Oud is regarded as one of the most prestigious, luxurious and expensive raw fragrance ingredients in the world.

Oud can be described as the finest in luxury because of its different dimensions, including its; uncompromising craftsmanship; exclusivity and rarity; timelessness and heritage; its evocative and opulent sensory experience and quiet understated luxury.

Oud is considered to be ‘liquid gold’, not only because of its amber tone, but because it is a natural, opulent and inimitable type of perfume and is also twice the market price of gold. To understand the world-wide fascination with oud, it’s important to look at the origin and history. Once you discover the captivating scent of the oud, you may not ever be able to renege to conventional fragrances.

Oud, otherwise known as agarwood, is formed in the heartwood of the Aquilaria tree. This species of tree is native to Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as some East Asian countries like China and Taiwan. Aquilaria trees can also be found in the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and parts of the Middle East. Oud has a rich history dating back centuries. Not only is it referenced in religious texts, it's also used in herbal medicine, and its prestigious status continues today across the perfume industry.

Oud is actually wood resin. In Arabic ‘oud’ translates to ‘wood’. If an Aquilaria tree is infected with the fungus Phialophora parasitica, trees produce resin as a defence mechanism against the external stressors and to protect its core. If an Aquilaria tree has been injured or become infected, the outer layers of the tree will produce extensive amounts of resin, otherwise known as heartwood, which alters the core from a light colour to a dark amber. Resin is a thick and sticky substance that serves to seal wounds in order to isolate the area of damage, protect against the entry of pathogens and prevent the spread of disease. This forms resinous wood, which is what oud is. The heartwood is then harvested, and this is where oud oil is extracted from.

Oud perfume is so unique and captivating, that once you’ve smelt it, it’ll likely form a core memory in your mind. As expected, oud is in the woody fragrance family, and offers earthy notes likened to damp soil or dry hay. It's also considered to be an animalic aroma that is deeply - and quite literally - rooted in nature. However, the scent of oud can differ, further contributing to its complexity. Oud may smell sweeter, spicier or smokier, depending on the species and location of the Aquilaria tree, as well as how the oud oil is induced, harvested, extracted, refined and blended.

Oud scent is rich and complex and can be described as ‘warm’, ‘deep’ and ‘dark.’ If you want to understand what an oud perfume is in three words, it is mysterious, sensual and intriguing, all at the same time. Not only does it last on your skin - but it leaves a lasting impression of confidence and culture on anyone you walk past.

The resinous wood is then carved out into wood chips, from which the oud oil needs to be extracted - and there are different methods to do this. Steam distillation is when steam is passed through the resinous wood to capture aromatic compounds, and this steam is then condensed to obtain oud oil.

Like all finer things in life, oud benefits from the ageing process. Once oud oil has been extracted, it is left to mature in order to intensify its aroma and enhance its quality.

Oud is a rare scent and the exclusivity of oud deepens with the fact that oud perfumes are crafted in limited quantities. Oud has long held the status of luxury and prestige, and has been used in Asia and the Middle East for centuries. Its intense aroma contributes to its association with opulence and solidifies its status in high-end perfumery. An oud perfume is a timeless and statement piece for the most sophisticated, refined and cultured members of modern society.

Sandalwood and oud are similar in the sense that they both provide a high-quality aroma, however while oud comes from the Aquilaria tree, sandalwood is derived from Santalum tree. Both have a woody scent, but sandalwood is known to be softer and sweeter with its floral notes, while oud is known for its rich and dark aroma.