Impressions of AA Vietnamese pair: kenmei vs kiyosumi

Rasoul S

Well-Known Member
#1
i suggest taha change the name of Gen 3 and even Gen 4 oils to: moustache oil. I do not allow many oils to be swiped above my neck. Most oils are for wrist and few behind the knee. Kenmei and kiyosumi both qualify on my upper lip. Less 5% of all oils I have qualify for getting this close to me.

This afternoon was time to study IO Kedah thaqeel and tinsukia. Impressions coming separately.

This evening is a side by side study of a pair of Vietnamese kenmei and kiyosumi. Gen 4 vs Gen 3. In this case I prefer Gen 4. In other twin distillations I have preferred gen 3.

Highlights:
Same wood just dif distillation technique. Neither show anything high toned or angular. Neither Show any animal barn or game notes. Neither are what I would call fruity or spicy. Floral sure. Definitely white flowers like tuberose or magnolia notes are there. Somewhat similar to the very pretty floral Cambodi like IO imperial koh kong. Both oils are clearly made from oud unlike some other examples of oils from this genre.

Both oils sit very close to the skin. Very polite and soft spoken. Hence being allowed on my upper lips.

For the first time I am getting a scent of green oil kyara(sourced from kyarazen) in an oil. Is mind bending and addictive. Actually mildly psycho active. My head is in the clouds now but I am fully aware and in moment. Super clear headed while riding those fluffy clouds.

Taha describes the oils by having some tobacco and dried cherry note. I don't see this. But I do pick up on the light fermented oolong notes. If forced to see an association with tobacco it is green apple and citrus shisha tobacco from distance.

There is some zesty notes to the oil but super mild (unlike full on magnified version in ayu or au loung). Not green zest or even yellow lemon but a milder sweeter Meyer lemon. Buddha hand zest too.

Lastly I get suggestions of the blue green note in EO SS and sultan abdus selam. Latter is an oil built around this mildly bitter blue green kinam like scent while kenmei manages to have this note in 10-15% strength.

Both are lovely oil. I prefer kenmei. Also the most two dominant notes for me on this evening is the green oil Kyara notes when put on ultra low gentle heat as well as tuberose magnolia notes albeit from distance.

Final note: next time kiyosumi will go on by itself. Side by side kenmei will fight it hard for the spotlight.

I Hope these notes are of some help to you.
 

kesiro

Well-Known Member
#2
i suggest taha change the name of Gen 3 and even Gen 4 oils to: moustache oil. I do not allow many oils to be swiped above my neck. Most oils are for wrist and few behind the knee. Kenmei and kiyosumi both qualify on my upper lip. Less 5% of all oils I have qualify for getting this close to me.

This afternoon was time to study IO Kedah thaqeel and tinsukia. Impressions coming separately.

This evening is a side by side study of a pair of Vietnamese kenmei and kiyosumi. Gen 4 vs Gen 3. In this case I prefer Gen 4. In other twin distillations I have preferred gen 3.

Highlights:
Same wood just dif distillation technique. Neither show anything high toned or angular. Neither Show any animal barn or game notes. Neither are what I would call fruity or spicy. Floral sure. Definitely white flowers like tuberose or magnolia notes are there. Somewhat similar to the very pretty floral Cambodi like IO imperial koh kong. Both oils are clearly made from oud unlike some other examples of oils from this genre.

Both oils sit very close to the skin. Very polite and soft spoken. Hence being allowed on my upper lips.

For the first time I am getting a scent of green oil kyara(sourced from kyarazen) in an oil. Is mind bending and addictive. Actually mildly psycho active. My head is in the clouds now but I am fully aware and in moment. Super clear headed while riding those fluffy clouds.

Taha describes the oils by having some tobacco and dried cherry note. I don't see this. But I do pick up on the light fermented oolong notes. If forced to see an association with tobacco it is green apple and citrus shisha tobacco from distance.

There is some zesty notes to the oil but super mild (unlike full on magnified version in ayu or au loung). Not green zest or even yellow lemon but a milder sweeter Meyer lemon. Buddha hand zest too.

Lastly I get suggestions of the blue green note in EO SS and sultan abdus selam. Latter is an oil built around this mildly bitter blue green kinam like scent while kenmei manages to have this note in 10-15% strength.

Both are lovely oil. I prefer kenmei. Also the most two dominant notes for me on this evening is the green oil Kyara notes when put on ultra low gentle heat as well as tuberose magnolia notes albeit from distance.

Final note: next time kiyosumi will go on by itself. Side by side kenmei will fight it hard for the spotlight.

I Hope these notes are of some help to you.
Very interesting observations and thank you for sharing them. I have had these oils since they were no more then a few weeks old and have watched them both develop. Both are unmistakable Vietnamese Oud in profile. The green Kinam notes are there for sure although hugely tamed down compared to VSK which is a monster oil now. I was drawn a bit more to kiyosumi but need to give them another go.
All of there Vietnamese oils from Taha seem to still be developing. I think both are an incredible value.
 

Rasoul S

Well-Known Member
#3
@kesiro agreed. both are clearly Vietnamese oud profile. VSK, whats that? @Taha got any?

i thought i would be more drawn to kiyosumi but after few tries and twice blind (asking wife to apply a swipe of each without telling me which is which) i preferred kenmei. close call though.
 

kesiro

Well-Known Member
#4
My apologies. Vsk is Vietnam Special K.
I tried the Kenmei this morning after several months. Beautiful stuff. I will give kiyosumi a try tonight.