Discover all our collections here
The story behind each collection unfolds below the product grid
Oud / Agarwood dedicated Sub-Collections
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Pure Oud Oils (Rare Oud Delights sub-collection)
All our exclusive 100% Pure Oud Oils. Wild raw material & careful...
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Wood, Chips & Incense (Rare Oud Delights sub-collection)
Agarwood / oud in its raw form (quality wood chips) and as...
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Pure Attars (Rare Oud Delights sub-collection)
Here you will find all attars / ghaliyas (pure natural perfumes) where...
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Oud Tea, Malas & Accessories (Rare Oud Delights sub-collection)
All our oud / agarwood offerings that don't fint in the three...
Collection: RARE OUD DELIGHTS [Agarwood] - Artisan Small Batch High-End Distillations & Wild Woods

Antique Agarwood rosary, with inlaid gold, Qing dynasty - China
Arguably, the noblest, most precious, elusive and magical of all aromatics, Oud / agarwood has a long and fascinating history, but also amazingly rich and diverse artisan “living traditions” today.
In this collection all oils are unique : entirely natural, 100% pure and unalterated, high quality artisan distillations, small batches, patiently cured (min 2 years, often much more).
Raw material (for oils or wood chips) come in large majority from single trees or small connected bundles of trees. Most are wild (ethically sourced) a few oils from Assam are semi-wild (planted but grown without human intervention / Single trees in their native natural ecosystems). See each item for the specific details.
No farmed or plantation cultivated wood, no artificial inoculation of trees, no synthetic components or adulteration ever
Only nature at work, and distillers 'craft.
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Part of the beauty of oud is the amazing diversity of olfactive profiles (no other natural aromatic comes even vaguely close to this diversity) and some profiles might not be to your taste. If you are new to Oud, please order only very small / sample quantities to discover what you really like. |
The story of humankind (From India to China, Japan and the whole Arab world) fascination with oud is multi millennial and so rich that if would be futile to try to resume it with any substance here. The Heartnotes blog contains articles to discover in magical incredible world of Oud.
In very short, oud has been used as one of the most refined perfumes (each quality natural oil is singularly unique, and a full wear perfume on its own, often showing an incredible diversity of notes transforming over hours). It has a long tradition with arts, literature, and refined connoisseur practices, it is an important (albeit costly) traditional medical aromatic with multiple historical and contemporary uses, it is an important status marker in many parts of the world, and, last but certainly not least, it has been used for religious / spiritual / ritual transcendence for millennia, from public ceremonies to immersive meditations.
Ok, Mr. Culture. but what is it, like : actually ?
Agarwood / oud is a resin produce in trees by different species belonging to the Thymelaeceae family. The most well known, and widely used are Aquilaria species, but there are many other ones.
The divinely fragrant resin is produced over the years as protection / defense when a tree is naturally attacked by elements of its environment (which always happen after some years in a jungle environment, but resin. The area of wood charged with the “infection” grows with irregular patches of streaks, presenting deposits of the oleoresin in the tree cell structure. These parts of heartwood become increasingly dark and heavier than the rest of the wood (some of the highest qualities are even "sinking wood" grades).
The specific character of the scented heartwood results from a combination of factors, such as the region of origin of the specific tree, its botanical species, its age, as well as the section of the tree from which the piece of agarwood stems and the amount of time that the wood has undergone the biological-chemical process. In consequence, the resinous composition differs, and the agarwood presents itself in various perfumery qualities.
The two main forms of pure natural Oud available on this website are the two more popular uses: high quality pure natural oils and natural wood chips. Woods and oils I carry are either from wild or, rarely in traditional producing regions where wild oud is gone, semi wild sources (= planted, but in a natural mixed ecosystem and left to grow entirely naturally. Never from artificially inoculated / plantation tree (the vast majority of what is available / sold today).
Oil distillations are down with love and care: artisan quality only. Nothing industrially produced. Good oils, properly stored and used, will always age well, and thus over decades. I try to present the admirable diversity of ouds, with high quality oils from different regions and a representative glimpse of the amazing richness of olfactive profiles. Each oud is a full perfume in itself, with its own complexity, structure, evolution, longevity.
Occasionally high quality Incense or malas (rosaries, necklaces, etc.) made form agarwood are sold, but this is rare and only when presented with a noteworthy opportunity though my producing contacts. Fragrant jewelry, like malas, pendants, necklaces, bracelets have their devoted collection: Scentient jewelry & other fragrant accessories
The present collection also includes attars (natural perfumes) where oud is an important ingredient. When oud is an ingredient that is not central to the composition and to the olfactive outcome of an attar, then it is not listed here but in other relevant collections..
If you are new to Oud, please order only very small / sample quantities to discover what you really like. Part of the beauty of oud is the amazing diversity of olfactive profiles (no other natural aromatic comes even vaguely close to this diversity).
Some profiles or notes can be very strong and animalic, living some people in ecstasy and some other repulsed, but then many other profiles don't have any animalic note, some can be sweet, some fruity, some floral some herbal, some smoky, some oceanic some all that precedes (when worn, in the unfolding of time, showing vivid and mesmerizing evolution, like all great perfumes) and much more.
Until quite recently Oud was unknown to Western audiences, it suddenly became a big trend in Western alcohol based "luxury" industrial perfumery. In 2016, I got hired by a famous luxury brand to become their "Mr. Oud" resource person for a few years, time for them to understand the material and design a flagship collection around them (a bit more about this here, towards the end). The process was for me a blessing: suddenly I was paid to explore in depth all aspects (from production to perfumery creation, to cultural history) one of my favorite substances, which costs would have been preventing such in depth exploration just for my personal pleasure or interest. Beyond knowledge, these years of professional explorations also resulted in many interesting connections, that allow me to offer high quality oud oils and wood for reasonable prices (reasonable for quality ouds, that is !).
If you want to explore more, you can read the two following posts on the heartnotes blog:
Discovering Oud - Part I : Entering the Jungle
Discovering Oud part II - Sketch of an incredibly rich Cultural History
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Let customers speak for us
from 25 reviewsRose des Vents is a beautiful exploration of the relationship between rose and ambergris. What makes this composition particularly memorable to me is not its complexity in terms of constant transformation, but rather the remarkable harmony between two materials expressing very different yet deeply connected facets.
The opening is distinctly floral, led by a rose that feels wonderfully alive. Rather than the intensely sweet, jammy character sometimes found in contemporary rose compositions, this one retains a freshness that I particularly appreciate.
It brings to mind a rosebud in the early morning, just beginning to unfold as the first sunlight gently warms its petals. There is sweetness, certainly, but also something greener and more vegetal: an impression of the calyx, the sepals and the fresh living structure supporting the flower.
That subtle green dimension is, to my nose, the most fascinating aspect of the composition.
It creates a natural bridge between the soft sensuality of the rose and the saline, mineral, almost crystalline character of the ambergris. The vegetal freshness of the flower seems to meet the luminous freshness of the sea, allowing both materials to communicate without either losing its identity.
The ambergris introduces a beautiful marine radiance, gently animalic and intimate, with an invigorating mineral quality that contrasts elegantly with the softness of the rose.
The development feels relatively linear on my skin, yet never monotonous. Rather than unfolding through dramatic changes, the composition maintains an intimate dialogue between its two principal characters. It is almost like watching two accomplished dancers who know each other so well that every movement feels instinctive.
There is a remarkable sense of complicity here.
I repeatedly found myself returning to my wrist, not necessarily to discover something new, but simply to experience that relationship once again. The contrast between floral sensuality and mineral luminosity creates an almost hypnotic attraction.
Having experienced several rose materials, including highly concentrated Rose de Mai absolutes from Grasse, I particularly appreciate compositions that preserve something of the entire living flower rather than focusing exclusively on the sweetness of its petals.
Rose des Vents offers precisely that impression to my nose, and it is what makes the encounter with ambergris so successful.
A beautifully balanced, sensual and quietly captivating creation. A reminder that olfactory richness does not necessarily require an extensive palette of ingredients, but can emerge from the exceptional understanding of how two materials interact.
A wonderful experience, and one I find myself returning to with genuine pleasure. Merci Nicolas!
Another beautiful creation from Nicolas, with excellent longevity on my skin.
The opening, to my nose, is strikingly mineral, translucent and luminous, like a crystal illuminated by warm sunlight, revealing delicate blue, saline reflections.
It immediately transports me to the small changarritos along the Mexican coast, where freshly caught seafood is prepared by the beach. I picture a peaceful, sunny afternoon: sun-warmed shells, briny sea air and that distinctive mineral freshness mingling with freshly squeezed lime, salt and peppers. A wonderfully vivid and comforting sensory memory.
After one to two hours, the mineral brightness gradually softens, giving way to a richer, creamier texture that I associate with the Sri Lankan sandalwood. The spices become smoother and more integrated, while the saline freshness remains subtly present.
In the dry-down, I perceive a delicate iodine-like marine character, which I associate with the white ambergris, accompanied by gentle spices and a beautiful whisper of rose.
What I particularly enjoy is the transition from radiant, crystalline freshness to a softer, silkier and more intimate warmth. Beautifully balanced, deeply evocative and remarkably persistent on my skin!
Chapeau!
To my nose, it feels colourful, energetic and intensely sensual, with a warm, subtly salty, skin-like character. Across several wearings, it brought me back to the huapango dance gatherings in Mexico: music, vivid colours, dancers in motion, and the warmth of people mingling with the fragrant atmosphere of the celebrations. It evoked an entire scene rather than a single remembered scent.
On my skin, its development is relatively linear: individual facets gradually soften while the composition retains its identity. Nevertheless, the emotional connection has been remarkable. A deeply personal discovery, and a creation I am genuinely grateful to Nicolas for sharing. Gracias!
Black Diamond is undoubtedly one of the most captivating oud oils I have experienced. Its unusual character took me two separate applications to fully appreciate, and the experience was genuinely memorable.
The opening (0–1 hour), to my nose, evokes gently roasted grains, malted barley husks and a delicate, almost yeasty fermentation. As someone who deeply enjoys traditional single malt whisky production and craft brewing, I found this association fascinating.
It even reminded me of a small mill near my home, where the aromas of old grains, their husks and slowly macerating cereals create a wonderfully rich atmosphere. An unexpected olfactory memory to encounter in a Cambodian oud!
After approximately one hour, the toasted cereal character gradually softens as delicate fruity nuances begin to emerge. They bring a subtle sweetness that gently embraces the remaining roasted, malty facets without ever turning the oil into a sweet fragrance.
Deeper woody and incense-like notes gradually become more prominent, while that distinctive cereal character remains beautifully woven into the background.
In the dry-down, Black Diamond becomes profoundly woody, dark and richly ambered, with an almost mysterious depth. Its remarkable longevity and warm, lingering presence on my skin make this final phase particularly enjoyable.
For me, this is an intensely contemplative oil. It invites me to sit quietly, let my body settle and allow my mind to wander.
More than a fragrance, it feels like a journey in itself.
An exceptional olfactory experience, deeply personal and unquestionably one of my favourite discoveries.
As someone who regularly burns frankincense, I found Magic Mushaad a very enjoyable way to rediscover a familiar material. What interested me most was its transformation on the skin, moving from a striking first impression towards something much quieter and more intimate.
The opening has a distinctive varnish-like facet, reminiscent of the resinous sharpness of turpentine. There is something quite raw and vivid about it, an unexpected introduction that immediately caught my attention.
With time and the warmth of my skin, that sharper edge gradually softens. A more settled incense character emerges, slightly earthy and increasingly close to the skin. This was the part I enjoyed most: following that transition and recognising an atmosphere I know so well genuinely brought a smile to my face.
It reminded me of the quiet moments I take for myself with good luban or hojari. More specifically, that later stage of heating, when the bright citrus and piercing mineral facets have eased and the resin settles into a warmer, calmer presence. Finding something of that familiar atmosphere on my skin, at such an intimate scale, was particularly pleasing.
Personally, this is not a material I would choose to wear as a standalone fragrance. My interest lies more in its possibilities within a composition or as an ambient scent: I can readily imagine its character bringing depth and texture to a woody or incense accord. A distinctive material and a very pleasant rediscovery, especially for someone who enjoys spending time with natural resins and following their evolution.
Explosive candied lemon, hints of orange peel, extremely fresh and bright, sweet as a piece of candy, then grassy notes infused with honey, somewhat reminiscent of elemi resin and the full spectrum of sweet grasses. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill lemongrass—this is the king of lemongrass.
A dark green-brown colour, deep, dark vetiver, herbal notes, undergrowth, marsh, dark roots, slightly medicinal, notes of geranium, a hint of mint, a hint of iris, oolong tea. Uncommon notes in perfumery. Or simply to be enjoyed pure. Very lovely.
The following review reflects my personal olfactory impressions, gathered over three separate wearing sessions to explore the oil’s character, nuances, and evolution on my skin over time.
A fascinating olfactory journey that reveals a far more nuanced expression of Cambodian oud than the typically sweet, fruit-forward profiles often associated with this terroir.
The opening is beautifully warm and fruity, somewhere between a slightly underripe apricot and passion fruit, with a lively acidity balanced by a gentle, restrained sweetness. There is also an intriguing hint of black olive, bringing a subtle bitterness, alongside a dry, fibrous, almost woody-earthy quality reminiscent of sun-warmed bark and coconut husk.
The image that immediately comes to mind is an orchard at sunset, just as the sun disappears below the horizon and the fruits, trees, and soil begin releasing the warmth accumulated throughout the day. Golden, orange-tinted, gently sweet, yet wonderfully fresh and natural.
Around the 30-minute mark, the fruitiness remains, but the orchard floor begins to take centre stage. The woody character grows denser, revealing dry wood shavings, fibrous vegetation, and a faint earthy warmth. A barely perceptible animalic, fur-like nuance emerges, accompanied by the first delicate whispers of incense. Throughout this transition, the fruity, slightly unctuous character remains beautifully intertwined with the wood.
After approximately one hour, the fruitiness evolves into something distinctly more confit: a luscious marmalade made from partially ripe fruits, with their skins left on. Sweet, certainly, but never excessively so. A persistent, vibrant acidity and a delicate bitterness prevent the composition from becoming overly gourmand.
Then comes a particularly beautiful balsamic development, reminding me of a traditionally aged Aceto Balsamico di Modena: rich, grape-like, resinous, velvety and wonderfully complex, with acidity seamlessly integrated into a deep, rounded sweetness. All of this is accompanied by a fine, soft, subtly sweet incense note.
The lingering impression on my skin is one of fresh, velvety fruitiness delicately intertwined with a light, elegant incense.
What makes Calambac Confit particularly compelling to my nose is how confidently it moves beyond the more conventional Cambodian oud profiles, which can sometimes lean heavily on sweetness and relatively straightforward fruity accords.
Here, sweetness is never the main character. Instead, it supports a much more interesting interplay of tart fruit, vegetal dryness, wood, fleeting animalic nuances, balsamic depth and delicate incense. Each stage brings a different dimension without losing the composition's underlying identity.
A beautifully crafted, unconventional expression of Cambodian oud that demonstrates just how much complexity and character this terroir can offer beyond its more accessible, sweet-driven interpretations. A genuinely rewarding olfactory experience.
Muchas gracias Nicolas!
I am a sandalwood lover, and this oil is really something special. I enoy both classical Indian oils and of oils from different terroirs. This one is really interesting because it feels like both in the same bottle : round, creamy, and luminous like the a classic Mysore but with added surprises : the yuzu note is gourmand and delicious and the other terroir notes (quite discrete) add an interesting structure. The longevity is great: it remains potent for hours and hours and is still noticeable the next day. High quality treat !
It is hard to find good Hindi ouds these days and this malaccensis oil is really to my liking : a clean soul warming animal presence in the opening with rich and complex accompanying notes, and then a journey of transformation that kept my nose glued to my wrist over hours and hours.
One can really feel a huge difference compared to generic cultivated products found everywhere these days. Very happy to have found your shop. Warmly recommended !!
Thanks also for the time taken to answer my questions with such depth. Really appreciated.
Sanctiris – to me – is like a way home. It helps me focus and align myself. It also calms and clears my mind.
It helped me with my third eye chakra, which – since I started using it – feels way less trapped. There’s way more ease now.
It supported me to not lose trust towards my skills and goals. It’s like remembering that I’m the captain of this ship, that crosses storms and floods.
I often wear it on my wrists, so that – whenever I might need it – I am able to remember that I’m home.
Extraordinary, as usual!
This is quite a smell, and texture! Citrus with a bitter undercurrent, light and yet unctuous. Will come back for more. Only reservation: the scent disappears quickly on my skin, but it none the less gives me a lift that is great to start the day with.
this attar is raw and wild and makes me feel ecstatic every time I smell it. Similar to the Rosebush it seems to be a vessel transporting me to another dimension, to a blissful place far away I must have been lifetimes ago and it feels so good to be there. As it develops throughout the day, wonderful corners of this place bring bliss to my world in form of whiffs of florals, spices and dark leathery tones . The oud is wonderfully animalic (not overpowering to me) and gives this scent a raw and mysterious essence. The beauty is that it blends in with my skin in a way that i become the scent and feel empowered through the day & night...
This scent is everything.. just the first sniff of it transports me to another dimension, somewhere ancient and magical. The soft fresh opening of the rose makes me feel serene and deeply happy, my heart flutters with joy while the light animalic scent of the oud is grounding, deep earthy and sensual. I can't stop smelling my wrists when i wear it, I'd say is the perfect marriage of the majestic rose & oud. I actually wore it on my wedding day myself and the scent embodied both the all encompassing love, connection and wildness i felt that day.
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