Dark and sultry, dry and sweet, Taklamakan ripples like the sands of the desert for which it was named, engulfing you in an addictive cloud of smoky vanilla, luxurious caramel, richly spiced patchouli, and sumptuously balsamic resins under skies heavy with ambergris. Hot, dry desert winds blow from the east, bringing exotic luxuries from the ancient Spice Route, incense and opoponax, and setting ablaze a rich cadre of woods consisting of Chinese cedar, birch, cade, and guaiac. As they slowly envelop the dark vanilla at Taklamakan’s heart, dusty myrrh and sweet myrrh cast their magic in a haunting spell that is made all the richer by opulent sandalwood, luxuriously creamy tonka, chewy labdanum, and a drop of dry rose. In its drydown, Taklamakan becomes a comforting dream of golden amber infused with creamy plushness, dry woods, velvety resins, and soft spiciness. Powerful, deep, and long-lasting, Taklamakan entranced us with its sweet desert song, and has become a new favorite from Stephane Humbert Lucas.

Fragrance Notes

Bergamot, rose, patchouli coeur, black vanilla, tonka absolute, birch, cade, gaiac, cedar, myrrh, orris, tolu balsam, labdanum, ambreine, amber gris, benzoin, sandalwood, musk

Fragrance Style

Spicy, Powdery / Soft, Woody - Spicy, Resinous / Balsamic, Unusual / Unexpected

Taklamakan Sizes Available:

50ml

$205

0.7ml sample

If you like Taklamakan Eau de Parfum, we recommend you try:

L'Air du desert marocain by Tauer Perfumes

Ambra Aurea by Profumum

Ambre Russe by Parfum d'Empire

Oud Monarch by Bortnikoff

Vanille Havane by Les Indemodables

Ambre Loup by Rania J.

Here's what other people are saying about Taklamakan...

Lighter than expected from that ingredient list but with longevity that makes it a daylong commitment, this begins as a headachey vanilla-caramel that, though well-done, was far too gourmand for me. I like the dry benzoin and patchouli notes, which eventually open up an idea of sky and hot, hot winds (along with a nifty salt note that is the opposite of marine) thanks to strategic cedar and orris deployments. Drydown is a joy, but that first hypersweet had me wondering whether I’d made a scrubber-level mistake.

By ANGELA - editor from Seattle on 7/28/2019

The master of the Exotic Oriental Fragrance Stephane Humbert Lucas presents us this benzoin based perfume which is enhanced with Bergamot, rose (prominent), patchouli coeur, black vanilla, tonka absolute, birch, cade, gaiac, cedar, myrrh, orris, tolu balsam, labdanum, ambreine, amber gris, sandalwood, and musk. In spite of so many elements, the end product is one of his lightest and most evocative creations that has a beautiful understated yet luxurious understated elegance about it. The perfume conjures visions of the spice laden caravans slowly crossing the Mongolian desert after which this stunner is named. This perfume will grow on you and never overpower you, but its sweet spicy mysteriousness lingers and wins you over. A masterpiece!

By Rajesh Balkrishnan - Professor and Perfumer from Charlottesville on 1/22/2019

An Arizona dust storm descends upon a vanilla bean milkshake. Dirty and sweet ain't for me.

By Christopher - Educator from Dallas, Texas on 10/7/2018

A vanilla bean shake in an Arizona dust storm.

By Christopher - Educator from Dallas, Texas on 10/7/2018

I can't go into depth and detail regarding the opening of scents/smell, but can state that this is a keeper as far as longevity and quality. A small amount goes a long way and lasts the entire day. First purchase that I've had luck lasting as long as Taklamakan. It is a bit heavier than most of my past purchases, but works quite well with my body chemistry. A rich, dark, bold punch with the opening and develops on my skin into an incredible vanilla spice of sorts. As with anything, I'd start with a sample, as no two individuals will yield the same results. I've learned the hard way when reading reviews on this site. I'm thrilled with this parfum and hope others have the same luck.

By Alexa - Finance from Monaco on 3/9/2017

Not so keen on this sample. Though husband likes it! There is a suggestion of sweat here. Reminds me very much of Kingdom (Alexander McQueen). Perhaps a few more nuances. Won't be pursuing further.

By Deb - Perfume enthusiast from Newcastle upon Tyne on 8/20/2016

4 stars because it reminds me of other scents, but it's incredibly well done. The opening does give an impression of warm sand. As it changes, it gets drier and woodier for a period, then becomes a slightly salty vanillic musk with some syrupy resins. Super smooth and no screechy synthetic woods, thank goodness. I only have a sample but would love to go full force with spraying. There are similarities to both Tauer L'Air du Desert Morocain and Lubin Korrigan. This could be their love child.

By EP - Sniffer from NYC on 8/17/2016

This scent is amazing I've been trying for over a month to find a signature scent and this is it. I received a sample and fell in love it has so many layers to the scent. once it wears down it leaves a soft musky powder scent. I put it on in the morning and it lasted well over five hours.

By BexN - office manager from Silver Spring on 8/12/2016

Wow! I am going off the sample vial here, but I put half if it on me this morning and here we are 8 hours in and I'm still projecting good. I cant emphasize enough on how great this stuff smells. It doesn't compare to anything . It's a scent of its own. All the notes make one magnificent composition. The best part is that it's under $200! Wow, what a bargain for what you are receiving!

By Consumer This - Finance - Real Estate from Indianapolis on 8/5/2016

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Stephane Humbert Lucas 777

Eau de Parfum

Taklamakan

Eau de Parfum

by Stephane Humbert Lucas 777

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