Andrew Salkin
it's aboud time!
@EJayB - not sure if he's got anymore to sell or if they are being used for projects. He's a new vendor called OleFaktory you can find in the vendor section. Not sure if this was ever officially listed or if it was just a sample he sent, but doesn't hurt to ask. I don't know if it's a wild distillation or cultivated - but definitely ask him. My understanding is that it's C02. For context though - I'm not an expert and still a beginner. To my nose, it doesn't smell like other senesis oils I've tried.
If you are looking for a purely wild Senesis that's true true true to what I understand to be that particular Chinese profile, I think La Maison Khenata's Fu Zang Long is really great and he's having a sale right now. Most of the time, vendors flowy descriptions to me leave me puzzled, wondering if my nose is just super untrained or if they are being hyperbolic about notes in their description. Fu Zang Long's description on the other hand literally took the words out of my mouth. Pettigrain, sun dried organge peel bitters, faint licorice, bitter, totally airy and almost translucent and green but also really lasts a LONG time. It's got this subtle breezy, airy, really wearable aroma that I could smell all day. Upfront, you definitely get some zesty citrusy kinda thing going on, but also like a backdrop of brushed suede that gives a really incredible body to the whole thing - almost like a muskiness I guess, but not as piercing or cutting. It's totally unique though - and I'm not sure if this is what most senesis smells like. I hesitate to say it's faint because it lasts so long, but compared to other ouds, it's definitely more prim and proper - not loud and aggressive. I could see this being worn by a businessman in a suit - who wants a really professional vibe. I wanted some contrast yesterday so I wore it next to Tigerwood Royale. This is for when someone tells me that all ouds smell the same (my brother) - I dab them with one of each of these and ask, "so, what were you saying?". I probabably didn't do good at describing it, but 100% worth a sample if you are looking for a senesis.
Finally - I know that JK at @RisingPhoenix has a senesis offering that's probably pretty true to form. He also has a Cambodi called Pailin thats the most bitter and Chinese smelling cambodi I've ever smelled. Zero funk to my nose and definitely some bitterness and citrusyness. He's got an actual Chinese one too (probably a couple in his labyrinth of an apothecary 🙂 I just can't remember the name. Then finally, Imperial Oud has a Senesis - Yunnan something, I've heard good things about this too. There are a few Chinese ones for you to try!
