The best oud fragrances to try
Agarwood has infused the most luxurious scents for centuries. Here, we select a range of perfumes for different budgets
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For centuries, oud has formed the foundation of the world’s most luxurious scents. Collected from south-east Asian aquilaria trees that have been infected by a particular strain of fungus, cut down and seasoned for years at a time, it remains one of the most expensive ingredients available to perfumiers.
Also known as agarwood, its use in medicines and religious practices dates back thousands of years and is documented in the hadiths. Now, its distinctive aroma can be found in everything from traditional bakhoor to hand soap and laundry detergent.
Here are some of the best oud-based fragrances available online and in stores.
Frederic Malle The Night
£855 for 50ml
Widely acknowledged as the heavyweight champion of luxury ouds, Frederic Malle’s The Night comes with a price tag to match. Blending a powerful natural oud base with sweet rose, it has what some describe as a certain animal or barnyard quality, so is definitely not to everyone’s taste.
Devotees, however, rave about the quality of ingredients, its explosive opening and long life on the skin. An ultra-high-end unisex scent for serious enthusiasts and members of the one per cent.
Atelier Rebul Oud Royal
£75 for 100ml
Atelier Rebul’s history goes back to 1895 when French pharmacist Jean Cesar Reboul opened his first chemist’s shop on Istanbul’s famous Istiklal Avenue. Many of the house’s modern fragrances are inspired by that heritage, adding a contemporary twist to a range of time-honoured florals, chypres and orientals.
The eau de parfum Oud Royal combines a warm, smoky base with vanilla, honey, jasmine and cedar. Not quite as deep and rich as some others on this list, but excellent for everyday wear and a great memento of the Turkish capital, should you happen to pick it up at one of the atelier’s outlets in the city.
Acqua di Parma Oud Eau de Parfum
£257 for 100ml
Acqua di Parma is most known for its crisply Mediterranean and citrussy Colonia Eau de Cologne. The Italian perfumier brings a similarly bright, fruity approach to this scent, combining woody base and middle notes with a top end of orange and bergamot. Hardcore oud fans might find it a touch light and soapy, but for newcomers it’s a zingy interpretation, perfect for warm weather.
Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum
£222 for 50ml
Originally launched in 2007, Tom Ford’s Oud Wood became one of the most popular modern takes on this classic fragrance. Marrying an amber and vanilla base with sandalwood, agarwood, patchouli, vetiver, rosemary and pink pepper, this 2024 update comes at a considerably higher cost than its predecessor. Owing to its powdery dry down, some perfume enthusiasts describe it as a beginners’ oud, but there’s plenty for old hands to enjoy too.
Diptyque Oud Palao
£160 for 75ml
This classy rose-oud blend packs a punch so serious that some might find it overpowering on the first spray. After an initial burst of dark wood and sweet rose, however, it settles into a rich, coherent and slightly musky perfume with a warm, fireside feel. It will bring up memories of incense, places of worship and old, well-loved books.
Dior Oud Ispahan
£168 for 50ml
With a base of agarwood, sandal and cedar, complemented by notes of rose, saffron and labdanum, Dior’s Oud Ispahan is a determinedly resinous, wood-forward fragrance. Highly regarded for its longevity — a couple of sprays will see you through an entire day — and a projection that has been described as “nuclear”, it’s opulent, earthy and one bottle will last for a long time.
Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense
£160 for 100ml
As far as the fragrance itself is concerned, this one does exactly what it says on the bottle. Combining heavy, dark wood with zesty citrus and a pop of pink pepper, it’s a sophisticated feminine scent that works in almost any setting. Where some might begin to disagree with the description is its intensity and longevity, but sometimes a little subtlety is a good thing.
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