What is the Most Expensive Arabian Perfume?

The most expensive Arabian perfume is Shumukh by Nabeel, priced at $1.295 million. This Dubai masterpiece holds two Guinness World Records and contains 3,571 diamonds, 2.5kg of 18-karat gold, and pure silver.

However, the world of most expensive Arabian perfumes extends far beyond Shumukh. From Omani luxury house Amouage to traditional Saudi perfumers, Middle Eastern fragrance houses create some of the world's costliest scents. Therefore, this guide explores the top 5 most expensive Arabian perfumes and what justifies their extraordinary prices.

Table of Contents

• Shumukh by Nabeel - The World's Most Expensive
• Spirit of Dubai Collection
• Amouage Gold & Library Collection
• Abdul Samad Al Qurashi Premium Oils
• Ajmal Dahn Al Oudh Moattaq
• What Makes Arabian Perfumes Expensive
• Affordable Arabian Perfume Alternatives
• FAQ

1. Shumukh by Nabeel - $1.295 Million

Shumukh is the most expensive Arabian perfume ever created. Launched in 2019 by Nabeel Perfumes in Dubai, this unisex fragrance costs $1.295 million for a 3-liter bottle.

What Makes Shumukh So Expensive:

The bottle design represents "The Spirit of Dubai" through seven elements. Moreover, pearl diving, falconry, Arabian horses, roses, luxury, hospitality, and future vision are all depicted in precious metals and gems.

Materials Used:

• 3,571 diamonds (38.55 carats total)
• 2,479 grams of 18-karat gold
• 5,892 grams of pure silver
• Italian Murano crystal bottle
• Topaz and giant pearls

Guinness World Records:

Shumukh holds two records. First, it has the most diamonds set on a perfume bottle. Second, it's the tallest remote-controlled fragrance spray product at 1.97 meters.

The fragrance itself blends traditional Arabian ingredients. Furthermore, musk, amber, sandalwood, frankincense, and agarwood form the base. Turkish rose and ylang-ylang add floral sweetness.

Master perfumer Asghar Adam Ali spent three years creating Shumukh. In addition, he tested 494 different formulations before achieving the final scent.

Customization:

Buyers can customize Shumukh to their preferences. Therefore, the design adapts to individual tastes. Each diamond and precious stone comes with authentication certificates.

2. Spirit of Dubai Collection - Several Thousand Dollars

Nabeel's Spirit of Dubai line offers several expensive Arabian perfumes. While less costly than Shumukh, these fragrances still command thousands of dollars per bottle.

The Collection:

Spirit of Dubai celebrates Dubai's culture and heritage. Moreover, each perfume tells a story through carefully selected ingredients. The bottles feature Swarovski crystals and premium packaging.

Price Range:

Individual bottles cost several thousand dollars. However, the Dubai Royal Gift Set won the Luxury Packaging Award in London. Piano black lacquer and crystal detailing make it a collector's item.

Fragrance Philosophy:

These perfumes blend Eastern tradition with Western elegance. Furthermore, oud, rose, saffron, and amber create signature Middle Eastern character. The concentration ensures 12-24 hour longevity.

3. Amouage Gold & Premium Collections - $300-$500+

Amouage is Oman's luxury perfume house. Founded in 1983 by Sultan Qaboos, it creates some of the most expensive Arabian perfumes available globally.

Amouage Gold:

Amouage Gold launched in 1983 as the brand's flagship. Master perfumer Guy Robert created this floral aldehydic masterpiece. The price ranges from $300-500 depending on size and market.

Composition:

• Frankincense and myrrh (traditional Omani resins)
• Turkish rose and jasmine
• Civet and musk base
• Amber and sandalwood

At launch, Amouage Gold was called "the most expensive perfume formula in the market." Moreover, Sultan Qaboos spared no expense on raw materials. The bottle features real gold accents.

Amouage Library Collection:

The Library Collection represents Amouage's most exclusive line. Furthermore, Opus XIII Silver Oud costs approximately $245 for 50ml. This makes it one of the most expensive Arabian perfumes by volume.

Silver Oud Features:

• Natural Assam oud oil
• Madagascar vanilla
• Castoreum and birch tar
• 12+ hour longevity

Amouage uses traditional Middle Eastern ingredients with world-class perfumers. Therefore, brands like Dior and Chanel cannot replicate their authentic oud character.

Other Expensive Amouage Fragrances:

• Jubilation XXV ($300-400) - 25th anniversary limited edition
• Epic Man ($250-350) - Silk Road inspired
• Interlude Man ($250-350) - Smoky frankincense and oud

4. Abdul Samad Al Qurashi - Up to $30,000

Abdul Samad Al Qurashi (ASAQ) is a Saudi Arabian perfume house. Founded in 1932, this family business has 150+ years of oud expertise. Moreover, ASAQ operates 500+ stores worldwide.

Premium Oud Oils:

ASAQ's most expensive Arabian perfumes are pure oud oils. Some bottles cost up to $30,000. These are aged agarwood oils from rare sources.

Price Factors:

• Oil age (20+ years aged oud)
• Source region (Indian, Cambodian, Indonesian)
• Purity level (100% natural vs blended)
• Extraction method (traditional distillation)

Al Qurashi Blend Collections:

Beyond pure oils, ASAQ creates luxury mukhallats. Furthermore, these blends combine oud, rose, musk, and amber. Prices range from $200-1,000 per bottle.

Khasab Al Oud Heritage:

This signature fragrance costs around $200 for the heritage edition. Moreover, it contains aged oud chips visible in the bottle. The concentrated formula lasts 24+ hours.

However, some fragrance experts question ASAQ's pure oud authenticity. Therefore, artisanal distillers often provide better value at this price point.

5. Ajmal Dahn Al Oudh Moattaq - €260-400

Ajmal is a Dubai-based perfume house with 70+ years of history. Their Dahn Al Oudh Moattaq ranks among the most expensive Arabian perfumes for pure attar oils.

What is Moattaq:

"Moattaq" means "aged" in Arabic. Therefore, this attar uses aged Indian oud oil. The name translates to "Aged Oud Oil Blend."

Pricing:

• Pure oil version: €260-400 for 6-18ml
• EDP spray version: $137 for 60ml
• Crystal hand-cut bottle included

Composition:

Master perfumers blend aged Hindi oud with Turkish rose. Furthermore, ambergris, musk, and powdery notes create complexity. The result is leathery, animalic, and deeply aromatic.

Performance:

A single swipe lasts 12+ hours on skin. Moreover, fabric holds the scent for 24-48 hours. This concentrated attar oil requires minimal application.

Why It's Expensive:

Real aged Hindi oud costs thousands per kilogram. Therefore, even small bottles command premium prices. Ajmal sources authentic agarwood, not synthetic oud accords.

Fragrance experts praise Moattaq for authenticity. However, the animalic opening can challenge Western noses. The scent transforms beautifully over hours.

What Makes Arabian Perfumes Expensive?

Most expensive Arabian perfumes cost thousands for specific reasons. Moreover, these factors separate luxury Middle Eastern fragrances from mass-market options.

1. Oud (Agarwood) Quality

Pure oud oil costs $50,000 per kilogram. Furthermore, only 2% of Aquilaria trees produce usable resin. This rarity drives prices sky-high.

Oud Grading:

• Wild agarwood (most expensive)
• Plantation oud (medium cost)
• Synthetic oud (cheapest)

Most expensive Arabian perfumes use wild or aged plantation oud. Therefore, authentic scent quality justifies premium pricing.

2. Natural Ingredients

Luxury Arabian perfumes avoid synthetics. Moreover, natural rose absolute, frankincense resin, and real musk cost significantly more than lab-created versions.

Price Comparisons:

• Natural rose oil: $6,000-10,000/kg
• Synthetic rose: $50-100/kg
• Natural ambergris: $20,000+/kg
• Synthetic ambroxan: $100/kg

3. Concentration Levels

Most expensive Arabian perfumes use 25-40% fragrance oil. In contrast, Western perfumes typically contain 15-20%. Therefore, higher concentration equals higher cost.

Oil-Based Formulas:

Traditional attars use oil carriers instead of alcohol. Moreover, jojoba, sandalwood, and coconut oil cost more than ethanol. The oil base also extends longevity to 12-24 hours.

4. Craftsmanship

Master perfumers in the Middle East train for decades. Furthermore, family recipes pass through generations. This expertise commands premium prices.

Shumukh took three years and 494 trials. Similarly, Amouage Gold required Sultan Qaboos flying Guy Robert to Muscat. This level of dedication increases costs.

5. Packaging

The most expensive Arabian perfumes feature handcrafted bottles. Moreover, crystal, gold, silver, and diamonds elevate packaging to art. Shumukh's bottle alone costs hundreds of thousands.

Even mid-tier luxury uses:

• Hand-cut crystal (Ajmal Moattaq)
• 18K gold accents (Amouage Gold)
• Swarovski crystals (Spirit of Dubai)

Affordable Arabian Perfume Alternatives

Not everyone can spend thousands on fragrance. However, authentic Arabian perfume character exists at accessible prices.

ZAOUD Affordable Luxury

ZAOUD imports genuine Middle Eastern perfumes from UAE manufacturers. Moreover, we source directly from Dubai and Sharjah perfume houses. This eliminates markup while maintaining quality.

Conclusion

The most expensive Arabian perfume is Shumukh by Nabeel at $1.295 million. However, this price reflects art and jewels more than fragrance. True perfume value lies in brands like Amouage, Ajmal, and Abdul Samad Al Qurashi.

These houses create the most expensive Arabian perfumes through authentic ingredients. Moreover, pure oud, natural rose, and traditional craftsmanship justify premium pricing. A bottle of Amouage Gold or Ajmal Moattaq delivers luxury Middle Eastern perfumery at accessible levels.

For those seeking Arabian perfume character without extreme costs, ZAOUD offers authentic alternatives. Furthermore, we source directly from UAE manufacturers. Genuine Middle Eastern fragrances shouldn't require thousand-dollar investments.

The most expensive Arabian perfumes teach us about quality ingredients and traditional methods. However, you don't need millions to experience authentic Arabian perfumery. Start with proven brands like Lattafa, Swiss Arabian, and Paris Corner through ZAOUD.