So many fragrances want to “take us on journeys”. Which is fine with me. I don’t really see a trip to Timbuktu in my future any time soon. I just made a cross country move and have to get ready to live on one income while I finish grad school. The L’Artisan Parfumeur website describes the fragrance as:

Timbuktu is a wild, yet sophisticated fragrance that is ultra sensual on women and men skin.
This perfume was inspired by the unique blend of flowers, ointments, spices and woods that are used by women in the sensual African perfumery tradition.

I have minimal exposure to the African perfumery tradition other than the goods I find at international markets. I’ve always loved the fragrance of these African “drugstore” soaps. In reality many of my friends from West Africa love perfumes that are popular in the US like Clinique Happy and anything Dior. Anyway, I really do hope we start to see more perfumes from African perfumers in the future. It’s an area where the materials are utilized in perfumery but we rarely see African inspired perfumes.

Timbuktu starts out fruity with mango and pink peppercorn; however, it is no Victoria’s Secret body spray. It is fruity in a sour way, like unripe fruit. It is not sweet or juicy. Within a few minutes the spices arrive. They could arguably be “dirty” spices but on me, it’s a perfect balance of warm cumin and cool cardamom. The dry-down is a soft, smoldering blend of incense, patchouli, myrrh and vetiver.

Timbuktu is a complex fragrance. It’s a smoky vetiver with curry-like spices. Personally, I love it but I don’t mind sweat (AKA cumin) in my perfumes.

Notes listed include pink pepper, frankincense, papyrus smoke, vetiver, balsam, spices, patchouli and myrrh. Launched in 2004. PERFUMER – Bertrand Douchafour

Give Timbuktu a try if you like spicy incense or smoky vetiver fragrances.

Projection and longevity are above average. It wears more like an EDP.

The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $95 at Beautyhabit. Samples are also available for purchase.

*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from Fragrantica. Timbuktu pic from worldatlas.com. Post contains an affiliate link. Thanks!