Reviews of Timbuktu (2004)
by L'Artisan Parfumeur

I wish I could love this, I really do. I love the notes on paper, the idea behind it, the fact that it's based on the Wusulan perfume ritual of Mali--well, who knows if that's really true, but hey, they get points for weaving an intriguing narrative, and people pay good money just for stories, you know!

The problem is a single offending agent that ruins the whole composition for me, and which I assume must be the karo karounde because it smells like nothing else I've ever smelled before. Unfortunately, it's also the very heart of the composition. It's a shame, because I can faintly imagine what the fragrance might be like without it, and I think I would love that fragrance.

Too dry and much too like Terre d'Hermes to me (which I don't like but is "wetter"). Earthy and clingy like a boring girlfriend who won't let go. I have to say, it's a good scent, but I'd just can't wear it the patchouli turns me off.

Oh dear. I can't remember a packaged fragrance that has turned my stomach the way this one did. No kidding, I really thought I'd heave right there in the fragrance shop. I might have liked the smell better than Timbuktu, too.

To make matters worse, there was no opportunity to scrub it off before I had to appear at a business meeting. I spent the whole meeting wishing I could fart to cover up the scent.

The development? Well it got a little less pungent, and a bit sweeter, but not enough to make it wearable on me. Good sillage (heaven help me,) and lots of lasting power.

I'm going to assume it's my skin that is the problem, and not the scent itself. In any case, my idea of olfactory hell is being dipped in this stuff and then hung out to dry.

That taste in the back of your throat right before the general anesthetic kicks in.

Overall, I get a very dry wood, and that about sums it up. I actually like the scent, but don't really wanna wear it.

Like wearing a bar of deodorant soap. Sharp soapy and rather harsh note bothered my nose. Not a "good clean" feeling. May be that L'Artisan and I were just not meant for one another with all the raves they are getting. I wanted to like this. Just didn't work on me.

Only L'Artisan scent I really dislike. I think Timbuktu is too woody and sharp. Also I'm getting extremely fed up with the use of incense in modern scents, it often takes over, dominating the blend, This is certainly evident here. In the same genre I'd pick YSL's excellent Body Kouros instead.