Raza Perfume guides ·
What is oud?
Oud (also written oudh or aoud, and known as agarwood) is one of the most treasured materials in perfumery. In Arabian fragrance it is the centrepiece; in India it has been prized for centuries. Here is what it is, what it smells like, and how to wear it.
Where oud comes from
Oud comes from the Aquilaria tree, which grows in South and Southeast Asia, including Assam in India. When the tree’s heartwood is wounded or infected, it defends itself by producing a dark, fragrant resin. Over years, that resin saturates the wood. The dark, resin-rich wood is agarwood, and the oil distilled from it is oud oil.
Because only affected trees produce it, and the resin forms slowly, natural oud has always been rare and costly. Much of the oud character in modern fragrances comes from oud accords: blends that recreate its warmth and depth.
What does oud smell like?
Oud is complex and changes on the skin. People describe it as:
- Woody and deep
- Smoky and resinous
- Leathery, sometimes a little animalic
- Sweet and balsamic as it settles
On its own it can be intense. That is why oud is usually blended with rose, amber, saffron, vanilla, sandalwood or musk, which soften and round it.
Oud in Arabian and Indian perfumery
In the Gulf, oud is worn daily, burned as incense (bakhoor) and layered with oils and sprays. In India, agarwood and its oil have a long history in attar making and religious and royal traditions. The two worlds meet in the fragrances many of our customers love: rich, warm and long-lasting.
How to wear oud
- Start small. One drop of oud attar or one or two sprays is plenty.
- Evenings and cooler months suit oud best. In the heat, wear a lighter touch.
- Layer it. A drop of oud attar under a rose or amber perfume adds depth.
- Give it time. Oud often opens sharp and becomes smoother and sweeter after 20–30 minutes.
Oud perfume or oud attar?
Both work beautifully. Oud attar (perfume oil) sits close to the skin and feels intimate. Oud perfume (spray) projects more, for occasions when you want to be noticed. Read more in attar vs perfume.
Oud fragrances at Raza Perfume
Our collection includes many fragrances built around the character of oud, from rich luxury ouds to softer blends. Each comes as attar (6 and 12 ml) and perfume (30, 50 and 100 ml).