Oud is a perfume ingredient which has long been valued for its captivating, complex scent. With its intense, resinous character, it imbues perfumes with power and luxury. This article will teach you more about this ingredient and lists our best oud perfume for men recommendations.
For more perfume recommendations read the best perfume for men.
What is Oud?
Oud is a resinious wood obtained from a type of tropical evergreen tree called the Agar tree. The fragrant resin is only produced when the Agar tree becomes infected by mould or is otherwise damaged. Oud is also known as oudh or agarwood.
Oud is most often used in perfume as a base note because of its lingering intensity. It is also one of the most expensive perfume ingredients in the world. This is due to its relative rarity and a labour-intensive extraction process.
What Does Oud Smell Like?
- Intense
- Deep
- Resinous
- Smoky
- Warm
- Sensual
Oud's Cultural Significance
Oud has been embedded in Middle Eastern cultures for centuries. Synonymous with luxury, it has long been a part of traditional medicine and spiritual ceremonies. The ingredient features heavily in the region’s poetry and art. The word oud itself derives from the Arabic ‘al-ʿud’ which means ‘the wood’.
Why Choose an Oud Perfume?
Oud perfumes are well suited to those who seek bold, statement-making scents. The intense, smoky and deep aspects of the ingredient project a sense of masculinity and confidence. The best oud perfumes have excellent longevity and leave a lingering impression in their wake.
Buying Considerations
Intensity
Oud fragrances vary widely in intensity. Some feature a subtle note of oud. Others allow the ingredient to take the leading role. You should consider whether you'd like your fragrance to contain a little or plenty of oud.
Concentration
Eau de parfums typically have a stronger oud presence than eau de toilettes. If you're looking for longevity and intensity, choose an eau de parfum oud.
Price
Oud is one of the world's most expensive perfume ingredients. This means that oud colognes and fragrances are rarely inexpensive.
The Best Oud Perfume for Men
Beginner Oud Perfumes
Start your introduction to oud with these approachable perfumes. They feature oud but also let other ingredients shine.
Oud Noir - Versace
Concentration: eau de parfum
Released: 2013
Oud Noir by Versace offers an approachable introduction to oud thanks to its balance of ingredients. Zesty bitter orange and spicy black pepper make an invigorating opening duo. In the middle you’ll find the warming combination of cardamom, olibanum (frankincense) and saffron. At the base oud provides its trademark intensity. For balance it is joined by patchouli and leatherwood.
Oud Noir - Versace Notes
- bitter orange, neroli, black pepper
- cardamom, saffron, olibanum (frankincense)
- oud (agarwood), patchouli, leatherwood
Learn more about Oud Noir - Versace
Replica Under the Stars - Maison Margiela
Concentration: eau de toilette
Released: 2023
Inspired by starlit nights, Replica Under the Stars by Maison Margiela is a warm and cosy perfume. The composition is smoky and sensual, which is characteristic of the ingredient oud. A vibrant fusion of black pepper and cinnamon opens the fragrance, bestowing spiciness. A middle of cypriol and cedarwood adds earthy character. Smoky and mysterious oud is present at the base, joined by warm labdanum, and wild raw leather accord.
Replica Under the Stars - Maison Margiela Notes
- black pepper, cinnamon leaves
- cypriol, cedarwood
- oud, labdanum, leather accord
Learn more about Replica Under the Stars - Maison Margiela
Popular Oud Perfumes
Loved by many, these oud perfumes are some of the most popular compositions which feature this ingredient.
Oud Wood - Tom Ford
Concentration: eau de parfum
Released: 2007
An icon of modern perfumery, Tom Ford's Oud Wood ranks among the world's most famous oud perfumes. This luxurious scent features rare oud, exotic spices, and warm amber. Cardamom and rosewood mingle with smoky oud, sandalwood, and vetiver, while amber and tonka bean add a creamy warmth. The result is a beloved and timeless oud fragrance.
Oud Wood - Tom Ford Notes
- oud, rosewood, cardamom, sandalwood, vetiver, amber, tonka bean, Chinese pepper
Learn more about Oud Wood - Tom Ford
Oud - Acqua di Parma
Concentration: eau de parfum
Released: 2019
Acqua di Parma Oud is a woody perfume which showcases the warmth, depth and intensity of oud. A luminous burst of bergamot and orange opens the scent. At the middle there's spicy Russian coriander and Haitian amyris oil intertwined with rich oud. To finish there's a masculine base of cedarwood, leather, patchouli, sandalwood, and musk. The result is a harmonious blend of intensity and complexity.
Oud - Acqua di Parma Notes
- bergamot, orange
- agarwood oil (oud), Haitian amyris oil, Russian coriander
- cedarwood, leather accord, patchouli oil, sandalwood, musk
Learn more about Oud - Acqua di Parma
Modern Oud Perfumes
Discover oud perfumes that innovate and reinterpret the resinous ingredient.
Oud Palao - Diptyque
Concentration: eau de parfum
Released: 2015
For a contemporary scent, Oud Palao by Diptyque blends the essence of East and West. The perfume features the rich, resinous Laotian oud alongside rose. This floral aspect provides a softer counterpoint to the intense oud. Vanilla and incense are also present which give the composition smoothness smoky intensity. The result is a composition which imparts aspects of intensity and softness.
Oud Palao - Diptyque Notes
- oud, rose, vanilla, incense
Learn more about Oud Palao - Diptyque
Royal Oud - Creed
Concentration: eau de parfum
Released: 2011
Inspired by the grandeur of a Persian palace, Royal Oud by Creed is unmistakably opulent. This rich perfume opens with zesty lime and bergamot, spicy pink pepper and resinous galbanum. The middle features the earthy ingredients cedarwood, angelica seed, cardamom, and clove. At the base lies the title ingredient oud as well as frankincense, guaiac wood, musk and ambroxan. These citrus, spicy, intense, smoky and woody aspects together create an original composition.
Royal Oud - Creed Notes
- pink pepper, lime, galbanum, bergamot
- angelica seed, cedarwood, cardamom, clove
- musk, ambroxan, frankincense, guaiac wood, oud
Learn more about Royal Oud - Creed
Luxury Oud Perfumes
Indulge in the finest oud perfumes, crafted with rare and precious ingredients.
Pur Oud - Louis Vuitton
Released: 2021
Pur Oud by Louis Vuitton showcases the luxury of a rare oud essence. Master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud created the composition to showcase the ingredient in its purest form. The oud takes centre stage with its woody, smoky, and luxurious aroma. 2 white musks add subtle softness. This allows the oud's animalic, amber and spicy aspects to shine. Pur Oud is part of Louis Vuitton's Pure Perfumes collection. These fragrances are designed as concentrated essences for layering with other scents.
Pur Oud - Louis Vuitton Notes
- oud assam, musks
Learn more about Pur Oud - Louis Vuitton
Dawn - Frederic Malle
Released: 2018
Dawn by Frederic Malle was composed by perfumer Carlos Benaïm. It evokes the experience of the luxurious calm of a Middle Eastern sunrise. The perfume opens with a refreshing burst of Turkish rose oil and vibrant pink pepper. Turkish rose absolute and warm olibanum intertwine with oud at the fragrance's middle. Oakmoss, vetiver, and labdanum create an earthy, grounding base. Dawn is part of Frederic Malle’s Desert Gems collection, which is inspired by Middle Eastern perfumery.
Dawn - Frederic Malle Notes
- Turkish rose oil, pink pepper
- Turkish rose absolute, olibanum (frankincense)
- oakmoss, vetiver, labdanum, oud
Learn more about Dawn - Frederic Malle
Niche Oud Perfumes
Venture beyond the mainstream and discover the unique artistry of niche oud perfumes.
Notorious Oud - D.S. & Durga
Concentration: eau de parfum
Released: 2019
Brooklyn-based D.S. & Durga reimagines the iconic perfume note oud with Notorious Oud. Indonesian oud takes centre stage and is enhanced by ingredients from all over the globe. The opening of Afghani saffron, camphor and galbanum imparts earthiness, freshness and spice. At the middle of the fragrance the title oud is joined by the floral notes of Bulgarian rose and lavender. At the base, civet, papyrus and cetalox combine to create a musky, earthy, animalic aspect.
Notorious Oud - DS Durga Notes
- saffron, camphor, white galbanum
- Indonesian oud, Bulgarian rose, lavender absolute
- civet, cetalox, papyrus
Learn more about Notorious Oud - DS Durga
Aoud - Roja Parfums
Released: 2011
Roja's Aoud pays homage to the fragrance traditions of the Middle East. A vibrant opening of lemon, bergamot, and verbena contribute freshness. A middle of rose de mai, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and geranium add floral elegance. For the base oud intermingles with an array of woody, spicy and sensual ingredients. This composition nods to the classic practice of styling Oud Wood with rose and saffron, but adds an original point of view.
Aoud - Roja Parfums Notes
- lemon, bergamot, verbena
- geranium, rose de mai, jasmin de grasse, ylang ylang
- rhubarb, cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, patchouli, cedarwood, casmir wood, sandalwood, aoud, vanilla, leather, ambergris, musk
Learn more about Aoud - Roja Parfums
READ MORE
- View a complete list of men's perfume brands
- Find your ideal perfume with our guide to the best perfume for men
