Sinharaja X
I'm trying to familiarize myself with the Sri Lanka profile, being that it's the newest region in my collection
I'm trying to familiarize myself with the Sri Lanka profile, being that it's the newest region in my collection
SOTD
- Thread starter Kruger
- Start date
SX is an excellent example of a top Sri Lanka oud. The other benchmark was Taha's Ceylon no.1. There is definitely a pretty wide variety of profiles from this region. Harita is again different, being more Borneo like. Either way, a unique oud region which is getting a lot of play lately, and rightly so.
Very very true. Initially I liked sweet aromas like Yousuf. I looked for that sweetness. Next, I looked for transitions like dark oils turning sweet. Then I found dark smokey oils. Then finally what remains favorite is the first aroma which brought me here Oud Hindi. It is tough. Its got a fair bit of everything. It never is too much even when its projecting like wild fire. It kindles a certain calmness (Sukoon) inside me. I am a Surgeon and it calms me down after a challenging day. It takes timw getting used to but when you are there you seek it more and more. It has the smoothness of an Oolong tea.
SOTD is among the last of my Dr. Hindi.
I have been travelling between the USA and the US for a while, unglamorously, in cattle class. Thankfully no beatings or being dragged off the plane.
It certainly helped with the journeys, eased the stress of getting through TSA and Her Majesty's border control. Also, most travellers do have the courtesy not to slap on perfume and cologne but for the odd one that does not then even the merest trace of a swipe beneath my nose helped.
I have been travelling between the USA and the US for a while, unglamorously, in cattle class. Thankfully no beatings or being dragged off the plane.
It certainly helped with the journeys, eased the stress of getting through TSA and Her Majesty's border control. Also, most travellers do have the courtesy not to slap on perfume and cologne but for the odd one that does not then even the merest trace of a swipe beneath my nose helped.
EO Jing Shen Lu for Sunday. The most unique smelling Oud. Mysterious. Sweet wood. There's a green incense like quality; damp earthy sweetness of aged wood. Blissful.
Update: It has unexpected tenacity. Kept hitting me with waves of a unique oud sweetness. Unfelt before. This is a revelation. Lools like my next order. Hats off Ensar Bhai.
Update: It has unexpected tenacity. Kept hitting me with waves of a unique oud sweetness. Unfelt before. This is a revelation. Lools like my next order. Hats off Ensar Bhai.
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A
Sultan Afnan - EO today.... What to say about this one?
Powerful sillage, not just a little powerful, bubble effect. I dislike giving vague notes, but I guess I'll have to give some for this Oud.. it is Oceanic, almost candied licorice? But not very dark and powerful licorice like in Cambodia Classic from KZ. Brighter, Borneoesque type, but with more oomph... If anyone likes Sri Lankans I think they might like this one Interesting Oud.
Powerful sillage, not just a little powerful, bubble effect. I dislike giving vague notes, but I guess I'll have to give some for this Oud.. it is Oceanic, almost candied licorice? But not very dark and powerful licorice like in Cambodia Classic from KZ. Brighter, Borneoesque type, but with more oomph... If anyone likes Sri Lankans I think they might like this one
Interesting Oud.Hello Nikhil!
There has to be something off with your sample of Ceylon 1. This oil really should not be soft, subtle, or quickly fading. It is not a heavy, sharp or piercing smelling oil but has quite strong projection and should last and evolve for many hours on the skin. If you are getting soft, incensy notes, I would suspect the sample may be heavily oxidized.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Peace and blessings,
Phil
There has to be something off with your sample of Ceylon 1. This oil really should not be soft, subtle, or quickly fading. It is not a heavy, sharp or piercing smelling oil but has quite strong projection and should last and evolve for many hours on the skin. If you are getting soft, incensy notes, I would suspect the sample may be heavily oxidized.
Anyone else have any thoughts?
Peace and blessings,
Phil
Or maybe a whole different Oil! The Ceylon I smelled only one time and that was with Dr @kesiro.
It truly was a memorable Sri Lankan Oudh. The top notch walla patta wood used to make this was a standout. The aroma which I remember was unlike any Sri Lankan Oudh I have come across. Many fruits and spice notes which lasted a very long time. I wish I could have bought that Oudh. Nevertheless should be reunited with another Sultan Sri Lankan Oudh soon!
It truly was a memorable Sri Lankan Oudh. The top notch walla patta wood used to make this was a standout. The aroma which I remember was unlike any Sri Lankan Oudh I have come across. Many fruits and spice notes which lasted a very long time. I wish I could have bought that Oudh. Nevertheless should be reunited with another Sultan Sri Lankan Oudh soon!
@Nikhil S I can't say much about AA's Ceylon as the only Sri Lankan oil I tried was Imperial Oud's Sinharaja Ceylon 2016, which was an absolutely explosive oil in terms of projection, sillage and longevity; but it does bring me to something I was thinking about concerning oud oils.
I often hear of oud oils, especially samples, oxidizing and I just don't know about that. As a scientific reality certain things do oxidize but with oud oils, IMO, this process happens over a long time before there is any noticeable deterioration in the oils scent or performance. The oldest sample that I have is seven years old and with the exception of some dulling of the more volatile topnotes and the oil being thicker it still performs and smells the same once it opens up on skin.
There're different anecdotal evidence so I wouldn't say it's the oil, although different oils will have different longevities. I'd think either olfactory fatigue especially from repeated applications or dry skin. Dry putting on a moisturizer before applying the oil and see if that changes the longevity.
I often hear of oud oils, especially samples, oxidizing and I just don't know about that. As a scientific reality certain things do oxidize but with oud oils, IMO, this process happens over a long time before there is any noticeable deterioration in the oils scent or performance. The oldest sample that I have is seven years old and with the exception of some dulling of the more volatile topnotes and the oil being thicker it still performs and smells the same once it opens up on skin.
There're different anecdotal evidence so I wouldn't say it's the oil, although different oils will have different longevities. I'd think either olfactory fatigue especially from repeated applications or dry skin. Dry putting on a moisturizer before applying the oil and see if that changes the longevity.
@PEARL - Some oils are much more sensitive to oxidation than others. Vietnamese oils for instance are very resistant for some reason. Others are more prone. I have definitely experienced oxidation in some of my sample vials. If the oil becomes thicker consistency as well, you can safely assume it is oxidized.
I totally agree with your experience regarding Sri Lankan ouds. Ceylon 1 projsects well and is anything but a faint smelling oil.
I have asked Taha to chime in but I think it is around 2am in KL so probably wont hear from him for a while.
I totally agree with your experience regarding Sri Lankan ouds. Ceylon 1 projsects well and is anything but a faint smelling oil.
I have asked Taha to chime in but I think it is around 2am in KL so probably wont hear from him for a while.
@PEARL I know my opinion would count as anecdotal evidence, but I can promise you my Borneo 50k sample changed enormously due to oxidation. As @kesiro says the effect seems to vary from region to region: all my Borneos have clearly been affected by oxidation and none of my Hindis have.
@Nikhil S If you can smell the top notes then that is a good sign. Ceylon No. 1 projects very well, now better than ever in fact - I believe Taha wrote that the projection and longevity of his oils increases over time (up to six months).
But, I should say when I first smelled it it didn't seem to project at all, and this has been the case for me with a few Agar Aura oils (I have no idea why). In every single case, after giving it a couple of weeks my experience of the oils was completely different. This is entirely my personal opinion, but Taha's oils require more 'study time' than any other vendors', but that study time reaps an enormous reward. The way I wear them is just above the wrist bone, and at night - both factors seem to help with the appreciation of the oils. Ceylon No. 1 is a breathtakingly beautiful oil and it would be a shame if you weren't able to smell it at its best.
@Nikhil S If you can smell the top notes then that is a good sign. Ceylon No. 1 projects very well, now better than ever in fact - I believe Taha wrote that the projection and longevity of his oils increases over time (up to six months).
But, I should say when I first smelled it it didn't seem to project at all, and this has been the case for me with a few Agar Aura oils (I have no idea why). In every single case, after giving it a couple of weeks my experience of the oils was completely different. This is entirely my personal opinion, but Taha's oils require more 'study time' than any other vendors', but that study time reaps an enormous reward. The way I wear them is just above the wrist bone, and at night - both factors seem to help with the appreciation of the oils. Ceylon No. 1 is a breathtakingly beautiful oil and it would be a shame if you weren't able to smell it at its best.
I have the same exp with AA oils. I ll have to stay I chose to wear it to work as opposed to the night time sniffing ritual. But still it just didn't do much. I have plenty of oils apart from the regular artisans. And this is the third wear. So I am wearing my aged hindi Oud now. All it takes is two tiny dots to project from both my wrists like wildfire. I really need to get me some Ceylon now. So intrigued.