The enchanting aroma of oud, often referred to as "liquid gold," has captured the hearts and senses of people worldwide with its unique and luxurious scent profile. Sourced predominantly from the agarwood trees found in the dense forests of Southeast Asia and the Middle East, oud is revered both for its historical significance and modern appeal. With an increasing number of perfume houses embracing this captivating essence, the market today bustles with an array of choices that cater to diverse olfactory preferences. To guide you through this aromatic adventure, here is a curated list of some of the best brands for oud below.
Illustration of oud
Best brands of oud in 2025
Tom Ford
Tom Ford is renowned for its exquisite oud fragrances, particularly with the launch of Oud Wood in 2007, which marked a significant shift towards making oud more approachable and mainstream. This fragrance, categorized as "Oriental Spicy," combines rare oud wood with rosewood, cardamom, and amber, creating a balanced and wearable scent. Unlike his earlier, more intense oud fragrance M7 for YSL in 2002, Oud Wood is designed to be mild and accessible. Tom Ford's expertise in blending oud with other notes has made Oud Wood a bestseller, reflecting the brand's commitment to luxury and sensuality. The acquisition of Tom Ford by The Estee Lauder Companies in 2023 further solidifies its position in the luxury fragrance market.
Creed
Creed is renowned as one of the best producers of oud perfumes, leveraging the rare and precious resin extracted from the aquilaria tree, particularly the Aquilaria malaccensis species. Only about one out of ten trees naturally produce this resin, making oud one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery, with agarwood costing up to $100,000 per kilogram. Creed's Royal Oud, inspired by Persian palace architecture, combines luxurious oud with fresh, green top notes and rich, earthy ingredients, creating a unique and modern twist on classic oud fragrances. This unisex Eau de Parfum is crafted with the finest global ingredients and is known for its longevity, lasting throughout the day. Creed's commitment to using rare, luxurious ingredients like oud has established the brand as a leader in luxury perfumery.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Maison Francis Kurkdjian, co-founded by the renowned perfumer Francis Kurkdjian and businessman Marc Chaya in 2009, is esteemed for its innovative and sophisticated fragrances, particularly its oud creations. The brand's Oud perfume, released in 2012, stands out for its unique woody-floral composition that avoids traditional Arabic stereotypes, instead integrating oud with patchouli and other notes to create a distinct Western-style oud fragrance. This approach has garnered significant acclaim, with the perfume being noted for its smooth, balanced scent that is both contemporary and timeless. Since its acquisition by LVMH in 2017, Maison Francis Kurkdjian has continued to expand its global presence, now available in over 60 countries. The brand's commitment to quality and creativity has solidified its position as a leader in the niche fragrance market.
Amouage
Amouage, a renowned Omani High Perfumery House, has solidified its position as one of the best producers of oud-based fragrances, achieving a remarkable 24% annual growth in 2023 and surpassing $210 million in retail sales. The brand's exceptional growth is driven by strong performance in key regions, including a 28% growth in the Asia-Pacific and 21% in the Americas. Amouage's boutiques recorded a 27% growth, fueled by the rollout of mono-brand luxury retail experiences globally. The brand's commitment to quality and creativity is evident in its bestselling line, Guidance Eau de Parfum, and its premium Exceptional Extraits, which feature category-leading concentrations and ageing times. Amouage's innovative and sustainable practices, such as preserving Frankincense trees, further underscore its industry leadership. For more detailed information about Amouage's outstanding results, visit their press release.
Mizensir
Mizensir, founded in 1999 by Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas, is renowned for its exquisite and unique fragrances, particularly those featuring oud. Morillas, with over 40 years of experience, has created iconic scents like CK One and Acqua Di Gio, and his brand Mizensir continues this legacy with fragrances like Original Oud and Perfect Oud, which are characterized by their woody-leathery accords and above-average longevity. Mizensir's perfumes are handcrafted in Geneva, ensuring high-quality and precise fragrance reproduction. The brand's commitment to craftsmanship and excellence has made it a standout in the perfumery world. Mizensir's oud fragrances evoke a deep, rich scent that is both incandescent and radical, making them highly sought after.
Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent, although primarily renowned for its contributions to the fashion industry, has also made significant impacts in the fragrance market, including the incorporation of agarwood scents into their perfumes. However, YSL does not specialize in oud oil production; instead, it is luxury fragrance houses and specialized companies like Ensar Oud that are known for high-quality agarwood essential oils. The global fragrance industry, which includes brands like YSL, has seen growth, with the market forecast to reach approximately $45.6 billion by 2018, but specific figures for oud oil sales are not prominently highlighted.
Byredo
Byredo, founded by Ben Gorham in 2006, is renowned for its exquisite oud-based fragrances, such as Oud Immortel and Accord Oud, which capture the complex, highly fragrant resin of agarwood. These fragrances are crafted by world-renowned perfumers like Jerome Epinette and Olivia Giacobetti, reflecting Gorham's diverse cultural background and artistic vision. Oud Immortel, released in 2010, features notes of incense, cardamom, Brazilian rosewood, and tobacco leaves, making it a standout in the woody amber category. Byredo's commitment to high-quality materials and innovative design has established the brand as a leader in luxury perfumery, available in over 40 countries. The brand's products are characterized by their intense, genderless scents that evoke both sensual and spiritual significance.
Roja Parfums
Roja Parfums is renowned for its exquisite oud fragrances, particularly with the release of Aoud in 2011, which is hailed as one of the first authentic Rose-Oud-Saffron combinations in the Western market. This fragrance stands out for its luxurious packaging, high-quality ingredients, and a blend that includes opulent rose, dark and slightly smoky woods, and spices. Aoud is noted for its strong opening and appealing dry down, lasting around 8 hours with 3 hours of detectable sillage. The brand's commitment to authenticity and quality has made Aoud a favorite for special occasions and a potential signature scent, despite its premium price of 720EUR per 100ml. Roja Parfums' attention to detail and use of authentic Middle Eastern scents set it apart in the perfumery industry.
Diptyque
Diptyque is renowned for its exquisite fragrances, particularly its oud-based scents, such as Oud Palao, which combines oud with rose, incense, and vanilla, creating a rich and oriental aroma. The brand's commitment to quality and craftsmanship is evident in its limited production of exceptional pieces, with each extra large candle pot taking four to five days to make by skilled artisans. Diptyque also prioritizes sustainability, with 25% of its products being refillable and 84% of its portfolio being recyclable as of 2023. The brand adheres to strict EU laws banning animal testing and is working towards a more circular economy. Diptyque's fragrances are highly regarded for their natural ingredients and luxurious heritage. For detailed insights into Diptyque's sustainability efforts, you can explore their impact report.
Jo Malone London
Jo Malone London is renowned for its exquisite fragrances, particularly its Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense, which masterfully blends the rich, smoky character of oud with crisp bergamot and cedarwood notes. Oud, often referred to as "the wood of the gods," is a highly valued commodity in the perfume world, with a kilo of this precious resin sometimes equaling the value of gold. This cologne intense is a modern marriage of complex and simple elements, creating a hypnotic and alluring scent. The brand's expertise in perfumery allows for elegant yet playful concepts, making Jo Malone London a leader in the luxury perfume market. Their fragrances are carefully crafted to be worn alone or layered for a personalized scent.
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