OUD FRAGRANCES: 5 BEST OUDS THAT AREN'T OVERPOWERING

Nicknamed liquid gold, oud is one of the world’s most coveted scents and the most popular by all account. Once worn by royalty like sultans and pharaohs, oud is acclaimed for its rich, woody notes, that whisper of honey and cool woods.

Its heady muskiness can be quite potent, and it’s been used for centuries in India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. If you haven’t discovered oud yet or are looking to further explore it, these are our picks for the best oud perfumes.

Top 5 Oud Perfume Picks

Best Intro to Oud

A good place to start would be Versace Oud Noir, a sophisticated, masculine oud that smells like the more affordable cousin of Tom Ford's Oud Wood. An elegant dark scent with spicy opening notes, that turns sweetly alluring with heart notes of cardamom and saffron leading neatly to the base of oud, patchouli, and leatherwood. A pleasant fragrance that's suitable for both daytime at the office or a hangout for drinks with the boys in the evening.

An elegant blend of notes, Versace oud Noir is a good introduction to the charm of agarwood as it is a gentle and less aggressive version of the oud often found. Performance varies from person to person as bodies interact with perfumes differently, but on a whole, it has a moderate silage and longevity compared to your average oud.

A male scent best for cold seasons and perfect for both day and evening wear. It was launched in 2013

Pros: Easy to wear, not overpowering, also affordable Cons: Longevity issues, wears off after 3-5 hours

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Best Classic Oud

Ralph Lauren Polo Supreme Oud makes it's mark as a classic gentleman’s scent. Lavish, confident and proud. Luxe and evoking sophistication —you’ll want to wear this scent in a 3 piece suit, sipping cognac and holding a cigar. Think Idris Alba on the front cover of GQ!

It was launched in 2015 and the nose behind this scent is Carlos Benaim

Spicy, concentrated, and woody, this fragrance has such a great balance; the oud is noticeably present but not dominant. Oud enthusiasts might consider this a safe choice but it's a great place to start if you’re new to wearing ouds. Pros: Very elegant and formal oud. Cons: Ralph Lauren discontinued its oud line and it is very difficult to find (we've got you though).

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Best for a Night Out

A perfect touch of luxury is the Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud, whether you’re just hitting town or winding it down. An elegant evening wear.

Damask rose gives off a dark and bewitching aura, while smoky wood balances out the oud. There’s a hint of clove woven with praline. Deep, mysterious and unforgettable and the best part, it is unisex.

When you think of this fragrance, think lights, camera and glitz. Very glamorous, great choice for when you get that AMVCA or Headies invite. A wonderful choice for a sultry night out or in!

Launched in 2012, the nose behind this scent is Fabrice Pellegrin. Perfect for cold seasons.

Pros: Creamy rose and sweet gourmand praline scents round out the sharp edges of oud. Cons: There are quite a few rose/oud pairings out there so it doesn’t feel entirely unique but is well done.

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Best Cozy Oud

Gucci continues it's sojourn in the world of oriental scents with the introduction of Gucci Intense Oud. This spicy fragrance presents western-style oud in a modern and luxurious way, showcasing notes of wood over a rich, leathery base while hinting of sweet amber and olibanum. The result is a charming and unique oud scent, suitable for office or evening wear. The nose behind this is Aurelien Guichard.

Launched in 2016, this fragrance is great for both male and female. It will leave you with a silage that will linger for hours, leaving a dry, smokey oud that harbors notes of cumin.

Pros: Good value for money, pleasantly smooth and elegant. Cons: It’s a bold, love it or hate it type of scent.

Best Earthy Scent

Oud Immortel was created by a Swedish luxury brand, Byredo, to display earthy tones and the beauty of nature. Just like the best Arabian Oud fragrance, Byredo is woody and spicy. Even on days when stuck inside, the wood, lemon, and spice will have you longing for the outdoors.

This fresh and spicy fragrance has top notes of limoncello and cardamom, middle notes of patchouli and Brazilian rosewood, and base notes of tobacco and oakmoss. The scent tilts more towards men but stands out as a unique scent on women.

Perfect for all seasons, Oud Immortel was launched in 2010. If you're a nature lover, this will suit you really well. Suitable for women who wants that extra edge at the workplace.

Really long lasting though a bit overpowering.

Pros: Easy to wear, longevity

Cons: Slightly overpowering, high price tag

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About Oud and Agarwood

What Is Oud?

Oud is gotten from the wood of the tropical Agar tree, which can be found in India and much of Southeast Asia. As weird as it may sound, it’s actually parasitic mold that causes the tree to produce a dark, fragrant resin. This is the oud.

Why is Oud So Pricey?

To get Oud, the tree has to be infected by the parasite to create the resin. This is a very rare occurrence: only about 2 percent of trees produce it. This in turn makes Agarwood among the most expensive on the market. It is then unsurprising, the rarity of oud. The difficulties of harvesting means oud oil is thought to be the most expensive in the world.

Why is Oud So Popular?

Quite a number of perfume houses in the world now use oud as a base to create incredible fragrances for men and women. The base notes of oud tends to linger on the skin long after the others dissipate. The truth is, a bottle with a base of oud will most likely last for hours after application. Oud is also considered a unisex scent and most can be worn by men or women.

I hope you found this helpful. Let us know how your journey with oud has been and if you're a newbie, this is a good place to start.

Thank you for reading!