The Most Priceless Fragrances: Cologne's Expensive Bottles

Colognes are an essential part of personal grooming and style and have been for centuries. While there are many affordable options, some colognes stand out for their extraordinary quality, rare ingredients, and exclusivity. The most expensive colognes feature ornate bottles and rare ingredients, with prices reaching hundreds or thousands of dollars. The most expensive commercially available cologne is Clive Christian's Imperial Majesty Perfume for Men, priced at $435,000, with only ten bottles crafted.

Shumukh by Nabeel: $1.5 million

Shumukh by Nabeel is currently the most expensive bottle of cologne in the world, valued at AED 4.752 million or US $1.295 million. However, some sources place the price at $1.5 million. This unisex fragrance is adorned with 3,571 diamonds, gold, silver, pearls, and topaz. The 1.97-metre-tall masterpiece showcases seven key elements of Dubai, combining artistry, perfumery, and jewellery.

The creation of this fragrance involved over three years of research and nearly 500 perfume trials. Shumukh holds 3 litres of perfume, composed of the finest natural ingredients sourced from around the globe. The scent features notes of amber, sandalwood, musk, rare pure Indian agarwood, pure Turkish rose, patchouli, ylang-ylang, and frankincense. The fragrance is designed to last on the skin for more than 12 hours.

The bottle is set with IGI and GIA-certified diamonds totalling 38.55 carats, along with topaz, pearls, 18-karat gold, and pure silver. The entire masterpiece is customisable, allowing the buyer to add new details and meet specific demands. Each precious stone in the bottle comes with its own certificate of authenticity, ensuring maximum transparency and verifying the quality of the materials used.

Shumukh, which means 'deserving the highest' in Arabic, is a tribute to the spirit of Dubai. It showcases seven core design elements that represent the city: pearl diving (Durra), falconry (Baz), Arabian horses (Abjar), roses (Narjesi), luxury (Haibah), Arabian hospitality (Diwan), and Dubai's stature as a 'city of the future' (Aamal). These elements are intricately modelled in gold and silver and adorned with the finest diamonds and precious stones.

The perfume was conceptualised by Mr Asghar Adam Ali (Al Attar), Chairman and Master Perfumer at Nabeel Perfumes Group of Companies, and crafted by renowned artisans and master craftsmen from Italy, France, and Switzerland. Shumukh holds two Guinness World Records: it is the perfume with the highest number of diamonds set in the world and the one with the highest remote-controlled bottle.

Clive Christian No. 1

The gently herbaceous notes of thyme are toasted under soft, golden flames of nutmeg, summoning the spirit of the East while alluding to the rustic idyll of bygone England. Mellow Tonka bean is fortified by the deep, rich textures of golden amber, sandalwood and Madagascan vanilla, rounding off the fragrance in a smooth alabaster, polished in a light spritz of musk.

Cardamom, nutmeg, pimento and artemisia oil combine in a potent tonic that navigates the citrus notes of bergamot, lime, Sicilian mandarin and pink grapefruit, lightening the fragrance to achieve a more refreshing finish.

Within its formulation is a selection of rare and lavish ingredients, making the fragrance both exorbitant and challenging to procure.

Chanel Grand Extrait

Chanel's Grand Extrait is an exclusive, made-to-order perfume presented in a majestic, faceted glass bottle reminiscent of a monumental diamond. It is the rarest form of Chanel's iconic fragrances, with each bottle nestled inside a white, satin-lined case and protected by a sleeve that opens like a flower. The Grand Extrait collection includes the following fragrances:

• Gardénia Les Exclusifs de Chanel
• N°5 Parfum Grand Extrait
• Coco Mademoiselle Parfum Grand Extrait
• Sycomore and Maisons d'Art Coffret Les Exclusifs de Chanel

The N°5 Parfum Grand Extrait, crafted entirely from glass, is a tribute to the original 1921 design with its white label and faceted stopper. The fragrance is an abstract, floral-aldehydic scent with top notes of neroli from Grasse, middle notes of May rose and jasmine from Grasse, and base notes of aldehydes for airy freshness. Created by Jacques Polge, the fragrance was launched in 2021 as a limited edition of 55 pieces to commemorate 100 years of Chanel No. 5.

The Grand Extrait collection embodies Chanel's commitment to traditional expertise in perfumery, offering a unique and luxurious experience for those seeking the rarest and most precious expressions of haute parfumerie.

Baccarat Les Larmes Sacrees de Thebes

The perfume's name translates to "The Sacred Tears of Thebes". It is listed as one of the world's most expensive perfumes. The production of this fragrance has been discontinued.

Clive Christian No. 1 Imperial Majesty Perfume

Clive Christian's No. 1 Imperial Majesty Perfume is a masterpiece in the world of fragrances. Created in 2006, it holds the Guinness World Record for being the most expensive perfume globally. With a price tag of $435,000, it is a true testament to luxury and opulence. Only ten exquisite bottles of this fragrance were crafted, making ownership of this scent almost impossible, even for the affluent.

The perfume is presented in a meticulously crafted bottle, a collaboration between Clive Christian and the master glass blowers at Baccarat, the grand old French crystal makers. The bottle is a work of art in itself, made from the finest polished crystal and adorned with an 18-carat gold collar that nestles a five-carat white diamond. The bottle's design exudes elegance and sophistication, reflecting the exclusivity and high calibre of the fragrance within.

The perfume itself is an ode to Clive Christian's passion for perfumery. It contains 500ml of absolute perfume oil, a highly concentrated form of fragrance, ensuring maximum potency and longevity. The scent is a harmonious fusion of 222 rare and precious ingredients sourced from around the globe, capturing the essence of refined perfumery. Each ingredient is carefully selected to create a complex and exquisite olfactory experience.

The top notes of this majestic fragrance include bright and zesty citruses such as bergamot and Sicilian mandarin, providing a refreshing and invigorating opening. The heart notes reveal a delicate blend of aromatic musk, warm clove, smooth vanilla, and spirited vetiver, adding depth and warmth to the composition. The base notes of creamy sandalwood provide a solid foundation, rounding off the fragrance with a smooth and sensual finish.

Clive Christian's No. 1 Imperial Majesty Perfume is a true collector's item, with seven of the ten bottles snapped up by private collectors. The remaining three bottles tour the world as part of Clive Christian's special collection, showcasing the ultimate in luxury and craftsmanship. This extraordinary fragrance is a testament to Clive Christian's dedication to creating the very best, a tribute worthy of its title as the most expensive bottle of cologne in the world.

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