Oud shows up on more perfume labels every year, but most people trying it for the first time aren't quite sure what they're smelling — or why it costs so much more than a typical Eau de Parfum.

Oud (also called agarwood) comes from the resin of the Aquilaria tree, produced only after the tree becomes infected with a specific mould. That resin is rare, slow to form, and expensive to harvest — which is why oud is sometimes called "liquid gold" in the fragrance world.

Real oud is woody, smoky, and slightly animalic, with notes that can shift from sweet and warm to deep and resinous depending on how it's blended. It's rarely worn alone — most oud fragrances pair it with amber, musk, rose, or spices to soften and round out the scent. Noir Obsidian, for example, pairs oud with leather and black musk for a deep, smoky character.

Noir Obsidian — a leather-forward oud composition

Oud fragrances tend to have exceptional longevity and strong sillage, which makes them a good match for Ireland's cooler, damper climate — lighter fragrances can fade fast in the cold, while oud holds up through a full day or evening.

If you're new to oud, ease in with a blended composition rather than a pure oud oil — something like Timeless Joy or Forever Wo'ud, where oud sits alongside cinnamon, dates, or vanilla, gives you the character of oud without the intensity of wearing it neat.

Forever Wo'ud — oud blended with coffee, labdanum and vanilla, a gentler starting point

Oud oils (attars) are more concentrated and alcohol-free, applied directly to the skin for a closer, longer-lasting scent trail. Oud Eau de Parfums are easier for daily wear and give more even projection. Both are worth trying — many people end up using oil for evenings and EDP for daytime.