I’m going to be completely honest here: I wasn’t always a fan of oud. As a matter of fact, I only began to appreciate this decadent, luxurious note pretty recently, so much so that it is now one of my favorite notes to wear during the fall and winter seasons.
What caused this tragic shift, you might ask? Well, as it happens, I was out doing some light shopping and came across some body mists from a newly launched Arabian collection. One with the name “Shy Oud” caught my eye, and I decided to try it, although I had always believed that I didn’t like oud. I was pleasantly surprised. I decided to give oud fragrances another chance after that, and I’m so glad I did.
Oud is a warm note. It can be very heavy in summer and doesn’t react well to heat and sweat. But in the winter and colder months of the year, it truly shines. Combined with the right notes, oud can turn into one of the best things you’ve ever laid your nose on.
If you weren’t sure about oud, try any of these top oud scents, and you might change your mind.
For Her:
1. Montale Aoud Queen Roses EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Montale |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Floral Woody Musk |
| Main Accords | Rose Oud Floral Leather Patchouli Fresh Spicy Animalic Woody Warm Spicy Smoky |
| Release year | 2007 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Pierre Montale |
Aoud Queen Roses by Montale is truly a queen amongst scents. If this scent were a woman, I would describe her as romantic, outspoken, and of a dominant character. She would be the woman who is noticed by everyone the moment she enters a room. You would never be able to overlook her.
This long-lasting women’s fragrance is for those who demand attention. If you have an event or are going somewhere where you need everyone to notice you, I recommend you give this oud scent by Montale.
2. Cartier La Panthere Noir Absolu EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Cartier |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Main Accords | Oud White floral Musky Lactonic Powdery Animalic |
| Release year | 2016 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Mathilde Laurent |
Cartier is a brand known for their luxury watches and jewelry. Not many would think of fragrances when they hear this brand’s name. But I would say that La Panthere Noir Absolu made me absolutely fall in love.
This luxury fragrance is suitable for everyday wear. The oud is the first thing you smell, but it is certainly not overpowering. It is subtle and blends beautifully with the fragrance’s musky, powdery, sensual notes.
For Him:
1. Holy Oud Oud Occidental Extrait De Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Holy Oud |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Woody Aromatic |
| Notes | Top: Apple and Citrus Middle: Cinnamon, Saffron, Clove, and Labdanum Base: Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood, and Cypriol Oil |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Longevity | Over 10 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Holy Oud |
One thing I can say for sure is that it is much easier for men to find oud fragrances than it is for women. Due to this, narrowing it down to two that were worth trying was not easy. After much digging, I decided to go with For Oud Occidental, a long-lasting men’s fragrance by Holy Oud, and another by Bvlgari.
Oud Occidental is an extrait de parfum, which is more concentrated than your average perfume. This adds to the longevity of the scent. This option is fresh and warm. It is a versatile fragrance that you can wear all year round. But I recommend it most for outdoor activities during the cooler days and nights of the UAE.
2. Bvlgari Le Gemme Orom EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bvlgari |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Vanilla |
| Main Accords | Top: Bourbon Vanilla Middle: Siam Benzoin Base: Agarwood (Oud) |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Longevity | Over 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Bvlgari |
Le Gemme Orom by Bvlgari is an amber vanilla fragrance for men. There is something undeniably attractive about this scent. The combination of vanilla and oud gives off a warm, comforting scent in this elegant and sweet scent.
I highly recommend this fragrance for date nights, intimate outings, and nights in. The feeling of comfort it gives to not just the wearer but to everyone around is immaculate.
For Unisex:
1. Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Jo Malone |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber |
| Notes | Top notes: Bergamot Middle notes: Cedarwood Base notes: Oud |
| Release year | 2010 |
| Longevity | Over 10 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Christine Nagel |
Jo Malone is a brand that has never let me down so far. In the past, I was never interested in trying anything with oud in it, but as soon as I learned that I actually like oud, I ran to try this Oud & Bergamot Cologne by one of my favorite fragrance brands.
The composition here is simple: an opening of bergamot, a heart of cedarwood, and a base of oud. Yet the intensity of this cologne is not to be slept on. When I smelt it, I was captivated by the aroma it gave off; I couldn’t stop myself from purchasing it on the spot.
2. Arabian Eagle Modern Indian Oud Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Arabian Eagle |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Woody |
| Notes | Top notes: Oud and Lie De Vin Middle notes: Agarwood, Myrrh, Incense, and Benzoin Base notes: Papyrus Oil, Oud, Amyris, Vetyver, Leather, Labdanum, and Animal Tones |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Longevity | Over 10 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Arabian Eagle |
Last but certainly not least is Modern Indian Oud Parfum by Arabian Eagle. This UAE-based brand creates unique blends with traditional notes (like oud). In this perfume, they have given the aroma a modern twist, making it suitable for modern humans.
This luxurious yet affordable scent is suitable for special occasions, business meetings, and fancy dinners. I wouldn’t recommend it for casual wear, but if that’s the vibe you want to bring to the function, you do you.
Visit V Perfumes for your favorite oud fragrances and many more. Don’t miss out on offers you won’t find elsewhere in the UAE.
1. What does oud mean in perfume?
Oud, also known as agarwood, is a highly coveted ingredient in the world of fine fragrance. It refers to the resinous heartwood formed within certain aquilaria tree species native to Southeast Asia when they become infected with a particular type of mold. This dark, rich resin possesses a deep, warm, woody aroma with animalic nuances that is highly prized in perfumery
2. What is oud perfume?
Oud perfume is a fragrance that features oud (agarwood) as a prominent note, usually in the base. Oud’s intense, warm, and slightly animalic aroma lends depth, richness, and longevity to the overall scent. These perfumes are highly coveted in Middle Eastern and Asian perfume traditions and have gained immense popularity globally.
3. How to tell if an oud perfume is genuine?
Identifying a genuine oud perfume can be challenging due to the potential for adulteration or synthetic imitations. Look for transparency from the brand about the source and quality of oud used. Genuine oud has a deep, complex, slightly animalistic scent with excellent longevity and projection. Additionally, real oud perfumes tend to be more expensive due to the rarity and labor-intensive extraction of the ingredients.
4. What is Arabic oud made of, and what’s the significance of oud in Arabic perfumes?
In Arabic perfumery traditions, oud (also known as oudh or ghaaliya) is derived from the resinous heartwood of aquilaria trees native to Southeast Asia. It is considered one of the most precious and revered ingredients, holding significant cultural and religious significance in the region. Oud has been used in Arabic perfumes for centuries, and its deep, complex aroma is highly prized.
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