Wood Grade in older Thai Distillations

[Oudiferous]

This is a question in particular for Ensar regarding his recent Thai distillations. Ensar, I've noticed that you've been releasing some oils distilled by your Thai distiller from a few years ago. For example, Oud Yusha and Encens d'Angkor were distilled in 2009, and Oud Ishaq you said was distilled in 2008. These are distillations that you were not present for and obviously did not supervise, in that you did not find or see the wood that was being used and then follow it through the meticulous distillation process. Obviously, your distiller is quite talented and knows what he is doing. But you have repeatedly mentioned that basically no one tries to distill Oud oil from incense-grade wood, the way that you are doing, and that the distillers think you are crazy. I also remember the video where you showed the white wood that was soaking (which is the standard wood used for distillation), as opposed to the highly resinated wood you were soaking (the wild Cambodi experiment).

Although only your LTD collection are incense-grade distillations, how can you ensure the quality of wood being used in older distillations that you had nothing to do with, when the standard distillations are being conducted with low quality wood and being sold to Gulf companies like Ajmal in huge quantities from the same distillery?

Of course, this is not to pose any doubt as to the quality of the oils that now bear the Ensar Oud label. It is just my own curiosity into the intricacies of oils that you put your label on, and how you come to that point without having chosen and distilled the wood yourself.

 

[Ensar Oud]

What is Art?

Your question is so complex and multifaceted, it will require a whole series of posts to do it justice! Thanks for taking the time to share your concerns, and your discernment & inquisitiveness into the nature of oud distillation.

The crafting of oud oil would never qualify as an art form if it merely boiled down to a series of mechanical processes that could be executed as though following a cookbook recipe, no matter how intricate & labor intensive. So let's take a look at what constitutes a 'work of art' – for me at least. Being a collector of fine oud oils, as well as works of Islamic calligraphy and prayer beads, I have highly peculiar standards I adhere to when making the call whether to add something to my collection or forego it.

In his must-read essay What is Art? Leo Tolstoy argues that anything may constitute a work of art so long as the spectator experiences the feeling the artist felt when painting his landscape, writing his poem, reciting his soliloquy, carving his prayer beads, writing his calligraphy palette; the list is endless. The experiencing of a true artwork is then to feel what the artist felt. To experience his emotions, his spiritual state, to behold his vision. Tolstoy goes on to argue how he sat through the performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony perfectly listless and unmoved, but the following day the singing and chanting of Cossacks returning home from the fields moved him to tears; how he sat through a performance of Shakespeare bored out of his wits, and how later hearing a peasant grandmother relating a story about chickens to her grandchildren to put them to sleep had a heart-wrenching effect on him.

I attended a conference in the UK last year; visited another company's booth where they had oud oils on display. I picked up one of the bottles, took the applicator out and took a breath so deep the attendant almost bent his knees to try to ascertain from below what on earth I was doing. 'What is it that you look for when smelling an oud like that?' he couldn't resist asking me. 'Ecstasy!' I told him and walked off. (He is a friend, so I knew he wouldn't take offense.)

Believe it or not, when evaluating an oil I look for love, first and foremost; for heartfelt passion that imbues the oil; for the soul of the artist that shines through; for spiritual ecstasy. After all, I wear oud because it makes me feel a certain way, not because it makes me smell a certain way.

I recently ordered four samples of oud oil from a fellow merchant. I hadn't experienced this seller's oils firsthand and felt I ought to give them a try and see 'what else is out there'. Although three of the four oils originated from different countries and were produced by different distillers, each one with their unique equipment, using unique water, temperature settings, processing techniques, and invariably imparting a unique stamp on the oils – all four ouds were ultimately imbued with the 'haal' (Ar. 'spiritual state') of the merchant. They were his offerings, all bearing his style unmistakably stamped upon them. They were filtered through his psyche, and followed as intricate and peculiar a selection process that invariably smelling each and every oil I could see why they would be offered alongside one another. Even the scent characteristics were similar, from as vastly different oud origins as Borneo, Merauke and Assam. Thin and clean, they were all characterized by a peculiar minimalism and understatement that reminded me of the style of Chopin.

I am sure, were I to offer any of these oils with my label on them, most collectors would feel ill at ease when smelling them, as if something were just ... out of place. The same would undoubtedly happen were he to offer any of my oils with his label on them.

Do a reprint of Federico Garcia Lorca's collected poems with 'Vladimir Mayakovsky' on the cover. Everyone would know something's ... off.

 

[taleb]

Azizi Ensar, I am beginning to be afraid of you. Ya akhi, where do you get these beautiful words or should I say expressions! Oud expert and now philosopher. Tomorrow perhaps doctor of soul.

 

[AbuAyoob]

It's true passion! I smelled it when I got a whiff of d'Angkor and Yusha. I can only imagine what the oils from wild distillations smell like! When I sniff Oudh I want to be transported mentally into an Umayyad Mosque or the circles of Imam Ahmed, Malik, Shafi'i and Abu Hanifah! Or feel like I am walking through the bustling streets of Baghdad 800 years ago or sitting in a gathering of the Prophet's Companions!

 

[masstika]

Thank you Oudiferous for posing the question and Ensar for your lyrical reply. I had spent at least 5 years of my schooling researching the issue of what is Art. What I gathered from the question though was regarding your "Means and Methods" for ensuring quality of the resources and I guess your citation of Tolstoy's example in your reply indicates that it's more than just the quality of chips that makes a "Great" Oud Oil but rather it is the love and dedication of the artist that imbues and elevates the oils to a work of art. And I guess since there is no scientific test to discern the presence of "love" in the oil, it remains an artistic endeavor. So I think it would be interesting to try to proof this theory by distilling an average wood chip ( similar to the white wood that was shown on one of the videos) and depending solely on the skills and calibration of the distiller to distill an equal or better than say an Incense grade chips distillation. I find that would be difficult.
The question of a common thread through the different Ouds is an interesting one, for I question of how much of that is psychological and how much is genuine. I wonder For example in a blind test how many people would be able to ascertain the common thread between a certain vendor's Hindi and Borneo oils. I am able for example to identify the oils based on previous scent memory but if I have not smelled it before I wouldn't be able to say it is this or that vendor.
On thing that remains enigmatic to me is the relationship between you or other vendors and the actual distiller, as the case with this Mad scientist in your case. Do you sit together and then you tell him what kind of scent you are looking for and then he goes about tuning and fixing the distillery until he gets it or do you actually give them physical instructions i.e. temperature and duration? And if it is a joint effort between the vendor and the distiller then, and don't mind me asking the question, how come those invisible people do not get much mention? is that their personal choice?
I also think that great work of Arts after being released in the public domain transcend their creators and stand alone, complete and separate from their creator even though DNA traces of it could be found imbued in.

 

[Ensar Oud]

Sneak Preview: Oud Yusuf

Natural perfumers have despaired of creating the scent of lilies. Lilacs are an even harder note to capture. Perhaps a hint of vanilla, with a touch of rose, some orris butter, violet leaves in a sandalwood base is as close as we get. Oud Yusuf smells so much like these narcotic florals you'd think it was distilled from lilacs' and lilies' petals, not oud wood!

The narcotic effect of the florals is punctuated by subtle honeydew and an ever present apricot that follows the scent all the way down to its immaculate powdered woody climax.

Perhaps the lightest oud you can wear, Oud Yusuf also ranks as the most flawless orchestration of scent notes I have ever encountered in single origin oud oil. Subtler than the finest Borneos' berried craze, it combines all the succulent fruit notes you crave in a Borneo in its unique Cambodian style, which makes it for me absolutely irresistible.

Smelling ahead to its full maturation a year or two down the line, I find myself with an oil I cherish every bit as much as Borneo 3000, and one that I apply more cravingly than any other. Four to five applications a day are the norm at the time of writing this.

What makes Oud Yusuf even more special is that it was distilled from 100% organic agarwood trees, that are harvested and maintained in the most ethical way possible.

Our artisan owns a small patch of forest with just 2,000 agarwood trees which he never cuts down. Each morning, you see him walking down the forest path with his dog behind him, chisel in hand, looking for the most infected trunks.

With a big smile on his face, you see him patiently picking at each trunk, chiseling out only brown shavings of resinated heartwood, mindful as he spares the uninfected portions so the tree can continue to grow and yield more agarwood.

The maximum amount of raw oud wood he can harvest in one day is ten kilograms. The maximum amount of oil he can produce in one month is twenty tolas. But his twenty tolas are dearer to me than twenty kilos of thoughtlessly harvested oud oil.

Because of the care he puts in every step of the distillation process, from the precise selection of the most infected heartwood, to the grinding, soaking and cooking of his oud oil, he is able to achieve a level of quality, beauty and sheer perfection in his oud no other distiller can match. And the lilacs and the lilies, the honeydew and the apricot notes in his oud all attest to his mastery and love of this craft.

It pained me to part from him. I promised that I would be back next month. But had I not left, how could I bring you Oud Yusuf?

3 grams organic oud oil in a plain glass bottle. Take a deep breath!

 

[Ensar Oud]

Thank you for chiming in, Masstika, and helping take the discussion further. I had said Oudiferous' question was too multifaceted to tackle all in one entry, and intended to write further to elaborate on the other aspects of evaluating an oil, but I much prefer dialogue to a series of monologues; heartily welcome everyone's input and participation in helping take the discussion to the next level.

The example above is one of love. Artistic love and infatuation permeates Oud Yusuf from the very way the trees are (not) harvested, to selection process the wood undergoes, the double grinding, the water used for soaking, the strictness and mastery that accompanies every step of the process results in a mindboggling oud oil which to me – and in answer to your hypothesis – is indeed better than incense grade oils distilled with less love.

More in just a whiff.

 

[masstika]

In terms of Scent color what would Yusuf be? White, yellow or green? and to be honest with you I have never heard of such a way of harvesting Oud. Doesn't that mean that he would have to chisel only the skin? and when you see the cross section of the tree barks that have been cut you can see the resin deep inside. It's interesting.

 

[AbuAyoob]

Sounds like a name befitting the oil, as Yusuf is know for his two beauties both being his inner beauty and his outer beauty! I suppose the outer beauty is the obvious in it's scent profile and the mental dialogue that begins upon the initial whiff of the oil! Furthering the dialogue into ones soul and lungs the next few sniffs are longer and more beneficial as you become more grounded and relaxed. I suppose Oud Yusuf will show it's two beauties when you do decide to release it?

 

[Ensar Oud]

My first inclination is to say ... LILAC!

Oud Yusuf will age to just about the most beautiful oud oil anyone's ever laid their nostrils upon, Abu!

Here are some pictures of the trees.

 

[AbuAyoob]

What impresses me the most is the relationship that the distiller has with his trees, meaning the level of care displayed by the neatness of his harvesting. It goes back to what you mentioned above about harvesting and distilling being an Art as opposed to a hobby! When looking at the pictures of the trees I too feel a connection with the trees as they fulfill their purpose in 'worship'. I can remember when I was treading the path of the Gnostics thinking about trees and how they too worshipped God, each species bringing something to the table that is of benefit to mankind! And I am reminded of this when seeing and reading the above posts! I love it, keep it coming, I have to say this is my entertainment outside of reading and I appreciate what is being provided here!

Oh yeah I have to go and find out what lilac smells like! And the oil that you and Ahmir were discussing from the sheikhs collection (cheese) really have my nose trying to get to Amman lol. Love it, it's so exciting!

 

[fumigateur]

Ensar, have you worked with lilacs ever? My grandmother had a field of lilacs and would only pick flowers early in the morning. She said that that was when the scent was at its peak.

 

[taleb]

But Ensar, isn't that Yusuf you gave me with Adam? I find it animalic and some what barnyard. I even asked you what to mix it with for nicer smell, especially Adam.

 

[Ensar Oud]

One of the greatest wonders I've beheld in my life are these trees. I've seen the meaning of the verse in Surah Rahman come alive right before me: "And the stars and trees prostrate to Him in adoration." Groves of rubber trees bent in the 'ruku' position are a daily encounter in Thailand. My heart jumps each time I see them. I've resolved to visit one such grove one day and do a video, it's just such a moving thing to behold, the trees bowing as if people in prayer.

There is an agarwood grove where you see trees literally prostrate, flat on the ground, and little stalks and shoots rise up vertically toward the azure. The farmer who owns that grove told me his father planted 40,000 agarwood trees, out of which 10,000 only remain standing. 30,000 trees prostrated to the ground. It seems this is a common 'ailment' of agarwood trees, that the majority of them fall prostrate after being planted.

@fumi, I've never worked with lilacs but have fond memories of them in my grandmother's garden.

@taleb, That was Oud Yunus, an aged wild Assam oil; very different from Oud Yusuf. Oud Adam is named after the primordial man, the first of the prophets, so we chose our most 'primordial' smelling oil for that name.

 

[taleb]

Azizi Ensar, you are absolutely right! Don't blame the old man, at the age of 55, I can't make out Yunus from Yusuf! MY APOLOGY

 

[AbuAyoob]

Haha Sheikh Taleb, with all due respect, not only shouldn't we not by our oud from walmart we also shouldn't by our glasses from there either haha! Just kidding ya Sheikh!

Wow trees in sajda is a marvle to witness, indeed the heart flutters upon such a sight. I often wonder about inanimate objects engaging in tasbeeh after learning about Yunus in the belly of the Hout (big fish), that would be a splendid video documentary! These trees in sajda, are they at all producing resin?

 

[Ensar Oud]

Nope, the prostrating trees usually die off at a young age.... No worries, azizi Sheikh Taleb!

...Back to Oudiferous' question.

Another subject your question touches upon is whether the oils we acquired from our 'mad scientist' distiller were from incense grade agarwood. 'Incense grade oud oil' is in itself a paradox. Because incense grade oud wood contains very little essential oil; it is mostly made up of undistillable resin. Which is precisely why the demand for such distillations usually raises eyebrows. Cost of incense grade agarwood + low yield = 'madman at the stills'.

The only way to do an 'incense grade' distillation is from the dust gathered during the cleaning of incense grade agarwood from bunk wood. The only two distillations I know of that were done from proper chunks of incense grade agarwood (i.e. the actual wood itself and not the cleaning dust) are Thai Encens and the current Khao Yai experiment.

So all oud distillations are either done from proper oil-containing heartwood, or the dust collected from cleaning incense grade chips. Like the rest of the oils in our Organic Oud line, Oud Yusha and Encens d'Angkor were distilled from a combination of kien and loo wood.

After meeting the distiller, carefully inspecting the facilities where the oils were produced as well as the types of wood used in their production, we felt no hesitation acquiring Oud Yusha and Encens d'Angkor. Not only that, the oils were distilled with such attention to detail and ingeniousness, it was an honor for us to be able to acquire them and make them available to our customers with our label on them.