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With roots in South-East Asia and India, the best oud fragrances for men have quite the genealogy. Said to be one of the most expensive raw ingredients in the world, oud wood—variously also known as agarwood or aloeswood—is a highly sought-after and opulent scent that produces a warm, woody and/or smoky and sweet aroma. The resultant animalic fougères happen to be some of the most alluring fragrances you can buy.
Oud perfumes make up some of the more opulent and unique of all men’s colognes. Whether it’s woody notes you’re after—or the spicier, sweeter side of the timber—our picks of the best oud perfumes for guys should turn up your new favorite scent.
Tom Ford
Tom Ford Oud Wood is one of the most iconic eau de parfums (launched in 2007) in the Private Blend scent laboratory of niche fragrances, and is considered a pioneer as one of the first marketable unisex perfumes to take on the expensive and rare oud essential oil as a key ingredient. Combining the almost sacrilegious oud wood with rosewood, cardamom, Chinese pepper, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean, vanilla, and amber, it has set an industry standard and in turn, become a bestseller.
Diptyque
Diptyque rarely strays further than the Mediterranean for influence, which makes the dark, woody and resinous notes of Oud Palao even more beguiling. This eau de parfum takes you on a journey with its sophisticated blend of ingredients. Bulgarian rose, palao oud, Indian cypriol, and sandalwood from Sri Lanka form the structure of the fragrance, which is softened and sweetened by Somalian oilbanum, Madagascan vanilla, Spanish cistus, and patchouli from Indonesia. It also has a twang of incense about it, even though none has been used in its composition. A constant bestseller within the range and a softer (more French) take on one of the rarest and oldest essences used in perfumery.
Creed
Founded in 1760 and still family-owned, Creed is known as the perfumer’s perfumer; a legend in fragrance industry terms, and Royal Oud is a response to the many requests it received from clients for an Arabian oud-based fragrance. Confident, refined, and elegant, this is considered the most ubiquitous of oud fragrances by many scent connoisseurs. A unique and modern twist to classic oud scents, it kicks off with a burst of pink pepper, lemon, and Sicilian bergamot. Inspired by the mix of Persian and Parisian, the rich, woody, amber-like scent then opens into a heart of cedar, angelica seed, and galbanum, before settling into a foundation of frankincense, musk, oud, and sandalwood. One of the brand’s consistent bestsellers.
Acqua di Parma
Acqua Di Parma has honoured the art and craft of fine fragrance for more than 100 years and its Signatures Of The Sun collection is particularly captivating with Oud & Spice a standout elixir from the line. It’s formulated using the rarest and most highly prized variety of agarwood, obtained from the resin of the Laotian Aquilaria tree. Its golden and zest-filled opening with transparent notes of bergamot and rose, combine with the sweet and fruity facets of raspberry, before its warm, spicy heart kicks in with a crackling and aromatic combo of pink pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. The lingering depth of oud reveals itself in the base of precious wood, paired with cistus labdanum and the earthy tones of patchouli. Rich, sun-filled and otherworldly, it translates well as both a day or evening fragrance.
Byredo
Byredo’s innovative and emotive approach to fragrance gives this interpretation of oud an unparalleled sense of modernity, despite being inspired by the ancient past. Created by ex-professional basketball player turned international perfumer, Ben Gorham, it has a smoky character, appeals to any gender, and is both complex and deep. Looking to the cultural significance of oud; used in traditional incense and perfumes for centuries and mentioned in one of the world’s oldest written texts (the Sanskrit Vedas from India), it has a punch that makes it more appropriate for evening than day. Vegan-friendly, like all Byredo scents, it has top notes of limoncello, incense, and cardamom, heart notes of agarwood (oud), patchouli, papyrus, and Brazilian rosewood—and an elegant oak moss and tobacco leaf base.
Miller Harris
Fusing the artistry of French fine fragrance with an Anglo sensibility, Miller Harris is one of the most celebrated British perfumery businesses and especially popular around wedding season. La Fumée Alexandrie is a woody musk inspired by the ancient rituals of scenting through smoke. Rose Damascene absolute from Turkey (which is used in the heart), oud, and incense converge to create a beguiling scent that is sensual, dramatic, and opulent. The rose, with a fruity character of both lychee and Italian mandarin, is twisted around the dry heat of papyrus and sandalwood, while the intensity of oud is tempered with a spicy blend of cumin and cinnamon. Geranium essential oil adds a floral twang, as birch and amber in its base deliver a resinous aftertaste. While many oud-based fragrances can be overwhelming, this one has a softer side and is therefore as appropriate for day as it is for night.
BDK Parfums
An independent perfume house launched in 2016, BDK works each of its exceptional fragrances around one particular raw material, giving it “life” by attaching it to an inspiration. Oud Abramad is part of its La Collection Matieres line, whose highly concentrated fragrances are made from top-quality absolutes of raw materials and inspired by legends. David Benedek, founder of BDK, working with head perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui has paired the woody and spicy facets of agarwood (oud)—the anchor to this ship—with the sensuality of Turkish rose. Intense and magnetic, the fragrance journey begins with saffron and uplifting ginger and then seasons the rose with a touch of cumin for spice. But it is the dry-down where most of the action happens—a foundation of agarwood, guaiac wood, rockrose, patchouli, incense, orcanox, and castoreum, forming a precious and amber-toned woody base. A definite winner on date night.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
An already heavy hitter reimagined in 2018 as a punchy extrait de parfum interpretation of the original Oud formulation, this is the one for true oud aficionados. Using oud from Laos (a very rare and precious commodity), Kurkdjian wrapped the ingredient in a duvet of musk and vanilla accord, turning the volume up on its spicy and rich aromas. Saffron, elemi, vegetal musk, cedarwood from Morocco, vanilla accord, and patchouli from Indonesia are all in the mix for this fearless and independent statement-maker.
D.S. & Durga
Unexpected combinations and novel constructions are at the heart of this niche fragrance brand’s aromatic vision. Based out of Brooklyn and founded by partners in both life and business, it offers a very contemporary take on the traditional rules of perfumery. Notorious Oud uses a sublime Indonesian oud in its construction. Combined with North African papyrus, Afghani saffron, and Bulgarian rose, it offers a very “Brooklyn” take on this most coveted ingredient in fragrance. One hundred percent vegan, it also features white galbanum and camphor up-top, lavender absolute in its dry-down, and finishes with catalox (otherwise known as ambroxan) and civet. Rich and mysterious with a sensual personality.
Gucci
A collaboration between former Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele and renowned perfumer Alberto Morillas, The Alchemist’s Garden is a luxury collection of fragrances, oils, and candles that experiment with the layering of natural plants, flowers, and modern molecules to create contemporary “spells.” This one, the most masculine in the lineup, explores the aphrodisiac qualities of oud, combining it with intense leather notes, saffron and patchouli. As enchanting as it is, if you are looking for subtle, can we suggest you move on.
Frederic Malle
The Night is Editions De Parfums' magnum opus, using an unprecedented amount of natural oud—hence the hefty price tag. Blended with Turkish rose and saffron and lying on a luxuriant bed of frankincense and sandalwood, it's catnip to oud connoisseurs and is one of the most precious perfumes on the market. Characteristic of all perfumer Dominique Ropion’s fragrances, the excessive dosage of such a powerful ingredient as oud is balanced with minutely measured amounts of more subtle accords.
Jo Malone
Opening with orange and crisp bergamot, to contrast with the headiness of rare oud wood resin, this hypnotic, mysterious and smoky elixir is one of the jewels in Jo Malone London’s crown of highly concentrated Cologne Intense formulas, a range that is inspired by and uses ingredients gathered from around the globe. It has bite (thanks to the citrus fruits) but dries down to a mellow spin on oud, achieved through the Earl Grey tea facets of the bergamot and cedarwood, which is dry, intensely woody and gives the brambly aspect in the base of the fragrance. Created by celebrated perfumer Christine Nagel, and presented in a black glass bottle (unique to the Cologne Intense line), it leaves a trail of musk-like accents, which, when combined with praline, give a fresh and contemporary feel to an ingredient which is central to Middle Eastern fragrance traditions.
Versace
The Oud Noir interpretation of Alberto Morillas’ aromatic fougère, Versace Pour Homme is a dramatic departure from the original. While the 2008 juice is an energizing, sun-kissed celebration of green and floral notes, Oud Noir takes a walk on a distinctly darker side. A deeply textured and hypnotic scent sitting comfortably within the woody fragrance family, it is both intense and regal in its composition while also spicy with a burning heart and a heavy scent of leather. Opening with effervescent bitter orange, black pepper, and neroli, it takes a sudden dive into the comforting centre of aromatic saffron, cardamom, and oilbanum. The oud (agarwood) kicks in properly after an hour or two (although is present from the offset), flanked by patchouli and leatherwood. Good for the day but better for night—which kind of goes without saying, given it's Versace.
Initio Parfums
Part of Initio’s Black Gold Project Collection, Oud for Happiness is full of spiritual charm. The follow up to Oud for Greatness, it rebalances energy levels whilst relaxing both the body and the mind. Exploring another facet of oud, an ancestral material with a recognized psychoactive dimension, it stimulates and fills you with self-confidence; basically, it is designed to put a smile on your face. The benefits of the oud ingredient are amplified through a rush of freshly-cut narcotic grass; energizing and uninhibited. Opening with citrus burst of ripe bergamot fruit and ginger (an exhilarating aphrodisiac) the all-natural scent melds with Virginia cedar which has toning properties and Indian oud. Closing the show with sweet base of licorice, vanilla, musk, and herbal notes, it evokes strong emotions as well as lifting your mood.
Thameen
Thameen’s Treasure Collection looks towards the world’s most iconic jewels for its inspiration. Sumptuous and luxurious, Carved Oud takes a slightly different path. You could be forgiven for thinking this long-lasting extrait de parfum concentration leans toward the more feminine; but you couldn’t be more wrong. The woody scent uses a unique oud from the south of India; one of the highest quality oud oils. Opening with the aromatic notes of cypress, Guatemalan cardamom, pink pepper, and cypriol oil, the majestic scent then takes a journey through cedar wood, iris, guaiac, and the all-important oud. Pure patchouli, smoky Haitian vetiver, amber, vanilla, and sandalwood add depth, richness and texture, finished off with a smooth, temperate musk in the base.
Parfums De Marly
Haltane is a bold, very masculine scent with ageless appeal which has been composed using a pyramid of exceptional materials. The bright, citrus-tinged, and fresh herbal top notes are achieved with a blend of bergamot, clary sage, and lavender. The heart serves a soft and rich praline accord, supported by cedar wood, saffron, and elder wood. Its lingering base is a traditionally aromatic combo of patchouli, vetiver, musk, leather, and natural agarwood (oud). Designed exclusively for men, it unites French 18th-century-inspired regal savoir-faire with British elegance in perfect harmony. A unique scent that is full of carefully-balanced contrasts; tradition and innovation, light and shadow, sophistication and invigorating freshness.
Matiere Premiere
This Harrods exclusive brings unprecedented complexity to the opulent character of oud; a fragrance that doesn’t hold back. Created by master perfumer (and founder of Matiere Premiere) Aurelien Guichard, it refines a rough and precious Assam oud by shaping it out with seven complementary high-quality ingredients, each extracted using the slow perfumery method in order to treat the materials with greater respect. Using violet leaf absolute from Egypt, tobacco leaf absolute from the Balkans, patchouli oil from Indonesia, vetiver oil from Haiti, cyrpiol oil from India, ciste labdanum absolute from Andalusia, and amber, it is both creative and somehow familiar with great contrasts; the oud is, however, still the star of this show.
Guerlain
Oud Essentiel is an epic woody, leather-based fragrance. Charismatic, seductive and full of mellow flavor, it's well-balanced and intense, but with a mellow flavor. Saffron notes and pelargonium have been used in its top; agarwood, rose, and Atlas cedarwood at the heart and leather notes; incense and guaiac wood in its trailing base layer.