SHUMUKH, The World’s Most Expensive And Luxurious Perfume

The Spirit of Dubai Parfumes by Nabeel, an opulent fragrance brand hailing from the UAE, has crafted Shumukh, which holds the distinction of being the world’s most expensive perfume, valued at AED 4.752 million, equivalent to around £1.3 million.

Shumukh, a perfume that boasts multiple Guinness World Records, serves as a captivating portrayal of seven essential aspects of Dubai. This masterpiece stands at a towering height of 1.97 meters and harmoniously combines the realms of perfumery and exquisite jewellery. It showcases an assortment of 3,571 diamonds, gold, silver, pearls, and topaz, intricately woven into its design.

SHUMUKH, the world's most expensive perfume — The silver shell opens slowly, offering a glimpse into the treasure hidden within. Durra is the treasure of the deep seas, untouched by human hands, the pristine white pearl. It is nature’s finest creation.

Why is Shumukh perfume so expensive?

Translating to ‘deserving the highest’ in Arabic, Shumukh embodies the fusion of perfumery and jewellery artistry. It masterfully weaves together the narrative of the illustrious Emirate through seven core design elements. Encased within an exquisite Italian Murano crystal bottle, the fragrance is adorned with a gold falcon, Arabian horses, roses, and a globe, all embellished with 3,571 dazzling diamonds (amounting to 38.55 carats), magnificent pearls, 2.5 kilograms of 18-karat gold, and 5.9 kilograms of pure silver. This captivating creation is elevated on a cushioned leather stand, reaching an impressive height of nearly two meters. Shumukh truly epitomises the essence of pure luxury.

In this blue world filled with seas and oceans, Aamal stands out as a haven, holding hope for humanity. Pinpointed on the globe with a sparkling crystal to symbolize innovation and prosperity, Aamal is the centre of the world.

Immortalised in gold, Abjar, the legendary stallion waits for his master, the warrior-poet Antar.

SHUMUKH perfume is covered in diamonds — The Black Rose, the rarest of flowers, is a real natural treated rose that is adorned with diamond dust. There are only rumours of its existence. Narjesi embodies the timeless love that spans centuries and continents.

The Haibah cannot be described in mere words. Like the rarest of diamonds, it is priceless.

Perched high above the clouds, Baz looks down at us. Depicted for posterity in his bronze-hued glory, the falcon (Baz) is the ruler of the skies.

Welcome to the Diwan. The scent of Bakhoor emanates from the Mabkhara, greeting you as you enter. This is the famed royal hospitality of Dubai.

Shumukh is a unique and unrivalled tribute to Dubai in the world of fragrance and beautifully showcases the seven key elements, which follow its highly successful Spirit of Dubai collection. 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). All of which can be customised.

After an extensive journey spanning over three years and involving 494 perfume trials, Shumukh proudly houses 3 litres of exquisite fragrance.

What does Shumukh perfume smell like?

This remarkable scent is meticulously crafted using the finest natural ingredients procured from the farthest corners of the globe, resulting in an unforgettable and mesmerising olfactory experience. Its composition boasts captivating notes of amber, sandalwood, musk, rare pure Indian agarwood, pure Turkish rose, patchouli ylang-ylang, and frankincense, which harmoniously blend to create a fragrance that lingers on the skin for more than 12 hours.

The inception of Shumukh took place in the UAE under the visionary guidance of Mr Asghar Adam Ali (Al Attar), the Chairman and Master Perfumer at Nabeel Perfumes Group of Companies. It was skillfully brought to life by renowned artisans and master craftsmen from Italy, France, and Switzerland, including the esteemed Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (“Best Craftsman of France”) awardees, as stated by the brand.

Shumukh enters a niche market of ultra-luxurious perfumes, joining the ranks of extraordinary creations. According to Guinness World Records, the most expensive commercially available perfume to date is Clive Christian No.1 Imperial Majesty, which was released in a limited run of 10 bottles in 2005, priced at £165,000 each for 500 millilitres (including delivery via Bentley).

Other extravagant and unique fragrances have made their mark as well. In 2011, DKNY unveiled the Golden Delicious Million Dollar Fragrance Bottle, a creation crafted from yellow and white gold, adorned with 2,700 diamonds and 183 yellow sapphires. Dubbed “the world’s first million-dollar fragrance bottle,” it contained only 100 millilitres of perfume and was auctioned off for charity, with the final selling price remaining undisclosed.

In 2018, Morreale Paris, a French company, presented Le Monde sur Mesure, a fragrance housed in a bottle embellished with two kilograms of gold and 1,000 diamonds. This unique fragrance was complemented by a design curated by the buyer and was sold for £1.435 million.

While Le Monde sur Mesure holds a higher overall price tag, Shumukh surpasses it in terms of cost per millilitre (£341.61 vs. £284.90), establishing The Spirit of Dubai’s claim to a world record in this metric.

Shumukh proudly boasts a pair of Guinness World Records, standing as a testament to its extraordinary nature. These records encompass the remarkable achievements of featuring the highest number of diamonds ever set on a perfume bottle and being recognised as the tallest fragrance spray product that can be operated remotely. The enchanting Shumukh bottle is accompanied by opulent gold or silver remote controls, allowing users to effortlessly activate the automated perfume spray and even adjust the height or rotation of the pedestal.

Dubai has emerged as a prominent global centre for some of the most lavish consumer products, solidifying its reputation as a destination renowned for luxury and opulence.