The Earthy Note in Oud: The Depth of the Earth

The woody is often accompanied by another family that gives oud a depth and an earthy presence: the earthy note. It is often described as the smell of damp earth, roots, or the forest after rain. In this article we describe the earthy character, where it sits, and how we distinguish the natural earthy from a spoiled moldy smell.

What is the earthy character?

The earthy note is often described as deep and damp, recalling fertile soil, roots, or the forest floor after rain. It gives oud a sense of authenticity and belonging to nature, and is often paired with the woody to make together a deep, rooted "heart." Part of this character is attributed to compounds in the sesquiterpene family.

The earthy varies: some is dry like dry dust, some wet like clay, and some approaches the smell of mushrooms or fallen leaves. This wide spectrum makes the earthy one of the richest and most complex of the families.

A natural earthy, not a spoiled mold

Here is an important point: the natural earthy is not the smell of mold. Although both are "damp," the authentic earthy is deep, alive, and fresh, while mold is an alien, choking smell that indicates insufficient drying or poor storage (as we showed in the drying article). Distinguish between them:

• The natural earthy: a depth recalling the forest floor, integrated with the rest of the layers, acceptable even if you do not like it.
• The spoiled mold: a choking note separate from the piece, provoking aversion rather than appreciation, and often the trace of poor processing.

If you smell a "living" dampness integrated with the scent, that is an authentic earthy; and if you smell a choking, strange note, that is a warning, not a trait.

Where does it sit and how do you distinguish it?

The earthy often appears in the heart accompanying the woody, and may extend to the base. To distinguish it, heat gently and wait for the heart, then ask: is there a depth recalling damp earth or the forest? The earthy is one of the families that many connoisseurs love because it gives oud a "naturalness" and authenticity.

And as usual, the description is partly a matter of taste, and what pleases one nose may not please another. And in the following article we move to a more controversial family: the animalic note.