If you’re a perfume lover, you know that there’s nothing like finding your signature scent. But what if you want to splurge on something really special, something that not many people have? Well, you’re in luck, because there are some perfumes out there that are so luxurious, so rare, and so expensive, that they will make you feel like a million bucks (or more).
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 most expensive perfumes in the world, ranked according to their price per ounce. These fragrances are not for the faint of heart, or the light of wallet. They are made with the finest ingredients, the most exquisite bottles, and the most exclusive distribution. They are the ultimate indulgence for the fragrance aficionado.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of the most expensive perfumes and see what makes them so special.
Joy Parfum by Jean Patou – $800 per ounce
This perfume is a classic, created in 1930 by Jean Patou as a response to the Great Depression. He wanted to create the most luxurious perfume in the world, and he did. Joy Parfum is made with 10,600 jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses, making it one of the most expensive perfumes to produce. It has a rich, floral scent that is timeless and elegant.
Shalini – $900 per ounce
This perfume is a creation of Shalini Kumar, a former fashion designer who turned to perfumery. She collaborated with master perfumer Maurice Roucel to create Shalini, a floral fragrance that is inspired by her childhood memories of India. It features notes of tuberose, neroli, tiare, and sandalwood, and is housed in a Lalique crystal bottle that is handcrafted and numbered. Only 900 bottles are available worldwide.
Hermes’ 24 Faubourg – $1,500 per ounce
This perfume is a tribute to the iconic address of Hermes, 24 Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. It was launched in 1995 and is a sophisticated, oriental fragrance that blends orange blossom, jasmine, iris, vanilla, and amber. The bottle is made of St. Louis crystal and is adorned with 24-carat gold. Only 1,000 bottles were made, and they were sold exclusively at Hermes boutiques.
Flowerbomb Haute Couture by Viktor & Rolf – $1,588 per ounce
This perfume is a limited edition of the popular Flowerbomb fragrance by Viktor & Rolf, a floral explosion of jasmine, rose, orchid, and patchouli. What makes it so expensive is the bottle, which is hand-sewn with 2,700 Swarovski crystals and pearls, and comes with a matching bracelet. Only 25 bottles were made, and they were sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.
1 Million, LUXE edition by Paco Rabanne – $57,000 per bottle
This perfume is a limited edition of the popular 1 Million fragrance by Paco Rabanne, a spicy, woody, and leathery scent that features notes of grapefruit, mint, cinnamon, rose, leather, amber, and patchouli. What makes it so expensive is the bottle, which is made of 18-carat gold and has 3,000 diamonds on it. Only 15 bottles were made, and they were sold exclusively at Harrods in London.
Les Larmes Sacrées de Thebes by Baccarat – $6,800 per ounce
This perfume is a creation of Baccarat, a famous French crystal manufacturer that also produces fine fragrances. It was launched in 1998 and is a floral, oriental, and resinous fragrance that features notes of jasmine, myrrh, frankincense, ylang-ylang, cardamom, and sandalwood. The bottle is a stunning piece of art, shaped like a pyramid and made of purple crystal. Only 6 bottles were made per year, and they were sold for $6,800 per ounce.
Parfum VI by Gianni Vive Sulman – $89,000 per bottle
This perfume is a mystery, as not much is known about it or its creator. Gianni Vive Sulman is the pseudonym of a secretive perfumer who claims to be a descendant of the Sulman dynasty, a royal family that ruled Egypt in the 10th century. He created Parfum VI, a floral, fruity, and musky fragrance that features notes of jasmine, rose, peach, apricot, musk, and amber. The bottle is made of gold and silver and has a six-carat diamond on the cap. Only one bottle was made, and it was sold to a private collector in 2013.
No. 1 Imperial Majesty by Clive Christian – $215,000 per bottle
This perfume is the most expensive one ever sold, according to the Guinness World Records. It was created by Clive Christian, a British designer who bought the Crown Perfumery, a historic perfume house that was established in 1872. He revived the brand and created No. 1, a complex, spicy, and woody fragrance that features notes of bergamot, lime, mandarin, cardamom, nutmeg, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, vetiver, and vanilla. The bottle is made of Baccarat crystal and has a five-carat diamond on the neck. Only 10 bottles were made, and they were sold for $215,000 each.
Opera Prima by Bulgari – $235,000 per bottle
This perfume is the most expensive one ever created by Bulgari, a renowned Italian jewelry and luxury goods brand. It was launched in 2014, to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the company. It is a floral, citrusy, and woody fragrance that features notes of orange blossom, bergamot, lemon, jasmine, rose, patchouli, and vanilla. The bottle is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, made of Murano glass and decorated with 250 carats of precious stones, including diamonds, rubies, and citrines. Only one bottle was made, and it was auctioned for charity.
Shumukh by Nabeel – $1.5 million per bottle
This perfume is the most expensive one in the world, according to its creator, Nabeel Perfumes, a UAE-based perfume house that was founded in 1969. It was launched in 2019 and is a unisex fragrance that features notes of agarwood, sandalwood, rose, musk, patchouli, ylang-ylang, and more. The bottle is a masterpiece of luxury, standing at 1.97 meters tall and made of gold, silver, pearls, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and other precious stones. It also has a remote-controlled spray mechanism and an LED screen. Only one bottle was made, and it was displayed at The Dubai Mall.
