What Does Oud Smell Like? And 11 Fragrances

So what does oud smell like? Very seductive, smoky, woody, slightly animalic. The scent is rich in nuances, ranging from sweet to earthy, with some accords of leather and spices. 

It's exact smell depends on the species of the tree that produces the resin and on the technique used for extraction.

Oud, also known as Agar wood, is charming; it is an unmistakable and mysterious odour that you will not easily forget. In perfumery, oud oil is often used in oriental bases as well as woody and fougère compositions. Those fragrances without a doubt evoke feelings of pure luxury and exclusivity. 

Agar wood and its oil are extremely precious and rare and is used extensively in perfumery. The oud oil is considered to be one of the most precious ingredients of the perfume industry.

What Is Agar Wood?

Oud wood, also commonly referred to as Agarwood, is produced from trees of the genus Aquilaria, belonging to the Thymelaceae family. These trees are prone to being infected by a particular mold. The tree rejects this invasion by producing resin. In this way the wood remains protected. The resinous heart of the wood goes from soft and odorless to dark and aromatic, in defense of the fungus growth. The infection can progress from the trunk to the roots making the whole tree dark brown or black.

Where Agar Wood Comes From?

Agar trees that produce oud typically grow in dense forests in Southeast Asia, India and Bangladesh. It has been said that only 1 out of 10 Agar trees have the infected heartwood, making it even more rare!

Best Fragrances That Smell Like Oud

Colonia Oud is an oriental woody fragrance for men.

The opening brings gentle fresh citruses - typical of Acqua Di Parma perfumes.This dissipates very fast allowing the darker notes to come through.

The cologne then transitions to an elegant musky almost soapy stage giving room for the beautiful Agar wood aroma and honey smell, with a rich floral background.

The dry down has a leathery touch which almost overpowers the Agarwood.

Colonia fragrance has outstanding longevity (around 8 hours) and the sillage is strong. This fragrance is great during fall, winter and spring.

Notes: - Top: Calabrian Bergamot, Italian orange. Heart notes: Agarwood, Amyris, Coriander.Base notes: Leather, Sandalwood, Musk, Atlas cedar, Indonesian patchouli leaf.

Best Arabian Oud Fragrance, Al Oudh is an oriental spicy Agarwood fragrance for women and men, but it leans more masculine.

It opens with delicious notes of pink pepper, dates, dried fruits, caraway, cardamom and orange blossoms. They fade quite quickly though.

A beautiful incense, precious oud ingredient and rich dark leather make up the heady concoction that takes over. This center is supported by iris, saffron, neroli, and rose. 

The fragrance can be worn all year round, but it is really best suited to cold fall and winter nights.

Notes:- Top: Caraway, Dates, Dried fruits, Cardamom, Pink pepper, Orange blossom. Middle: Agarwood arabic, Leather, Incense, Saffron, Rose, Iris, Neroli. Base:Civetta, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk, Virginia cedar, Tonka bean, Vanilla.

Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir is an oriental woody fragrance.

It opens with a moderate to strong projection of oud, green, sweet resinous, and sweet citrus notes. The opening is mature, delectable, classy, intense, fresh, and inviting. 

Best Oud Perfume For Men, Oud Noir has a noticeable sweet note; this is a result of the olibanum and bitter orange.

The olibanum is a sweet, honey-like, fresh, resinous, and slightly spicy note.

Longevity is moderate at about 4 hours, it projects well for about 1 hour. This Versace Perfume is best for colder days in winter, spring and fall.

Notes: - Top: Pepper, Bitter Orange, Neroli. Middle: Saffron, Cardamom, Olibanum. Base: Oud, Patchouli, Leatherwood.

Oud Perfume For Ladies - Gucci Intense is an oriental unisex perfume; elegant, quiet, calm, mesmerizing, and classy. 

The slightly sweet and minty opening is all about very refined incense. Intense Oud has woody notes over a rich, leathery base while hinting of sweet amber and olibanum.

The end stage it is very faint but consistent and creamy, which makes it an extremely smooth skin scent.

Very long lasting, the fragrance has a strong sillage that lingers for hours, leaving a dry, smokey oud with notes of cumin.

It is best suited to cooler winter and fall nights. 

Notes: Oud, Incense, Olibanum, Leather, Amber.

Velvet Rose & Oud is a dark and romantic oriental floral oud cologne for women and men, but it leans more feminine.

It opens with the Oud and then the praline and sweet Damask rose enters the picture.

The rose offers up a dark and captivating feel, while smoky wood balances out the rich deep and warm oud.  

This fragrance is deep, glamorous, enigmatic and unforgettable. The longevity of this scent is good and the sillage is moderate. 

Montale Golden Aoud is an oriental fragrance for women and men, but it definitely leans to the feminine side.

The rose and oud smells dominate. The most prominent overall note is the oud with a slight leathery twinge to it. 

The patchouli is very lightly applied - almost unnoticeable, while the saffron and geranium are quite prominent. The other notes add a hint of spice.

This luxurious oud perfume could very easily become your signature scent.

Notes: - Top: Rose, Geranium, Patchouli. Middle: Leather, Chili Pepper. Base: Oud, Saffron, Teak, Cedar.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood is an amber woody unisex fragrance. The strong rose accord makes it perfectly suitable for women to wear.

From the beginning, Satin Mood opens up with a clear yet soft Oud aroma, supported by roses. After about 10 minutes, the oud settles down, letting the rose and violet come to the forefront. The vanilla is a soft note in the background.

It is a fabulous rose blend with sweet and woody notes.

Satin Mood is mature, multifaceted and elegant, you must try this blend with your body chemistry.

A strong scent which lasts extremely well. 

Notes: Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose, Vanilla, Oud, Benzoin, Violet

Black Rose Oud is a deep and warm amber floral unisex fragrance, but it definitely leans more feminine. It was launched in 2011.

If you like deeper, alluring, more mysterious fragrances with lasting, lingering, earthy woody notes then you must try this famous fragrance.

Black Rose Oud is for a woman who is sure of herself; someone who doesn't fear attention, because this scent is definitely going to draw people to you.

It is a very strong fragrance that lasts a long time and has a strong sillage. 

Black Rose Oud is more of an evening fragrance, and really performs well in cooler weather.

Notes: - Top: Raspberry leaf, Litchi, Saffron, Osmanthus, Pepper. Middle: Black rose, Bulgarian rose, Incense, Orchid, Geranium, Papyrus, Cypriol oil or Nagarmotha, Cumin.

Base: Oud oil, woody notes of Sandalwood and Cedar, Benzoin, Musk, Madagascar vanilla, Patchouli.

Valentino perfume - Valentina Oud Assoluto is a dramatic rose, oud and leather fragrance for women. 

Soft floral notes of rose and prominent leather blend with the scent of fresh orange blossom resulting in a provocative and beautifully harmonious fragrance.

The dry down is all about the saffron and Oud notes. Valentina has great longevity and the sillage is moderate to strong - a little from the marvelous bottle goes a long way.

Notes:

Top: Cardamom, Orange blossom. Middle: Oud, Leather, Bulgarian rose. Base: Saffron, Vanilla. 

Why Is Agar Wood So Special?

Pure Agar wood is a very rare scent that is not readily available therefore the amount that is around needs to be savored beyond measure.

The Oud scent is classified as one of the most valuable and richest raw fragrances in the world.

What Are The Benefits And Uses Of Oud Oil?

This precious essential oil's uses have various forms ranging from religious to corrective and remedial. The oil is usually associated with harmony, peace of the spirit, and, if applied daily, the elimination of destructive forces in the home. This oil is a beneficial aid for meditation, and it is also said to improve mental acuity and ease compulsive and obsessive behaviors.

What Are The Uses Of  The Agar wood?

In the Middle East, both women & men as one burn Oud pieces to fragrance their homes and their clothes. Numerous Muslims think that their prayers grow with the scented smoke of Oud and are sent directly to Heaven.

Why You Should Try A Perfume That Smells Like Oud?

Oud it is one of the strongest and most long-lasting perfume notes on skin. Oud goes well with vetiver, sandalwood, rose, lavender, geranium and carnation and sometimes with citruses like bergamot as supporting notes.

Quality oud fragrances are perfect for special occasions, especially for an evening event in cold weather.