Oud, The gold of fragrances.

The most precious ingredient of all, oud is the scented resin from a tree originating in Asia. Used for centuries for its medicinal and spiritual properties, it is an iconic feature of Middle-Eastern culture and fragrances.

A rare ingredient, with a powerful and mystical whisper, that Les Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle enhances through the Desert Gems collection.

THE NIGHT unveils absolute oud, used in inordinate amounts. For PROMISE, it’s oud behind a smokescreen, enhanced by the rose, which reveals itself on the skin. With DAWN, it unleashes its brilliance, like an ode to the first light of dawn, to become celestial and flamboyant in THE MOON.

Hope by Dominique Ropion

Promise by Dominique Ropion

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The Night by Dominique Ropion

The Moon by Julien Rasquinet

Dawn by Carlos Benaïm

Is oud a rare scent?

Oud is derived from the resinous heartwood of the Aquilaria tree, which requires certain circumstances to even form in the first place. There is also a limited number of Aquilaria trees in the world, contributing to the rarity of oud perfumes. And its exclusivity deepens with the fact that oud perfumes are crafted in limited quantities.
Oud has long held the status of luxury and prestige, and has been used in Asia and the Middle East for centuries. Its intense aroma contributes to its association with opulence and solidifies its status in high-end perfumery. An oud perfume is a timeless and statement piece for the most sophisticated of modern society.

Which perfumes contain oud?

Here at Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, we have the Desert Gems collection as our personal ode to oud, crafted by French perfumers. Promise by Dominique Ropion combines oud with rose, with top notes of apple and pink pepper and base notes of patchouli, cypriol and labdanum to create a fascinating scent. The Moon by Julien Rasquinet is similar in its blend of oud and rose, but includes notes of frankincense and red berries to reflect shisha nights in the desert sands. And our ultimate oud perfume, The Night by Dominique Ropion, goes further with the addition of saffron, frankincense and sandalwood, to create a concoction that truly captures the scent of the Middle East.

Desert Gems Collection

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Types of Perfume: FAQ:

Why is oud so popular?

Oud is so popular due to its affiliation with the Middle East, a region known for luxury and grandeur. With oud now easily accessible in the West, more customers are leaning into what oud smells like, clinging to the promise of a scent that is guaranteed to last the day - and seizing the opportunity to leave a lasting impression passerbyers.

Which type of oud is best?

The best type of oud depends on your personal preference, since there are various types available. Wild oud offers a much more deep and complex scent, while other perfumes blend oud with other notes to create a lighter and softer scent. Of course, high-quality oud that has been matured for years will provide a more impressive aroma.

Is sandalwood similar to oud?

Sandalwood and oud are similar in the sense that they both provide a high-quality aroma, however while oud comes from the Aquilaria tree, sandalwood is derived from Santalum tree. Both have a woody scent, but sandalwood is known to be softer and sweeter with its floral notes, while oud is known for its rich and dark aroma.

Desert Gems, a tribute collection

A tribute collection to Middle Eastern perfumery by the world's greatest perfumers.

Read the story

The Odyssey of a Perfumer:
Dominique Ropion

Frédéric Malle does not hide his passion for the 7th Art and knows how to transpose it to his profession as a perfume publisher. Maintaining close and ongoing working relationships with his creators, he speaks with precision about their way of composing perfumes.

Read the story

Oud, The gold of fragrances.

Is oud a rare scent?

Which perfumes contain oud?