Offering a beautifully layered experience for the senses rife with a natural sensuality, the woody element conjures timeless masculinity. Here, Gucci stands guilty as charged with this wildly popular woody fragrance housed in a formidable bottle made from metal and glass. Opening with citrus burst of ripe bergamot fruit and ginger (an exhilarating aphrodisiac) the all-natural scent melds with Virginia cedar which has toning properties and Indian oud.

Frédéric Malle’s stable of 12 perfumers, working across the Editions De Parfums portfolio, is a unique fragrance “communion” that works on so many levels. Oud assam, with its leathery, spicy and woody accents, sits front and centre, complimented by a hint of rose, raspberry and rosat geranium, before drying down into trail of benzoin and smoky black incense.

It has bite (thanks to the citrus fruits) but dries down to a mellow spin on oud, achieved through the Earl Grey tea facets of the bergamot and cedarwood, which is dry, intensely woody and gives the brambly aspect in the base of the fragrance. When picking a woodsy perfume, think about the different scent families: spicy, floral, earthy, fruity,and oriental. Charismatic, seductive and full of mellow flavour, it is well-balanced and intense, but with a mellow flavour.

We love that this fragrance smells soft and inviting, and also appreciate that the packaging has minimal environmental impact.Inspired by luxurious elements of a Persian palace – wood, leather, marble and gold – it is a woody perfume for him designed for all occassions. Some fragrance critics might point their finger at the general lack of complexity, but we strongly disagree.

Being an eau de parfum this date night ready fragrance is far from the cheapest on our list, however, you’re paying for the longevity of the scent. This woody perfume for him has committed the crime of creating an unabashedly masculine scent awash with bold, seductive allure. A deeply textured and hypnotic scent, sitting comfortably within the oriental/woody fragrance family, it is both intense and regal in its composition while also spicy with a burning heart and a heavy scent of leather. The top notes include cardamom and ambrette, with middle and base notes of jasmine, sage, and vetiver.Its approachable nature makes the scent perfect for newcomers to the fragrance territory, but an experienced connoisseur would love it just the same. Looking to the cultural significance of oud; used in traditional incense and perfumes for centuries and mentioned in one of the world’s oldest written texts (the Sanskrit Vedas from India), it has a punch that makes it more appropriate for evening than day. Based out of Brooklyn and founded by partners in both life and business – David Seth Moltz (the DS part), a musician who confesses to being a self-taught perfumer, and Kavi (Durga), an architect – it offers a very contemporary take on the traditional rules of perfumery. Created in 2015 by master perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin (also responsible for Diptyque’s masculine masterpiece Vetyverio), it is a full-bodied oriental that flits between East and West and takes you on a journey with its sophisticated blend of exotic ingredients.

Many reviewers report, to their delight, that Montale’s Amber Musk is a softer and smoother scent than some other options from the brand. Luxury British brand, Argentum, has launched its debut collection of alcohol-free eaux de parfums; seven years in the making. Oud Abramad is part of its La Collection Matieres line, whose highly concentrated fragrances are made from top-quality absolutes of raw materials and inspired by legends.You’ll struggle to find an option on the market that balances rare ingredients like this, employing musky oud and notes of amber and vanilla for a sweet, savoury and woody scent best summed up as exotic. Having created its oud-based fragrance, Royal Oud, as a response to the many requests they received from clients, it has adapted the ingredient to suit the style of the house. Characteristic of all Ropion’s fragrances, the excessive dosage of such a powerful ingredient as oud is balanced with minutely measured amounts of more subtle accords. Saffron warmed by smoky notes of tarry, leathery styrax, benzoin and myrrh play an intro to a solid and grounding base of sensual oud wood. Composed by Olivier Creed, the current guardian of the house and perfumer, Julian Rasquinet, it is confident, refined and elegant; considered the most ubiquitous oud fragrances by many scent connoisseurs.