Oud, also known as agarwood, is an intriguing and mysterious perfume ingredient, but be warned…those who fall in love with this other-worldly aroma quickly become obsessed!
Oud — also spelled oudh — is a dark, fragranced resin extracted from the heartwood of aquilaria or agar tree, found in the Middle East and Asia. The sought-after resin takes years to form in the core of the tree, adding to oud’s scarcity and making it the most expensive perfume ingredient in the world…more expensive than gold!
Oud’s ancient Middle Eastern origins give this woody fragrance ingredient a mystical quality. Historically, Egyptians burned oud as incense in religious rituals and used it as medicine. Today, the scent still evokes an emotional connection to the past, reminding us of sacred rituals and human traditions.
The obsession with oud also lies in its complex olfactory profile that truly holds your attention. Oud smells like the perfect blend of earthy vanilla and tobacco smoke mixed with sweet balsamic vinegar and hints of leather.
Modern oud perfumes personify the depth of the ingredient’s rich history but allow for modern updates with oh-so-chic aromas that immediately feel like luxury. While some oud perfumes capture the original smoky leatheriness of the aroma, others combine it with rose, jasmine, and neroli to give the aroma an unexpected fresh twist.
Due to price, scarcity, and sustainability issues, oud is often manufactured synthetically. There is also a newcomer to the perfume ingredient world, akigalawood, that gives fragrances a distinctive oud aroma…without the actual oud. Akigalawood is extracted from patchouli essential oil and smells like a mix of patchouli and oud, giving an alluring oud character to perfumes.
Oud is exotic and anything but mainstream. It gives a richness to a fragrance, and…maybe the most important thing — it is undeniably seductive!
Table of Contents
Our top 7 oud perfume picks
Get ready for the compliments to start rolling in! Our top oud perfumes for women will make you feel alluring, decadent, and mysterious.
1. Sentier Oud Gaiac EDP
Sentier Oud Gaiac EDP transports you to ancient forests with fresh apple and bergamot, while the heart of honeysuckle, ylang-ylang, and black pepper adds a unique floral spiciness that will leave your senses craving more. The top and heart notes perfectly balance the deep woods in the base where the oud accord blends with Gaiac wood. The fragrance closes with hints of vanilla that add just enough earthy sweetness to this oud perfume for women. Try Sentier Oud Gaiac EDP NOW!
2. Hermetica Vertical Oud EDP
Hermetica Vertical Oud EDP combines the intensity of oud with a green floral backdrop. This unisex scent blends two of the most sought-after perfume oils — rose and oud — with an intriguing, hold-your-attention blend of pepper, saffron, cardamom, patchouli, and sandalwood. Patchouli gets an updated twist in the base when paired with bright amber undertones. The unique formation of Hermetica Vertical Oud makes it an unforgettable oud perfume! Try Hermetica Vertical Oud EDP NOW!
3. Ormonde Jayne Arabesque EDP
Ormonde Jayne Arabesque EDP transports you to the fragrant aromas of the Middle East, with fruity blackcurrant and bergamot top notes and a shot of black pepper. Jasmine in the heart gives a feeling of tranquility before blending with a captivating base of musk, moss, patchouli, and, of course, oud. The appealing base gives complexity to the scent, making it a mysterious and enigmatic oud perfume. Try Ormonde Jayne Arabesque EDP NOW!
4. Parfums de Marly Valaya EDP
Parfums de Marly Valaya EDP creates the perfect contrast between flowers, musk, and woods. At first, you are met with an uplifting opening of white florals and fruits, including peach, mandarin, orange blossom, and lily of the valley. The woody base is the real crowd-pleaser where you will pick up the oud accord of akigalawood mixed with abroxan and musk. Valaya is soft and compelling at once, thanks to its unique composition and celebration of feminine power. Parfums de Marly Valaya is the perfect modern oud perfume for women. Try Parfums de Marly Valaya EDP NOW!
5. Etat Libre D’Orange Une Amourette EDP
Etat Libre D’Orange Une Amourette EDP delivers complex oud-aromas of akigalawood in the base that will have your senses completely transfixed. This oud perfume by the French perfume house Etat Libre D’Orange can be polarizing to the faint-hearted. But love it or hate it… the woody, almost carnal aromas are entirely unique. A fresh opening of neroli and pink peppercorn melts into heart notes of iris and patchouli before settling on the show-stealing base of oud aromas and vanilla. You will adore this oud perfume if you are looking for something off the beaten track. Try Etat Libre D’Orange Une Amourette EDP NOW!
6. Arquiste Misfit EDP
Arquiste Misfit EDP aims to make hedonistic pleasures attainable. The scent is inspired by Bohemians of the 19th century who celebrated the sensual aromas of patchouli. Other notes in the composition include French lavender, tonka bean, ambrette, and the oud aromas of akigalawood. Just one whiff of this unisex fragrance, and you’ll understand why it won a Fragrance Foundation Award. This patchouli and oud perfume is as unique as its name implies. If you are looking for an eccentric oud perfume, this is the one! Try Arquiste Misfit EDP NOW!
7. Ex Nihilo The Hedonist EDP
Ex Nihilo The Hedonist EDP has an exhilarating opening of bergamot and ginger that melts into warm cedarwood. The ultimate pleasure of smelling the perfume lies in the heart, where technologically advanced akigalawood becomes the focus as it blends into a base of vetiver, tonka bean, and musk. This arresting oud perfume has a chic simplicity, making the aroma smell like sheer class. This unisex fragrance is ideal if you want a long-lasting oud perfume that allows the aromas to linger. Try Ex Nihilo The Hedonist EDP NOW!
* Do you love woody and spicy notes? Then you will love our blogs on the best winter perfumes, alluring woody fragrances, and must-have spicy perfumes.
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