Taif rose.

[wasimlondon]

I'm hoping some of the experienced members here can help me understand something about Taif rose oil.

I recently purchased pure, first-distillation Taif rose oil directly from a distillery in Saudi Arabia. According to the supplier, this is 100% pure petals-only oil, rather than the full-rose distillation.

However, I'm quite confused and honestly a little disappointed with the scent.

I've used Taif rose oils in the past, and they had a beautiful, distinctive rose fragrance with fresh, green, slightly citrusy and herbal nuances. This new oil is completely different. It seems much more like soft rose petals, without the freshness and complexity I associate with Taif rose.

I've also been experimenting with blending it into high-quality Indian and Cambodian oud oils, but even at relatively noticeable concentrations, the rose doesn't seem to come through properly. The oud tends to dominate, and I'm struggling to achieve the beautiful rose-oud combination I was expecting.

This has left me wondering whether the Taif rose oils I previously enjoyed were actually full-rose distillations, where other parts of the flower may contribute more green and herbal characteristics.

I'd really appreciate some guidance from members who have experience with genuine Taif rose oils, particularly first-distillation, petals-only varieties.

• Is it normal for a petals-only Taif rose oil to smell considerably softer and less green or citrusy than other Taif rose oils?
• Is there a significant difference between petals-only and full-rose distillations?
• Are there particular types of oud that work better with this style of Taif rose?
• What blending percentages would you recommend to allow the rose to shine without being overwhelmed by the oud?
• Does this type of rose oil benefit from ageing or resting after blending?

I'm trying to understand the character of this oil and how best to use it rather than simply adding more and more rose without getting the desired result.

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Al Shareef Oudh]

Sounds like a low quality or stretched oil.

 

[AbuTominaga]

Is it normal for a petals-only Taif rose oil to smell considerably softer and less green or citrusy than other Taif rose oils?

Not sure about the legitimacy of the oil in your hands, but, when it comes to this specific point, then YES.

Rose oil has many elements which each contribute to a bunch of facets.
The green cups in rose contribute the most to the Citeonellol percentage. Thus, expect the rose oil to be rosey, calm, with less sparkle and citrussy green blast in the opening. All of that is citronellol's.

Another point, a petals only distillation is very very costly (from experience).

1 - most commercial rose farms and distillaries are run on a specific standard. To alter that standard, you'll have to alter the whole operation and teach workers to separate cups from petals, and then distill it in a specific way.

2- if you won't have the financial means to take the whole run of that day/period/distillation, no distillery would agree on such a thing.
Why?
Because the industry standard has a specific percentage of the citronellol that needs to be part of the rose oil. If it has too little to no citronellol, no big house would even consider buying it.

 

[wasimlondon]

Sounds like a low quality or stretched oil.

Thank you for your response. Would it be possible for me to send you a small sample of this Taif rose oil so you could personally evaluate its authenticity, quality and aromatic profile?

I purchased it directly from a distillery in Saudi Arabia, and it was described as pure, first-distillation, petals-only Taif rose oil. However, the scent is quite different from the Taif rose oils I have experienced previously.

I would really appreciate your expert opinion on whether this is genuinely high-quality Taif rose oil or potentially diluted or of inferior quality.