Al-Syed Ceylon No. 1

kesiro

Well-Known Member
#1
Got this in today and here are some first impressions. This is a very light colored oil. It looks like Tupelo honey, and when first applied it absolutely smells like pure tupelo honey. It is the purest honey smell I have experienced from any oud. For 10-15 mins that honey smell is the first note you get. Then is starts to change. The next notes are reminiscent (not exact, but close) to freshly cut Port Orford Cedar, which is a glorious scent. This note has no resemblance whatsoever to typical cedar, POC is actually in the cypress family. Then it changes again into a distinctly Borneo like scent. At one point I could have sworn it was Borneo 50k! It is now mellowing some but still very breezy. Perhaps sweetening slightly, maybe? It is not a 'red' scent, not a 'yellow' scent, not a 'green' scent. It needs it's own new color.

I am going to have to spend some time with this one. This is serious juice that I am going to have to wear a bunch of times to get my mind around. Also, this oil is very narcotic in its experience.

I would call this oil multifaceted. I personally would not call it a linear or vertical evolution. It is like Kafka's Metamorphosis. Wow!!!
 
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m.arif

Active Member
#2
Glad to see you got it! Looks like my nose wasn't too far off when I smelled honey. First time hearing about tupelo honey though. Totally agree with you about the colour , narcotic and multi faceted aspect of the oil.
 

bhanny

Well-Known Member
#4
Got my sample last night folks, this one is nice. No, its not nice, its very very very nice. It DOES start with some lovely honey, all gooey and scrumptious. It then shifts into this angelic ethereal scent that I have only experienced with top of the line Borneos. Not your typical Borneo mind you, elite Borneos, IMO. I actually did a side-by-side with what I consider THE Borneo of all time, Borneo 3000. While definitely not identical, Ceylon No.1 was able to sit at the same table as the King of Borneo (or Queen, which ever you prefer), which is no small feat on its own. I do realize these are different sources of wood, I am strictly speaking of scent profile. Well done on this one Taha.
 

Taha

Well-Known Member
#7
@Oud_Learner: Wowee!!! I'd LOVE to see a thorough comparison and contrast of the four oils.
I wonder if you'll be able to pick up 'signatures', blind-guess quality, and maybe point out the most salient feature of each?
I hope I didn't just put too much on your plate. :p

Ensar, I'm now wondering if I should pack you in my bag for my next trip to Sri Lanka. I'd love to smell a Ceylonese oud cooked by you. The facility is state of the art, and there's already enough wood collected for at least 500ml worth of oil. I'm serious. If you want, I could connect you to my distiller so you could arrange something with him. Even if I'm not able to make it.. the guy is super friendly and he really looks up to you too. The wood ranges from standard all the way up to sinking grade.
 

m.arif

Active Member
#9
We're going see some crazy stuff coming soon I hope!

@oud_learner , very nice sri lankan galore you got there!
 
#10
@Taha
Wow...what a Herculean task you are giving me! I hope I am up to the task! :p Currently going through your no 2.

@m.arif
Thanks!

@Ensar
Will you be distilling any Ceylon oil soon? Would be great if you can take up Taha offer...will definitely want to add it to my collection!
 

Ensar Oud

Well-Known Member
#11
@Oud_Learner, I'm distilling Laotian as we speak, but I generally like to age my stuff for years (literally!) before anyone can smell them, so you're looking at 2017-2018 minimum for what's currently brewing!

I've already replied to Taha, and am awaiting the contact details for this distiller. Would love to pay him a visit and see how he does things. Might be open to buying the wood from him and distilling it myself in Taiwan, if he's willing to cooperate. If not, I'll do my best at his place.....

A LOT will depend on the smells of your Sri Lankan collection though, and you haven't confirmed availability! :p
 
#12
@Ensar
Ah so sorry, thought you were joking! Unfortunately this weekend is out of question due to family commitment. If you are keen, we can do another meet up at Starbucks during my lunch break as per before? :)
 

Ensar Oud

Well-Known Member
#18
Unfortunately @bhanny this is a Starbucks near the Star Vista in Singapore! We'll take a rain check for Richmond, Virginia though! ;)