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What the heck is Arabian Oud?

post #1 of 22
8/18/05 at 3:12pm
Thread Starter 
My fragrance happy finger is itching to buy some Montale stuff. However, I can't get around Arabian Oud. Isnt this just agarwood (M7)? Or is this something else. Also, I thought agarwood was a southeast asia thing, what is the arabian prefix mean?
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post #2 of 22
8/18/05 at 3:54pm
Its indigenous to both Southeast asia and middle east. Although over harvesting has made it endangered.


LIGNUM ALOES also known as aloes wood, agar wood agarci wood, eagle wood, oud, ud etc.
This is sweet perfumed wood from the Aquilla tree, which is native to India and surrounding areas. One of the most ancient and traditional incense woods, celebrated in biblical texts (ie the Song of Solomon) simply as "Aloes". The unique aroma is due to a fungal infection of the heartwood, which causes the tree to secrete an aromatic protective resin. The Japanese have identified six grades of this wood, as it changes with age and degree of infection. The top grade (old wood, where practically everything has decayed except the infected part) is very rare, and very, very expensive. Moreover, to confuse matters, the lower grades smell totally different to the top ones.
Because of its value Aloes wood is frequently faked by adding synthetic oils to a common wood -then sealing them in with a neutral gum or resin.
Not to be confused with Aloes Resin!
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post #3 of 22
8/18/05 at 4:21pm
http://www.basenotes.net/community/Y...num=1124401935
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post #4 of 22
8/18/05 at 4:40pm
  • JAG
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Buffalo Gal, I'm impressed. Next time I have a scent question, I know who to ask!

Very informative. [smiley=beer.gif]

JAG
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post #5 of 22
8/18/05 at 6:41pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Buffalo Gal and dcampen. Looks like I have to go blind on Montale ...
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post #6 of 22
8/19/05 at 5:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sentient

Thanks Buffalo Gal and dcampen. Looks like I have to go blind on Montale ...

Sentient. You don't have to go completely blind. There are several members who can offer Montale advice.

For my part I would suggest:

Montale Vetiver des Sables - the presentation of oudh in this scent most resembles M7 and might be a good starting point.

Montale Oudh Cuir d'Arabie - mixes oudh with leather for a very dark and mysterious combination.

Montale Oudh Amber - another very good blend.

Others in the Montale Oudh line are very good but may be a bit "foreign" to western senses. Royal Oudh is one that definitely benefits from experience and scent "education".

Don't hesitate to try them. I have liked all that I have tried but have found some easier to like on initial wearing.
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post #7 of 22
4/4/10 at 6:02pm
Actually what the heck is Arabian Oud. Oud/Agarwood doesn't even grow in Arabia..
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post #8 of 22
4/4/10 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Man_from_Shalimar View Post

Actually what the heck is Arabian Oud. Oud/Agarwood doesn't even grow in Arabia..

*arrested by fact police*
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post #9 of 22
4/4/10 at 8:11pm
I meant it in a sarcastic way. Oud = Agarwood (oil)

The only ancient source for Oud for the Arabs used to be India. They seem to prefer Indian oils over the Southeast Asian ones aswell.
There is no Oud growing in Japan.

There also is no Arabian oud. They import it mostly from India (preferred) and Cambodia (cheaper)
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post #10 of 22
4/4/10 at 8:42pm
Arabian Oud is the name of a Saudi Arabia based company specializing in oud wood, incense, and oil based perfumes, many of which contain oud oil. Here are links to their websites. Bear in mind that these websites are generally ignored by the company, and that the product information is usually out of date. The UK website may be more current than the other one.

http://www.arabianoud.com/en02/default.asp (English version of Saudi site)

http://www.arabianoud.co.uk/flash.php (UK site)

As far as I know there is no separate type of oud known as Arabian oud. But it has traditionally been so popular in the region, which is closer to Europe than the Far East, that many people associate the use of oud with Arabia. Oud itself comes from India, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and other places in SE Asia, including some of the island nations.

In the Arabian peninsula, ouds from India are generally the highest regarded, followed by those from Cambodia. I don't know why this is, if it is just a regional preference based on the way these ouds smell, or because they have been easiest to get. Some oils are available as unblended products from a particular region, but most companies offer their own blends of various oils as well as mukhallets, or mixtures with various other ingredients such as amber, patchouly, saffron, labdanum, etc.

Good luck in your oud investigations!

noggs
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post #11 of 22
4/4/10 at 8:48pm
I do know that malaysian oudh has been known to be one of the best and rarest. sadly its as elusive and its been banned as the agarwood tree here is near extinction.

there is agarwood in china, and thats where the japs got theirs which they store in temples for a few thousand years, using shavings occasionally for important ceremonies.
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post #12 of 22
4/4/10 at 9:04pm
This is very unlikely as the Chinese knew of Agarwood only in the 3rd century. The most ancient source has been the Assam region in Northeast India.
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post #13 of 22
4/4/10 at 9:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Man_from_Shalimar View Post

This is very unlikely as the Chinese knew of Agarwood only in the 3rd century. The most ancient source has been the Assam region in Northeast India.

*arrested by the fact police*
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post #14 of 22
4/4/10 at 9:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by noggs View Post

In the Arabian peninsula, ouds from India are generally the highest regarded, followed by those from Cambodia. I don't know why this is, if it is just a regional preference based on the way these ouds smell, or because they have been easiest to get.

This because of the tradition because they have been importing Indian Agarwood and the oil even before Islamic times. Also the aged Indian varieties are the most expensive I suppose. Sheikhs love expensive stuff.
I'm not sure if the Thaqeel is a Hindi though, I don't think so. But the Kala Kash is a very expensive aged Hindi that I would love to try once.
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post #15 of 22
4/4/10 at 9:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Man_from_Shalimar View Post

This because of the tradition because they have been importing Indian Agarwoodand the oil even before Islamic times. Also the aged Indian varieties are the most expensive I suppose. Sheikhs love expensive stuff.
I'm not sure if the Thaqeel is a Hindi though, I don't think so. But the Kala Kash is a very expensive aged Hindi that I would love to try once.

so do I but im not rich lol.

agarwood oil here in msia is also used to make love potions.....mmmmmmmmm
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post #16 of 22
4/4/10 at 9:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joey86 View Post

Okay but Japan did not appear before the 5th century if i am not mistaken.

so we get it india is the source of agarwood..i'm not challenging that fact. you can back down now

What do you mean?
I'm trying to explain where it's from and added some history, you don't seem to understand.
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post #17 of 22
4/4/10 at 9:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joey86 View Post

so do I but im not rich lol.

agarwood oil here in msia is also used to make love potions.....mmmmmmmmm

I'd rather have chicken Satay with peanut sauce then eat agarwood.
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post #18 of 22
4/4/10 at 10:50pm
  • MFJ
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Edited: Moved to PMs.
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post #19 of 22
4/4/10 at 10:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by joey86 View Post

Okay but Japan did not appear before the 5th century if i am not mistaken.

Well you are mistaken. I shall not go into details but a quick search will show that Japan did exist before the 5th Century and further. But if u are certain about your facts please let us know your sources. If I am Japanese I would be rather insulted by your statement.

BTW, 5th Century BC or AD ?
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post #20 of 22
4/5/10 at 12:12am
moved to PMs
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post #21 of 22
4/5/10 at 3:08am
  • Zgb
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Japan appears in first written records in 57. AD Of course culture existed long before that. What we know and consider Japan more or less came to be around 8th century AD
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post #22 of 22
4/5/10 at 7:05am
  • MFJ
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Edited: Moved to PMs.
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