The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Antoine Maisondieu created the 2009 Special Edition as a seasonal variant of Burberry London, changing the aromatic composition from the original. The special edition arrived in October 2009 as part of a holiday pair, masculine and feminine flankers released together in limited quantities. Presented in the brand's signature rectangular flacons with the check pattern on both bottle and outer carton, the masculine version dressed in dark grey. The fragrance opens with bright, inviting citrus notes that give way to deeper, warmer elements as it develops on the skin. There's a richness to the composition that feels intentionally crafted for cooler weather, with amber providing a smooth, golden warmth that anchors the more delicate top notes.
What makes this edition distinct from the original London is the removal of the so-called Christmas tree accord, the sharp coniferous lift that characterized the EDT, replaced instead with a richer amber base and a fruit note that reads green rather than sweet. The composition leans into contrast: bright citrus-pineapple opening against a warm, dry backdrop. There's an interplay between the initial brightness and what follows, with the fruit notes providing an unexpected freshness that doesn't veer into sweetness.
The evolution
The opening hits green and bright, pineapple and blackcurrant bud doing the work of waking everything up. Citrus notes provide an immediate spark before the composition pivots. Within twenty minutes, the heart begins to reveal itself, with the fruit becoming more integrated and the brightness settling into something rounder. Then lavender arrives, and the fragrance begins its slow descent into warmth. Amber builds underneath, sweet and resinous, holding everything together. By the second hour, the woody base dominates, providing a foundation that feels warm and dry. The sillage remains present without announcing itself, intimate and close to the skin throughout its development.
Cultural impact
The 2009 Special Edition offered collectors and devoted wearers something to seek out, a variant that felt both connected to the original and distinctly different. The decision to remove the Christmas tree accord and rebuild around amber represented a different approach to winter fragrance. Rather than relying on traditional coniferous elements, the composition explored how warmth and richness could create a compelling seasonal scent that stood apart from expectations.
