Precious Beautiful Oud, a Perfumed Staircase To Heaven In A Bottle
Perfume and divinity are not obvious bedfellows, but in many traditions, Oud is very much the centre of spiritual life, a strange ingredient that comes from rotting wood, yet it is seen as a ‘spiritual note’ that can take you closer to heaven. But what is this magical, mystical item? And, how is it used in perfumery? Meet the latest elixir from Roja Dove, Roja London, Expresso Aoud, an expression through notes; the very values this ingrdients stands for, here in Precious Beautiful Oud, a Perfumed Staircase To Heaven In A Bottle.
Oud ingredient, what is it?
Oud, or as it is known in the Far East, AOud, is often referred to as ‘liquid gold,’ and it holds profound cultural and spiritual significance. Partly because of its rarity, its unique natural formation, and its historical association with purity, hospitality, and divinity across multiple religions.
Aquilaria tree
It is considered a precious gift from nature because it is a dark, fragrant resin produced by the Aquilaria tree only as a defence mechanism against a specific fungal infection, a process that can take decades. This can mean that only one in ten trees may get sick when the tree’s heartwood is infected by a specific parasite, creating a rare, dark resin.
Spiritual and Religious Significance
Oud is deeply embedded in Islamic culture, with traditions suggesting it was cherished by the Prophet Muhammad, who used it to perfume clothes and mosques. It is commonly burned as incense, called bakhoor, during daily prayers and special occasions. In Buddhism, oud incense is burned during meditation and funeral rites to purify the air, calm the mind, and connect with the spiritual realm. It is mentioned in Hinduism’s sacred scripts, the Sanskrit Vedas, and was used in ancient Egypt for embalming rituals. In China, it is known as “Wood of the Gods”. It is considered a purifier and a symbol of spirituality and devotion, and as the smoke rises, it takes religious messages to heaven.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Oud’s calming aroma is believed to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and enhance concentration. But it has an even greater significent is modern life. In the Middle East and Gulf region, offering oud to guests is a significant gesture of hospitality, refinement, and warmth. People will also burn it and walk through it after bathing, allowing the smoke to ‘coat’ their skin.
When offered to guests, it can often be served with coffee, maybe dates or pistachios. But it is this hospitality that Roja Dove has explored in his latest fragrance. Imagine the guest seated in the opulent, rich living room being brought Aoud and Coffee alongside soft, spiced fruits and sweet, roasted nuts. The twigs of Orange blossom scent the room, as the wind through the open window allows the day’s heat and dry trees and roots to give added scented facets to the air. A moment of bliss as all the flowers, smells, warmth, and human kindness meld.
In reality, this is a complex, rich fragrance with the delicious aroma of roasted coffee, deep, dry, with a hint of a milky accord and Vanilla as if a dash were offered to go with the beverage. Melded here in the opening, also sense the sweet aroma of Pistachios, caramelised nuts and a sliver of coconut, adding to its delicious gourmand-like initial hit.
Then there is the floral richness that comes from rich, sweet, and heady Orange Blossom, with her facets of citrus, and slightly honeyed undertones, rich Damask Rose, and soft ‘confectionery’ floral powder of Violet. However, the florals are tempered here with spices, with the Middle Eastern warmth of Cinnamon and earth leather-rich spice of Saffron
Its final flousih that brings its name alive is layered around the magnificent Aoud wood alongside softer woods of Birch, Cedar, Sandalwood, and a dry wood accord with rich darkness from Patchouli, rooty resin of Cypriol, and creamy resin of Benzoin. With this comes earthy- dampness from green mosses, smoky, woody, animalic Leather, and a warm hug from Cashmeran and Musks.
A part Amber-Woody part delicious Gourmand fragrance where the heavenly aroma of roasted coffee meets the spiritual nature of woods. Go back to that living room, where blooms mingle in the heat and where friends greet you with roasted coffee, sweet treats, caramelised nuts and burning smoke of Aoud. As you sink deep into the leather cushions, the wood of the furniture warms the air, bringing a resinous woody leather finale to your time with friends
It’s worth noting that not all Aouds are equal; some are animalic in a musty rather acrid way. But when handled as beautifully as it is here, it’s a note of wonder. It’s deep and dark, rich and elegant, with its calming aroma that can still lift you to heaven.
:
If you enjoyed reading Precious Beautiful Oud, a Perfumed Staircase To Heaven In A Bottle, then why not read Ten Skylines that Shape The World here
.Cent Magazine London. Luxury Mindset
Follow us:
