British perfumers are beginning to
get a nose for the oil industry, breathing in the scent of possibility and
profits thanks to Englishman Andrew Steel. The founder and CEO of Treedom
brought the valuable scent of oud oil to members of the British Society of
Perfumers Society (BSP) during a keynote speech in May 2016.
The one-day event at Whittlebury
Hall, in the rolling hills of England, was a great success as perfumers were
introduced and seduced by the rare qualities of the agarwood oil. Originating
in the Middle East, Treedom produces the luxury oil in Thailand.
Established over half a century ago,
BSP has a strong history of promoting perfumers’ interests and this involves
educating experts on interesting ingredients. Known as ‘liquid gold’, oud oil
has a deep, complex and mysterious scent; a powerful, woody and musky fragrance
that has been used in the East for thousands of years.
British perfumers are becoming
increasingly interested in the intriguing ingredient which though non-gender
specific is often favoured in men’s colognes. During his speech, Treedom’s
Andrew Steel encouraged fragrance makers to follow their noses to oud oil
producers and work directly with them, cutting out unnecessary middle contacts
which pump up costs.
In recent times, oud oil, which is
highly valued in the East, has become ever-more popular in other parts of the
world. British perfume producers are also pushing forward with this trend as
they appreciate the robust basenote of oud oil which has real staying power,
creating a longer-lasting fragrance.
Andrew Steel believes perfumers in
Britain and the rest of Europe will begin to integrate oud oil into more scents
and introduce oud oil perfume and cologne lines in the future. “The British,
and of course renowned fragrance-making countries such as France and Italy,
have a long tradition of producing unique scents that stand the test of time. I
truly believe that the depth and luxurious aroma of oud oil aroma, along with
its versatility, will appeal to more and more perfume manufacturers. The
strong, earthy scent perfectly complements the tastes of British men who
embrace the spirit of fierce independence and individuality, and who understand
high-quality.”
During the event, British perfumers
learnt how oud oil has been used in holistic therapies and its purported wellness
benefits. As well as being used in cologne for men, oud oil can also create
exotic fragrances for women as well as unisex perfumes which have become a
hugely expanding market in recent years, especially with younger scent-seekers.
Powerful perfumes for women with a distinct, almost masculine scent are in
demand and oud oil is starting to smell like productivity and profits for many
perfumers across the globe.
An example of how oud oil is being
incorporated into dynamic ranges is its use in UK brand, Boadicea the Victorious who create
luxury perfumes with a focus on highly-concentrated natural ingredients.
Oud oil is also the perfect, blissful
scent for spa and beauty products too and is renowned for its nourishing,
anti-aging properties.
With recent reports that a certain
member of the British royal family was gifted with an oud oil fragrance, the
signs are there that the scent is resonating with the unique spirit of the
British.
