Indian oud smells like the deep, resinous heart of ancient wood—imagine walking into a centuries-old temple where incense has soaked into every beam. There's a warm, almost animalic quality; think leather left in the sun, mixed with earth after rain and a whisper of smoky spice. It's rich and slightly sweet, but never cloying—more like the creaking timbre of a cello than a bright violin note. First-time smellers often detect barnyard notes or even a faint medicinal quality before the honeyed, woody depths reveal themselves.
Indian oud comes from the heartwood of the Aquilaria tree, primarily harvested in Assam and other regions across South Asia. When the tree becomes infected with a specific mould, it produces a dark, fragrant resin as a defence mechanism—this is oud. Traditionally, collectors would search wild trees for infected wood, a labour-intensive process. Modern production includes both wild-harvested and cultivated sources. The extraction involves steam distillation of this precious resinous wood, yielding an oil that's been prized for over 1,500 years in Middle Eastern and Indian perfumery.
Indian oud anchors fragrances as a potent base note, lending opulence and longevity. Perfumers use it sparingly—its intensity demands respect. It grounds compositions with animalic warmth, often appearing in orientals, woody fragrances, and niche perfumes. It can soften floral or spicy notes above it, or deepen and mystify fresh compositions, transforming them into something profound and introspective.
Contemporary compositions
Surprising harmonies
Rasasi
Tiziana Terenzi
Nabeel
Nabeel
Swiss Arabian
Nabeel
Nabeel
Areej Le Doré
XerJoff
Rasasi