Artisanal oud is typically hand-harvested from wild agarwood and distilled using traditional methods, resulting in a more complex and nuanced scent. Commercial oud may come from cultivated trees and undergo faster, mass-production methods, leading to a less refined, often simpler aroma

Oud from different regions has distinct scent characteristics. For instance, Indian oud (Hindi oud) is often more animalic and pungent, while Cambodian or Laotian oud tends to be sweeter and fruitier. The soil, climate, and species of the agarwood tree all contribute to these regional variations.

Like fine wine, oud oil can improve with age. Over time, oud develops richer, smoother, and more mellow qualities. Freshly distilled oud may have sharp or pungent notes, while aged oud tends to be more rounded and harmonious

The high demand for oud has led to overharvesting of agarwood trees, many of which are now endangered. Ethical oud production involves sustainable sourcing, replanting initiatives, and certification to ensure that oud is harvested legally and responsibly.

Synthetic oud is used to mimic the scent of natural oud at a lower cost and to prevent overharvesting of agarwood trees. While it can replicate some of the key olfactory characteristics, synthetic oud lacks the complexity, depth, and evolution that real oud provides.

Niche perfumers often blend oud with unexpected notes like gourmands, marine accords, or green florals to create avant-garde fragrances. They maintain its traditional essence by using high-quality, often artisanal oud while pushing boundaries with innovative compositions.

High-quality oud perfumes use authentic, naturally sourced oud oil with rich, multi-layered aromas. Lower-grade perfumes may use diluted or synthetic oud, resulting in a flatter, less complex scent. The concentration of oud and the balance with other notes also signal quality.

Oud-based perfumes can be expensive due to the rarity of agarwood and the labor-intensive extraction process. The use of high-quality, wild-harvested oud raises the cost, while perfumes using synthetic or cultivated oud are generally more affordable.

Oud has a long-lasting, evolving scent profile. It starts strong with deep, resinous notes, then softens into warm, smoky, and sweet nuances. Unlike other notes that may fade quickly, oud continues to develop on the skin over hours, offering a unique olfactory journey.

Oud contains sesquiterpenes and resinous compounds that make it extremely long-lasting on the skin. These molecules also give oud strong sillage (projection), allowing it to linger in the air for hours or even days after application.