Oud Explained
Oud is one of the most precious and misunderstood fragrance ingredients in the world. Here's everything you need to know.
What is Oud?
Oud (also known as agarwood) is a dark, fragrant resin produced by Aquilaria trees when they become infected with a specific type of mould. The tree produces the resin as a defence mechanism, and over decades, this resin hardens into one of the most valuable natural materials on earth.
What Does Oud Smell Like?
Oud has a complex, distinctive scent profile:
- Deep and woody — like aged timber
- Smoky and resinous — warm and rich
- Slightly sweet — with a balsamic quality
- Animalic — raw and primal in the best way
Why is Oud So Expensive?
Genuine oud oil can cost thousands of pounds per kilogram. The trees take decades to produce the resin, and not all trees produce it. Modern fragrances often use high-quality oud accord formulations that capture the character of natural oud.
AUURAH Oud Fragrances
AUURAH offers several oud-based fragrances:
- AUURAH 002 — Oud: Deep Cambodian oud with rose and amber
- AUURAH 006 — Rimal: Smoky oud with leather
- AUURAH 019 — Aseel: Precious saffron, rose, and oud