Thanks for the mention of my book. Much appreciated. And honestly, if you'd like to revisit aloeswood, start with something more approachable like a daily incense rather than the high end ones. There is a learning curve and fragrance does open over time. It's this mysterious nature of aloeswood that is what makes it so sought after.
Sent memories are so powerful. I do not share your Texas BBQ scent memory, and I have this in mind as I write this comment. Have you noticed any psychoactive effects when using agarwood incense? The noticeable relaxing and calming effects of agarwood is a big reason that it is so beloved, by so many.
The other thing is that combustible agarwood incense sticks are far different than high quality heated pieces. I want to say here that I have never bought high-quality agarwood but I have been so lucky to have been gifted dozens of premium pieces. Super High quality agarwood is extremely difficult to grind to make incense because it contains so much resin. That is why you most often see it sold as small chips. The heating range is enormous and most connoisseurs take the wood from 100 to 350 degrees over the course of a few days.
Maybe there is Texas BBQ in the pieces I have smelled but I do not have that association. I have smelled flowers, spices, green jungle, vanilla and many other scents. There is the basic "agarwood" scent, but in no way do I associate it with food. There are some agarwoods that have "meat" in their description....but I did not think that had to do with their scent profile, but who knows? You might find it interesting to join this forum and see what people have to say about your observations. :D https://www.ouddict.com/
I did live in Texas for a number of years and I don't get the BBQ aspect myself, but certainly there can be some umami aspects to agarwood. I've had a number of single-varietal agarwood incense sticks from Yi-Xin and I do think that they come pretty close to the experience of putting wood on a heater, although of course you don't get the range of temperatures that way.
I found it pretty strange at first, but also incredibly moreish for reasons that I couldn't quite explain. I love an agarwood stick in the evening; especially right before bed. I think some scents are like raags in Indian classical music - they are better at certain times of the day, and for me, the evening is when agarwood really shines.
I think it's the umami-ness of (some varieties of) agarwood that sets me off. I've tried other Japanese incenses without agarwood that have a really strong umami/ savory quality, and I don't really care for those, either. Umami is just something my brain wants to associate with food and food alone I guess.
That is a good insight into your personal olfactif pallet! I would advise coming back to the materials you find off putting every couple of years. It has been astonishing to me how my appreciation for some smells has changed over the years. Many smells that I used to really dislike, I love now, such as vetiver, myrrh and oud (the essential oil, I have always liked the wood). I still dislike Bergamot though...I think that one is a dislike for life....although you never know!
There's no accounting for taste as the idiom goes! I love bergamot but hate wintergreen with a mad passion. I am definitely open to including agarwood in blends as I think blending can really transform even the most difficult scents into something special. Piñon resin is kind of industrial on its own but I'm loving it paired with dragon's blood, cedar, and dried cherries.
Wow, You and I really are at the ends of the scent spectrum! :) I loooove Wintergreen and just made a neri-koh featuring it :0 And Pinyon Pine, to me, is just the sweetest, vanilla smelling Pine, so less industrial and easier on the nose than the very turpy Pines, like my local White Pine. This is the second time this week I have read about using dried cherries in fragrance....I am going to have to get me some.
I wish I could get high off agarwood -- I haven't so far, maybe I just need the really primo stuff on my heater! I fear the ouddicts, I'm pretty sure they'd mark me a philistine for sure (though maybe they could suggest a better gateway oud for me)
Yes, If you go in humbly with the ouddicts, as an acknowledged beginner, and just state your experience, there should be some kind people to guide you. I have been cruising there, without an account, for years for the same reason as yours. Recently, a good client of mine asked me to join the forum in order to contribute to a conversation. I am having a very good experience there as a member.
Thanks for the mention of my book. Much appreciated. And honestly, if you'd like to revisit aloeswood, start with something more approachable like a daily incense rather than the high end ones. There is a learning curve and fragrance does open over time. It's this mysterious nature of aloeswood that is what makes it so sought after.
You're welcome, I learned a lot from your book! Do you have a daily aloeswood incense you'd recommend?
Sent memories are so powerful. I do not share your Texas BBQ scent memory, and I have this in mind as I write this comment. Have you noticed any psychoactive effects when using agarwood incense? The noticeable relaxing and calming effects of agarwood is a big reason that it is so beloved, by so many.
The other thing is that combustible agarwood incense sticks are far different than high quality heated pieces. I want to say here that I have never bought high-quality agarwood but I have been so lucky to have been gifted dozens of premium pieces. Super High quality agarwood is extremely difficult to grind to make incense because it contains so much resin. That is why you most often see it sold as small chips. The heating range is enormous and most connoisseurs take the wood from 100 to 350 degrees over the course of a few days.
Maybe there is Texas BBQ in the pieces I have smelled but I do not have that association. I have smelled flowers, spices, green jungle, vanilla and many other scents. There is the basic "agarwood" scent, but in no way do I associate it with food. There are some agarwoods that have "meat" in their description....but I did not think that had to do with their scent profile, but who knows? You might find it interesting to join this forum and see what people have to say about your observations. :D https://www.ouddict.com/
I did live in Texas for a number of years and I don't get the BBQ aspect myself, but certainly there can be some umami aspects to agarwood. I've had a number of single-varietal agarwood incense sticks from Yi-Xin and I do think that they come pretty close to the experience of putting wood on a heater, although of course you don't get the range of temperatures that way.
I found it pretty strange at first, but also incredibly moreish for reasons that I couldn't quite explain. I love an agarwood stick in the evening; especially right before bed. I think some scents are like raags in Indian classical music - they are better at certain times of the day, and for me, the evening is when agarwood really shines.
Nice the comparison to raga music, Nathan! I agree, that agarwood and the night go beautifully together.
I think it's the umami-ness of (some varieties of) agarwood that sets me off. I've tried other Japanese incenses without agarwood that have a really strong umami/ savory quality, and I don't really care for those, either. Umami is just something my brain wants to associate with food and food alone I guess.
That is a good insight into your personal olfactif pallet! I would advise coming back to the materials you find off putting every couple of years. It has been astonishing to me how my appreciation for some smells has changed over the years. Many smells that I used to really dislike, I love now, such as vetiver, myrrh and oud (the essential oil, I have always liked the wood). I still dislike Bergamot though...I think that one is a dislike for life....although you never know!
There's no accounting for taste as the idiom goes! I love bergamot but hate wintergreen with a mad passion. I am definitely open to including agarwood in blends as I think blending can really transform even the most difficult scents into something special. Piñon resin is kind of industrial on its own but I'm loving it paired with dragon's blood, cedar, and dried cherries.
Wow, You and I really are at the ends of the scent spectrum! :) I loooove Wintergreen and just made a neri-koh featuring it :0 And Pinyon Pine, to me, is just the sweetest, vanilla smelling Pine, so less industrial and easier on the nose than the very turpy Pines, like my local White Pine. This is the second time this week I have read about using dried cherries in fragrance....I am going to have to get me some.
So far cherry is awesome! I'm also interested to try some dried longan (aka dragon's eye) nerikoh with dragon's blood and camphor (dragon's brain) 🐲
I wish I could get high off agarwood -- I haven't so far, maybe I just need the really primo stuff on my heater! I fear the ouddicts, I'm pretty sure they'd mark me a philistine for sure (though maybe they could suggest a better gateway oud for me)
Yes, If you go in humbly with the ouddicts, as an acknowledged beginner, and just state your experience, there should be some kind people to guide you. I have been cruising there, without an account, for years for the same reason as yours. Recently, a good client of mine asked me to join the forum in order to contribute to a conversation. I am having a very good experience there as a member.
Smell is a funny thing.
Funny and endlessly fascinating!
Loved reading this!
Thanks 🙏🏼
Thanks Leanne!