A Journey into The World of Oud Part Twenty Two
Old and New Sources of Great Agarwood Oils
Part Two
As you, my Oud blog readers, know, lately I've started exploring both old and new Oud companies. Oud Base
Pristine and Pure Artisanal Agarwood Oils
By Hank Friedman
In my renewed online search for artisanal agarwood oils, I came across Oud Base, and made contact with its owner, Rahel, who was very friendly and open.
I purchased the sampler mentioned below, and was pleased to receive some extra samples and a piece of Sumatran wood and a small portion of Bangla Cacao Organic oud resin.
In the past, I obtained two different Oud resins, and can say that Rahel's is lovely. Oud resin is a different experience than wood or oil, and a delight to just play with and sniff.
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What struck me immediately about the Oud oils from Oud Base was how clear and pure and smooth they are.
Many are quite fluid, as opposed to being thick, but they are all clearly created with exceptional skill.
Those who love earthy and grounding agarwood oils will love Encens Maroke, a clear brown oil with notes of camphor, petrichor, and jungle.
Barnyard aficionados, on the other hand, will enjoy Mihiri Sulanga, which reminds me of some Hainan ouds that have been well soaked.
Fans of smoky Ouds will enjoy Indo Malay, a dark journey into agarwood smoke.
However, as you might have read before, I prefer lighter and more spacious oils, and found Oud Base's softer oils both subtle and exceptional:
Zenensis has quite understated hints of butterscotch, caramel, and Light, and gently opens your mind field in a truly wonderful way.
Suvananda Forest is again very subtle in scent, but if you quiet down and visit it, you will be greatly rewarded. There's a maturity, a fine polish, to this oil, which envelops you with bliss.
Ceylon Nirvana, very aptly named, is a Sri Lanka oud that definitely echos the scent of other ouds that I've experienced from this region, but with much more finesse. The refinement of this oil is quite outstanding.
Finally, my favorite of all of his ouds: Hindi Sultan. Its whispers of resinous majesty are so uplifting and spacious as to fill you with joy.
All of the last four oils are worthy of the Oud 2.0 designation. While they don't broadcast a strong fragrance, they invite a level of listening and transcending that is truly remarkable.
Bravo!
I encourage you to get their Oud Sample Pack, which introduces you to many of their best oils.
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End of Part Twenty Two
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