What Is Oud Perfume: A Guide To The Exotic Fragrance

If there’s one fragrance ingredient that screams luxury, it’s oud. Deep, woody, and intoxicatingly rich, oud has been a favourite amongst perfumers for centuries. Loved in the Middle East and now a staple in high-end Western fragrances, this rare and opulent note is having a serious moment. If you’ve ever caught a whiff of a bold, smoky, and slightly sweet scent that lingers long after someone leaves the room, chances are, that was oud.

But what exactly is oud perfume? What makes it so special (and expensive)? And how does it differ from your everyday fragrances? Let’s get into all about oud and break it down.

What is oud perfume?

Oud’s reputation as ‘liquid gold’ speaks for itself, it’s one of the rarest and most luxurious perfume ingredients out there. It comes from the heartwood of the agarwood tree, found mainly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. But here’s where it gets interesting, the tree has to be infected with a particular type of mould after an insect penetrates the tree before it starts producing the dark, resinous material that becomes oud. This process is part of what makes it so valuable.

For centuries, oud has been a symbol of wealth, status, and indulgence. It’s deeply embedded in Middle Eastern culture, used in everything from religious rituals to lavish personal fragrance blends. Now, thanks to the growing love for niche and statement scents, oud is having a major global resurgence - just check the shelves of any high-end perfume counter.

What is oud perfume made of?

When the agarwood tree gets infected, it defends itself by producing a rich, dark resin. This resin is then distilled into the potent and smoky oud oil that perfumers go crazy for.

There are different types of oud you’ll come across:

• Pure oud oil: This is the real deal. Super strong, super expensive, and worn in tiny drops.
• Blended oud: Mixed with other notes like rose, amber, or vanilla to make it more wearable.
• Synthetic oud: A lab-made version that captures the depth of real oud without the hefty price tag.

Pure oud oil is an acquired taste, that’s why many modern fragrances blend oud with other notes to make it more wearable (think Gucci Oud or Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Oud Satin Mood).

What is the difference between oud and regular perfume?

Oud is a raw ingredient, while oud-based perfumes are compositions that feature it alongside other notes.

Pure oud oil is often worn neat on the skin or layered with other scents for a more personalised touch. It has a depth that evolves throughout the day and lasts for hours (sometimes even days) on clothing.

Oud-based perfumes, on the other hand, tone down that raw intensity by blending oud with florals, citrus, musk, or spices. Depending on what it’s paired with, an oud fragrance can feel smoky and mysterious, sweet and velvety, or even fresh and modern.

How to wear and choose an oud perfume

Here’s how to wear an oud scent right:

• If you’re new to oud, start with a blended fragrance that softens its intensity. Think warm vanilla oud, spicy leather oud, or fresh citrus oud.
• It’s best to apply oud scents strategically since a little goes a long way. Dab it on pulse points like your wrists and behind your ears, oud lasts forever, so you don’t need to drench yourself.
• With oud, it’s helpful to know the occasion. Oud is bold and sensual, so it really shines for evening wear, luxe events, or when you just want to feel extra powerful. It’s not exactly a gym scent, though (unless you’re trying to turn heads!).

Our top picks of the best oud perfumes

In our humble opinion, no good perfume collection is complete without an oud in the lineup. If we’ve managed to entice you and you’re looking for more oud fragrance inspiration, take a look at our guides on The Best Oud Perfumes For Women and The Best Oud Perfumes For Men.