Dubai is back at it again, showing the world how it does luxury like no one else. The city just dropped what’s being called the world’s most expensive perfume, Shumukh and it’s priced at a jaw-dropping $1.3 million (yes, that’s around ₹10.8 crore!). Crafted by perfumer Asghar Adam Ali, the founder of Nabeel Perfumes, Shumukh took three years and 494 trials to perfect, all in an effort to bottle up the essence of Dubai itself. But this isn’t your usual spritz-and-go kind of scent. Shumukh comes in a massive 3-liter Murano glass bottle, perched inside a 1.97-meter tall display case that’s dripping in bling, 3,571 diamonds, 2.5 kilograms of 18-karat gold, 5.9 kilograms of pure silver, plus pearls and Swiss topaz for that extra glam factor. It’s basically perfume-meets-royal-artifact.
The name ‘Shumukh’ translates to “deserving the highest,” which makes total sense once you see the over-the-top design. The bottle features intricate motifs that pay homage to Dubai’s culture – think falcons, Arabian horses, roses, pearl diving, and even nods to its futuristic cityscape. The scent itself is a rich, gender-neutral blend of traditional Middle Eastern fragrances like sandalwood, musk, frankincense, agarwood, and amber, mixed with floral touches like Turkish rose and ylang-ylang. It’s not just about the scent though, it’s also the first perfume in the world to set not one but two Guinness World Records: one for the most diamonds on a perfume bottle and the other for being the tallest remote-controlled perfume spray system. Yes, it’s so extra, it even sprays itself.
Perfume isn’t just about smelling good in the Middle East, it’s cultural. From ancient traditions to Islamic teachings that value personal fragrance, scent is deeply woven into everyday life. The Middle East and Africa’s fragrance market was worth $6.1 billion back in 2017 and is only climbing. With that kind of demand, it’s no wonder the UAE is leading the race in ultra-luxury fragrances. Shumukh has officially outshined previous record-holders like Clive Christian’s No.1 Imperial Majesty and DKNY’s Million Dollar Bottle, not just in price but in spectacle. Though no buyer has been announced yet, Shumukh is currently on display at Dubai Mall, and the makers say they’ve already received a few “serious” inquiries. Whether someone actually buys it or not, one thing’s clear, when Dubai decides to make a statement, it doesn’t whisper. It perfumes the entire room.
