Perfume is never just a perfume, when a scent once smelled has the power to evoke memories or become a symbol of identity. But in the Middle East, scents go beyond mere indicators of aesthetic identity to function as cultural artifacts deeply rooted in the region’s history, a fact that can be witnessed with the best Arabian oud perfumes in the UAE. Whether used as a single, powerful scent or modernized with lighter fragrances, each composition is an ode to the timeless appeal of oud.
Perhaps it is this nostalgia that has inspired you to seek out the best Arabian oud perfume in the UAE to make it your signature fragrance. Whether you want to spritz it before a date night or sleep with a few drops of your favorite scent like Marilyn Monroe, let’s take a closer look at the most popular Arabian perfumes to choose from.
What does oud mean in perfumery?
Oud has long held a special influence as one of the most coveted perfume scents. Made from a resin, oud has dominated perfumers’ imaginations for centuries with its rich olfactory profile. The oil is so strong that it is often listed as a base note on perfume labels. What’s the quickest way to spot oud undertones when shopping for perfume? Sniff out its primal scent, which is equal parts earthy and smoky. Oud’s seductive appeal also stems from its origins as an exotic resin that in the West has become synonymous with an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.
What is the Arabian Oud made from?
Literally translating to “tree” in Arabic, it’s easy to guess where oud comes from. However, its extraction process is intriguing. Oud is traditionally extracted from the Aquilaria tree, which grows in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Interestingly, oud is produced when these trees become infected with a specific type of fungus, releasing a murky, strongly scented resin. This resin is then extracted through methods such as steam distillation, resulting in a form of aromatic oil. Growing concerns in the world of oud cultivation have recently given rise to more sustainable forms of plantations that treat labor and resources ethically at every stage.
What is the most expensive oud?
There’s a reason why oud is called “liquid gold.” Only 2% of trees are infected with the fungus, making the resin highly sought after in the perfume industry. The “liquid gold” moniker comes from the fact that a bottle of oud oil is often worth 1.5 times the value of gold. Depending on the location, some types of oud can command a higher price than others, such as Indian oud oil from the northeastern states of India.
What are the most popular perfumes in the Middle East?
Given the cultural importance of oud, it’s no surprise that the most popular Arabic perfumes in the region feature a smoky scent. Traditional brands such as Rasasi Perfumes, Ajmal and Nabeel Perfumes offer the full range of oud scents, from incense chips to scent your home to heady perfumes and colognes. If you’re looking to add this widely sought-after scent to your perfume shelf, here are the best Arabic oud perfumes available in the UAE.
Amna Infinity’s Arcadia
Notes: Pineapple, Pink Pepper, Rum, Cedarwood, Lily of the Valley, Papyrus, Cinnamon, Rose, Dry Amber, Oud, Ambergris, Raspberry, Sandalwood
What to expect: Have you always thought of oud as a powerful, intoxicating scent for the night? Perfumer Amna Al Habtoor wants you to think again. Known for her keen eye for the finest Arabian perfume oils, she adds a playful touch of oud to this upbeat scent that combines floral notes with a woody base. Spritz it in the morning and it will linger for a subtle scent at the end of the day.
Amouage Opus XIII Silver Oud
Notes: Patchouli, Cypriol, Cedar, Oud Assam, Vanilla, Ambralome, Birch, Guaiac Wood, Castoreum
What to expect: Ever wondered what it would be like to be the protagonist of a 19th century French novel? Now you know the answer. Inspired by Stendhal’s masterpiece, “The Red and the Black,” this woody scent from Amouage recreates the heightened emotions of its muse.
NSHQ Agar Star Eau de Parfum
Notes: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Saffron, Patchouli, Musk, Sandal, Leather
What to expect: If you’re looking for premium Arabic perfume, this Saudi Arabian perfume shop is your bet. Standing tall amongst an overwhelming array of scents, Nouf Al Qahtani has established herself as Saudi Arabia’s first female perfumer by bestowing pure oud oil with a light, airy texture.
Noya’s House: An Ode to the Oud
Notes: Oud
What to expect: The name says it all: the top, middle and base notes of this amber elixir contain only the smoky scent of oud. If you’re just beginning your olfactory journey, a monochromatic luxury oud perfume can be a useful ally in defining who you are and who you want to be.
Ruta Black Oud Perfume
Notes: Oud, exotic spices, incense, blackcurrant, raspberry
What to expect: This is not for the modest. Oud takes the spotlight here in all its regal glory of protagonist energy. The addition of spicy incense notes creates an exotic vibe that lingers long after you’ve left the room, making this one of the best Arabian oud perfumes in the UAE.
Afnan Perfume Highness Red IV
Notes: Bergamot, Saffron, Rose, Oud Wood, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Dry Amber, Vanilla, Musk
What to Expect: It’s easy to assume that oud perfumes smell earthy and drab. But you’d be wrong. This Arabian perfume by Afnan proves it. As the playful top notes of summer rose fade, the subdued presence of oud wood emerges and captivates you. The result? An Arabian oud perfume fit for royalty.
Wada Livia Eau de Parfum
Notes: Bergamot, Orange Bigarade, Heart of Almoise, Lavandin Oil, Geranium, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Amber, Oud Accord
What to expect: On the skin, this intense fragrance unfolds slowly from top floral notes of bergamot to earthy middle notes of cedarwood. Finally, the smoky notes of oud make their presence known. But why stop there? This blended oud perfume can also be lightly misted onto a hijab or abaya for an immersive sensory experience.
Aujar Ciel Delage Eau de Parfum
Notes: Artemisia, Saffron, Pine, Rose, Patchouli, Vetiver, Guaiac Wood, Suede, Agarwood, Sandalwood, Snowdrop
What to expect: For this brand founded by Sheikha Hind Bahwan, fragrance is more than just a spritz and go, it’s a ritual. Omani entrepreneur Ciel Delage invites you to explore your own fragrance combinations with creative perfume layering. If you want to smell different, combine this smoky oud parfum with the brand’s range of premium Arabian perfume oils.
Ajmal Eau de Parfum
Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Mint, Neroli, Rose, Petitgrain, Ginger, Nutmeg, Amber, Musk, Tonka Bean, Oud
What to expect: As one of Arabia’s leading perfume brands, it’s no surprise that oud plays a starring role in the brand’s portfolio. But Eau d’Oud is nothing like the traditional scents you’ve grown up smelling in samples. A vibrant blend of citrus and floral notes takes this classic scent into bold new territory as one of the best Arabian oud perfumes in the UAE.
Ghawari Al Laila Oud Parfum
Notes: Apple, Cardamom, Rose, Jasmine, Violet, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla, Indian Dain Al Oud
What to expect: There are oriental scents. There are floral scents. And Ghawari’s Arabic perfume for women brings both fragrance families to the table in a delightful combination. Need proof? Al Laylaa Oud Parfum’s moody spaces are home to seductive scents that will give you the courage to walk out into the wild world while embracing your bold self.
Guerlain Oud Kohl Eau de Parfum
Nose: Leather, Caramel Praline, Oud, Moss
What to expect: Your quest for intense oud perfumes ends here. Guerlain’s creation features sensual notes of leather and caramelized praline over intense oud and moss. Remember, this is no ordinary oud; it’s a one-of-a-kind smoky resin that’s sustainably grown and sourced in the forests of Bangladesh, then hand-harvested.
Cartier perfume Les Heures Voyages Oud & Oud Parfum
Notes: Oud resin
What to expect: No flashy frills or gimmicks. This is one of the best Arabian oud perfumes in the UAE, a pure, unadorned essence of resin with an amber glow, undiluted by top notes. It is one of the most long-lasting oud perfumes, and a few sniffs will have you feeling golden and elated all night long.
Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Dessert Oud Eau de Parfum
Scent: Tobacco, incense, saffron, amber, leather, oud, musk
What to expect: Have you always wanted to envelop your senses in the scent of rolling desert dunes? That’s the quest the Italian couture house seeks to realise with Velvet Desert Oud. Open the velvet-trimmed stopper of Dolce & Gabbana’s Arabian-inspired perfume to discover an enchanting leathery oud perfume that infuses the sensuality of the lead scent with hints of tobacco and saffron.
Gucci The Voice of the Snake Eau de Parfum
Scent: Oud, patchouli, saffron
What to Expect: When Gucci decides to play the role of alchemist, you can expect a luxury oud perfume unlike any other. And Gucci Oud Perfume does not disappoint. Inside the lacquered bottle is a potent mixture of oud, patchouli and saffron, ready to erupt as a woody, intense emulsion that stimulates the senses.
Kilian Paris Rose Oud Eau de Parfum
Notes: Bulgarian rose, saffron, cinnamon, rose tincture, lychee, oud, guaiac wood, cedar, cypriol oil
What to expect: What happens when you blend dried rose petals from France and Morocco with saffron-scented rose liqueur and finish it off with oud? One sniff of Kilian Paris Rouge Flagon and you’ll know right away. Known for centuries as an earthy, woody scent, rose oud perfume base notes take on a feminine interpretation.