebratory, limited-run iteration of the beloved original Burberry London for Women, which had debuted in 2006 to instant acclaim. The original fragrance was a masterstroke, distilling the essence of a modern, sophisticated London woman—one who is as at home in a trench coat on a rainy city street as she is at a gallery opening. The 2009 Special Edition was a love letter to that success, a collector''s piece that amplified the core DNA with a touch of commemorative grandeur.
Positioned within Burberry''s fragrance portfolio, the London line has always been the cornerstone, representing the brand''s heritage and urban spirit. While other lines like Burberry Brit explored a more playful, youthful energy, London was the sophisticated, timeless heart. The 2009 Special Edition sat at the pinnacle of this line, a limited offering that signaled its exclusivity and special status. It was a fragrance for the connoisseur, the Burberry devotee, and the woman who valued a scent with a story—a story woven from the very fabric of the city itself.
The inspiration remained quintessentially British. It sought to capture the contrast of London life: the crisp, foggy mornings along the Thames, the warmth of a classic pub''s hearth, the polished leather of a handbag, and the delicate, almost secretive beauty of a hidden garden square after rain. It''s a fragrance of duality—fresh yet deep, floral yet grounded, modern yet classic. The concept was to bottle not just a scent, but an atmosphere; the feeling of wrapping yourself in a cashmere scarf as you walk through Covent Garden on a cool autumn day.
Within the fragrance community, Burberry London for Women holds a reputation as a ''safe blind buy'' and a ''classic designer'' that delivers exceptional quality for its price point. The 2009 Special Edition, however, occupies a more niche, almost mythical space. It''s spoken of with a hint of reverence by those who managed to acquire it, often described as having a slightly richer, more rounded profile than the widely available original. Its limited nature has cemented its status as a coveted item for collectors of Burberry memorabilia and fans of early 2000s designer perfumery, representing a specific moment in time when luxury felt both aspirational and intimately wearable.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Michel Almairac. A master perfumer with a prolific career, Almairac is renowned for his ability to create complex, evocative, and beautifully balanced compositions. His notable creations span the spectrum from iconic designer scents like Gucci Rush and Chloé Eau de Parfum to niche masterpieces such as Parfums de Marly Herod and Byredo Bal d''Afrique. His work on the original Burberry London for Women demonstrated his skill in crafting a warm, inviting, and distinctly characterful fragrance that feels both familiar and unique.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The fragrance opens with a luminous, sun-drenched burst. It''s not a sharp citrus, but a soft, juicy bouquet of clementine, peach, and apricot that feels like biting into a perfectly ripe fruit on a crisp morning. This fruity top is remarkably well-mannered—sweet but never cloying, fresh but with immediate depth. Within minutes, you sense the warmth waiting in the wings.
As the initial fruitiness settles, the heart reveals its true, elegant character. The tiare flower emerges, creamy and exotic, wrapped in a soft blanket of peony and a hint of clean jasmine. This is the soul of the fragrance: a lush, romantic floral bouquet that is incredibly smooth and blended. A note of nectar adds a honeyed, golden glow, seamlessly bridging the bright opening to the coming warmth. The scent feels closer to the skin now, radiating a gentle, feminine aura.
The final act is where Burberry London for Women Special Edition becomes a personal, intimate skin scent. The cashmere wood and sandalwood provide a creamy, soft woody foundation that is utterly comforting. Vanilla and amber weave through, offering a gentle, powdery sweetness that is more like a whisper than a statement. Clean musk ties it all together, leaving a trace on your scarf or sweater that lasts for hours—a memory of sophistication that is soft, warm, and endlessly wearable.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts a solid 6-8 hours on skin, transitioning beautifully from its bright opening to its soft, woody drydown. On clothing, it can be detected for 12+ hours.
Projects moderately for the first 2-3 hours, creating a personal scent bubble of about an arm''s length. It''s noticeable but never intrusive, perfect for close encounters.
Leaves a light, elegant trail. It''s the kind of fragrance someone notices as you pass by or when they lean in for a hug, rather than announcing your arrival from across the room.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Exceptionally well-blended and smooth transition from top to base
- ✅ Perfect balance of freshness, florals, and warmth
- ✅ Highly versatile and office-safe
- ✅ Timeless, elegant scent profile that doesn''t feel dated
- ✅ Beautiful, collector-worthy bottle design for the Special Edition
- ❌ Limited availability as a 2009 release, often found on secondary markets
- ❌ Projection and sillage are moderate, not powerful
- ❌ The fruity top notes may fade quickly for some, moving swiftly to the heart
Price & Value
“If found at or near its original retail price, it represents outstanding value for a high-quality, timeless designer scent. Prices on collector markets can be higher, making it a purchase for dedicated fans or those seeking a specific piece of fragrance history.”
📜 Reformulation History
As a limited edition from 2009, there is no documented reformulation history for this specific release. However, being a special edition of the original Burberry London for Women, its profile is often compared to the ongoing production of the original. Enthusiasts note the Special Edition may have a slightly richer fruit presence and a creamier drydown, but these are subtle nuances. Batch variations within the Special Edition run itself are not widely reported.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
A richer, more opulent burst of sun-drenched fruits – think of biting into a perfectly ripe peach on a warm afternoon. The clementine and tangerine offer a brighter, zesty kiss, while the apricot adds a velvety sweetness that hints at what's to come.
The heart unfurls like a luxurious silk scarf. The creamy, almost narcotic sweetness of Tiare flower takes center stage, embraced by the intoxicating embrace of jasmine. The peony lends a delicate, dewy freshness, preventing the floral bouquet from becoming too heavy, while the nectar adds a touch more syrupy indulgence.
The base is where this EDP truly settles into its magnificent, lingering embrace. The cashmere wood provides a soft, comforting warmth, intertwined with the creamy, grounding presence of sandalwood. Vanilla weaves its magic, adding a sensual, gourmand sweetness, all rounded out by a sophisticated blend of musk and amber that whispers of elegance and enduring charm.
Performance Dashboard
An enduring presence, lasting 10-12+ hours, a comforting whisper that stays with you
A noticeable aura, drawing people in without overwhelming, projecting beautifully for 4-5 hours
A beautifully woven trail, leaving a memorable impression that lingers in the air
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Exceptional depth and richness
- ✅ Remarkable longevity
- ✅ Luxurious and opulent feel
- ✅ More pronounced floral and woody facets
- ❌ Higher price point
- ❌ Can be perceived as too rich for warmer weather
- ❌ Less universally accessible than the EDT
Price & Value
“The elevated price reflects the enhanced depth and longevity, a worthwhile investment for its exquisite character.”
📜 Reformulation History
While the core DNA remains, the EDP concentration often presents a slightly richer, more viscous feel, suggesting a higher oil concentration that translates to its superior performance.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women 25-50 who appreciate classic, elegant femininity
- Professionals seeking a sophisticated, inoffensive signature scent
- Fans of warm, floral-oriental fragrances that are not overly sweet
- Those with a nostalgic fondness for early 2000s designer perfumery
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Lovers of extreme, avant-garde, or linear scents
- Those who exclusively seek fresh aquatic or sharp citrus fragrances
- Anyone looking for a heavy, club-style projection monster
The Family
The foundational EDT upon which this Special Edition is based.
A richer, more intense concentration with amplified floral and woody notes.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar DNA of soft, romantic peony and powdery musk, though Chloé is more rose-forward and less fruity/warm.
Evokes a similar feeling of juicy, sophisticated fruit (caramelized popcorn note aside) with a warm, feminine drydown.
Comparable warm, amber-vanilla base with a soft floral heart, though The One is more oriental and less fruity.
Offers a similar vibe of a chic, urban floral with fruity accents and a soft woody-musk drydown.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Inspired by the warm, vanilla-amber drydown of designer fragrances like this, offering a cozy, sweet base at an affordable price.
Aims to replicate the creamy, floral-sweet profile of popular scents in this genre, providing a budget-friendly option for a similar feel.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
For those who enjoy the designer quality and British sensibility but want something a bit lighter and more playful.
Shares the sophisticated, musky-woody drydown that feels intimate and elegant.
Offers a similar structure of fresh top notes, a beautiful floral heart (lavender/jasmine), and a warm, vanilla-sandalwood base.
Captures a comparable feeling of sparkling fruit, lush floral (patchouli-rose), and a sweet, woody finish.
More from Burberry
A playful, youthful scent with notes of lime, pear, and vanilla.
A modern, fruity-gourmand with strawberry, blackberry, and woody amber notes.
A sophisticated floral with sweet pea, geranium, and a rain-soaked garden accord.
A sensual, woody-musk fragrance with peach, rose, and sandalwood.
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple vanilla solinote or vanilla-based perfume oil to amplify the cozy drydown.
- A clean, white musk fragrance to highlight the soft, skin-like quality of the base.
- A crisp pear or green apple scented body lotion to refresh and extend the fruity top notes.
🏆 Final Verdict
Burberry London for Women Special Edition 2009 is more than just a perfume; it''s a beautifully preserved moment in fragrance history. It represents the peak of early-2000s designer elegance—a time when scents were crafted to be wearable, lovable, and deeply sophisticated without unnecessary complexity. Michel Almairac''s composition is a masterclass in balance, taking you on a seamless journey from sun-kissed fruit to creamy florals and finally to that irresistible, cashmere-soft drydown that feels like a second skin.
You should buy this fragrance if you are a collector of Burberry''s legacy, if you have fond memories of the original and seek a potentially richer iteration, or if you simply yearn for a timeless, impeccably blended floral-oriental that feels both classic and comforting. In a world of ever-changing trends, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of good taste. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a perfectly tailored trench coat: reliable, elegant, and forever in style.
Finding it may require a hunt through online auction sites or fragrance communities, but for the woman who finds her signature in its warm embrace, the search is undoubtedly worth it. It’s a fragrance that doesn’t shout, but whispers tales of London fog, polished mahogany, and the quiet confidence of a woman who knows exactly who she is.