What is Bakhoor?

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Oudiferous

New Member
#1
#1
What is Bakhoor? I have experienced this traditional fragrance in many forms. In my recent travels to India, I smelled a few different Bakhoor oils that were rather perfumed and too synthetic for my tastes. I asked if it was possible to obtain "pure Bakhoor", meaning Bakhoor that did not contain synthetics, and people would just tell me its impossible.

I also was unable to understand exactly what Bakhoor was. It was obviously a blend of many different things, but of what? I have some Omani Bakhoor from Agarscents Bazaar that I've burned a bit of, and it is quite nice. Definitely some ambergris in there.

So what's the story behind this traditional Arabian fragrance?
 
A

AbuAyoob

New Member
#2
#2
Oudiferous said:
What is Bakhoor? I have experienced this traditional fragrance in many forms. In my recent travels to India, I smelled a few different Bakhoor oils that were rather perfumed and too synthetic for my tastes. I asked if it was possible to obtain "pure Bakhoor", meaning Bakhoor that did not contain synthetics, and people would just tell me its impossible.

I also was unable to understand exactly what Bakhoor was. It was obviously a blend of many different things, but of what? I have some Omani Bakhoor from Agarscents Bazaar that I've burned a bit of, and it is quite nice. Definitely some ambergris in there.

So what's the story behind this traditional Arabian fragrance?
Click to expand...
Check this out

http://www.bakhoor.info/
 
O

Oudiferous

New Member
#5
#5
Looks like he is just re-selling Swiss Arabian's Bakhoor. For some reason, I don't trust that their Bakhoor is free of synthetics...

The Omani Bakhoor I got from Agarscents seems pretty clean.
 
A

AbuAyoob

New Member
#6
#6
I love the Omani Bakhoor at agarscentsbazaar. I have a Bakhoor from Senegal that is similar minus the ambergris I also have what they call Tchurai which is absolutely wonderful. It is used to scent ones clothing and it lasts for days. If you are in Dakkar or anywhere in Senegal you are guaranteed to smell Tchurai coming from clothing and homes!
 
M

masstika

Member
#8
#8
Most of the Bakhoor if not 99.9% of the Arabian Houses contain Synthetics and it's no secrete. You can read DPG written as one of the ingredients on the Package. Most of them also use the cheapest oud grade chips and submerge them in God Knows what so that it smells good to their noses. Because I am allergic to the synthetic I can pick that up right away and the effect is not pleasant for me. On the other hand you have someone like Simon at Aluwwah who uses only natural ingredients of excellent grade in his mixes. he is quite talented scent mixer with deft hands. I have tried every single one of his Bakhoor and love them all equally except for Bakhoor Daad which Is used for exorcism in some old traditional places and really smells very I want to say for lack of a better word scary, so if you get it be prepared to open the windows ;-) On the other hand I see that he got the Lam's breath which I think is the follow up to the Deer's breath which was IMHO one of the best Bakhoor of all times. grab some before it goes :)
 
YouNight

YouNight

New Member
#9
#9
I had Deer's Breath Ultimate on my warmer last night, and was struck by the similarities to Amouage's Tribute attar.
Not a dead-ringer, but pretty darn close. I agree; that was a nice one. Simon knocked that one out of the park.
Would love to smell how Lamb's Breath compares.
 
E

epidoc

New Member
#10
#10
@YouNight - when you say you used it on the warmer, do you mean an electric incense heater. I have an electric incense heater and am planning to use it with some "delicate" bakhoors - I believe the Lamb's breath needs to be burned on very low heat. Having said that I always have wondered about the smell and longevity of the smell if it were burnt on a charcoal (with ash/mica plate on top).
 
YouNight

YouNight

New Member
#11
#11
Hi epidoc.
Yep, an electric incense heater. I, too, like to begin at a low heat, and increase from there, as needed.
With charcoal, I always worry that the high heat will cause 'charring' of some notes and quick burnout.
 
Taha

Taha

Well-Known Member
#12
#12
I recommend Aluwwah's bukhoors too. He has some very unusual (in a good way) ones. Try his Lamb's Breath, for just about the most unusual incense experience. Or Cracked Earth, to satisfy your deepest sandalwood and frankincense crave.

Try to use Japanese incense ash when you're heating agarwood or bukhoor. It allows you to appreciate all the different scent layers. If you don't have ash, try aluminium foil (folded up several times) on top of the lit coal.

W.r.t. lamb's breath, here's what I emailed someone a couple weeks ago: "I assure you, this is THE finest incense of any genre I have smelled. It is like a Pollock painting in incense form. I will not say any more, or describe the scent. I will simply say: unschool yourself, and be prepared to get reschooled. And be prepared to be attentive! Its a very unusual incense, but Abu managed to make it smell extremely lovely."
 
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