What Is Oud?
Oud comes from the Aquilaria tree, found in South and Southeast Asia. When the tree becomes infected or stressed, it produces a dark, fragrant resin as protection. This resin-rich wood, called agarwood, is the source of oud oil. Because this natural process occurs in only a small percentage of trees, genuine oud is extremely rare and valuable.
How Oud Resin Forms
When fungi or bacteria attack the Aquilaria tree, it responds by creating protective compounds. Over the years, these compounds turn the pale wood into dark resin-filled agarwood. This transformation takes decades and does not happen in every tree, which is why oud is among the most precious ingredients in perfumery.
Chemical Compounds Responsible for Oud’s Scent
Oud’s complex scent comes from compounds such as sesquiterpenes and chromones. These elements give oud its signature woody, smoky, leathery, and sometimes sweet notes.
Each oud smells slightly different based on factors like:
- Tree age
- Climate and soil
- Distillation method
- Region — e.g., Cambodian oud is sweet and fruity, while Indian oud is darker and smokier
Why No Two Ouds Smell the Same
Every Aquilaria tree produces a unique chemical profile. This natural variation makes each oud oil distinct, giving it an unmatched depth and character that synthetic fragrances cannot replicate.