Here's a selection of the very best oud fragrances for men available right now. And if you want to broaden your scented horizons? Take a look at our guide to the best men's fragrances. The designer scent "Versace pour Homme Oud Noir", which I sprayed directly onto a test strip and which I liked more than the first time I sniffed it and also later on - but for the UVP of 120€. I was not willing to pay this price, so I went home disappointed about the "not buying", but then I bought it with all the more joy and enthusiasm for less than half (under 60€ as a rule) from the biggest online perfume dealer in Europe. Oud Noir won't fill a room unless you take a bath in it but it's not exactly a skin-scent. It's a polite sexy and cosmopolitan oriental blend, mixed by European taste. A perfect example of how oud can be used to make a balanced fragrance without shouting or oozing in amber and cumin. It's suitable for all ocasions, day and night, the only downside being its brief longevity—four hours tops, remaining just a woody-peppery memory after that. Although this is not quite niche-quality, it is better than almost every mainstream release in recent times. Versace did it right, releasing a fragrance that really is a bridge between Occidental and Oriental perfumery, combining European attitude with Eastern materials. The oud is rather subdued, but is still perceptible and characterizes the fragrance especially with the - in my case 3-4 hours lasting - heart note of strong, sweet incense and rather weaker, spicy saffron. I absolutely love this one. Very masculine, spicy, orangy / oudy fragrance that smells very classy with high quality ingredients. This scent is often compared to Tom Ford Oud Wood but honestly I think this one is much better than the Tom Ford. This one is much more masculine and smells confidence. You spray this in the morning and you feel like a boss ready to achieve big goals. 10/10 for this fragrance. Fragrantica.com

However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Quiet performance works in favour of oud newcomers who want to test the waters first. Versatile for an oud scentWhile taken very seriously in the Middle East, oud has only caught on in a big way in the UK in last few years. It is derived from the tropical agar tree, which is thought to originate in Assam in India. When the tree is infected by a mould known as Phialophora parasitica it reacts by producing a dense, dark and fragrant resin to protect itself. It is the resin-embedded heartwood of the tree that is the source of oud. Versace colognes are renowned for high versatility. Although Oud Noir doesn’t hit those lofty heights, it’s still one of the most appealing ouds in circulation.

I have to say that these are not the most complex fragrances, but they are rich and alluring. They are, above all, very elegant and refined perfumes, based on oud, spices, woods and leather. The feminine version takes on a strong floral (rose and peony) theme as well, but both can be unissex fragrances. Having said this, I recommend these two scents for any lover of the oriental/woody genre. I received compliments from both sexes, but more from the women - and plenty of them, as long as I did not overdo it with the dosage; 3 shots are quite sufficient. The durability and the silage get 7 points each from me, because the scent projects on my skin 1 and on the clothing 2 hours over one meter and lasts / is perceptible on my skin 7 and on the clothing 10 hours. This could be a bit stronger in my eyes, because I usually spray three times and it is still an eau de parfum and not an eau de toilette. The performance could be stronger, while still being (more than) good. In summary, a masculine, mysterious, seductive and all around harmonious oud scent, which can and will satisfy both the beginner and the experienced! I perceive the opening as one marked by a spicy and peppery bitter orange. The neroli also contributes to this and gives the opening some freshness, whereby I especially smell the pepper and the bitter orange. Within about 5 minutes the top note disappears and merges - in my opinion a bit too choppy - into the heart note; the moment of transition is very short.Now this is a traditional combination: oud and rose. But don't expect the same result as all other combinations based on these notes. Oud Oriental is more complex and subtle than that, and it's a gender-bender that will please all floriental lovers. Rose is the star of this creation, but it is masterfully distorted with freesia and violet to make it more spicy and sweet. This peppery, spicy-sweet rose makes the perfect pair for a very balmy and medicinal oud note that goes away with time, developing slowly on the skin and becoming slightly animalic (leather) towards the end. The sweetness of vanilla and heliotrope brings out the powdery aspect of Oud Oriental. Let's be honest, this is, above all, a leathery-spicy fragrance. Oud is there (mostly in the top notes) just to make it more exotic and intense. This is actually a leather-oud accord, as stated by the brand. Not the chemical, sometimes harsh shade you sometimes get with oud, but a spicy, nose-tingling peppery opening. After that, oud is leading the way to a rather soft drydown with hot, dry labdanum. It's not too complex but delightful in a simple and sensual way. If you were expecting a loud scent, reminiscent of Oriental souks with sweaty hairy men selling you spices, you are in for a disappointment. This is refined masculinity at its best.