L'Artisan Fragrances • Timbuktu EDT • Fragrances

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*TOP REVIEWER* zeynepd on 5/17/2013 1:48:00 PM more reviews by zeynepd

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

I have had a 15 ml. bottle for some time, but I have been able to appreciate Timbuktu’s real beauty only very recently. At first, I thought it was short-lived on my body, with a strange flowery opening leading to a soapy heart and then fading.

Then I started noticing its mysterious and addictive smoke, an incense note of its own. Usually incense is a rather difficult note for me; I have come across it mostly in orientals and it usually says indoors and demure atmospheres to me.

Here, on the contrary, it has this incredible vastness, a very different kind of mystique. Very airy, interestingly clean, endless. Accompanied with a deep, deep sandalwood. Incredibly serene and detached on colder days, like looking at the world from the sky. Things are in slow motion, time is suspended, worries of everyday life somehow disappearing. This is a strange feeling of serenity I associate with skydiving and floating in the air.

Nevertheless, this feeling does not come without a paradox in Timbuktu. Sometimes, in addition to leather undertones, there is a dirt note from the patchouli that's very prominent on my skin. And sometimes a very noticeable campfire note. Both of them are satisfactory olfactory experiences, though not necessarily pleasant in an everyday sense. I feel very conscious of myself when I notice these on my body if I'm outside. Still, they have taught me to derive pleasure from things that I would easily hush aside some time ago. They disappear when it's cold.

Timbuktu is a strictly colder weather fragrance for me with good sillage and lasting power, but I prefer wearing it closer to my skin and reapplying if necessary. It goes surprisingly well with the chaotic city I live in as well as the inner peace I work to nurture.

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SerendipitousAerie on 2/19/2013 10:58:00 AM more reviews by SerendipitousAerie

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Sensitive, Tan, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy   Eyes: Blue    

In a nutshell:
Timbuktu smells like old money. Old money on vacation at a resort in a hot, dry climate.

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gmstrack on 2/2/2013 2:45:00 PM more reviews by gmstrack

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

Timbuktu by L Artisan Parfumeur is not what I expected. After reading several reviews and note listings, I ordered a sample hoping for a dry, spicy chypre with incense. The opening is quiet with a hint of spiciness and fruit. Then—bang—strait to stale soap. Did I receive the correct sample? Yes, I’m identifying green vetiver and a strange floral note, but the “warm spicy” part is definitely not detectable. (The opening is far away from the dry down.) Perhaps someone can help me understand this fragrance…

16 hours later, a trace of Timbuktu lingered in my hair. The scent lost the soapy aspect exposing deep smoky woods. I also found that if I apply a very small amount to the skin the smoky-campfire aspect shows through almost immediately. This brings to mind a midnight camp fire in the middle of a hot exotic forest. I have memories of sitting around a fire with friends; drinking, and smelling the trees, flowers and other greenery as the smoke coats my hair and clothes. Timbuktu is this, only strange. Getting better…

One week later: I love this fragrance! I can’t stop smelling it and losing myself inside the presented contradiction. Clean yet musky-smoky; dry and hot, yet never powdery; green, but not “fresh”. Also, I challenge anyone to call this fragrance boring given that some of the notes are exotic, especially the floral note (Karo Karounde) and the smoke (cypriol).

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*TOP REVIEWER* babsvs on 8/21/2012 6:31:00 PM more reviews by babsvs

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

I came to a point in my life where I wanted a "renaissance". I wanted to exercise more, eat better, and most of all, spend my time on work I enjoyed more. I saw an image for the feeling I had in the Matt Damon movie We Bought a Zoo. At the end there is a long sequnce filled with natural beauty,human kindness and radiance.

I wanted a scent for my new life. I tried a lot of samples, and for some reason decided to revisit LAP Timbuktu, a scent I'd always considered over-rated. It was a revelation. The opening is darkly mysterious and radiant at the same time. It feels like clear sunlight illuminating a forest.

As Timbuktu progresses, the woods and incense become pronounced. While it is clearly a dry woods fragrance, it does not have that bone dry feeling. The radiance counterposes and even lifts the dry woods.

As Timbuktu drys down, it becomes earthy, but still retains its light.

There are some indigenous African flowers in Timbuktu, but there are none of the floral scents we think of in the West. To me, that enhances the scent, making it more mysterious but never off-putting.

My highest recommendation.

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*TOP REVIEWER* syltetyta on 11/10/2010 5:01:00 PM more reviews by syltetyta

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Other    

A lot of people refer to the dirt in this one.
Frankly, i don't get the dirt.
I don't get any burnt wood, choal, tobacco, citrus or patchouli.


What I personally get is pepper and spices, myrrh, some pine and also a tad of the mango sweetness, benzoin resins, and vetiver.
All blended perfectly and balanced.
I love it.


However, after the first spritzes on my wrist I wrote it off 5 minutes after because of some heavy old leather smell that arized - I suppose it's the dirt that people are talking about? - and stayed put for around 45 minutes.


But after those 45 minutes I got a whiff of the fragrance without the heavy leather note - and I was hooked!
It's a winter fragrance for me, and thank god for that - 7 months with cold weather will make it easy to empty the bottle - when I get one!
But first off i will start with getting a small decant, as it is an unusual fragrance, supposedly to be worn by men. I don't find this scent especially masculine, though.
It is one of those scents that you wear for yourself, and not for everybody else IMO.
I love it on me, but I'm not so sure people near by will love it as much as I do. As I mentioned, it is an unusual fragrance, and not for everyone.


This is definately a try-before-you-by fragrance, but please do try if you like unusual scents with woods and spices like ceder, myrrh, cardamom, pepper, mango, and a touch of inscence.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* WentworthRoth on 11/7/2010 11:08:00 AM more reviews by WentworthRoth

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Notes: green mango, pink pepper berries, cardamom, karo karounde flower, incense, papyrus wood, balms and spices, patchouli, myrrh, benzoin and vetiver.

Timbuktu opens on my skin with green fruity mango notes and pepper. Underneath the sheer and sparkling head notes, I faintly smell the patchouli and the aromatic resins. Unfortunately the interesting head notes do not last long and the patchouli and resin notes get gradually stronger. Although the fragrance becomes drier and earthier in its development, as underneath the main notes there are warm spice notes as well, the exotic flower and the papyrus wood counterbalance all of them very well. Somehow Timbuktu faintly reminds me of Terre de Hermes. They do share some notes, but Timbuktu is without any citrus notes. Once the fragrance has settled into a greenish patchouli and resin combination it stays that way until is softly disappears. On my skin there is no particular dry down which is a pity since I love Terre’s sweaty grapefruit and salty incense dry down. Lasts for about 4 hours.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* KKAI on 8/14/2010 11:49:00 AM more reviews by KKAI

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

No offence to the people who love this but this must be one of the most unpleasant scents for me. I do not get the mango that is listed as a top note. I get the cardamon, the incense, the tobacco, the vetiver and the patchouli, all in a harsh blend. A fragrance that smells dirt and burnt woods, especially in the drydown. Definitely not a feminine scent, but I would not like it on a man either. Very unappealing in the hot weather. I will retry in autumn (when I feel brave) and update if I change my mind but for the moment this is a scrubber for me!

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*TOP REVIEWER* KelseyP on 11/19/2009 10:55:00 PM more reviews by KelseyP

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I love Bertrand Duchafour, but this scent is a no for me. I also love smoky, woody and incense scents. I don't get clean cedar pencil shavings, though I wish I did. There is an almost oily, inky darkness which ruins the whole thing for me. There is a sweet meaty note also that reminds me of a glazed ham sprinkled with cumin, and I usually like the cumin notes in scents but not this way. I wish I had loved this, because all the notes seem like something I should.

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*TOP REVIEWER* fpih on 10/26/2009 4:53:00 AM more reviews by fpih

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Spicy and too citrusy. I'm not a fan of citrusy scents, so this one is not for me. However, it's not bad and it does last quite well for a L'artisan fragrance.

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montmorency on 9/5/2009 2:32:00 PM more reviews by montmorency

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

The associative power of the olefactory is completely addictive, and to the right mood even unpleasant smells can be almost trippy. For me Timbuktu recreates the early-childhood cedary thrill of a freshly sharpened pencil, when to be in possession of a pencil - and to know how to use it, indeed - was a power among the thrones and dominions. My first spritz of Timbuktu filled me with an absurd, unreasoning joy, and I spent my whole day sniffing my wrist compulsively. That cedar, plus a contained, self-assured frankincense note that murmurs rather than exclaims all day long, makes this wonderful stuff supremely wearable (for me it's now an everyday accessory) rather than shouty as many 'exotic' formulations seem to be, especially from the more commercial houses. I don't like most florals and orientals because they are always too declarative, heavy, and irritatingly persistent, and it would be easy to mistake Timbuktu for one of those wide-mouthed sirens. L'Artisan scents are always interesting but they are not always an unmixed delight. Timbuktu, which I notice on a number of the blogs gets very mixed reviews, is my new best friend, and one I'll still be talking to when I can no longer hold a cedar pencil

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* triotrio on 7/22/2009 10:43:00 AM more reviews by triotrio

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Well, I'm glad I bought a sample of this because it's taught me one definate thing - I am definately NOT a "woody, smoky, patchouli, inscense" type of gal.

When I sniffed it first I literally recoiled. Not good! It was like sticking my face into the inscense burner in church. Cough cough!

But I stuck with it all day and many hours later I can say that the drydown is OK, woody muskiness.

This fragrance is definately one to try out in sample form. I can imagine people loving it. But a lot of people will hate it. Even if you do though, it's still an interesting experiment in defining your own personal taste.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* essija on 6/30/2009 9:33:00 PM more reviews by essija

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

Very Green in a Pine sorta way! Nice scent but not for me, I would never wear this, I wouldn't mind a man wearing this occasionally but not pretty enough for me to wear.. Great name though!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

jendurfo on 4/3/2009 9:42:00 AM more reviews by jendurfo

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I just bought this and I love it. It's different from anything else I have and I've been getting lots of compliments.

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Jill70 on 3/7/2009 3:05:00 PM more reviews by Jill70

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Green, citrusy, unique. This was really growing on me, then my DH gave his two cents, suggested it was very masculine, & now I can't help but see it through that lens. In the end will not purchase...but I'll use up my sample! UPDATE: In a flash, I realized what my fondness for this scent is. A warm summer evening. Me, about 7 years old. My Dad, freshly showered (with Zest soap) after mowing the lawn drinking a gin & tonic. I might purchase this after all.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* elfriede on 12/31/2008 1:24:00 AM more reviews by elfriede

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

Count me among the few who love this fragrance. Opens green & spicy, then alternates between light, airy, sweet smoke and waves of dry, woody incense. Becomes lighter and sweeter (but still with marvelous sillage) for a few hours, then vetiver takes over the drydown along with a little bit of resinous, warm patchouli. (Vetiver can come off as fairly masculine but I still love to wear it myself.) The mango note is subtle--it seems to include the sweet, delicate, almost marshmallowy angle I often smell in fresh mango. There's also something in here, perhaps a combination of notes, that smells like dry pine needles (one of my favorite smells). There wasn't a phase in the development of this I disliked whatsoever. Might be because it's winter in New England, and the cold weather is making the funkier notes behave. Perhaps, come spring it will turn on me!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

taylorwest on 12/22/2008 11:08:00 AM more reviews by taylorwest

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I wanted to like this one too. I agree completely with the other reviewer who said this scent seems to be for an older, distinguished gentleman, and that it even has a paternal feeling. That's exactly how it struck me. It seems like a masculine scent, but for an older man.

Having said that, it's not unpleasant, and I did get the complexity and even the sweetness, but it was definitely a man's scent for me. But it's not one I would pick for my husband (and definitely not myself).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Irene18 on 12/13/2008 10:15:00 AM more reviews by Irene18

Age: Unknown   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Like some others, I wanted to like this. The story is appealing (who wouldn't want to smell like a mysterious African flower?), the note are ones I have generally liked, and some of the reviews are raves. But NO! It joins my short list of scrubbers. Open was very peppery and harsh, which quickly became an unpleasant mix of strong soapy vetiver and patchouli. Maybe a very slight bit of smoky wood/incense emerged, but nothing else, did not get anything anise or herbal. After an hour or so I felt it was overpowering ( I had generously dabbed), could wait no longer, and headed for a sink. A definite try before you buy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Ambergristanbul on 10/4/2008 12:31:00 PM more reviews by Ambergristanbul

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Wanted to love this one. After Luca's description, I really, really wanted to love this one. For me, it is a wonderful fragrance for an older, distinguished, well educated gentleman. There is something paternal about the scent. This may be one that I could grow with and wear after some time, but as of right now I would feel like a grandfather. It actually smells very, very good, very distintive, but just not for me right now.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

figtart on 9/27/2008 6:32:00 PM more reviews by figtart

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

You had me at "Timbuktu!" I was ready to buy this fragrance based on the name alone, but tried to be rational before plunking down $135 for 100 ml, so I did a little research. First, I checked out online reviews and read Luca Turin's 5-star review in his book "Perfumes - The Guide." He calls it a masterpiece of nouvelle parfumerie, and describes it as an "almost infrared shimmer of woody freshness."


Okay, now I'm really intrigued! So, I ordered a small sample from theperfumedcourt.com and wore it for a few days before giving in and splurging on a full bottle.


Having said that, this fragrance is not for everyone and definitely not for everyday use. Because of its distinct woody, smoky scent with hints of vetiver, sandalwood and incense, this could really knock people out near you if you overdo it! I would strongly suggest wearing only the tiniest amount and trying a sample of this first before purchasing, because a little goes a long way. In fact, if I had it to do over again, I probably would have just purchased an 8 ml. decant online (but I must say I love the bottle).


According to L'Artisan's marketing materials, Timbuktu is a modern French spin on an ancient West African perfume rite. Master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour was inspired by his travels to Mali in West Africa and returned to L'Artisan enchanted by the mystical perfume art, called Wusulan, still handed down from mother to daughter as a magical spell to seduce and secure one's true love.


Timbuktu notes include green mango, pink pepper berries, cardamom, karo karounde flower, smokey incense of papyrus wood, patchouli, myrrh and vetiver.

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*TOP REVIEWER* pook555 on 7/21/2008 8:23:00 AM more reviews by pook555

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

Wow! Now this is one lovely fragrance! Let me start by saying that I haven't really found a L'artisan fragrance I didn't like - they're all unique, interesting, and lovely, and I've tried quite a few. Now, I love woody fragrances, and this is one I've fallen in love with - it's really that nice. To me, I don't find this masculine at all (it is sweeter than frags like Tam Dao and even a bit sweeter than 10CC). To me, this is quite a sense memory scent - my mother used to keep her fine scarves and other delicate items in a drawer in her dresser. She'd store them along with some lovely fine french soaps a friend of hers would always give as gifts. Every so often as a child, I would look at each of the delicate items, the scarves, lace, cashmere wraps, etc., and they would smell of the rich wood of the dresser, the fine french soaps, and fine silk. THIS is what Timbuktu smells like on me!! Soapy, woody, a touch of lemon, a touch of sweetness. It's a comforting, delicious, warm hug. I think this might be a new favorite!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No