The GQ Fragrance Guide: What is Oud? In the Middle East, they take their oud very seriously but it has only caught on in a big way in the UK in last few years. It is derived from the tropical agar tree, which is thought to originate in Assam in India.

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We break down where it comes from, what it smells like and which scents showcase it best. It’s increasingly difficult to do anything on your phone nowadays without sharing your geolocation information. Certain Snapchat filters, Facebook status updates. Colonia del Sacramento is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires city, an excellent day trip across the river that offers you an opportunity.

When the tree is infected by a mould known as Phialophora parasitica it reacts by producing a dense, dark and fragrant resin to protect itself. It is the resin- embedded heartwood of the tree that is the source of oud. The trees are grown throughout south- east Asia, India and Bangladesh and agarwood is said to be the most expensive timber in the world - indeed, one of the most expensive of all natural raw ingredients. Entourage Season 6 Episode 7. Part of the reason for the cost is that the agar tree is now registered by CITES as a potentially threatened species - not surprisingly when the global agarwood market is thought to be worth over £5 billion annually. Watch Fast &Amp; Furious 6 HD 1080P. The scent itself varies considerably depending on the wood used, where the tree was grown and whether the tree itself was cultivated or naturally infected.

The fragrance is - unsurprisingly - described as warm, woody with a slight hint of damp rot, while some varieties are smoky and sweet. It can be very potent so not one for the faint- hearted.

Here's a selection of the very best oud fragrances for men available right now. Tom Ford Noir de Noir. Perhaps surprisingly, rose is a favourite note to match with oud and here it is used to perfection to complement the wood's darkness with a result that it is both romantic and provocative. Available to buy online from Selfridges.

Acqua Di Parma Colonia Oud Eau de Cologne Concentrée. The oud is complemented with leather and spices. It goes on strong but settles down to a fantastic complexity.

Available to buy online from Harrods. Ermenegildo Zegna Indonesian Oud. With bergamot, patchouli and amber, this is both dark and warm with a very subtle medicinal tang that sharpens it up. Available to buy online from Ermenegildo Zegna. Boss Bottled Oud. A brand new iteration of the mighty Boss Bottled, this is an unashamedly powerful scent that looks set to introduce the oud experience to a whole new audience. Available to buy online from House of Fraser.

Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Desert Oud. When it was launched, this rapidly became the best- selling men's cologne in Harrods. Redolent of the Middle East, this is how you can imagine Rudolf Valntino smelled like in The Sheik - and that has to be good. Available to buy online from Harrods. Yves Saint Laurent Splendid Wood.

A genuine unisex fragrance with spicy cardamom and jasmine alongside the woody notes. It will get you noticed without overpowering the room. Available to buy online from House of Fraser. Reiss Black Oudh. This was Reiss's very first fragrance for men - and a very pleasant surprise. It opens with laurel and green cypress with middle notes of vetiver and clary sage before settling down to the black oud.

Dark, heavy and earthy. Available to buy online from Reiss. Creed Royal Oud. Good for those who don't want too much of an oud hit, this opens with sandalwood and pink pepper and ends with a creamy wood- infused finish.

Available to buy online from John Lewis. Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot Cologne Intense. A hint of smokiness is layered on a base of sensual wood with a fresh suggestion of bergamot to balance it all out. Available to buy online from Jo Malone. Versace Oud Noir for Men. The best thing to come from Versace for years - and that is praise indeed - fresh and spicy with an intriguing hint of oud.

Available to buy online from Versace. Watch Her Putlocker# on this page. Christian Dior Leather Oud.

Musky - some people claim it verges on animal, if not downright dirty in a good way - and leathery, this is sex in a bottle. Available from Selfridges. Polo Supreme Oud. Warm cinnamon and pepper plus leather with sweet wood are all balanced with fresh vetiver. Available to buy online from Harrods.

Want to learn more about what's in your cologne? Read all of our GQ Guides to Fragrance.[/note].