If there’s one ingredient in perfumery that’s guaranteed to get love-it-or-hate-it reactions, it’s rich and woody oud. Partly, this is because there are so many mediocre oud fragrances on the market, but mostly it’s due to the unique qualities of the ingredient. Oud can have a variety of characteristics: anything from musty and bittersweet to balsamic but this is dependent on how it’s used. A visit to a perfume counter will tell you how popular oud has become over the last decade. Of course, it has been a staple in Middle Eastern perfumery for centuries.
4 Best Oud Colognes for Men
Fragrances with the scent are growing in popularity. There’s something undeniably sensual and appealingly sophisticated about this scent. Before we take you through what oud is, what it’s made of, and the fragrance to expect from an oud — here are the eight best oud colognes reviewed.
Perfumer: Calice Becker, 2009
Key notes: Guaiac wood, saffron, agarwood, copahu balm, cypriol oil.
Wear it if You want a heavy, pungent and uncompromising niche oud fragrance, with a strong leathery and woody aspect. Be warned if you’re looking for something more subtle as some call it challenging, bitter and unwearable. From the band’s Arabian Nights Collection, It’s decidedly masculine and makes a powerful statement.
2. Gucci Guilty Intense Oud EDP
Perfumer: Aurelien Guichard, 2016
Key notes: Pear, raspberry, saffron, Bulgarian rose, orange flower, natural oud oil, patchouli.
Wear it if You want a great designer oud fragrance that doesn’t cost a fortune like many niche options, which claim to use more of the genuine stuff. Gucci fragrances have been patchy over the years, but the Italian luxury brand hit the sweet spot with this unisex release. It’s smoky throughout, thanks to the incense and frankincense notes, sophisticated and sexy.
3. Dunhill Icon Absolute EDP
Perfumer: Unknown, 2015
Key notes: Sicilian bergamot, black pepper, saffron, rose, jasmine, agarwood, tobacco.
Wear it if You want a super-elegant, smooth and toned-down oud experience. The oud in this EDP is well balanced by the spices and florals. It’s from the brand’s high-quality Icon collection and the gold-encased bottle deserves a special mention for being of the best fragrance bottle designs in recent years.
4. Creed Royal Oud Millesime EPD
Perfumer: Oliver Creed Sixth Generation, 2011
Key notes: Lemon, pink berries, bergamot, cedar, galbanum, angelica root, sandalwood, oud, Tonkin musk.
Wear it if You want a seriously upmarket, luxurious interpretation of the scent that’s signature material. This is expensive stuff (it’s Creed, after all). For the price though you’re getting a masterful and multi-faceted fragrance, from the citrus opener to the slightly sweet oud that’s not too dominant. It’s not an obvious oud fragrance and that’s part of its beauty.
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