The note of oud is one of the most complex fragrance notes out there. With a rich and heavy scent that can be manipulated into so many fantastic fragrances, you might wonder, what are the best oud fragrances for men?
What Is The Note Of Oud And How Does It Smell
The note of oud, otherwise known as agarwood, is one of the most sought-after and complex fragrance notes in the world. Oud is actually the secretion of a tree, the aquillaria tree, which is produced when the tree is ‘harmed’. When this tree has a hole or cut, it produces a substance that fills it back up. This is usually where the fragrance note of oud comes from.
Due to the complexity of actual oud and how it’s actually made, its a very expensive fragrance note. Safe to say that most (if not all) commercial fragrances use a synthetic, recreated version of oud and not the actual, natural version.
But, how does oud actually smell? Oud can have a very intense scent. It can smell woody, dusty, and even a little nutty. Sometimes it can also have a dirty, animalic undertone to it, giving it even more complexity. Overall, the note of oud is a rather dark fragrance note and is often used in more complex and rich compositions. Below are listed some of the best oud fragrances for men, in no particular order. These fragrances range from more entry-level oud fragrances to some extreme and dark oud fragrances.
1. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud
Scent: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud is a beautiful fragrance where the name says it all. This fragrance opens with a gorgeous scent of warm and smooth oud. Added to the opening is a slightly fresh touch, making the fragrance a little less strong and more breathable. After a short while, spicy hints of saffron can be detected, as well as a light touch of patchouli. These add a luxurious and classy feel on a fragrance that has more of a Western (read: smoother and softer) take on the note of oud.
Notes: The notes of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud are elemi, oud, cedar, saffron, and patchouli.
Best for: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud is a lovely fragrance that you can easily wear all year long. This is mainly attributed to the rather smooth and soft feel of this fragrance, which makes it quite inoffensive. Instead, you’ll have a classy fragrance that won’t overpower the people around you. Due to the smooth scent, there also aren’t any restrictions on this fragrance either. It will work well both casual, as well as formally, making this a great fragrance for someone who wants to try an oud fragrance but doesn’t want a bold and daring one. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
2. Gucci Intense Oud
Scent: Gucci Intense Oud is a highly regarded fragrance with a stunning scent of oud. This fragrance opens with a powerful scent of strong and dark oud, supported by a smoky scent of incense. Shortly after the opening, a touch of leather is added, giving the fragrance an even heavier feel. When this fragrance starts to dry down, some more woody notes are added, as well as a warm scent of amber. This leaves you with an overall fantastic fragrance that perfectly embodies the note of oud.
Notes: The notes of Gucci Intense Oud are amber, oud, leather, olibanum, incense, and woody notes.
Best for: Gucci Intense Oud is a rather strong fragrance that’s best worn during the fall and winter. During those colder months, the lower temperatures soften the otherwise strong scent, making it much easier to wear. Even though this fragrance is quite strong, it will work great in a more formal setting, as it portrays a powerful scent that makes you feel confident. Of course, you can also wear it casually as well and it will even work nicely on a date or at night. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
3. Tom Ford Oud Wood
Scent: Tom Ford Oud Wood is a very popular fragrance, and with good reason. This fragrance opens with a wonderful scent of soft and warm woods, accompanied by some spices. The spices give the fragrance a nice layer of depth, blending in nicely with the soft woods. Shortly after the opening, the note of oud starts to show itself, appearing a bit more subdued and soft. This makes it much easier to wear, as it won’t have that strong and intense scent. In the dry down, some sweetness is added, leaving you with an overall fantastic fragrance.
Notes: The notes of Tom Ford Oud Wood are sandalwood, amber, Sichuan pepper, vanilla, cardamom, tonka bean, rosewood, vetiver, and oud.
Best for: Tom Ford Oud Wood is one of those fragrances that will never be out of place. This fragrance will work great during the colder months but will work just as well during the spring and summer. Throughout the year, there also isn’t really a time or place where this fragrance won’t work. It’s great for casual daytime wear, seductive enough for dates and nighttime wear, but also professional and luxurious enough for formal wear. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
4. Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir
Scent: Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir is a great fragrance with a spicy scent of oud. This fragrance opens with a few citruses and spices, along with a strong blast of oud. The oud is the main star in the opening and gives off a dark and rich scent. The spices combine perfectly with the oud and make for a fantastic fragrance. A little while after the opening, the oud starts to mellow down, leaving room for the spices and citruses to shine. This makes for a much softer dry down of aromatic spices and some soft woods.
Notes: The top notes of Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir are neroli, bitter orange, and black pepper. The middle notes are saffron, olibanum, and cardamom. The base notes are oud, patchouli, and leatherwood.
Best for: Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir is a fantastic entry-level oud fragrance that’s best worn during the colder months. This fragrance has a great scent of oud, but done in a more commercial manner, making it much easier to wear and like. During the colder months, you can wear this fragrance pretty much whenever you’d like. It’s great for the office, great for casual daytime wear, but also great for dates, dinners, or any other fancy setting. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
5. Creed Royal Oud
Scent: Creed Royal Oud is a fantastic fragrance with a soft and smooth scent of woods. This fragrance opens with a slightly fresh scent of citruses and spices, quickly supported by some warm woods. Shortly after the opening, a beautiful scent of oud and sandalwood starts to appear, providing you with a truly royal scent. The sandalwood and oud are the main stars in this fragrance, although the oud is relatively soft. This makes it a lot easier to wear, as it isn’t as offensive and overpowering as some other oud fragrances.
Notes: The top notes of Creed Royal Oud are bergamot, lemon, and pink pepper. The middle notes are cedar, angelica, and galbanum. The base notes are musk, sandalwood, and oud.
Best for: Creed Royal Oud is a lovely fragrance that’s best worn during the spring, fall, and winter. The soft, yet warm scent of woods and oud works best with the cooler and colder temperatures. During these months, there really aren’t any restrictions on this fragrance. It works great at night, during a date, or just casual wear. On top of that, the classy scent of woods will also work fantastically in a formal setting as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
6. Ferrari Essence Oud
Scent: Ferrari Essence Oud is an amazing fragrance with a scent of rose and oud. This fragrance immediately opens with a blast of fresh rose and dark oud, creating an intense, yet beautiful scent. Shortly after the opening, a hint of saffron is added, giving the fragrance a spicy undertone. After a little while, you can start to notice a scent of leather, which blends in beautifully with the rose and oud. This leaves you with an overall strong and dense fragrance with a confident and masculine scent.
Notes: The top note of Ferrari Essence Oud is oud. The middle notes are saffron, caraway, rose, elemi, and olibanum. The base notes are leather and labdanum.
Best for: Ferrari Essence Oud is a beautiful fragrance with a strong and daring scent. Therefore, you’re better off wearing this fragrance during the colder months, where the lower temperatures will soften the scent a bit. During the colder months, you can easily wear this fragrance casually, but it works even better in a more formal setting. This fragrance has a classy and confident feel about it, which makes it work extremely nice in a more formal setting. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
7. Nasomatto Black Afgano
Scent: Nasomatto Black Afgano is an incredible fragrance with a dark and bold scent. This fragrance opens with a fantastic scent of green notes, supported by some woods and coffee. These all blend together to create a truly stunning scent that smells both dark and seductive. A little while after the opening, a strong scent of oud is added, providing the fragrance with complexity and depth. In the end, you’re left with a bold, yet extremely pleasant and seductive scent.
Notes: The top notes of Nasomatto Black Afgano are green notes and cannabis. The middle notes are tobacco, coffee, resins, and woody notes. The base notes are oud and incense.
Best for: Nasomatto Black Afgano is a fantastic fragrance that’s best worn during the colder months. Here, you can easily wear this fragrance casually throughout the day, but it will also work great at night as well. You could even wear this fragrance to a date or night out, as you will get noticed while wearing this. You can also wear this fragrance formally, just make sure you wear it with confidence. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
8. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood
Scent: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood is a truly gorgeous fragrance with a sweet scent of rose and oud. This fragrance immediately opens with a blast of rose and vanilla, creating a scent that almost smells like a cocktail of fruits. Shortly after, the rose becomes more pronounced and gives off a luxurious feel. This is also the moment where the note of oud starts to present itself, giving off a rich and dark scent that works perfectly with the rose and vanilla. In the end, you’re left with a high-quality and luxurious fragrance.
Notes: The notes of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood are violet, Turkish rose, benzoin, vanilla, Bulgarian rose, and oud.
Best for: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood is a gorgeous fragrance that’s best worn during the fall and winter. This fragrance is on the richer and sweeter side, making it appear quite strong. This could be a little too strong for the warmer months but will be perfect for the colder ones. During the colder months, you can wear this fragrance either casually throughout the day, at night, or better yet, in a formal setting. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
9. Diptyque Oud Palao
Scent: Diptyque Oud Palao is a beautiful fragrance with a rich scent of oud. This fragrance opens with a strong and classy scent of woods, supported by notes of tobacco, rum, and oud. These notes all come together to create a rather strong scent that manages to stay classy. A little while after the opening, a soft hint of rose makes itself known, as well as a sweet undertone of vanilla. The vanilla gives the fragrance a seductive feel, leaving you with an overall fantastic oud-based fragrance.
Notes: The notes of Diptyque Oud Palao are tobacco, oud, rum, sandalwood, vanilla, camphor, labdanum, patchouli, and rose.
Best for: Diptyque Oud Palao is a fantastic fragrance to wear during the fall and winter. The rich and warm scent of oud and other woods will work perfectly with the lower temperatures. During the colder months, you can easily wear this fragrance casually throughout the day, but it will also work nicely at night. Due to the seductiveness from the vanilla, you can wear this one on nights out or to a date. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
10. Guerlain Santal Royal
Scent: Guerlain Santal Royal is a beautiful oud fragrance with a luxurious influence of rose and spices. This fragrance immediately opens with the scent of oud, supported by a slightly sweet hint of rose. This creates a rather gorgeous and luxurious scent, setting the tone for this fragrance. A little while after the opening, some warm spices are added, as well as a touch of amber. These lift up the fragrance even more and give it a slightly mature scent. Overall, this is a truly stunning oud fragrance.
Notes: The top notes of Guerlain Santal Royal are jasmine and neroli. The middle notes are rose, cinnamon, and peach. The base notes are amber, musk, oud, leather, and sandalwood.
Best for: Guerlain Santal Royal is a gorgeous fragrance, perfect for the fall and winter. During the colder months, this fragrance is perfect for any formal setting. This fragrance has such an up-scale, luxurious scent that will dominate any formal setting. You’ll smell successful, confident, and overall fantastic when wearing this fragrance. Of course, it will also work well in any casual setting, just make sure you dress nicely, as this is more of a mature fragrance. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
11. Tom Ford Tobacco Oud
Scent: Tom Ford Tobacco Oud is a truly fantastic fragrance with a bold and daring scent. This fragrance opens with a strong scent of whiskey, supported by the note of tobacco. This immediately creates a rather bold scent that actually smells incredible. Shortly after the opening, some spicy notes are added, as well as a touch of oud. These give the fragrance a bunch of depth and make it appear even more daring. In the dry down, a sweet touch of vanilla is added, giving the fragrance a slightly smoother and more rounded dry down.
Notes: The top note of Tom Ford Tobacco Oud is whiskey. The middle notes are coriander, cinnamon, and spicy notes. The base notes are benzoin, patchouli, vanilla, sandalwood, cedar, incense, tobacco, and oud.
Best for: Tom Ford Tobacco Oud is a fantastic fragrance that’s best worn during the colder months. This is mainly due to the rather strong and daring nature of this fragrance, but the scent itself is also on the warmer side, which simply works better in the lower temperatures. During the colder months, this is the perfect fragrance to wear when you want to get noticed. This fragrance screams confidence and success, so make sure the scent fits you well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
12. Xerjoff Al-Khat
Scent: Xerjoff Al-Khat is a great fragrance with a beautiful scent of oud and white florals. This fragrance opens with a fresh and slightly sweet scent of jasmine. The jasmine is a white floral note which gives off a powdery, almost creamy scent. This scent works great with the upcoming sweet notes such as vanilla. Added to the sweet and creamy scent of vanilla and jasmine is the note of oud, which provides the fragrance with a dark scent of woods. Every now and then, you can also pick up a fresh touch of bergamot.
Notes: The notes of Xerjoff Al-Khat are oakmoss, vanilla, cashmeran, oud, benzoin, bergamot, and jasmine.
Best for: Xerjoff Al-Khat is a fragrance that can be worn all year long but will work better during the colder months. This is mainly due to the sweetness and the oud, which give it a heavier feel. Nevertheless, it will work well during the warmer months, especially at night. Furthermore, this is a fantastic fragrance to wear casually. It has that luxurious oud feel and it also smells unique, ensuring you leave a lasting impression. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
13. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Oud
Scent: Acqua Di Parma Colonia Oud is a gorgeous fragrance with a fresh and clean scent of oud. This fragrance opens with a beautiful scent of fresh citruses, immediately accompanied by the note of oud. These fresh citruses blend in beautifully with the oud and make it appear much fresher and cleaner. A little while after the opening, a clean undertone of musk presents itself, adding to the clean feel of this fragrance. In the base, there are some more woody notes present, leaving you with an overall complex, yet fresh scent of oud.
Notes: The top notes of Acqua Di Parma Colonia Oud are bergamot and orange. The middle notes are oud, coriander, and Amyris. The base notes are patchouli, cedar, musk, leather, and sandalwood.
Best for: Acqua Di Parma Colonia Oud is a fantastic fragrance that you can actually wear all year long. This fragrance is warm enough for the colder months and because of the citruses and overall clean scent, it will also work great during the warmer months. Throughout the year, you can easily wear this fragrance casually throughout the day, but you can also wear it at night as well. Besides casual wear, you can also wear this fragrance formally, as its rather clean and inoffensive. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
14. Christian Dior Oud Ispahan
Scent: Christian Dior Oud Ispahan is a wonderful fragrance with a smooth scent of rose and oud. The opening immediately presents you with a rich and luxurious scent of rose, strengthened by a deep and dark scent of oud. Both these notes are done in a very smooth manner, making it smell even more beautiful. Shortly after the opening, some spices are added, giving the fragrance another layer of depth. When this fragrance starts to dry down, the note of oud becomes a bit more pronounced and even gives off a slight animalic feel.
Notes: The top note of Christian Dior Oud Ispahan is labdanum. The middle notes are saffron, rose, and patchouli. The base notes are cedar, oud, and sandalwood.
Best for: Christian Dior Oud Ispahan is yet another fantastic rose/oud fragrance that will work best during the colder months. Here, you can wear this whenever you like. This fragrance has such a luxurious and smooth scent that you simply cannot go wrong with. It will be perfect for any formal setting, a business meeting, a fancy dinner, but will also work great when worn casually. You can either wear it during the day, but at night it will be just as fantastic. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
15. Byredo Oud Immortel
Scent: Byredo Oud Immortel is a rather interesting fragrance with a fresh scent of oud. This fragrance opens with a blast of fresh and zesty citruses, supported by the boozy note of limoncello. Shortly after the opening, some warm woody notes are added, as well as the rich note of oud. The oud blends in beautifully with the boozy citruses, creating a unique and fantastic smelling scent. When this fragrance starts to dry down, it turns a little dustier and darker due to the addition of the note of tobacco.
Notes: The top notes of Byredo Oud Immortel are incense, cardamom, and limoncello. The middle notes are rosewood, papyrus, oud, and patchouli. The base notes are tobacco and oakmoss.
Best for: Byredo Oud Immortel is a fantastic fragrance that can be worn all year long. The fresh burst of citruses, paired with the darker dry down allows this fragrance to be worn during both the warmer, as well as the colder seasons. Throughout the year, you’re best off wearing this fragrance casually, as the scent itself is somewhat polarizing and could be a little out of place in a formal setting. Casually, though, its perfect, as long as you wear it with confidence. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
16. Tom Ford Oud Minerale
Scent: Tom Ford Oud Minerale is another unique oud fragrance, this time with an aquatic take. This fragrance immediately opens with a bunch of aquatic notes, creating a fresh, salty, and marine-like scent. Shortly after the opening, you can smell a distinct scent of oud, creating a nice contrast with the fresher marine notes. From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much anymore, leaving you with a scent that smells like a cold ocean, supported by a dark and rich undertone of oud.
Notes: The notes of Tom Ford Oud Minerale are ambergris, styrax, pink pepper, pepperwood, oud, balsam fir, sea notes, seaweed, and sea salt.
Best for: Tom Ford Oud Minerale is a fantastic warm-weather fragrance, perfect for the spring and summer. During the warmer months, a refreshing ocean-like scent will be perfect. It smells refreshing and inoffensive, making it quite versatile as well. You can wear this fragrance either casually throughout the day, regardless of the occasion, but due to the oud, you can also wear it formally as well. Overall, this is a fantastic oud fragrance, perfect for anyone. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
17. Amouage Interlude Man
Scent: Amouage Interlude Man is an extremely strong fragrance with a classy and overall gorgeous scent. This fragrance opens with a strong scent of smoky oud, balanced out by some fresh citruses and spices. Shortly after the opening, the citruses disappear, making room for the note of amber. The amber is accompanied by some resinous notes, which give off a sweet and smoky scent. In the dry down, soft hints of leather can be detected, adding to the strength of this fragrance. In the end, though, you’re left with a truly wonderful scent.
Notes: The top notes of Amouage Interlude Man are pepper, oregano, and bergamot. The middle notes are opoponax, labdanum, amber, and incense. The base notes are sandalwood, oud, patchouli, and leather.
Best for: Amouage Interlude Man is an incredible fragrance with a fantastically strong scent. Due to the sheer strength of this fragrance, its best worn during the colder months. During the colder months, you can wear this fragrance either casually or formally, as long as you apply appropriately. Although strong, this fragrance is quite versatile. It will work well at night during dates, but will also work well in a business meeting or a similar setting. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
18. John Varvatos Oud
Scent: John Varvatos Oud is a gorgeous fragrance with a warm and slightly smoky scent of woods. This fragrance immediately opens with a bunch of warm spices, done in a smooth and rounded manner. A little while after the opening, a gorgeous scent of dark oud makes itself known, blending in beautifully with the spices. Along with the oud are some smoky notes, as well as a touch of leather, giving the fragrance a rich and masculine dry down. Overall, this is a truly fantastic oud fragrance.
Notes: The top notes of John Varvatos Oud are cypress, sage, nutmeg, juniper berries, and tobacco. The middle notes are cardamom, cloves, osmanthus, jasmine, pepper, rose, cinnamon, and saffron. The base notes are incense, amber, opoponax, leather, labdanum, myrrh, cedar, and oud.
Best for: John Varvatos Oud is a fantastic cold-weather fragrance, perfect for the fall and winter. During those colder months, you can wear this fragrance pretty much all the time. It’s great for casual daytime wear, even better for nighttime wear, but will also work well in a formal setting as well. This fragrance smells masculine and strong, making it perfect for a confident man to wear whenever he likes. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
19. Comme Des Garcons Wonderoud
Scent: Comme Des Garcons Wonderoud is a fragrance with a stunning scent of woods. Ever since the first spray, you’ll be surrounded by a warm and slightly sweet scent of woods. Shortly after the opening, the fragrance takes a slightly spicier turn with the addition of what seems to be peppery notes. This is also the moment where the note of oud becomes truly noticeable. Warm, rich, and deep wafts of pure oud can be detected, subdued by the other woods and spices. This leaves you with an overall fantastic fragrance with an easy to wear scent of oud.
Notes: The only listed note of Comme Des Garcons Wonderoud is oud.
Best for: Comme Des Garcons Wonderoud is a fantastic fragrance that works best when the temperatures are a little lower. During those colder days, you can practically wear this fragrance whenever you’d like. Even though this is an oud fragrance, it smells extremely modern and masculine, making it perfect for both casual as well as formal settings. Just make sure you wear this fragrance confidently. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
20. Hugo Boss Bottled Oud
Scent: Hugo Boss Bottled Oud is a flanker of the original Hugo Boss Bottled, a fragrance loved for its warm and sweet scent. In the opening of this fragrance, you can immediately pick up that original Hugo Boss Bottled DNA, supported by a few spices and woods. The note of oud starts to appear quickly after the opening, providing a dark and rich scent that almost smells a little nutty. In the dry down, you’re left with a gorgeous scent of dark woods and warm spices.
Notes: The top notes of Hugo Boss Bottled Oud are apple and citruses. The middle notes are cinnamon, labdanum, cloves, and saffron. The base notes are sandalwood, oud, and cypriol oil.
Best for: Hugo Boss Bottled Oud is a fantastic cold-weather fragrance, perfect for the fall and winter. During those colder months, this fragrance is actually quite versatile. It’s a designer take on the note of oud, which means it’s a little more wearable and less offensive. This makes it work great in both casual, as well as formal settings. However, the best time to wear this might be during a night out or on a date. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
21. Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot
Scent: Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot is a beautiful fragrance with a very fresh and refined scent. When you first spray this fragrance, you’re greeted by a fresh scent of lemon, orange, and bergamot. These provide you with a fresh and zesty scent and are quickly accompanied by a few woody notes. Warm hints of cedar and oud start to appear, giving the fragrance a refined feel. From here, the fragrance doesn’t change too much anymore, leaving you with a fresh scent of oud and citruses.
Notes: The notes of Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot are oud, orange, bergamot, cedar, and lemon.
Best for: Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot is a great fragrance to wear during the warmer months. This fragrance is definitely one the fresher side which makes it perfect for the spring and summer. During those months, you really can’t go wrong with this one. Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot has such a soft and inoffensive scent that you can wear it pretty much all the time, whether you’re going to the gym, to the office, or hanging out with friends. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
22. Atelier Cologne Oud Saphir
Scent: Atelier Cologne Oud Saphir is a great fragrance with a warm scent of oud. This fragrance opens with a beautiful scent of leather, supported by some soft citruses and spices. Shortly after the opening, a smoky scent of birch makes itself known, blending in perfectly with the leather. This is also the moment where the note of oud starts to present itself. The oud gives off a warm, woody, and slightly smoky scent, leaving you with an overall warm scent that mainly smells of leather and has a nice undertone of oud.
Notes: The top notes of Atelier Cologne Oud Saphir are ambrette, pink pepper, and bergamot. The middle notes are jasmine, birch, and suede. The base notes are vanilla, birch, and oud.
Best for: Atelier Cologne Oud Saphir is a fantastic cold-weather fragrance, perfect for the fall and winter. During the colder months, you’re best off wearing this fragrance casually, as it has a somewhat playful feel to it. This makes it perfect for nights out, dates, or casual daytime wear. However, the leather also makes this somewhat more professional, making it work nicely in a formal setting as well. If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can check it out over here on Amazon!