Scent Almanac
Oud
Dark, dense wood with smoky, leathery and slightly medicinal facets; some versions are softened with rose or amber, others lean animalic and barnyard-like.
- Made from
- A blended fragrance oil — no natural oil of this exact scent exists; it's built from aroma chemicals and sometimes natural extracts. Real oud (agarwood oil) is extremely expensive and rarely used in home making.
- Strength
- ●●●●● a little goes a long way
- Cost
- Moderate
- Moods
- SensualGroundingCozy
- Seasons
- Autumn, Winter
- Rooms
- Living room, Bedroom, Entryway
No special cautions at normal use; follow the supplier's IFRA certificate.
How it behaves
CandlesGreat
Very strong — start at the low end of your wax's range; it can overpower a blend quickly.
Wax meltsGreat
Reed diffuserGood
Room & linen sprayWorkable
Electric (water) diffuserAvoid
Cold-process soapGood
Check the supplier's soap notes; darker oud accords may tint soap.
Melt-and-pour soapGood
Laundry & cleaningWorkable
Pairs well with
Rose
Middle · Floral
Absolute / CO2
Cardamom
Middle · Spicy
Essential oil
Amber
Base · Resinous & amber
Fragrance oil
Sandalwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Vanilla
Base · Gourmand
Fragrance oil
Patchouli
Base · Earthy
Essential oil
Leather
Base · Smoky & leather
Fragrance oil
Labdanum
Base · Resinous & amber
Absolute / CO2
Frankincense
Base · Resinous & amber
Essential oil
Honey
Base · Gourmand
Fragrance oil
Don't have it? Try Leather, Mahogany.
In these blends
A little lore
Real oud forms when Aquilaria trees produce a dark, fragrant resin in response to infection, and wild Aquilaria is protected under CITES.