Ethnic Pride
For centuries, Oudh had always been a way of life in this part of the world. It is acknowledged as an ethnic pride and local ingenuity had generated hundreds of types of the fragrance. Traditional Oudh fragrances are highly valued considering the degree of difficulty an Oudh maker goes through in the process of obtaining the materials and creating the fragrance. Thus Oudh fragrances are oftentimes acquired as part of a collection given away as presents or worn on special occasions such as Eid and Ramadan. The Oudh resin is extracted from the Aquilaria or the Agar Oudh tree which grows in hot tropical climates. It is abundant in Eastern India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. Some trees grow from sixty to a hundred years old and it takes up to forty years to harvest Oudh from the Agar Oudh tree. The older the Oudh tree the fuller the essence of the Oudh and Agar Oudh oil that are extracted from it. There are many types of Oudhs but the finest quality is rich in Aromatic oil. Varieties include the Blue Oudh or Triple Super which is one of the rarest types of Agar Oudh, and is distinguished through its black color. Variants include the Double Super and the Minor Super. Today, the variations continue to expand in range from local blends to adaptations by word-famous brands as the market demands a modernized version of the traditional Oudh.