Woody

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.

Spicy

Saffron smells like warm honey touched by smoke, with an underlying earthiness reminiscent of dried autumn leaves. Imagine the aroma of golden turmeric, but more refined and mysteriously bitter—think of expensive spice markets where threads of crimson-gold sit in wooden bowls. There's a subtle animalic quality, almost leathery, paired with a faint metallic sweetness. It's intoxicating rather than fresh, wrapping around you like cashmere warmed by sunlight.