Jinkoh Store Emperor of China
I received this outstanding oil several days ago and I thought that it deserves a small review. I don't really post reviews on perfume, mainly because I believe it's a subjective experience. However, this oil is one that I really connected with, unlike any other Oud oil before. I have smelled several oils by now that blew me away, not just in terms of the psychoactive effects, but the sheer complexity. Most of these were Vietnamese, a Myitkyinese, Gyrinops. The hard-to-find, now gone type of oils. Sinensis from China is definitely top 3 regions for my tastes, and I have always wanted to get an oil from Hainan that would rise to the highest standards. So, as soon as I've heard that Marius is going to bring a Hainan oil, I prepared myself. For those of you that have tried or own Guan Yu and Pusong Qi, you know what type of oils Marius has put out so far. His standard is very high. I own Guan Yu and when Marius told me that Emperor of China is going to be better, I knew it was going to be good. Is it better? To me, it's so much better.
The base of this oil is basically Guan Yu's pristine yellow Kinam goodness. That Manuka Honey smell that transports you to Nirvana. And even though it's hard to spot for the first few hours, it becomes the main chord of the oil at the 8-hour mark(yeah, it lasts a long time on my skin). But then, on top of that already perfect base, you get tons of other things happening. This is an insanely complex oil.
I like to call this oil, "Guan Yu's Spice and Medicine shop". As soon as you apply it on the skin, BOOM, it literally explodes. You are right in the middle of a Chinese Spice and Medicine shop, in rural China. All the aromas in that shop come at you at once. Cinnamon and Anise, fruity touches, something like Cherries and Watermelon, Green tea and Rooibos Tea, Tobacco, a bit of smoke. There is also a boozy note in there, almost like an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting fruits (no fermented aroma btw). It's sweet and savory, sour and bitter. All of these are identifiable over the Manuka Honey base. This is an oil that is overly complex, but it doesn't unfold in phases, rather it unfolds in layers. I find it very potent, very strong. For the first 3 hours or so it's very present. I only applied a small amount on my wrist and it bombards my senses as I type this. It also follows you around in the air. I actually went ahead and applied a bit behind my ears and I didn't smell it as well as with a small swipe on my wrist (so yeah, it will cause nose fatigue if applied too close to the nose). Less is more in general with oud, especially here. It dances in the air, all the flavors swirling around you. It is soothing, cheerful, beautiful. The next day I still get flickers of the scent in my room. As it dries down, the oil becomes more restrained. It's getting dark outside and old Guan Yu is getting ready to close the shop for the day. It's quiet now. It's just him, smoking his pipe, reflecting on the busy day that is soon to be over. That's what's left of it at the end. That beautiful yellow Kinam base.
This is an oil that really touched my soul. It's also the only oil that I want to get a backup bottle of. I never want to be without it. I'll save this one for the days when I really want to cheer myself up and for the most special occasions. Hats off to The Emperor of China.
