symbebekos

Oud Beginner
Hi All, I'm new here and just getting started. I believe I am getting some sense of Hindi (clean and dirty :) ), Malay, Cambodi and Thai oil profiles. I see there's wide variation but still some loose signature accords starting to form in my memory.

Coming from the incense world, I know that Vietnam sourced woods can be, well, legendary. As incense the high level Vietnam stuff seems to be associated with a higher quality bitter vibe (astringency/medicinal) and also a very clean, very light honeydew melon sweetness and with what is sometimes called an 'electric' feeling.

I've read about some famous and very expensive Nha Trang oils as pinnacle experiences. I'm curious what thoughts are about:

1) the Vietnam profile in oud oil generally
and
2) where one might look for an entry or mid-level oil with what is considered a Vietnam profile even if not from Vietnam

I have a Vietnam oil sample I bought from pureoudh (of Sweet Trat fame) which gives me nothing but an unchanging barn-vinegar note of sour fermentation, which is too bad, because it was pricier than other samples that were decent.

[[side note: Even more than regions, I feel like I'm getting a sense that oils of similar color and consistency tend to be more similar (red oils are more alike regardless of region to me, same for golden oils or greenish oils, sticky red oils are more alike and fluid red oils are more alike, etc.). Does that make sense? Is this a beginner's illusion?]]
 

Mr.P

oud<3er
Not sure I’m the best source of info but the “triple happiness” sinensis co2 extract from grandawood presents some critical elements of the quality Vietnamese profile albeit it in a somewhat unusual way (being a co2 oil).
 

zahir

Ouducation Student
Hi All, I'm new here and just getting started. I believe I am getting some sense of Hindi (clean and dirty :) ), Malay, Cambodi and Thai oil profiles. I see there's wide variation but still some loose signature accords starting to form in my memory.

Coming from the incense world, I know that Vietnam sourced woods can be, well, legendary. As incense the high level Vietnam stuff seems to be associated with a higher quality bitter vibe (astringency/medicinal) and also a very clean, very light honeydew melon sweetness and with what is sometimes called an 'electric' feeling.

I've read about some famous and very expensive Nha Trang oils as pinnacle experiences. I'm curious what thoughts are about:

1) the Vietnam profile in oud oil generally
and
2) where one might look for an entry or mid-level oil with what is considered a Vietnam profile even if not from Vietnam

I have a Vietnam oil sample I bought from pureoudh (of Sweet Trat fame) which gives me nothing but an unchanging barn-vinegar note of sour fermentation, which is too bad, because it was pricier than other samples that were decent.

[[side note: Even more than regions, I feel like I'm getting a sense that oils of similar color and consistency tend to be more similar (red oils are more alike regardless of region to me, same for golden oils or greenish oils, sticky red oils are more alike and fluid red oils are more alike, etc.). Does that make sense? Is this a beginner's illusion?]]
What's the highest quality Vietnamese incense that you have tried?

For entry/mid-level vietnamese oils, reach out to @EJayB, he may have some for you. Otherwise, keep an eye on agaraura.com as he frequently releases Vietnamese oils (he does not release oils from all regions). I like the aesthetics of both of these houses.
 

zahir

Ouducation Student
Bitterness. Unique floral fruity notes. I know that's very generic. But if I had to describe further, I'd say that bitterness = astringent numbing medicinal bitterness. Fruity is usually described as the mellon skin, honeydew, etc. Floral is usually described as yellow and white flowers in case of Vietnam profile. I stand to be corrected.
 
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