Olfactive Dreams

A Monolith of Mentholic and Spicy Incense Region: Sabah, Malaysia Wood used: Wild  Aquilaria microcarpa  (mostly) and some wild  Aquilaria malaccensis  shavings House:   Al Hashimi Ibn Zamrak (2017) in Total Recovery Vial I  will try to write my impression a bit differently for this oil as I have lot to say about it. I apologise if some of it sounds repetitive as I’m yet to acquire the art of non-academic writting. At the top I get a fleeting apple note – not sure about the variety though. Almost instantaneously (I used that word intentionally), Ibn Zamkrak (IZ) greets me with a very strong mentholic note with all sorts of wonder to follow. I t then reveals its earthy and hay notes.  The hay is pleasant and sweet – a cross between recently dried hays from Bangladesh and a bit of honey/toffee like sweetness of Spanish hay absolute. The earthy note is not very powerful now. But I can sense its intensity getting stronger. ...

Wild Malaccan Oud Chips (Al Hashimi, 2017) These  Aquilaria malaccensis  chips smell divine even at room temperature - spicy, hint of orange peel, earthy, slightly petrichorish (if there is such word), and most importantly woody (hinting towards a wonderful incense note). I have yet put these fragrant nuggets on to the burner as I prefer colder weather to 'optimise' my enjoyment. There is a  labdanum type sweetness  in it too. Update: I just burned a tiny (rice grain) amount at low temperature (around 9-10 volts range) as I simply could not resist anymore! The initial  hay ,  woody  and  earthy  notes' combination, followed by the  incensy menthol  is superb. I wish there was an attar with that aroma  only . It then starts spilling out its spice notes, more specifically  cinnamon  and  cardamom  and a bit of  orange peel  in the distance. The orange peel thingy is quite distant. I wa...