where to start?

A

Abdullah Vachhiat

New Member
#1
#1
Salams and hello everyone.

I have always loved oud, its smell and everything to do with it. I have decided recently to expand my moderate collection and learn everything there is to learn about it. As much as anyone can anyway.

I have read some of the posts on this forum. You people seem to be experts and really seem know what you are talking about. Advice on what area to research/learn about first would be much appreciated.

How do I tell a good quality high grade oil from an inferior one?

Much appreciated.
 
Kruger

Kruger

Well-Known Member
#3
#3
Welcome Abdullah!

Wa alaykum salaam

I think of one's olfactory sense as a muscle. To refine your muscle tone (or get buffed up) takes time and exercise. When you first start out with oud, everything goes. It's hard to distinguish between the worst fake oud mixes and the finest pure oils -- some people might actually prefer the bad stuff. Then, as your subscription to the olfactory gym starts to pay off, you can tell the fake oils from the real deal. But still, when comparing pure ouds, everything still goes. It takes experience and exposure to different qualities to get into the complexities of oud. Gradually, you become able to tell the difference between easily obtainable oud and the ones that few get to appreciate. Then, the differences stand out like the difference between the sun and the moon.

One way to get going is to try ouds that are known to be of lesser quality and compare them to ouds that are recognised as better quality. See what the smells in each category have in common and take those as reference points when you try any new oud.
 
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Abdullah Vachhiat

New Member
#4
#4
Thanks for your help everyone. Will be looking to add to my collection soon hopefully. Will they be ok in normal glass bottles with plastic stoppers and plastic screw on caps?
 
Kruger

Kruger

Well-Known Member
#6
#6
Abdullah, the main thing to avoid with any essential oil is oxidization, exposure to air and sunlight. If you make sure the caps are on tight you can simply leave them at room temperature on a counter, in a drawer or closet, away from direct sunlight, and they'll be fine. Even if you open the bottles from time to time to take a swipe or just to smell it directly from the applicator stick, you don't have to worry.
 
A

Abdullah Vachhiat

New Member
#8
#8
Hello,

I have been slowly but surely expanding my collection and have quite a few oils and a lot of wood pieces now. Some i bought knowing they were fakes or synthetics so i could tell the difference between quality.

I have been using agaraura and ensar as benchmarks.

All my ensar samples came today. They blew my mind. Will be definately ordering some more full bottles from both the oud connisuers mentioned above.

I have some questions that i would appreciate answers to.

Does oud age forever? Meaning will it keep on getting better forever or does it stop aging after a certain period?
Can someone forward me a reliable link where i can readup on this.

Where can i get hold of some highgrade kyara/kinam pieces?

Thanks in advance for all your help
 
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