This is usually either a very fresh, young distillation that has not had time to mellow, or a sign the oil has been cut with a cheap solvent rather than a proper carrier oil. Genuine oud almost always softens and rounds out after a short rest, so it is worth giving it time before assuming the worst.

Freshly Distilled vs Adulterated

Very young oud oil can carry a sharp, almost medicinal top note straight after distillation, not unlike raw spirit before it has had time to age, and this usually mellows within weeks or months of rest. A genuinely adulterated oil, however, cut with alcohol or a cheap synthetic solvent to bulk it out, will smell persistently sharp and never develop the deeper, rounder character real oud should have.

What to Do

Let the bottle rest somewhere cool and dark for a few weeks and test again. If the sharpness never fades, it is worth questioning where the oil came from. This is one of the reasons buying from a seller who can explain their distillation process and sourcing properly is worth so much more than chasing the cheapest price available. Our complete guide to oud covers genuine versus adulterated oud, and our complete guide to perfume has more on judging quality.