I do not normally review oils for other vendors, and doing this review is an exception mainly because when these oil first came out, the guys at Imperial got unwarranted slack for their efforts. I salute the guys for having managed to cook the first batch of genuine walla patta oil for the online audience. They have come a bit of a trend setter because now everyone else is also trying to cook Walla Patta.
A little bit about the status of Walla Patta or Sri Lankan oudh according to the real masters;
It is mentioned by Ibn Al Baytaar
ومن أفضل العود السمندوري وهو من سفالة الهند
and from the best of oudh is Samanduri and it is from lower lying areas of India, i.e the areas close to the ocean. In historical reference this refers to areas around Kerala and Sri Lanka. The woods from these two regions were known as "Samandari", i.e by the ocean, or from the ocean, due to the proximity of the ocean to the oudh trees. This Oudh is only second to Mandalee.
As such for the Imperial guys to open up this special oil to the online market is truly a feat on its own. Anyone who knows the oudh scene in Sri Lanka understands the risks involved in making such a project happen. It is a humble honour for me to review these oils;
Adhirajya
Walla Patta traditionally was used in Sri Lanka for weaving baskets and more importantly to concoct a traditional band-aid for wounds.
IO has really put a modern touch to that tradition by creating this piercing oil, the first few moments reminds you of the clean medicinal note of a band-aid, it is calming and somewhat assuring of what is to come. Vanilla pods, tail ends of bubbling frankincense, not the high notes but the more smoother endings, cinnamon sticks, fresh walnut shells, oriental resin, there is an intermingling between soft and sweet and strong and gutsy in this oil, it isn't one that you would wear to sleep, it is one that needs full attention.
The base of this remind me of crushed Walla patta resin. There aren't many people who have had that pleasure and this is as close as you will get to the that experience.
This oil being as good as it is, imagine this oil with 3-4 years of age.
Sinharaja
Opens up with a clean bright tiger balmy ethereal top, not heady but grounded with touches of the world famous Ceylon cinnamon powder. There was a tango, a dance with another scent which was scaping me, then I walked out to the beautiful sunny day we have here and *ping* it hit me, cardamom seeds.
20 minutes later tamarind tree leaves, not the actual fruit, this is more crisp and green. Some Mexican vanilla , dried wide petal Rose coated in slight bit of caramel.
40 minutes later lovely walla patta wood, that dried resin smell that is so appealing yet hard to get, when Oudh crystallises on the threads of the cap, rich velvety resin with a slight cream sandalwood undertone
The texture, pristine physical quality of these oils, the silage, the immaculate consistency in scent evolution is testimony to the quality of wood and distiller.
well done guys, MashaAllah keep up the good work.
