Oud

Oud Synth, Firmenich's reconstruction of agarwood oil. Intensely woody and animalic with sweet balsamic depth: the scent of oud without the endangered tree.

Oud Synth 10760 E is a Firmenich specialty base, formerly sold as Oud (Aloeswood) Blend, built to reconstruct the odor of agarwood oil. Natural oud comes from the dark, resinous heartwood that Aquilaria trees form in response to wounding and fungal infection. Its scent is carried by sesquiterpenes and by the 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, a family of compounds found in almost no other natural material. Wild agarwood is scarce and costly, and every species of Aquilaria has been listed under Appendix II of CITES since 2004, so most oud in modern perfumery is a reconstruction like this one. The base pairs natural woods with synthetics, with Ambrinol supplying its animalic, ambergris-like depth. Intensely woody and animalic, reminiscent of vetiver, with sweet balsamic, leathery, and faintly smoky undertones. Firmenich has since reformulated it as Oud Synth 184007, removing phthalates and furfural with little change to the odor.