Woody

Cambodian oud smells like the deep interior of an ancient wooden temple—dark, resinous, and profoundly earthy. Imagine aged leather steeped in smoke, with whispers of animalic musk and burnt wood ash. There's a sweetness underneath, almost medicinal, like incense mixed with petrichor after monsoon rains. It's simultaneously warm and slightly austere, with an almost peppery bite that catches in the back of your throat. Not traditionally "pretty," but hypnotically complex and utterly captivating.

Spicy

Spices smell warm, peppery, and slightly sweet—imagine biting into a cinnamon stick or crushing cardamom pods between your teeth. There's a tingling, almost numbing quality that makes your mouth water, combined with earthy undertones. Picture walking into a spice market: that complex blend of clove's sharp bite, nutmeg's creamy warmth, and black pepper's sharp sting. It's comforting yet commanding, never subtle.