Oud is the resinous heartwood at the centre of Arabian perfumery: smoky, deep and impossible to mistake for anything else. It is also the most misunderstood note in fragrance, because the word covers everything from raw, austere smoke to soft rose and vanilla blends that barely register as challenging. This collection spans that whole range, starting at £15.99.

The three styles of oud

Traditional and resinous

Safeer Al Oud is oud in its classic Arabian form: resinous, smoky and dignified, with nothing added to soften the edges. Midnight Oud sits close by, folding leather and incense-rich resins into a dark, spicy oriental. Start here if you want the real thing.

Oud with rose

Rose and oud is the pairing Arabian perfumery is built on, because the flower lifts the smoke and keeps it from turning severe. Oud Aswad softens deep black oud with rose over a warm leather and vanilla base. Blackroot Oud 500 is the most luxurious of them, Laotian oud with Bulgarian and Turkish rose over warm vanilla amber. Jazzab Rose Gold is the lightest, fresh citrus and blooming rose over a warm woody base.

Oud made sweet

If straight oud feels like too much, these ease you in. Oud 24 Hours wraps smoky oud in dark chocolate and white florals with genuinely long staying power. Oud Romancea weaves oud and incense through fruit, spice and white florals for something closer to romantic than austere.

How to wear oud

Oud rewards restraint. One or two sprays to the chest or the back of the neck is usually enough, and the scent will keep developing for hours afterwards. It suits cold weather and evenings best, where the smoke and resin have room to settle rather than compete with heat.

Buying oud perfume in the UK

Every oud here is an Eau de Parfum from Ard Al Zaafaran, Khalis, Lattafa or our own Inspired By range, stocked in London and dispatched within 1 to 2 working days. Standard tracked delivery is £3.99, free on orders over £35.