Timbuktu (2004)
by L'Artisan Parfumeur

A quite extraordinary fragrance. One of the best I have ever sampled!

The similarities to Interlude Man are obvious but Timbuktu is slightly more reserved and has a dryness to it while Interlude has a sweetness. Has a voodoo like quality.

This is pretty great. I experience it as a mostly vetiver-based scent, but there's this wonderful crisply-sour spine to it all, like a tamarind-zip for the nose. No idea what that is but as a result this is super. The patchouli is always only a supporting chorus, which is also pleasing. All very exotic but entirely wearable.

It starts out sweet, warm spicy. In the middle I get a whiff of something different; perhaps it is the karo karounde. Towards the end I smell the patch, benzoin, and myrhh. "Beyond the basenotes", when it has really dried down, it is a slightly wood, powder-like scent.

For me, it starts out rather ordinary. As it wears on, then it becomes interesting and quite lovely. I can see why it is so popular, now that I have finally tried it.

zar music
In the cultures of the Horn of Africa and adjacent regions of the Middle East .
Wikipedia

Timbuktu gives me a sense of tranquility, much like burning Nag Champa incense does during my meditation.
The top notes (playful and not overwhelming mango included) make for a smooth, sweet entry but it’s the dry down where this beauty shines for me. The papyrus and frankincense play the largest part in said dry down, and the smoky aura is heavenly. It is refined, relaxing, not loud, and lasts a long while on skin and fabric. Romantic and quite addicting is this offering from L’Artisan Parfumeur.
If you are debating buying this blindly, you will not be disappointed with this one.