Maison Francis Kurkdjian is launching a new edition of its iconic fragrance, Baccarat Rouge 540 Édition Millésime. It is an edition that takes the concept of luxury in perfumery to a new level. It combines an extremely rare ingredient, a unique flacon and an exclusive experience. Limited availability and beauty on every level make the perfume a true work of art.
Real ambergris – the heart of the composition
The most important distinguishing feature of Édition Millésime is the use of real gray ambergris. This unusual substance, formed naturally in the digestive tract of sperm whales. It has fascinated perfumers for centuries with its musky-earthy depth. Ambergris not only gives the fragrance a unique character, but also acts as a natural fixative. Therefore, it enhances the longevity and sensuality of the composition. In the Millésime version, it has replaced the previously used synthetic ambroxan. Therefore, the fragrance is even more intense, creamy and enveloping.
Aroma of luxury in its purest form
Baccarat Rouge 540 Édition Millésime stays true to the oriental-wood family of fragrances, but with natural ambergris it gains new complexity and greater depth. It is a fragrance that evolves on the skin. It slowly reveals layer after layer: from the expressive opening notes to the warm, smoky-wooden base accords. The composition is more majestic than the classic version. Therefore, it impresses with its projection and manages to fill the space with its presence.
Flacon as a work of craftsmanship
Not only the fragrance itself, but also the flacon was created as a tribute to art and craftsmanship. The red Baccarat crystal in which the perfume is encased is created in collaboration with 19 artisans in eastern France. The 24K gold-plated cap fully integrates with the intricate structure of the glass. A crystal base surrounded by eight columns adds a monumental touch. The creation of one flacon takes about 500 hours of work and requires the utmost precision.
The entire piece is housed in a special box made of spruce, inspired by the packaging used to transport crystal chandeliers. An interior lined with leather and mirrors completes the piece. Meanwhile, a hand-stitched lambskin case adds an even more exclusive dimension to the whole.
Limitations and exclusive privileges
Édition Millésime is one of the most limited edition perfumes in the world. Only 54 flacons will be created each year for a period of 10 years. That means a total of only 540 copies available globally. This is a symbolic number, referring to the name Baccarat Rouge 540.
Buyers become members of the prestigious “Les Amis du Rouge” club, which opens the door to a world of unique experiences. The program includes private dinners, workshops with master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, performances at the Vienna Opera House or an exhibition by the artist at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. It’s not just about buying perfumes, but also about entering a narrow circle of connoisseurs and luxury collectors.
A symbol of absolute luxury
With a price of $28,000 per flacon, Baccarat Rouge 540 Édition Millésime ranks among the world’s most expensive perfumes. However, in this case, the high value is not just a matter of marketing. It is the result of a combination of a rare natural ingredient, a masterful composition, a work of art in the form of a flacon, and an experience that goes beyond simply wearing a fragrance.
Édition Millésime is not just a perfume, but a manifesto of luxury, rarity and craftsmanship, aimed at the few – for whom perfume is more than an aroma, and becomes a symbol of uniqueness and the art of living.
