The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
More of Oud is a 2023 release from Emirates Pride, and the name carries an immediate promise. It is oud reimagined for someone who finds traditional Arabian oud compositions too dense, too smoky, or too loud for daily wear. The fragrance does not present oud as a wall of resin and smoke. It treats the material as something to be explored at a lower volume, with space around it, with other notes allowed to speak alongside it. That shift in approach gives More of Oud a different kind of presence on skin. It feels closer to a contemporary composition than a heritage recreation, and the wearing experience reflects that. The citrus top notes arrive before the oud has any chance to settle, and the oakmoss builds a damp mineral middle that keeps the composition cool and grounded.
What makes the structure interesting is what the brand kept in and how little was used. The pyramid is minimal: two top notes, one heart, two base. That restraint is the statement. The yuzu and neroli handle brightness without sweetness, the oakmoss provides a damp, mineral-cool mid-section that gives the composition its middle character, and the base pairs oud with white musk. The neroli adds a soap-fresh white floral lift that softens the yuzu and gives the opening a clean, almost cologne-like quality.
The evolution
The opening is almost misleading in its brightness. Yuzu hits sharp and clean, slightly bitter at the edges, and neroli softens it with a soap-fresh white floral lift that feels closer to a Mediterranean cologne than anything Arabian. This opening is bright, slightly cool, and unmistakably modern. As the fragrance settles, the yuzu has softened and the neroli is carrying most of the energy, but underneath something has shifted. The oakmoss arrives quietly, not as a dominant green wall but as a dampness, a cool mineral texture that settles into the composition like stone after rain. It pulls the temperature down a few degrees and gives the fragrance its middle character. The mid-stage is where More of Oud finds its identity: restrained, slightly green, and contemplative rather than loud.
Cultural impact
More of Oud reflects a growing interest in lighter, more wearable oud compositions. The citrus-and-oakmoss structure sets it apart from heavier traditional formulations, and the minimal pyramid gives it a modern feel without abandoning the material that defines Arabic perfumery. The yuzu and neroli handle brightness without sweetness, the oakmoss provides a damp, mineral-cool mid-section, and the base pairs oud with white musk for a soft, skin-close finish. The fragrance appeals to wearers who want oud in their scent wardrobe without the density or projection that often comes with classic formulations.
