Oriental

Imagine walking into a candlelit room where incense has been burning for hours—that's your first impression. Gurjum balsam smells warm, resinous, and faintly medicinal, like a cross between cedarwood and benzoin, but earthier. There's a subtle sweetness underneath, almost vanilla-like, paired with a slightly woody, almost smoky character. It's dense and enveloping, reminiscent of old libraries or temple interiors—comforting yet slightly austere, never cloying or aggressively sweet. It clings to your skin with intimate warmth rather than announcing itself loudly.

Woody

Indian oud smells like the deep, resinous heart of ancient wood—imagine walking into a centuries-old temple where incense has soaked into every beam. There's a warm, almost animalic quality; think leather left in the sun, mixed with earth after rain and a whisper of smoky spice. It's rich and slightly sweet, but never cloying—more like the creaking timbre of a cello than a bright violin note. First-time smellers often detect barnyard notes or even a faint medicinal quality before the honeyed, woody depths reveal themselves.