In short, Oud is an essential oil made from agarwood that is uniquely found in agar trees.
The reason the agar tree is rather extraordinary is because it is one that has been infected in exactly the right manner, the manner by which the dark, dense and fragrant resin required for oud is created. (A random fact; It is estimated that only 2% of trees infected by this mould produce the resin). Diving deeper…once the tree is infected by a mould called ‘phialophora parasitica’ the agar tree produces a resinous heartwood to protect itself, this defensive resin found in the heartwood is the source of oud i.e. this resin is used is to create the unique scent of oud perfume.
As expected from a fragrance extracted from trees, oud has a warm woody, earthly aroma. This is followed with a tinge of sweet and some notes of leather and spices. By virtue of being sourced from a timber, you may also catch a whiff of dampness in its scent.
The smell of Oud is full of character, stories and memories. Indeed, a fragrance that evokes pure luxury and exclusivity. Each Oud-based fragrance is unique in itself and will be instantly associated with a certain memory of person, feeling or place. Having a special magic touch in that sense.
One of its greatest qualities is its durability. In the same way as the tree it originates from and the memories it carries, Oud induced fragrances last an astonishing amount of time. When composed with other perfumes, Oud is most often a base note and since base notes form the perfume’s foundation, they are very rich, heavy and long-lasting. These tend to remain on the skin long after the others dissipate (up to approximately 8 hours and longer!).
Oud has enjoyed a uniquely precious prestige in the east and is now working towards the west. It is very multipurpose in its nature, deployed in incense chips burned in holy places & homes to give its rooms a refreshingly purified feel; it is given as a present to wives, bosses, and clients; and employed sparingly as an aromatic oil on the body. At present Western perfumers are paying attention to, its wild and intense aroma, using it as a base to create unique fragrances.
You simply have to try it to appreciate it!