Summary of Pure Oud Oil Blending Rules

1. Blending Old and New Oud Oils of the Same Type

Goal: Enhance either projection (diffusion) or longevity depending on your preference.

• Old Oud Oil: Has strong longevity but weaker projection.

• New Oud Oil: Offers stronger projection but less staying power.

• Blending Ratio: Commonly 50% old + 50% new. For more longevity, use 60–70% old + 30–40% new.

• Result: Achieve a balanced oil combining strength and sillage.

2. Softening Sharp Oud Oils

• Example: Hindi oud oil is known for its sharp, heavy character (“zakhma”).

• Solution: Blend it with incense-rich ouds (like Brashine/Malaysian) to create a balanced, luxurious aroma.

• Note: Mixing sharp and incense ouds yields a harmonious profile, often likened to the famous “Ab Samaka” style.

3. Complex Multi-Oud Blends (Signature Formulas)

Oud Oil Categories:

• Sharp: Hindi, Burmese, Laotian, Vietnamese, etc.

• Incense: Brashine, Malaysian, South Thai, etc.

• Sweet: Cambodian, Trat, some Burmese/Malaysian.

Recommended Ratios:

• Sharp Oud: 20–30% (ideally around 25%)

• Incense Oud: 30–40%

• Sweet Oud: Fill the remainder to total 100%

Why these ratios?

• Sharp oud: Should never dominate.

• Incense oud: Gives depth and a strong base.

• Sweet oud: Adds smoothness and balance.

Tips:

• Some oils are very “heavy” in texture or scent—use sparingly so they don’t overpower the blend.

• The higher the quality and maturity of the oud, the easier it is to achieve balance and luxury.

4. Adding Musk and Ambergris (Natural Fixatives)

• Add no more than 3% musk or ambergris to the total blend.

• Purpose: Enhance longevity, depth, and richness.

• Note: This amount preserves the integrity and character of the oud.

5. Adding Non-Oud Ingredients (Rose, Jasmine, Sandalwood, etc.)

• Golden Rule: Never exceed 1%—except Taif rose in winter, which can reach 3–4% for short-term blends.

• Why: Non-oud ingredients may negatively affect oud over long storage.

• Exception: If the blend is for quick sale (within months), slightly higher percentages are acceptable.

6. Tools & Environment

• Use a precision scale (jewelry scale) for accuracy.

• Blend in a warm, air-conditioner-free environment and allow to rest for 5–9 days for full integration.

• The longer you age the blend, the more refined and deep the aroma becomes.

7. Practical Oud Distribution in Blends

• Identify the sharpest oud and use it sparingly (e.g., Vietnamese at 3% in a 100-tola blend).

• Use incense ouds (Malaysian, Brashine) in moderate ratios.

• Fill the rest with sweet ouds (Cambodian, Trat, etc.).

Golden Tips:

• Keep large blends pure: only oud and natural fixatives (musk, ambergris).

• If experimenting with florals, test in small quantities and avoid long storage.

• Always test and tweak ratios—true balance is achieved after at least a week of resting and evaluating.

Conclusion:

By following these blending rules, you will achieve balanced, luxurious oud oil blends with a signature character. This approach allows you to develop your own unique “fingerprint” scent, admired for its depth, projection, and harmony.