Bold, but not overwhelming, this Chopard fragrance is a well-tailored introduction to the genre. It opens with a surprisingly bright hit of grapefruit and lavender, before paving the way for its heart notes of tobacco, spice and a sultry leathery warmth. Instead of screaming for attention, the oud base allows for the notes to blend in seamlessly, giving you a scent that’s vivacious and a touch smoky. It’s not the beastly oud of niche lore, but if you want a fragrance that’s versatile and thoroughly luxe, this one is a gem.

For the purists, this is oud in its most unfiltered form. This concentrated, alcohol-free perfume oil doesn’t dilute the note with florals or citrus. Rich, musky and deeply aromatic from the first dab, it’s oud, through and through. Because it’s concentrated, a tiny amount goes a long way, melting into the skin and evolving slowly over hours. Traditional, intense and rooted in the heritage of the note, it may not be for everyone, but it sure is the real deal.

If you love oud but don’t know how to wear it in the summer, you’ll love Forest Essentials’ take on the note. This body mist takes the depth of oud and gives it a breezier, daytime spin. Because it’s a mist and not a heavy eau de parfum, it’s perfectly suited for when the weather turns warm. The green tea note keeps things fresh and cool, while the oud stays in the background, adding just enough warmth to make it interesting. You can spritz it generously after a shower, toss it into your bag for a mid-day refresh and wear it without worrying about overwhelming anyone. Easy, uplifting and summer-friendly, this is oud made for everyday life.

True to its name, this fragrance feels like an aromatic mosaic stitched together from different corners of the world. It opens with white pepper and cardamom, giving you a whiff of its bright, spicy and energising blend—while a juicy plum adds a distinct European fruitiness to the mix. As you peel back the layers, you experience Turkish rose and saffron that lend it a plush, almost Middle Eastern warmth, before settling into a smooth and smoky base of oud, amber and musk.

‍

Tom Ford’s Oud Minerale flips the script on this traditionally smoky note by pairing it with salty seaweed and an ambergris accord that is distinctly oceanic. The first impression is briny and fresh, almost like a sea breeze on warm skin, before the smooth and woody oud takes over the senses. It’s an unexpected take on oud, and that’s exactly why it works. If heavy, spicy ouds aren’t your thing, this marine-leaning version might be just what you need.

This sophisticated fragrance is founder Mona Kattan’s love letter to her Middle Eastern heritage, filtered through a modern and globally wearable lens. It invites you in with notes of rum and saffron, giving it a decadent warmth right away. Florals like geranium and jasmine soften the heart of the fragrance, before the base settles into oud and patchouli, wrapped in creamy vanilla and white musk. The result is a smoky, sensual and layered scent that holds on to the drama that oud is known for, while smoothing it out just enough to feel contemporary.

If you gravitate towards floral fragrances but want something with more depth, you’ll love this rose and oud blend. It features Damask rose as its heart note, but this isn’t a light bouquet-like scent. The clove at the top gives it a gentle spice and the oud base steps in to add warmth and a smoky undertone that makes the whole composition rich and multidimensional. Compared to lighter colognes, this one has a lot of presence. It lingers and wraps around you—and is the perfect pick for date nights and special occasions.