Agarwood also referred to as Oud is a woody, smoky, animalic, powerful essence filled with warmth and complexity. As Oud is very popular in Arabian fragrances many subfamilies of Oud exist including but not limited to rose oud, leather oud and fruit oud. A popular example is Monac Rose Oud inspired by MFK Oud Satin Mood. A blend of rose, oud, and vanilla, some say the perfume is sweet, gentle, and long-lasting.
Oud is sourced from a rare tree that grows in India and across Southern Asia through a process known as distillation. This is a complex process as only trees which have been infected by fungus are able to produce this aromatic resin. Adding to this only 10% of agarwood trees are suitable for this process to take place. When Oud wood is more than 5 years old it has more intense leathery, animalic properties which are highly sought during the production of Middle Eastern Fragrances, Western fragrances with a sophisticated or luxurious image are also popular with emphasizing notes of oud.
In perfumery, agarwood is one of the most expensive and highly demanded ingredients with its deep, woody, luxurious and sensual scent. It is used as a base not in fragrances as it adds depth, complexity and longevity to fragrances. Monac Woody inspired by Tom Ford Oud Wood is composition of exotic, smoky woods including rare oud revealing oud‘s rich and compelling power. Uses rare oud notes to overwhelm the senses with dark, earthy sensuality.
Did you know a vast majority of perfume houses in the world do not use pure oud oil in their making but rather fragrance molecules that mimic oud oil as oud is an extremely expensive ingredient to make which makes the final product expensive for the market. It also has 70+ complex compounds making it difficult to be produced with the same composition for every batch of oud oil which makes it a difficult Clone Fragrances task for perfumers to ensure each bath has the same aromatic profile hence some perfume houses have the tendency to us the mimic fragrance molecules.
It is one of the oldest materials used in perfumery and is considered one of the costliest raw ingredients in perfumery. The pure oud oil smells unlike anything on earth. It is heavenly, different elements from the natural world of olfactory comes together and lend their notes. The notes of earth, sky, air, rivers, forests, rain, fire, soil and animals all play the perfect harmony, an aromatic symphony for the pleasure of olfactory senses.
An oud perfume is unmistakable, rich, powerful and woody with a trace of oil distilled from agarwood; these fragrances are guaranteed to make a statement. It is one of the most precious ingredients in a perfumer's lab, that gives off a woody character. Aroma-lovers often find themselves hooked on notes of agarwood, an exotic and enigmatic aroma that is found in many premium fragrances. If you have not experienced the scent of agarwood, you are in for a treat and we highly recommend you try one of the two fragrances mentioned above, Woody for men or Rose Oud a unisex scent. Generally, the agarwood aroma is warm and woody with hints of sweetness, earthiness, vanilla and musk.
The fragrance of agarwood is unique and alluring making it a highly prized ingredient in terms of luxury. It's a complex aroma with a range of subtle nuances that can be hard to describe but agarwood scent is definitely unforgettable. Despite the high cost of oud, its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. In recent years agarwood has become more widely available and is now even incorporated in candle making like Woody Candle and Rose Oud Candle.