Oud, also known as agarwood, is a fragrance that elicits strong reactions – you either love it or loathe it. It is notorious for being the most polarizing perfume category in the realm of luxury scents. Some individuals find it intoxicating and alluring, while others deem it cloying and suffocating. The scent of oud has been likened to an Arabic souk – intense, powerful, and in-your-face. To its detractors, oud is more of a pong than a perfume, more eye-watering than inviting.

The Acquired Smell of Oud

Oud is an acquired smell that is not for the faint-hearted. It is derived from a dark resin produced when a fungal mold infects the aquilaria tree. Due to the lengthy process required to produce the resin, oud is one of the world’s most expensive and precious raw materials. However, the depletion of the aquilaria tree due to over-harvesting and habitat loss has raised concerns about the sustainability of oud production.

The Luxury of Oud

Despite its divisive nature, oud is undeniably luxurious and sensual. Sustainable plantations of oud have been established in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia to ensure responsible harvesting practices. Perfumeries often use oud oil in small percentages along with other ingredients like cypriol or patchouli due to its high cost.

Best worn in hot climates on warm skin, oud is a fragrance that demands respect. For those looking to explore the world of top oud perfumes, some notable options include:

• Initio Oud For Greatness
• Granado Oud by “Nose” Leonardo Luciezo
• Diptyque Oud Palao
• Tom Ford Oud Wood
• Ormonde Jayne Man
• Intense Oud by Gucci
• Christian Dior Paris Oud Ispahan
• Cartier Oud Musc
• Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Wood or Baccarat Rouge 540
• Acqua Di Parma Signature Of The Sun
• Parfums De Marly Layton
• Creed Royal
• Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir
• Amber Oud by Al Haramain
• Byredo Oud Immortel
• Killian Paris Musk Oud
• Le Labo Santal 33

For those hesitant to wear oud-based perfumes, Urban Apothecary Oud Geranium room spray offers a milder alternative to experience the essence of oud. Embracing oud in its various forms can transform you into an “Oudist” and open up a new olfactory world.