Oud Buying Guide

Natural oud is resinous wood that was not treated after harvest. Its scent comes from the resin inside the wood itself and unfolds gradually, changing as it burns.

Enhanced oud is wood treated or soaked with oils or fragrance materials. Its first scent is usually stronger and clearer and its price is often lower, but that scent can fade or shift quickly as the wood burns because it does not come from the wood resin.

The type is usually stated in the product name or description: "natural" or "enhanced".

Oud is usually named after the country or region where it grew. What follows is a general description of what is commonly said about each origin. In practice the scent varies from piece to piece and batch to batch, depending on the tree and the drying, and personal trial has the last word.

Figures as of 4 November 2026

Usually known for a warm, sweet scent that may lean towards balsamic or fruity touches. Some stores list it under the name "Tiger".

7 products · 4 stores · From SAR 20

From the Indonesian part of Borneo. Often described as deep and woody with a calm sweetness, sometimes with an earthy touch.

3 products · 2 stores · From SAR 75

Named after the Merauke region in Indonesian Papua, not Morocco. Generally associated with a strong, penetrating scent with an animalic or leathery touch; "Asqoon" is one of its names.

12 products · 3 stores · From SAR 45

Usually known for a strong, lasting scent with a heavy character. Varieties sold under names such as Sila, Mori and Zora belong here.

3 products · 2 stores · From SAR 160

Often described as soft and sweet with a light woody touch.

2 products · 2 stores · From SAR 200

Sabah is a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo. Usually described as fairly sweet with woody and fruity touches.

1 product · 1 store · From SAR 340

Grown on plantations rather than in the wild. It is usually lighter in scent and lower in cost than wild oud, and quality varies with how long the tree grew.

1 product · 1 store · From SAR 94

These are terms sellers set for themselves. There is no single agreed standard, so "Super" at one store may not mean what it means at another.

Grades are best compared within the same store, together with the description, photos, weight and price per gram.

Oud oil is a fragrant oil distilled from oud wood and usually worn on the skin in small amounts. It is commonly sold by the tola or by the millilitre.

A single distillation run is called a "tabkha" (batch). Batches can differ in scent, colour and thickness, so the description of the batch on offer matters more than the name of the variety alone.

Worn on the skin in a few drops; it varies by origin and by batch.

6 products · 3 stores · From SAR 85

Before buying a large quantity, a small piece is tried on an electric burner or suitable charcoal in a well-ventilated room. Natural oud tends to show layers that change over time, while an added scent may seem single and strong from the first moment.

Oud is kept in an airtight box, away from moisture and direct light.