The most expensive perfumes in the world that smell divine (2024)

These art-worthy fragrances are in a league of their own

‘Perfumeis theinvisible,unforgettable, fashionable accessory that announces your arrival and prolongs your departure,’ quipped Coco Chanel. This quotation by the late grande dame of fashion encapsulates the importance of a perfume to its wearer. Every year, purveyors of perfume strive to create more ambitious and unique fragrances, which will linger in hearts, minds (and noses) long after the wearer has left the room. But amongst the huge number of luxury perfumes on offer, some are a cut above the rest, both in terms of the quality of their fragrance and in terms of price point.

These ultra luxury perfumes are like artworks, both in terms of their intricate play of notes and their high calibre packaging and bottles. Top of the list of most expensive fragrances is Shumukh, created by Nabeel. Launched in 2019, this musky scent made with rose and sandalwood costs more than €1.5 million euros. Its bottle, made with 3,500 diamonds and pearls, 2.5kg of 18 karat gold and 5.9kg of silver, is a sparkling objet d’art and the armour a truly exceptional perfume.

DKNY is behind the second most expensive perfumes in the world: Golden Precious. Developed with the designer Martin Katz, this fruity, floral fragrance with notes of orange blossom, lily, plum and musk comes in a luxurious bottle covered with 183 yellow sapphires, 2700 white diamonds, an 7.18 carat oval sapphire cabochon from Sri Lanka, 15 bright pink diamonds from Australia, 4 rose-cut diamonds and a turquoise tourmaline. This luxury confection costs you $1 million.

Bulgari, Clive Christian Perfume and Gianni Vive Sulman have also chosen opulent bottles for their luxury perfumes. These limited edition fragrances are adorned with gold and precious stones. Take 1 Million by Paco Rabanne with its 18 carat gold packaged up in a real leather box.

For certain perfumes, it’s not only the bottle but the legacy, authenticity and originality of a perfume which has made the price go up. This is the case for Chanel’s famous N°5, Caron‘s fragrance Poivre and Joy by Jean Patou, which was selected as the perfume of the century at the Fragrance Foundation Awards in 2000.

The 10 most expensive perfumes in the world

• Shumukh by Nabeel: $1.5 million
• Golden Delicious by DKNY: $1 million
• Opera Prima by Bulgari: $235,000
• No. 1 Majesté impériale by Clive Christian Perfume: $215,000
• Parfum VI by Gianni Vive Sulman: $89,000
• 1 million, LUXE edition by Paco Rabanne: $57,000
• Les Larmes Sacrées de Thebes by Baccarat: $6,800
• Le N°5 Parfum Grand Extrait by Chanel: $3,500
• Poivre by Caron: $1,000
• Joy by Jean Patou: $850