OUD SEVEN Eau de Parfum

Oud Seven is a contemporary oud fragrance built around an overdose of Assam Oud essence sourced from Bangladesh, faceted by seven ingredients that reveal its complexity while preserving its original beauty. A creation by Aurélien Guichard, Founder Perfumer and creator of Maison MATIERE PREMIERE, designed for lovers of fine fragrances, woody fragrances and raw-material perfumery.

Oud Seven, the olfactory signature of a contemporary oud fragrance

This oud fragrance is built around a central essence: a rich, powerful, warm Assam Oud with a sophisticated, captivating animalic character, used in overdose at the heart of the formula to assert its opulence. This structure gives the oud fragrance its distinctive character and signature aroma. MATIERE PREMIERE’s vision is to start with an overdose of a natural raw material and build the entire composition around it. This approach runs through all the maison’s fragrances. Aurélien Guichard followed the same creative approach with Oud Seven, a creation with a powerful, ambery woody olfactory profile, designed for lovers of opulent fragrances and oud. The formula brings the central Assam Oud into dialogue with seven ingredients that give it dimension:

• Assam Oud Essence, Bangladesh
• Egyptian Violet Leaf Absolute
• Balkan Tobacco Leaf Absolute
• Haitian Vetiver
• Indonesian Patchouli
• Indian Cypriol
• Andalusian Cistus Absolute
• Amber

Assam Oud Essence, Bangladesh: the overdose at the heart of the oud fragrance

Aurélien Guichard selected Assam Oud from Bangladesh, sourced through responsible management practices that benefit local communities. This legendary essence in perfumery has been used by perfumers and creators around the world for centuries. Its history runs through oriental fragrances, woody fragrances and great modern fragrances; it is arguably the most iconic component of woody perfumery. Oud, long confined to Asia and the Middle East, has gained popularity in Western perfumery over recent decades. This essence holds a special place in history thanks to its powerful cultural and emotional qualities. Used in overdose at the heart of the formula, Assam Oud Essence, Bangladesh, asserts its opulence and leaves a strong impression of depth and intensity.

The Aquilaria tree and the formation of oud, from wood to resin

The tree whose wood yields oud essence is Aquilaria, which grows in the forests of Southeast Asia. In response to a natural infection by the Phialophora parasitica fungus, found in the wild in forests, the tree’s wood develops an aromatic resin. This infected wood, transformed over time into a dense aroma, becomes the primary treasure of oud. Steam distillation extracts the essence from the wood and resin, giving the product its olfactory purity. Its low yield and complex extraction process explain the value of this essence in woody and oriental fragrances, and why it is chosen by leading creators.

The oud producer selected by Aurélien Guichard, Jalali Agarwood, has been sustainably cultivating and producing oud in Bangladesh for several decades, ensuring that the trade in wood and oils meets the social needs of the local community and generates a positive impact. Jalali operates in compliance with local Bangladeshi laws and CITES regulations, with a sustainable, traceable supply chain. For every tree felled, twenty are replanted for future generations.

Jalali also devotes a significant share of its profits to local social programs and initiatives, including support for people who are injured or ill and can no longer work, support for older people without pensions, and funding for the construction of schools and orphanages.

Oud in perfumery: ingredients often paired with an oud fragrance

In perfumery, oud fragrances are often built around accords pairing oud with rose, saffron, incense or musk, each bringing a recognizable touch: the floral softness of rose, the spicy warmth of saffron, the balsamic smoke of incense, the enveloping comfort of musk. Oud Seven takes its own path. Aurélien Guichard chose to facet Assam Oud with ingredients less commonly found in oud fragrances, offering a different interpretation of the material. Egyptian violet, Balkan tobacco, Haitian vetiver, Indonesian patchouli, Indian cypriol, Andalusian cistus and amber engage in dialogue with oud to give the fragrance its contemporary character.

The seven ingredients that facet the Assam Oud in Oud Seven

To reveal the complexity and sophisticated facets of this essence, Aurélien Guichard created a concise formula around seven ingredients, some of which, like oud, grow in the shade. Egyptian violet leaf absolute brings a green, powdery touch. Violet leaf absolute and Indonesian patchouli underscore the composition’s dark, refined aspects and its woody, resinous depth. Balkan tobacco absolute adds a dry, resinous warmth. Andalusian cistus absolute enriches the composition with balsamic and resinous smoky notes. Indian cypriol reinforces the oud fragrance’s opulent, woody, smoky character, a signature shared by great oud fragrances. Amber envelops the composition and establishes the warmth of the base. Haitian vetiver structures the woody accords and brings a sandy freshness. Each ingredient is dosed to serve the central component. The seven facets engage in dialogue in the formula, giving this oud fragrance its balance, intensity and sophisticated identity among contemporary woody fragrances.

Trail and character: the modern face of Oud Seven

The olfactory trail is vibrant, dark and deep. The signature of this creation remains perceptible for hours after application. Its character is refined and dense, with intensity that never overwhelms. This eau de parfum is concentrated at 20–25%, a concentration that accounts for its long-lasting wear and intense woody aroma. The result on the skin is enduring; the trail remains vibrant throughout wear, and its longevity surpasses that of most classic fragrances.

Wearing Oud Seven every day

The bottle reprises MATIERE PREMIERE’s signature design, inspired by the laboratory blotter, an everyday tool for fragrance creators. The atomizer delivers a fine, precise spray. On the skin, apply this oud fragrance to pulse points: wrists, neck and inner elbows, as with all oriental and woody fragrances.

MATIERE PREMIERE, the maison of Founder Perfumer Aurélien Guichard

MATIERE PREMIERE is an independent French fragrance house. Aurélien Guichard creates every fragrance. The maison’s concept is based on an overdose of a central natural essence, a concise, direct formula and uncompromising quality that runs through all the brand’s fragrances. MATIERE PREMIERE fragrances contain between 85 and 92% ingredients of natural origin. All the maison’s fragrances are vegan, phthalate-free and dye-free. The bottle design and product experience are inspired by the tools and daily work of fragrance creators. This creation is part of the maison’s line of woody fragrances and extends its creator’s olfactory vision. Further details on the maison’s overall approach to fragrance can be found atthe MATIERE PREMIERE approach.