Serge Lutens 2005 EDP

U ££ Acquired

Borneo 1834

by Christopher Sheldrake

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Serge Lutens Borneo 1834 is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2005, created by Christopher Sheldrake. Borneo 1834 opens with Cardamom and Galbanum, settles into a heart of Cacao Pod and Patchouli, and dries down to a base of Jasmine and Labdanum. Serge Lutens's Borneo 1834 carries an Acquired verdict, a musk-led wear.

This is a bold, uncompromising patchouli, dark chocolate bomb that isn't for the faint of heart. Seriously polarizing, it's either an addictive, earthy masterpiece or a chaotic mess of medicinal spice and dirt. Sample first, definitely.
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  • Mysterious
  • Sophisticated
  • Warm
  • Edgy
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Borneo 1834 Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend
Topas listed
Galbanum59%
Cardamom41%
Heartas listed
Patchouli53%
Cacao Pod47%
Baseas listed
Labdanum64%
Jasmine36%

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Long (6-10h)
Projection
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Fall Winter

A cold-weather scent. The dark, camphorous patchouli and dry cacao body read heavy and rich on warm skin, making autumn and winter the natural home; the green galbanum bite stops it ever feeling summery.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

Its dark, polarising patchouli-cocoa character and significant longevity make it a poor office choice but a strong pick for cold-weather date nights and formal evenings, and a confident casual wear on a colder day. Lacks any freshness for daytime summer wear or sport.

About

Borneo 1834 plunges you into a rich, dark world of earthy patchouli, camphorous and deep, expertly blended with dry, unsweetened cacao. Galbanum adds a green, slightly bitter edge, while subtle hints of labdanum and cardamom weave in warmth and a balsamic roundness. It evokes the damp, fertile earth of a tropical forest floor, with an almost ancient, mysterious character.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Borneo 1834 Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Borneo 1834 Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.