Alternatives

Perfumes like Timbuktu

L'Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu is unisex, about €150–250 for a full bottle. Cardamom, green mango and incense in the dry heat of Mali. Notes: cardamom, green mango, incense, vetiver, papyrus. Moderate · lasts 4–8h · spring, summer, autumn · office-safe.

Closest alternatives from other houses

1. Le LaboNicheUnisex€€€€
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   Santal 33

   Leather and smoky sandalwood with cardamom, a campfire in the American desert, very city-cool. Shares cardamom, papyrus with Timbuktu.

   Notes: sandalwood, cardamom, violet, papyrus, leather · Strong · lasts 8h+ · autumn, winter, spring · office-safe
2. Tom Ford Private BlendNicheUnisex€€€€
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   Ébène Fumé

   Palo santo smoke and dark papyrus, a meditation in black. Shares papyrus, incense with Timbuktu.

   Notes: palo santo, papyrus, leather, labdanum, cade, incense · Moderate · lasts 8h+ · autumn, winter
3. Comme des GarçonsNicheUnisex€€€
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   Kyoto

   Zen incense and cypress in a Kyoto temple, quiet and meditative. Shares incense, vetiver with Timbuktu.

   Notes: incense, cypress, vetiver, teak, coffee, everlasting flower · Moderate · lasts 4–8h · autumn, spring · office-safe
4. DiptyqueNicheUnisex€€€
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   Eau Duelle

   Vanilla carried on a spice caravan, dry tea and incense rather than dessert. Shares cardamom, incense with Timbuktu.

   Notes: vanilla, pink pepper, cardamom, black tea, incense · Moderate · lasts 4–8h · autumn, winter · office-safe
5. Vilhelm ParfumerieNicheUnisex€€€€
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   Basilico & Fellini

   Basil, lemon and vetiver in an Italian film garden. Shares cardamom, vetiver with Timbuktu.

   Notes: basil, lemon, cardamom, vetiver, bergamot, clove · Moderate · lasts 4–8h · spring, summer · office-safe
6. Frédéric MalleNicheFor men€€€€
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   French Lover

   Angelica, galbanum and incense, a green forest walk. Shares incense, vetiver with Timbuktu.

   Notes: angelica, galbanum, pepper, incense, vetiver · Moderate · lasts 8h+ · spring, autumn · office-safe
7. ZoologistUltra-nicheUnisex€€€
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   Panda

   Bamboo, mandarin and incense in a misty mountain temple. Shares incense with Timbuktu.

   Notes: bamboo, mandarin, incense, sandalwood, osmanthus, pine · Moderate · lasts 8h+ · spring, autumn · office-safe
8. Papillon Artisan PerfumesUltra-nicheUnisex€€€
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   Anubis

   Incense, saffron and leather in an Egyptian tomb, dark and ritual. Shares incense with Timbuktu.

   Notes: incense, saffron, leather, jasmine, labdanum, sandalwood · Strong · lasts 8h+ · autumn, winter

Before buying a full bottle, try a sample of two or three of these for a few days. Niche perfume changes a lot on skin.