Oud: 5,000 Years in the Making

You’ve been seeing it pop up in magazines, blogs and Instagram pages alike over the last year: Oud (pronounced o͞od). This ancient, exotic scent is enjoying a well-deserved resurgence in the world of fragrance. But what exactly is all the fuss about? Why is Oud the must-have aroma for this year and many years to come?

The Middle East has been the corridor to the world for over 5,000 years, introducing fragrant spices and distinct, alluring aromas. We have come to expect deep, luscious scents from this region.

The ancient Egyptians were well known for their love of fragrance. Tapputi, a chemist during the reign of ancient Mesopotamia, is considered the first fragrance maker dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. Cleopatra even scented the sails of her ships to announce her arrival. Ancient chemists used the world around them, such as herbs, spices, and woods, to develop a lasting scent. This heritage gives each region a distinct aroma imprint. Oud was born of this ancient tradition.

The intense perfume of Oud comes from its bark and resinous wood. The wood contains an aromatic, rich, dark resin, produced when the tress are infected with parasitic molds and bacteria (normally within the first 5-6 years of the tree life). After 8-10 years in fields, the trees are selected for their high concentration in the resin.

Inspired by the exotic trappings of the Middle East’s rich, fragrant traditions, our Oud collection invokes an ancient heritage of distinct and alluring aromas. Our shaving line features our unique Oud essence, a proprietary blend inspired by our Oud Suede Cologne Intense . Reminiscent of traditional Middle Eastern shaving tradition featuring an aromatic, woody aroma.