With roots in ritual and spirituality, oud is not only one of fragrance’s oldest notes, it’s also the most polarizing.

From oud to orris, these are 10 of the most-used—and best-smelling—fragrance notes in the world, where they come from, and which of our favorite fragrances they're used in.

Oud itself is derived from agarwood, a type of fungus-ridden wood in an otherwise healthy tree that, when left to sit for numerous, sometimes hundreds, of years, creates a dark resinous substance that ...

Oud is like the marathon runner of the fragrance ... Generally speaking, eau de parfum contains 15 to 20 percent perfume oil and lasts 5 to 8 hours. Eau de toilette has less oil—5 to 15 percent ...

Saudi Arabia’s perfume market fuses cultural flair, youthful innovation, and tourism-fueled demand. Signature oud symphonies, ...