Oud of the Day

[Mr.P]

Royal Viet is not for the faint of heart. Suits more Middle Eastern and vintage lovers. I think recently there has been a huge trend with Ouddicts moving away from barn, earth and tang. It’s still a phenomenal oud, especially compared to the Vietnamese oud being distilled the past few years.

I haven't smelled this particular oil but there was a conversation that happened here a while back that this reminds me of. Someone who had experienced pretty much only contemporary no-soak oud was smelling some really nice SQ oils. It was not the first time smelling high end oil i think but it was their first time encountering an old school soaked and ME style oud and it did not connect with the concept of good oud they had developed... those noble ferment and aging notes hit as something off or wrong. It's like taking a swig of grapefruit juice when you're expecting orange juice... doesn't matter how good the grapefruit juice is. Or maybe a better comparison is like encountering something like a blue cheese or a ripe aged cheese for the first time.

 

[SULAYM]

I haven't smelled this particular oil but there was a conversation that happened here a while back that this reminds me of. Someone who had experienced pretty much only contemporary no-soak oud was smelling some really nice SQ oils. It was not the first time smelling high end oil i think but it was their first time encountering an old school soaked and ME style oud and it did not connect with the concept of good oud they had developed... those noble ferment and aging notes hit as something off or wrong. It's like taking a swig of grapefruit juice when you're expecting orange juice... doesn't matter how good the grapefruit juice is. Or maybe a better comparison is like in countering something like a blue cheese or a ripe aged cheese for

Ah yes I remember the first time I came across Hindi oud. I thought wait this can’t be right! Aha. Then I found the nuances in it and then it became all I wanted to collect.

What’s amazing about oud is that the profiles, regions, nuances, notes are so vast it becomes an endless sea you can get lost in! All part of the Oud journey!

 

[SULAYM]

Sultani Blue

Another stunner from Sulaym. I wore this paired with an Oriscent oil on the opposite wrist and I have to say the quality is unmistakable. In fact I’d say it surpasses the Oriscent aesthetic.

The drydown to this oil reminds me of a large chunk of sinking Malay wood a friend gave me. It’s beautiful.

Sultani Blue is one of those Ouds, I think, that people will ask for long after it’s gone. It’s a really high calibre Oud and really proud for it be a part of our collection. It’s got a beautiful purple incense opening, sensual, smooth and just a phenomenal profile all round. But some might say I’m being biased 👀

 

[Sipy]

Give it some time Joe. One of the weirdest things I've noticed with my ouds is they almost need a resting period after travel. One of my favorite ouds of all time, one I could have gotten about 5 tolas of was like this, a 20 year aged Pontianak, and when I first got it I was convinced this wasn't a strong oud. Then I left it alone and after a couple of weeks I found it to be perfect, it created a scent bubble unlike anything else I had encountered! Sadly it was too late to get the offer at the time by then.

Bingo.
Everything I get even if I wear it the first week I will always reserve judgement. The first week of anything is a hello nice to meet you kind of thing. Sprayables, attars, ouds - all of it, change once they equilibrate to your environment.
At least that's what my dumb nose and noggin tell me.

Also, skin chemistry, expectations, and nose blindness are real things.

 

[Joe]

Give it some time Joe. One of the weirdest things I've noticed with my ouds is they almost need a resting period after travel. One of my favorite ouds of all time, one I could have gotten about 5 tolas of was like this, a 20 year aged Pontianak, and when I first got it I was convinced this wasn't a strong oud. Then I left it alone and after a couple of weeks I found it to be perfect, it created a scent bubble unlike anything else I had encountered! Sadly it was too late to get the offer at the time by then.

okay. I applied it this morning, and after a few hours couldn't smell it anymore. But this afternoon I went to my boss' office for a chat and he asked me what stinks? Could it have been this oud or just because I didn't shower?

 

[Sipy]

Yes.
I think in this instance nose blindness is the culprit.

 

[SULAYM]

Bingo.
Everything I get even if I wear it the first week I will always reserve judgement. The first week of anything is a hello nice to meet you kind of thing. Sprayables, attars, ouds - all of it, change once they equilibrate to your environment.
At least that's what my dumb nose and noggin tell me.

‘…hello, nice to meet you’ I’ll have to use this as a title for the next blog post

 

[Arabiad07]

SQ Viet is an amazing oud from Sulaym. It’s not an entry level Oud. It’s complex. I didn’t understand it the first 2-3 times. This is not your new gen clean type of oud or Oriscent style oil.

This is old school blast from the past. Such a satisfying Oud. Dark sweet smoky lactic and complex. Projection and longevity are great. It’s probably a winter oud for most. The dry down here is phenomenal.

The SQ debate and branding doesn’t matter. Whoever distilled this was a beast. As usual Sulayms pricing is very generous.

 

[Sipy]

Whoever scooped up that deal got lucky.
Really hope to try it one day.

 

[Ouddypie]

Royal Viet is not for the faint of heart. Suits more Middle Eastern and vintage lovers. I think recently there has been a huge trend with Ouddicts moving away from barn, earth and tang. It’s still a phenomenal oud, especially compared to the Vietnamese oud being distilled the past few years.

I love classically distilled and aged oils. For example Burmi 79’ is one of my favorite oils in my collection as is Royal Cambodi. I’ve actually moved towards barn not away from it. That’s why I told Joe it’s not a terrible experience and even the notes I don’t like are still addicting and I still enjoy wearing it. I know it’s not always well received to talk about things we dont like in an oil and it can be taken as a slight against it but that is not the case with Royal Viet. It’s a phenomenal oil. I just wish the entire thing smelled like the drydown

 

[Sipy]

Can anybody attest to the maroke vs malay vs burmi description of sultani blue?

 

[Mr.P]

Bingo.
Everything I get even if I wear it the first week I will always reserve judgement. The first week of anything is a hello nice to meet you kind of thing. Sprayables, attars, ouds - all of it, change once they equilibrate to your environment.
At least that's what my dumb nose and noggin tell me.

Also, skin chemistry, expectations, and nose blindness are real things.

I'm glad you've mentioned this. In fact in the context of this forum I would say if somebody is doing a review of some oil, attar, perfume, after wearing it only once, it should probably be called a "first impression". Not saying it applies in the case of the oils being discussed here, you just reminded me of something that's been on my mind here.

First impressions are super valuable and in many cases they have been a good predictor of what was to come but I have been surprised so many times. I try to say something "like this is my first impression" or "just applied by first swipe, still getting to know this oil" if I haven't worn it on a couple different occasions.

 

[Ouddypie]

I haven't smelled this particular oil but there was a conversation that happened here a while back that this reminds me of. Someone who had experienced pretty much only contemporary no-soak oud was smelling some really nice SQ oils. It was not the first time smelling high end oil i think but it was their first time encountering an old school soaked and ME style oud and it did not connect with the concept of good oud they had developed... those noble ferment and aging notes hit as something off or wrong. It's like taking a swig of grapefruit juice when you're expecting orange juice... doesn't matter how good the grapefruit juice is. Or maybe a better comparison is like encountering something like a blue cheese or a ripe aged cheese for the first time.

But even then if someone loves blue cheese another blue cheese lover may dislike a product that is widely regarded as the top tier cheese. It doesn’t mean the other person doesn’t understand it just that everyone has preferences.

 

[Ouddypie]

SQ Viet is an amazing oud from Sulaym. It’s not an entry level Oud. It’s complex. I didn’t understand it the first 2-3 times. This is not your new gen clean type of oud or Oriscent style oil.

This is old school blast from the past. Such a satisfying Oud. Dark sweet smoky lactic and complex. Projection and longevity are great. It’s probably a winter oud for most. The dry down here is phenomenal.

The SQ debate and branding doesn’t matter. Whoever distilled this was a beast. As usual Sulayms pricing is very generous.

Agreed on the drydown. It’s one the top viet oils I’ve ever smelled. The quality is unmistakable. I’ve worn it probably 7 or 8 times now. First impressions were really rough though. The broth never goes away for me until the drydown. Once it leaves it’s pure heaven.

 

[Sipy]

But even then if someone loves blue cheese another blue cheese lover may dislike a product that is widely regarded as the top tier cheese. It doesn’t mean the other person doesn’t understand it just that everyone has preferences.

I can tell you a thing or two about blue cheese. 🤣🤣

 

[Shiningrobes]

Oud Safeer!
Wearing a familiar oil in a completely different climate is an eye opener. 🤯

I’m in hot dry central California right now for the month of June. At home in humid NYC this oil has always reminded me of the climate here where I grew up in CA: sunbaked, rural, fertile, farmland; heat waves on the horizon, dairy farms in the distance. From the first swipe ive been completely floored with the difference. Instant wood chips on medium heat. Incensey, woody resin, perfume and herby, vinyl, rubber medicinal notes going straight away into the Crassna side-loop this oil hides in its back pocket. Majestic and regal. Some unexpected light leather and coffee and almost florals. Just a whole new experience. For reference the humidity right now in NY is 83%, where I am now it’s 16%! I’d suggest anyone traveling soon to a new climate to bring along a couple of well known oils just to see what they do.

 

[Sipy]

Oud Safeer!
Wearing a familiar oil in a completely different climate is an eye opener. 🤯

I’m in hot dry central California right now for the month of June. At home in humid NYC this oil has always reminded me of the climate here where I grew up in CA: sunbaked, rural, fertile, farmland; heat waves on the horizon, dairy farms in the distance. From the first swipe ive been completely floored with the difference. Instant wood chips on medium heat. Incensey, resin, perfume and herby, vinyl, rubber medicinal notes going straight away into the Crassna side-loop this oil hides in its back pocket. Majestic and regal. Some unexpected light leather and coffee and almost florals. Just a whole new experience. For reference the humidity right now in NY is 83%, where I am now it’s 16%! I’d suggest anyone traveling soon to a new climate to bring along a couple of well known oils just to see what they do.

Sounds like a nice Vermont summer.....

 

[Xerohome]

EO Purple Kinam
EO Sultani: Sekadau

 

[Mr.P]

But even then if someone loves blue cheese another blue cheese lover may dislike a product that is widely regarded as the top tier cheese. It doesn’t mean the other person doesn’t understand it just that everyone has preferences.

Indeed

 

[SteveE]

@Oudique Borneo Kita

Another example of an oil that went from a tiny sample in a sample pack, to a medium sized bottle and ultimately to a full bottle purchase / which is now in my vault.

I got a lot out of the posts above - 1st impressions, multiple sessions to determine profile, putting oils that have travelled back to wait to settle… exterior weather differences – – adding more variables into the infinite mix. Thank you all!!