what is an oud fragrance

Oud is an intensely fragrant oil extracted from tree resin. It is a prized ingredient in the Middle East, where it is known as "black gold". Oud has a distinct woody aroma, making it a popular ingredient in many woodsy fragrances that feature notes like sandalwood, cedarwood, and patchouli. The scent of oud oil is complex, warm, slightly sweet, resinous, woody, earthy, fruity, bitter, smoky, and very animalic. Oud has a brooding quality that gives it the ability to amplify ones own unique skin chemistry, enhancing its muskiness in a way that suggests something intimate and animalic at the same time. Oud notes are extremely powerful in their diffusion, which is a quality that many consumers are now seeking in their fragrances. Oud fragrances are a popular category in the world of perfumery, and many perfume brands have incorporated oud scent notes into their fragrances.