SOTD

[kesiro]

Killer write-up Josh!! The S. Suleyman is definitely near the top of my list of favorite sultans, but it is impossible to choose a favorite.
Today is the incomparable Chugoku Naya. Take the C. Senkoh, double the complexity, add a small hint of barn/animalic character and you get an idea of this one. Absolutely incredible oil.

 

[Simla House]

Killer write-up Josh!! The S. Suleyman is definitely near the top of my list of favorite sultans, but it is impossible to choose a favorite.
Today is the incomparable Chugoku Naya. Take the C. Senkoh, double the complexity, add a small hint of barn/animalic character and you get an idea of this one. Absolutely incredible oil.

Oh dear......it might be time to relinquish myself from my self-imposed spending ban.

 

[Simla House]

Late morning swipe of Oud Shuayb (EO) paired with the cloud-bursting lemon notes of a Rwandan double espresso. Shuayb’s swirling interplay of bright berries and sun dried hay circle at the top, while the comforting warmth of leather and distinguished agarwood mind the foundation.
A gentleman’s oud.

 

[5MeO]

Doing a little pairing myself this morning:

Old tree Bing Dao Lao Zhai raw puerh tea brewed gong-fu style - coupled with some Vietnamese yellow-soil agarwood on the burner - yea baby!

After my night shift this morning I swiped a little Oud Yunus (EO) - wow, that is a rich archetypal Hindi oil right there!

Wow man, that Chugoku Naya sounds epic! What type of agarwood is it made from?

 

[Philip]

Currently on my second swipe ever of ORSL. This time around I am getting a remarkable powdery vibe at the top. Would anyone else concur or am I going out on a limb here? I am very intrigued by this one and still studying/reflecting on it.

 

[Rasoul S]

Currently on my second swipe ever of ORSL. This time around I am getting a remarkable powdery vibe at the top. Would anyone else concur or am I going out on a limb here? I am very intrigued by this one and still studying/reflecting on it.

Haven’t had that note register before but will swipe some today or time and report back

 

[Rasoul S]

Howdy oud freaks!
So many amazing ouds, it's just so wonderful that we get to experience these!

Been exploring the differences between Ensar's exalted Sultan Series.. I am noticing these oils beginning to age a bit - when ouds age, it happens slowly, and I notice that it's sort of like "this smells a little different but I cannot say exactly how." At any rate, Sultan Suleyman is just so decadent - New Guinea and Malaysian agarwood, and the synergy is just remarkable - the scent is so saturated and rich.. With a little age this oud is becoming a powerhouse, an ultra-dense bomb of fragrance..

Sultan Ahmet and Sultan Mustafa - these are very similar, and I gather it was the exact same grade and ratio of New Guinea and Brunei wood for both batches? The difference is copper for Mustafa and steel for Ahmet - The Mustafa is more reddish smelling and the Ahmet more purple, I think.. The Mustafa is a higher noted frutier sort of thing than the deeper lower noted Ahmet.. Both ouds though have soaring top notes and rich midsection and base - so complete, so astounding..

Sultan Abdul Hamit - the dark horse of the super-luxury class of Sultan Series (the ouds that go for ~$2,500/3g).. If you love Aroha Kyaku or Oud Dhul Q you will lose you mind when you smell Sultan Abdul hamit.. That's right folks, rich smoky New Guinea goodness, seamlessly blended with sunshine Borneo qualities.. This oud is a study in complexity and in contrasts, a true masterpiece..

Sultan Beyazi and Sultan Fatih - these are analgous to Ahmet and Mustafa - sisters, both distilled from I believe the same grade of New Guiinea wood - pure high grade wood experience.. Beyazit in copper and Fatih in steel.. This New guinea wood that Ensar used in these oils is so unique, the oils made from it occupy there own unique section of the agarwood oil scent spectrum, and Beyazit and Fatih express that very purely.. Which do I prefer? Tough call.. In fact, it's near impossible to pick a favorite out of any of these top shelf Sultan Series oils.. If I had to right now though it might be Sultan Suleyman..

Jesus. Incredible. Of sultans I have only had Suleyman,abdus selam and Ahmet. All terrific. All operas but ahmet is just off the charts with the emotions and intense feelings it projects. A mind buzzing tingling nose. Insane stuff. I love Suleyman for the beautiful marriage of malay purple kinam like notes but incensier greener and more bitter. Abdus selam for its high wearability and relative quietness. It’s low projection is perfect for days that the mood calls for a polite oil.

 

[Ensar Oud]

Wow man, that Chugoku Naya sounds epic! What type of agarwood is it made from?

Same exact wood as Chugoku Senkoh, different distillation technique. The Senkoh embodies the "oleoresin-centric" theme that characterizes the series, while the Naya is a glimpse of what a more traditional approach would produce. Still, the Naya version is far from 100% old school. It's new school with an old school twist, if you know what I mean.

 

[kooolaid79]

Has anyone heard how Curt aka @Oudamberlove doing? It’s been some time and haven’t heard of any updates on his health and condition. I pray to the Almightily, may He shower His grace and complete recovery to all those who are sick and especially to our beloved member Curt. Ameen!

 

[saint458]

Has anyone heard how Curt aka @Oudamberlove doing? It’s been some time and haven’t heard of any updates on his health and condition. I pray to the Almightily, may He shower His grace and complete recovery to all those who are sick and especially to our beloved member Curt. Ameen!

Ameen ...

 

[Ammar]

Has anyone heard how Curt aka @Oudamberlove doing? It’s been some time and haven’t heard of any updates on his health and condition. I pray to the Almightily, may He shower His grace and complete recovery to all those who are sick and especially to our beloved member Curt. Ameen!

He's recovering from nasty pneumonia.

 

[JohnH]

He's recovering from nasty pneumonia.

Thanks for the update, @Ammar. Glad to hear he's on the mend.

 

[JohnH]

Chugoku Senkoh, mmmm mmmm

 

[Rasoul S]

agar aura kekasihku again. a mild green, bitter, linear, laser like precision, uplifting, focused oil. did i say bitter? 100% devoid of any sweetness. very satisfying for times that require focus. a very light colour green scent. very mildly minty. no way camphoric but lightly balsam. once again is best comapred to the scent of microcarpa on very low heat.

 

[kesiro]

agar aura kekasihku again. a mild green, bitter, linear, laser like precision, uplifting, focused oil. did i say bitter? 100% devoid of any sweetness. very satisfying for times that require focus. a very light colour green scent. very mildly minty. no way camphoric but lightly balsam. once again is best comapred to the scent of microcarpa on very low heat.

Very apt description, especially about the precise focus this oil has in its profile. So clean as well. I know that is a trademark of Taha's style but this one is on the extreme scale end. Like Sultan Abdus Selam, this one has a very uplifting effect on me. Love oil that can do that!!

 

[Rasoul S]

Very apt description, especially about the precise focus this oil has in its profile. So clean as well. I know that is a trademark of Taha's style but this one is on the extreme scale end. Like Sultan Abdus Selam, this one has a very uplifting effect on me. Love oil that can do that!!

Totally. I see the comparison.
There are of course oils like sultan ahmet it purple kinam and some marines that are also uplifting but they are like quadruple espresso shot. A jolt. On other hand oils like Green Papua, kekasihku, Sultan Abdüs Selam do so like tea. No jolt but rather a gentle uplift.

Now decisions decisions. What to wear to tonight’s yoga practice?

 

[kooolaid79]

Oh i thought I saw @bhanny a moment ago. Must have been a dream..

 

[kesiro]

My nose is still not 100% so I am staying with attars for the last few days. Today is Oud Gulfam from A. Assam. A very well blended rose/oud concoction. The rose is so well incorporated, playing an even role with the oud as opposed to dominating it. This one is extremely well done.

 

[Larry K.]

agar aura kekasihku again. a mild green, bitter, linear, laser like precision, uplifting, focused oil. did i say bitter? 100% devoid of any sweetness. very satisfying for times that require focus. a very light colour green scent. very mildly minty. no way camphoric but lightly balsam. once again is best comapred to the scent of microcarpa on very low heat.

Kekasihku is another one that’s been difficult for me. Thanks to your description I know I’m on the right track. These oils are difficult. I’ve gotten to the payoff point with Ayu and (finally!) getting there with Au Luong. Once I get a good grip on Au Luong I’ll go back to learning Kekasihku. Rasoul, if your perception changes or expands I’d appreciate your impressions.

 

[Simla House]

Hainan 05 (EO)

Today’s subzero weather is amplifying this beauty’s statement 10 fold. If there’s one thing this ridiculous weather is good for, it’s for analyzing the oud collection from a different perspective. Seasonal changes are perhaps akin to auditioning different audiophile headphones with your favourite playlists. Nonetheless, there are some “string quartets” eagerly awaiting some warmer weather. Anyways, praise be for walking in this high class, orangey-medicinal oud winter wonderland this morning.
Brrrrrrrrr.