It costs more per kilo than gold. It takes decades to form. And roughly 2% of trees produce it naturally. Welcome to the world of oud.
THE SHORT VERSION
Oud (also spelled oudh, and sometimes called agarwood, aloeswood, or eaglewood) is a dark, aromatic resin that forms inside the heartwood of Aquilaria trees when they become infected with a specific type of mould called Phialophora parasitica. The tree produces the resin as a defence mechanism, essentially an immune response, and the result is one of the most complex, intoxicating scent materials known to perfumery.
In its raw form, first-grade oud wood can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 per kilogram. Distilled into pure essential oil, it can reach $80,000 per litre. It has been nicknamed “liquid gold” by traders, and honestly, that undersells it.
WHY IS OUD SO EXPENSIVE?
Three words: rarity, time, and demand.
Aquilaria trees grow in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, primarily in countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, India (particularly Assam), Thailand, and Indonesia. But here is the catch: not every tree produces oud. Estimates suggest that only around 2% of wild Aquilaria trees become naturally infected enough to develop the prized resin. The infection process itself can take between 10 and 30 years to produce high-quality agarwood.
On top of that, all species of Aquilaria are now classified as critically endangered under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), with wild populations having declined by approximately 80% over the last 150 years. You cannot simply go out and harvest oud. The global market for agarwood is estimated at over $30 billion, and demand continues to climb, driven by the fragrance industry in the Middle East, luxury perfumery in Europe, and traditional ceremonial use across Asia.
WHAT DOES OUD ACTUALLY SMELL LIKE?
This is where it gets interesting, because oud does not smell like just one thing. Depending on its origin, age, and preparation, oud can present as warm and woody, smoky and leathery, sweet and balsamic, or even slightly animalic. The best ouds have an almost hypnotic depth. They evolve on the skin or in a room over hours, revealing new facets as they settle.
In perfumery, oud is typically classified within the Oriental Woody fragrance family. It sits beautifully alongside notes like rose (the classic Arabic pairing), sandalwood, amber, vanilla, and spices like saffron and cardamom. It can anchor a fragrance with gravity and warmth, or add a mysterious undertone that keeps you leaning in.
OUD IN HOME FRAGRANCE
For most of its history, oud was reserved for personal perfumery, ceremonial burning, and religious rituals. But over the past decade, it has become one of the most requested notes in luxury home fragrance, and for good reason. Oud transforms a room. It adds a richness, a warmth, a sense of occasion that lighter fragrance families simply cannot replicate. An oud candle burning in a living room on a winter evening is not just scent. It is atmosphere.
At FOX & WOLF, our OUD fragrance blends soft, grounded oud with smoky guaiac wood and delicate peony petals, finished with a whisper of spiced rose water. It is clean, romantic, and deeply seductive: a classic Arabic scent architecture with a modern, sensual twist. Inspired by the spice-rich markets of Assam, where the scent of oud lingers in the humid air, it was designed to be intimate and enveloping without being heavy.
HOW TO BRING OUD INTO YOUR HOME
If you have never experienced oud in a home setting, here is what to know. Oud-based home fragrances work best in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces: bedrooms, reading nooks, dining rooms, and bathrooms where the scent can build and linger. It is not a background note; it is a protagonist. A few ways to start:
FAQ: OUD IN HOME FRAGRANCE
Is oud safe to use in candles and diffusers?
Absolutely. Our oud fragrance is formulated using perfumer’s grade safe synthetics that replicate the depth and complexity of natural oud without requiring the harvesting of endangered Aquilaria trees. Vegan, cruelty-free, and compliant with IFRA standards.
Does oud smell “masculine”?
No. That is an outdated way to think about fragrance. Oud is rich and complex, and it appeals across all preferences. Our OUD blend pairs the depth of oud with soft florals and rose water specifically to create something universally seductive.
Is oud overpowering in a small room?
It depends on the product. A reed diffuser in a small bathroom will give a gentle, ambient presence. A candle will be richer and more noticeable. An electric diffuser gives you full control over intensity. Start with a diffuser if you are oud-curious.
Why is your oud affordable when real oud costs thousands?
Because we use high-quality fragrance accords that capture the oud scent profile, not raw agarwood oil. This is standard across luxury home fragrance. It means you get the sensory experience of oud in your home without contributing to the overharvesting of endangered trees.
