14 Best Oud Perfumes: Warm And Sensuous Scents for the Keep

March 21, 2024

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer

Updated on Feb 22, 2024

Oud Perfumes: Warm And Sensuous Scents for the Keep

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A dreamy stroll into the deep, enchanting woods with misty sunrays smoked in sweet resinous scent – this warm and intense fragrance is how the best oud perfumes make you feel. oud or oudh has ancient traces to its longstanding glory in the world of perfumery. This iconic scent is synonymous with Middle Eastern traditions, luxury, exclusivity, and sensuousness. The beguiling and exotic oudh has journeyed across the global perfume space to find its spot in the most pristine blends and premium bottles. The dark and sophisticated notes of this perfume are highly revered by both men and women. As per our expertise, in the following sections, we delve into the layers of oudh and take you through the best oud perfumes that you can have on your aromatic shelf.

Our top picks

All About Oud Fragrance: What Is Oud And Where Is It Sourced From?

Having an Oriental connotation to its glory, the oud or oudh is one of the most precious and rarest raw materials in the world. Also known as agarwood and ‘liquid gold’ the oud is produced when the aquilaria (or agarwood) tree, found in Assam, India, and Bangladesh is infected by a mold called phialophora parasitica. As a defense mechanism, it exudes a dense and resinous fragrant, which becomes the source of extracted oud. The age of the agar tree underlays the value of its oud — the older the better! Other essential aspects like the place of origin and whether it is naturally or synthetically infected also affect the aroma.

A staple in Indian, Middle-eastern, and Japanese olfactory traditions, the seductive, intense, and woody essence of oud has been around for centuries.

The complex tang of oud can be described as smoky wood, dampened in the warmth of resinous leather. The dark and intense aroma is potent in the initial notes and beautifully descends into the lingering accents, honeyed with richness.

With oud at their hearts, the exemplary fragrance houses have delivered the most exotic assortments with unforgettable palettes. Floral, citrussy, musky, vanilla glazed, and sensual burnt blends are a few warm and fuzzy notes to mention. Oud has its way to embrace the varying tastes of its connoisseurs.

14 Best Oud Perfumes

Luxe from the outside and divine from the inside. The Perris Monte Carlo perfume comes in a very sophisticated black and gold packaging. The perfume has a soft cedar, and sandalwood scent that instantly puts you in a good mood. The woody, sensual scent instantly makes a statement everywhere you go. This perfume feels soothing and stirs up your olfactory senses.

Pros

Strong scent
Long-lasting
Beautiful packaging

Cons

Very Expensive

Best for Warm Months

Al Haramain Amber Oud Gold Edition

The long-lasting, fresh bout of spray from this perfume is a well-balanced scent of vanilla with woody-musky notes. The blend is a sparkling elixir that is sweetly subtle, yet bold enough for both men and women, to be especially worn in the warmer months of spring-summer. This novel fragrance is gracefully layered with top notes of bergamot and green notes; the middle notes are melon, pineapple, and amber; the base notes are woody scent, vanilla, and musk. In addition, this scent is from the iconic 2018 launch of the Amber Oudh Gold Edition by Al Haramain Perfumes.

Pros

Constant scent for long
Suitable for all occasions
Good packaging

Best for Sensitive Skin

Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud

Bringing forth the oriental craftsmanship into the olfactory of oud, the Swiss Arabian Shaghaf Oud is a deep aromatic dive that opens with the resonance of saffron which further harmonizes with the assorted oud. This intensifies with the palpable notes of Rose and Praline to create a medley that is sweetly warmed by the delicious vanilla. A classic fragrance oozing luxury is of high quality that lasts long. The scent can be layered with others as well for a nuanced bespoke scent that is YOU.

Pros

Suitable for sensitive skin
Value for money
Lasts long
Unisex

Cons

Strong opening notes of Oud

Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud

Bade’e Al Oud by Lattafa Perfumes literally translates to ‘glory’, this is a contemporary fragrance whirling around the finest oud for impeccable tastes. The perfume’s head notes are sweet with saffron, lavender, and nutmeg. Its center notes are composed of agarwood (oud) and patchouli and the end notes are essentially agarwood (oud) with lingering musky air. Known for its heavy sillage, this genderless fragrance will hold a special spot in your beautiful scent collection.

Pros

Intense flavor
Cost-effective
Luxe packaging

Best for Women

Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir

One of the classics for men from our line-up, the Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir instantly dives into black pepper, bitter orange, and neroli. On reaching the center, the exotic and sweet, saffron, cardamom, and olibanum promenade into a fusion of voluptuous agarwood (oud), patchouli, and leatherwood. The timeless scent unveils the virile energy with its warm and dark essence. Expect many compliments as you don the oud Noir from day to night.

Pros

Superior quality
Value for money
Lasts long
Settles nicely into the skin
Well blended

Cons

Not long-lasting for some

Most Sophisticated Scent

LIBERTY OUDGOLD MEN Eau De Parfum

Teleporting you to Arabian nights and their grandeur, the LIBERTY OUDGOLD offers a luxurious perfume that is captivating at the core. The richness of top notes is delivered by bergamot, neroli, and raspberry. The cream-like smooth and bold-woody fragrance evolves to greet the comforting notes of sandalwood and ylang-ylang, accompanied by patchouli, and cinnamon, while the warm aroma of the earthy notes of patchouli silkens the blend in snoozy base notes. The indelible presence of oud culminates the perfume into a sophisticated composition.

Pros

Lingering aroma
Value for money
Gender neutral
High-quality

Cons

Can be too sweet and floral for some

Best Rosy Notes

Lattafa Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst

An evocative scent that threads a rosy garland with amber and sprinkles of warm vanilla. The Bade'e Al Oud Amethyst Eau de Parfum by Lattafa Perfumes opens with spicy notes of pink pepper and fresh bergamot. The middle notes are abloom with Turkish roses, Bulgarian roses, and jasmine, delicately enveloped in the exemplary olfactive trio of oudh, vanilla, and amber. You can let this unforgettable scent accompany you for every occasion and mood.

Pros

Strong and sweet smell
Lasts long
Lovely packaging

Cons

Not too feminine
Vanilla is mild

Best for Special Occasions

VERSACE Pour Femme OUD ORIENTAL

A femme fatale from the house of VERSACE, the Oud Oriental is a modern take on the timeless and regal oud. The fresh cocktail of woody musk and floral essence laced with oud is the one to be spritzed profusely for all affairs. The flirty notes begin with the plushness of citrusy and floral accents – guava, black currant, wisteria, and lilac. Floating towards the heart of the scent, the floral sensuousness bursts with exotic orchids, jasmine, lotus, and nymphaea. The ending ballad is a woody harmony of bourbon vetiver, musk, atlas cedar, and cashmere wood.

Pros

Sweet and floral notes
Strong initial notes
Beautiful bottle

Cons

Not strongly oud
Not too long-lasting

Lattafa Pride Eternal Oud Perfume for Men & Women

Starting from the top we got the plum and grapefruit opening an assortment of fruity palettes, honeyed and glazed at heart with heliotrope and orchid. Finally, the fusion is embraced in intense base notes by exotic benzoin, floral amber, and an intense combination of vanilla, nutty tonka bean, agarwood (oud), and spicy labdanum. This genderless fragrance is elegantly bottled and makes the chance of a sundowner finisher. The fuzziness can be carried with few spritzes to linger till the end of the night. The extravagant packaging also makes this a perfect gift for him and her.

Pros

Sweet and strong
Lasts all day
Clean scent

Cons

The scent dries to sweet

Most Affordable

Franck Olivier Oud Vanille EDP

Wearing this fragrance is like candy necklaces with vintage art deco of sensual and rich oud. With dollops of buttery caramel, the opening notes nuzzle the fresh orange with tangy raspberries. The sugary punch flits into the sultry and nuanced underlay of violet, patchouli, roses, resinous olibanum, and sweet narcotic jasmine. The woody mid-tones are lifted by warm and cozy amber, musk, and sweet vanilla. This poetic elixir accords masculine with feminine to create a classic scent that upkeeps with your aromatic bevy.

Pros

Intense opening
Sweet dry down
Above average sillage

Cons

Too strong or masculine for some

ZOUSZ Black Oud Men’s Perfume

Experience the memorable mélange, curated for men who prefer the palatable spiciness of original oud. Sourced from Aquilaria trees, the finest Black oud is housed within the effervescent notes. The top is spiced with black pepper and cardamom. At the center is the aromatic accord of oud, sandalwood, cedarwood, leather, patchouli, and vetiver. This Earthy palette is caressed by the sensual and warm base notes of amber, Tonka, and vanilla. The spritzes of this distinctive scent are meant to last all day to relish the richness.

Pros

Cost-effective
Subtle dry down
Great for gifts

Cons

Longevity varies

Best Overall

Tom Ford Oud Wood EAU DE PARFUM

With rare oud at its core, the perfume exudes resonance to the warmth of incense-filled temples. The soothing composition of smoky woods reveals the keynotes, exotic and sensual as the sandalwood, Chinese pepper, rosewood, amber, tonka bean, vetiver, and vanilla come together to culminate the iconic blend. From the private blend of the house of Tom Ford, oud Wood is a prominent label, effortlessly navigated into the collections of oud connoisseurs.

Pros

Stays for long
Gender neutral
Value for money

Gucci Intense Oud Eau De Parfum

A translation of aromatic luxury, this fragrance by Gucci is an inception by the famous perfumer Aurelien Guichard. It is a genderless spritz, romanticized and dramatized into a refreshing and smoky recipe of leather, amber, agarwood, olibanum, incense, and other sophisticated woody notes. A powerful ode to oud, with premium notes, this fragrance is a conversation stirrer and beloved to the fans. The dazzling dry down is luxe and evocative in the true sense.

Pros

Little goes a long way
Lasts long
Value for money

Cons

Opening notes can be too strong for some

Most Sensual

Victoria's Secret Bombshell Oud

The glamour of Bombshell meets the raw and oriental oud in this luxe perfume. The exotic notes lineup is a dark woody ombre with an opening by pink saffron which is palatable with the spiciness. The hearty middle notes have a dark varietal of the Bombshell Collection’s signature flower: sueded peony. Flowing into the currants of depths of oud at the base, the scent pronounces tenderness, mystique, comfort, and confidence. The smokiness wrapped around floral posy and the woody essence lingers on the skin the whole day.

Pros

Great gifting option
Lovely packaging
Perfect for evening wear
Sweet dry down

Cons

Not airy or light

Let this buying guide aid your shopping experience to select the exotic oud perfume most befitting you.

How to Choose Oud Perfumes?

Based on the Occasion

As oud blends with a range of fragrances and notes, it is essential to understand whether the oud is a key essence or a tempering, an underlay in a fragrance. This determines if the perfume will be dark, intense, and musky, or mellowed down with fuzzing ingredients. For instance, oud and warm vanilla is a popular duo that enhances the sweetness of the fragrance. The candy-like, fruity, and floral accents make the oud scent engaging for formal to casual wear, or a daytime pick, especially during hotter months.

Whereas, when the oud is uplifted with a spicy scent and stronger notes, like pepper, it arouses a more earthy and sensuous aroma, perfect for evening wear, dinners, or night outs.

Based on How You Apply the Perfume

If you love showering yourself under the swirling spritzes of perfumes and lather up general dozes of sprays then you can choose a light-hearted oud, as it won’t be overpowering for others. On the other hand, if you prefer a minimal application that feels lightweight, a powerful scent is likely to fit the bill.

The application can also vary based on the aspects, like spots you may prefer to spritz on, or if it is a spray on your garments; these factors also affect how the scent comes off. If you sweat a lot you might want to pick a stronger fragrance or pair it with a carrier oil to last longer.

Talking about Oud perfumes, our contributor Viktorija Veltmane, a perfume enthusiast, says, “Oud, otherwise known as agarwood, is a complex fragrance that comes from the resinous heartwood of agarwood trees. The aroma is very rich, woody, and has a very pleasant combination of depth. Oud is ultimately used in many fragrances as a base note and may make the perfume light and airy if used together with citrus or floral accent, while might also make a strong, masculine combination if used together with leather, tobacco or patchouli.”

How to Use Oud Perfumes?

On the clean skin, begin by shaking the bottle, as it may be required for scents. Begin spritzing on your desired spots on the body. Some most common areas are your neck and wrist. Make sure you do not rub the perfume on the skin, as it may alter the scent significantly. You can also drizzle perfume in the air and walk into it for an airy, light application.

Thinking about oud perfumes makes one wander back to the mid-centuries and Arabian Bazaars. Remaining true to its origin and culture, oud perfumes have captivated the West and other parts of the world. However, it has not stayed unchanged. Embracing contemporary fragrances, it has been blended into a medley of warm, woody, musky, and smoky scents that continue to captivate and entice oud lovers across the globe. These luxe fusions transcend their beauty in every season, perfect for every wear, and most essentially defying the gender boundaries in the perfumery space. From our fragrance desk, choose the best oud perfumes to take home and revel in their everlasting, ethereal charm.

Contributor: Viktorija Veltmane, Perfume enthusiast and Owner of an olfactory studio - Maison Kyrene

FAQ's

Which type of oudh is best?

The best oud is the one naturally cultivated from Agarwood trees.

Which perfume has oud in it?

All major perfume houses have their own blends of oud available in the market. The musky-woody perfumes may have the essence of oud in it. Check the labels and title of the perfume to find out which fragrance is enriched with oud.

Do fragrances use synthetic oud?

As oud is extremely rare and costly to harvest, several perfumers incorporate synthetic oud into the scents.

What does oud smell like?

Oud brings a dark, intense, leathery-smoky scent, and warm notes to a fragrance. It can be blended with floral, fruity scents to create a newer fragrance.

Why Trust Pinkvilla

Sayantani, the makeup and beauty expert at Pinkvilla, has her desk lined up with lovely bottles, oozing exotic aroma and enchantment. It’s all the magic of mystic oud in accord with the opulence of thoughtful blends. Sourcing and searching for the best oud cologne, she delved into the pristine spritzes of the earthy-ness that oud offers. After testing the sillage, the drying-down results, and the overall aromatic feel, she sized down her list to the 13 best oud perfumes that are perfect for every mood, occasion, and budget.

Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

Author BIO

Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More

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