Would you like to stand out and make an impact that lasts? Then it would be best to get a bottle of the best oud cologne immediately.
Oud, which comes from the Arabic word for “wood” and is a signature smell of Asia and the Middle East, is irresistible, bittersweet, woody, earthy, and sensual. It is the most expensive raw flavour ingredient in the world. It comes from the wood of the Southeast Asian Aquilaria tree.
In some scents, oud is used as a middle note, but its strength is in the base. It adds depth and complexity to the softer top notes. Most of the time, the finishing touch gives it its rich smell.
How does oud smell? This scent’s magic comes from how leather, musk, patchouli, and rose blend. One thing is sure: the best oud scent, especially the best oud for guys, will be profound, dark, and intense. Be careful because a little does work well with a lot. Strong cologne can stay on your clothes or in the air for a long.
When I went to Marrakech, I first became interested in oud cologne. Since then, I’ve tried many oud perfumes worldwide as an avid oud fan. I can still smell the heady, incense-filled atmosphere of the souk whenever I whiff of warmly spiced oud cologne.
Check out my ode to oud, where I discuss my top picks for the best oud colognes. This is a true testament to how appealing this smell is.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Montale Oudmazing is one of the best oud fragrances for men. Its scent will take you on a trip through your senses. This section explores oud colognes’ darker, more sensual side, following closely behind Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir’s seductive and heady scent. It invites you to discover the intense and elegant world of the best oud colognes.
BEST OVERALL: MONTALE OUDMAZING
Montale Oudmazing starts with a beautiful Malaysian oud full of Italian citrus and sweetened with fig and pear. It’s juicy but not sweet. Patchouli, orris, and jasmine comprise the scent’s main parts.
Oudmazing ends on a solid note with a mix of leather, grapes, vanilla, musk, and something sweet that reminds me of sandalwood. It’s fruity, sweet, rich, and wild; it turns heads. Also, it lasts for 10 hours or more, which is crazy. This cologne is great for nights out and does well on the dance floor.
Many reviewers say that the metal bottle feels like it’s only half full. This aluminum flacon is very light, and it feels like there isn’t enough liquid in the bottle when you shake it. Someone at the Montale Boutique in Milan helped me investigate this and answer my question. The 50ml bottle can hold 75ml. It’s fixed now.
- Oud, orange, bergamot, fig, and pear are the main notes.
- Patchouli, orris, and jasmine are the middle notes.
- Grapes, vanilla, leather, and white musk make up the base notes.
- Size: 3.5 ounces
- Type: Parfum
- Seasons: fall and winter
BEST OUD TOBACCO COLOGNE: VERSACE POUR HOMME OUD NOIR
People who want to find the best oud tobacco cologne should try Versace Oud Noir. This perfume changes how oud is experienced, making it easier for more people to enjoy.
Versace Oud Noir starts with a burst of bitter orange and different spices. It then flows smoothly into sweet, flowery notes and ends with a warm, earthy oud and tobacco base. This mix takes the middle solid Eastern oud, making it smell more modern and fresh.
Traditional oud colognes are known for lasting a very long time, which can be a controversial trait. Versace Oud Noir, on the other hand, strikes the right balance. It has an effect that lasts for 6 to 8 hours, so it’s there without being too much. It strikes a perfect balance between the strength of oud and the richness of tobacco, making it one of the best fragrances for guys. Fans of oud and people who have never tried this scent will enjoy it.
- Orange, black pepper, and neroli are the main notes.
- Notes in the Middle: saffron, cardamom, and olibanum
- Leatherwood, oud, and patchouli are the base notes.
- 3.4 ounces in size
- This is an eau de parfum.
- Seasons: fall and winter
BEST BUDGET: THE LATTAFA PERFUME BADE’E AL OUD, WHICH MEANS “OUD FOR GLORY
Oud for Glory is the best oud cologne for people on a budget because it lasts all day and costs less than $30 for a 3.4oz bottle.
Oud for Glory was said to be based on Parfums Prive Oud for Greatness, a very expensive cologne that costs more than $500. I’ve never had the chance to own the O.G., but I have soaked myself in a sample. In terms of smell, Oud for Glory is a 70% match. Of course, it’s not as fancy, but it’s only sixteenths of the price.
Patchouli, musk, lavender, and nutmeg make up Oud for Glory. It is a warm, spicy scent. The mix is dark, smoky, and foreign; it’s a winter cologne that should be worn at night.
- Saffron, nutmeg, and lavender are the top notes.
- Patchouli is in the Middle.
- Base notes: musk and oud
- 3.4 ounces in size
- Form: Eau de Parfum
- Seasons: fall and winter
BEST OUD WOOD COLOGNE: JO MALONE OUD & BERGAMOT COLOGNE INTENSE
Do you need help beginning with this scary note? The best “beginner oud” is Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot. Also, younger guys who know that less is often more should wear this oud cologne.
The green and sparkling citrus in the mix gives the smooth cedar and resinous oud a fresh touch. But the oud is toned down, and the woodsy smell is bright, spicy, and wearable.
It stays on the face for about 4 to 6 hours. But because it’s lighter, Oud & Bergamot is one of the few oud colognes that can be worn in the spring and summer. I can’t think of a time of year when it wouldn’t work well. This is the oud cologne you need to get you through the year.
- Bergamot is at the top note.
- Notes in the Middle: cedarwood
- Oud is the base note.
- 3.4 ounces in size
- Form: Eau de Parfum
- Seasons: summer, fall, winter, spring
BEST MUSK OUD COLOGNE: ACQUA DI PARMA COLONIA INTENSA OUD
Are you ready to have your socks blown off? “Eau de cologne concentrée” is what they call this oud-musk scent from their Colonia Intensa line. It’s simple enough that you don’t need to know French from high school to understand.
When it comes to keeping power, Acqua di Parma Oud is way above and beyond, going straight to the beast mode category. Before spraying, ensure you’re really into someone; it will stay with you for 10 to 12 hours or more. What does it smell like, though? It smells like fresh lemon, warm amyris, musk, leather, and oud that has been worked on.
Oud cologne from Acqua di Parma is rich and classy, and it works best on mature, sure-of-themselves alpha men. Though the mix may seem heavy, the musk and lemon notes create a great spring and fall scent.
- Top Notes: Orange
- Oud, cumin, and Amyris are the middle notes.
- Base notes: musk and leather
- 3.4 ounces in size
- Type: Extra Strong Cologne
- Season: autumn, winter, and spring
BEST ARABIAN OUD COLOGNE: SWISS ARABIAN SHAGHAF OUD
In the Middle East, oud is more than just a perfume; it’s an integral part of Arabic culture. Choose an Arabic brand if you want the best oud cologne that smells real.
Swiss Arabian was the first company in the United Arab Emirates to make perfume. It was founded in 1974. Their smells are like oud cologne from the past but with modern twists. Shaghaf Oud is a real oud at its core, but it has notes that add something surprising.
The vanilla-praline note in Shaghaf Oud is hard to ignore. It adds a sweet and nutty gourmand element that goes well with the rose and saffron. This is a masterclass in Middle Eastern smell. It is both intoxicating and loud. The best thing? For 3.4oz, it costs less than $30. It doesn’t get it. It’s much better than that for cheap cologne.
- The top notes are saffron.
- Notes in the Middle: Rose
- Base notes: vanilla, toffee, and oud
- 3.4 ounces in size
- Form: Eau de Parfum
- Seasons: fall and winter
BEST OUD ROSE COLOGNE: D.S. & DURGA NOTORIOUS OUD
Every designer tries to make something new by adding their magic touch to well-known notes. D.S. and Durga are some of the best at this.
Thanks for reading if you have yet to hear of this fabulous New York name. These songs are new, creative, and a little funny. A self-taught perfumer named David Seth Moltz is behind the business. He makes all of their scents in-house.
The smell that D.S. & Durga make has more air miles than all of us put together. It is made from Indonesian oud, African papyrus, Bulgarian rose, French lavender, and Afghani saffron. The result is complicated but manageable because of the tiny flowers.
You don’t need to look further for a new niche brand to love and the best oud cologne to wow your friends.
- Notes at the top: saffron, camphor, and galbanum
- Notes in the Middle: oud, rose, and lavender
- Papyrus, civet, and catalog are the base sounds.
- 1.7 ounces in size
- Form: Eau de Parfum
- Seasons: fall and winter
THE BEST LUXURY OUD COLOGNE
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN OUD SATIN MOOD
One of the scents made by Francis Kurkdjian is called Oud Satin Mood. It is airy and floral, which is not what most people consider a “masculine” flavor.
This is the best oud cologne for guys who want a sophisticated, classy.
Oud Satin Mood is a rich blend of oud, violet, rose, benzoin, and creamy vanilla. It has incredible staying power, even though it has delicate notes. Maison Francis Kurkdjian is one of the few high-end perfumeries that uses real oud instead of manufactured resin. Because of this, a few spritzes can last for 11 to 12 hours or more.
Women like and praise this cologne, probably because it doesn’t smell like a typical male cologne. Oud Satin Mood is the perfect long-lasting scent for hot date nights in the winter.
- Rose and lilac are the main notes.
- Benzoin in the middle notes
- Base notes: vanilla and oud
- 2.4 ounces in size
- Form: Eau de Parfum
- Seasons: fall and winter
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST OUD COLOGNES
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS?
What kind of oud is the best oud cologne to use? In the world, oud is the most expensive part of perfume. A lot of oud colognes use fakes instead of the real thing. As Frank Voelkl, a perfumer at Firmenich, explains, “To make our fragrances smell like natural oud, we make substitutes that are made up of a mix of other natural ingredients and some synthetic molecules.” He says this is helpful because the results are “generally softer and less animalistic-smelling than natural oud extract.”
But if you want to spend a lot of money, check out oud colognes from high-end perfume names like Montale and Maison Francis Kurkdjian. MFK’s Oud Satin Mood and Montale Oudmazing are made with natural oud oil.
SEASONAL OR NOT?
Due to its rich and earthy notes, oud is the perfect winter scent. I love the woody and spicy oud mixes in Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir and D.S. & Durga Notorious Oud. They make me want to curl up in the fall or winter. However, you’ll have a classic spring scent if you find the right mix of lighter, healthier notes like bergamot and lemon. This is clear from the aromas of Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot and Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
The best oud colognes take a long time to wear off because the note is so strong. Still, how long an oud cologne lasts varies greatly depending on the person wearing it. Oud, on the other hand, stays with you longer than most other notes.
There are a few oud colognes that last a long time. They are Acqua di Parma Oud, Montale Oudmazing, and Maison Francis Krukdjian Oud Satin Mood. Choose Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir or Jo Malone Oud & Bergamot for something less substantial that you can wear for about 6 hours during the day.
FINAL RESULT
This year, oud cologne is getting a lot of attention. This well-known note is tricky to play, but not if you do it correctly. With my carefully chosen list of hot oud scents, you won’t have to guess which is the best oud cologne. It’s easy to wear, inexpensive, and smells great on guys. Versace Pour Homme Oud Noir is at the top of my list.
FAQs
DO YOU HAVE TO WEAR OUT EVERY DAY?
Most of the best oud colognes are strong and weren’t made to be worn every day. Depending on the event and the color, you can wear it during the day. But it shines as an intense evening or dramatic nighttime scent. Even worse, if you wear the same scent daily, you might notice it less, which is terrible for oud cologne.
ARE FAKE OUDS USED IN PERFUMES?
Sometimes, pure oud can cost more than gold. Agarwood is very rare, so it costs about $100,000 per kilo. Because of this, it is one of the most expensive fragrance ingredients today. The best oud comes from Laos and is used by high-end perfumeries like Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Other artists mostly use synthetic aroma chemicals from companies that make fragrances, like Firmenich and Givaudan.
HOW DOES OUD SMELL?
It can smell earthy and smoky, sweet and spicy, or sensual and earthy. The weather, age, and type of tree that makes the resin decide its smell, while the way it was extracted does the opposite. You either love or hate the smell of it by itself. But when mixed with other top and middle notes, it gives the best oud colognes their warmth and depth, making them mysterious and complicated.
OUD SMELLS GOOD?
This million-dollar question can be answered in large part by personal choice. Some people, like me, are hooked on its strong scent, while guys may find it too strong. Read reviews and look at what other people have said about the oud cologne you want to buy. Find oud colognes that have the top and middle notes that you like. Choose Oudamazing by Montale if you like leather. Or, if roses make you crazy, try D.S. & Durga Notorious oud.
