Myth #1: Ouds are the same as attars
Many people are under the incorrect impression that ouds and attars are one and the same. There is, of course, a world of difference between them.
Attars are a blend of different aromatics, typically infused in a rose oil or sandalwood oil base. Cheaper varieties might not even have a drop of natural ingredient in them.
Oud may be used as one of the ingredients in high-end attars.
As for pure oud oil, then it is the actual fragrant ingredient itself, without having any other aromatic compounds added to it.
One whiff of pure oud oil is generally enough to realize that there is no way that an attar can be mistaken for oud.
Perhaps the reason for this common misconception is that in the Arabian perfume industry, both attars and ouds come in identical packaging.
Myth #2: The thicker the oil, the better the quality
The viscosity of an oud oil depends on several factors, and is in no way an indication of quality - except where the thickness is that of water, coupled with a watery diluted smell.
Some woods naturally produce oil with higher viscosity, while others may produce a thinner oil yet of higher quality.
Sellers to the Arabian market are notorious for adding thickening agents to their oils to make them thicker, taking advantage of this widespread myth. Paraffin and wax are commonly used. In fact, adulteration occurs as early on as the distillation stage, where a certain powder is added to make the oil thick. Aging the oil is the only natural technique that can make an oil thicker.
Thicker ouds will last longer on the skin due to higher molecular density, while thinner oils will have a great silage and broadcast more. So there is an advantage in both, and it cannot be said that one is 'better' than the other.
Myth #3: There is a standard 'Oud smell' that is the same for all oud oils
Just by testing the samples in our Oud Sampler, you will realize how distinct each oud from different regions is. Moreover, no two distillation yields from the same species of wood, from the very same jungle, will produce an oil with an identical smell. Every distillation yield is unique.
The root of this myth is again the Arabian oud market. The typical cheap 'oud' there has a very similar scent, be it labeled Cambodian, Indian, or Indonesian. They all share a pungent, sour, leathery note which many have come to identidy as the smell of oud.
Every region's oud undoubtedly has a distinct smell. However, there is definitely an element that ties together all the varieties, and that is the woody oud character. Once you have experienced different oud specimens, you will be able to differentiate an oud from an attar or mukhallat.
Myth #4: Oud will help you attain Ma'rifah or Nirvana
While oud certainly has a deep psycho-emotional therepeautic quality, it seems many oud enthusiasts, particularly in the West, have gone a bit too far in ascribing to oud more than it offers.
Oud can calm. Oud can elate. Oud can ground. But if you are here searching for Nirvana, we are sorry to disappoint you, as our products will not help you attain that.
We can offer you some good ouds though!
