Fancy Bottles

[OudFreak]

Hi everybody.

I was wondering if anybody knows if it is possible to get ypur ensar oud in fancy bottles. Ensar, could you please offer them for 15 USD like Taha does?

Also, can someone tell me how the caps are on the plain bottles? Are they the kind where you unscrew the cap and don't make a mess of your fingers, or the kinds where you have to unstopper the bottle and get the oil everywhere(I hate this kind of bottle).

 

[Ensar Oud]

OudFreak!

These days we only offer the plain glass bottles. We've always used these exclusively ourselves, as they're highly durable if you want to carry them around for personal use. Dropped them on concrete a couple of times... not even a scratch. As for storing your oils, there's no better alternative. The bottles are completely sealed and there's no fear of leakage, oxidation, copper sulfate formation due to the oil coming into contact with metal parts inside the bottle (as is the case with fancy bottles).

We want to avoid any and all issues... during shipment, while the bottle's in your pocket, or when it's left to mature in your closet or safe. The glass bottles are fail-safe in every way. We don't have any 'making a mess of your fingers' problems with the ones we use. The applicator stick is not part of the cap, so you don't have to worry about spilling any oil while you remove it.

Whether buying from Ensar Oud or other vendors, I would advise everyone to steer clear of fancy bottles.

 

[floraopia]

I have to say that back in 2007 when I first started buying Ouds I used to prefer the fancy bottles, precisely because they were 'fancy' and I deemed that the best Oud in the world should also have a bottle that fits the description. I was always slightly bemused that Ensar used to prefer the standard plan glass bottles and thought he must have been slightly crazy to prefer them. However, as I started using Ouds on a practical daily basis, the points that Ensar has mentioned above, came to the fore very quickly and now I actually hate receiving Oud in any bottles other than the plain glass bottles.

Of course, I can understand that not everyone carries Oud around with them and it may be a treasured possession in a prominent place in the house, which is used on special occasions. In those circumstances I suppose it might make sense to prefer the fancy bottles.

 

[Igor01]

I think I know what OudFreak is saying about getting oil all over one's fingers when opening and closing a traditional plain octagonal bottle, it's particularly easy with some of the more fluid, thinner oils. For that reason I prefer the fancy bottles myself, not to mention the much nicer presentation. However, some fancy ones are definitely prone to leaks and other undesirable effects over long term, as Ensar pointed out. I had a particular bottle come unglued (not Ensar's) - the metal neck with the stopper just separated itself from the crystal reservoir and all contents leaked out. I've also had some older gold-coloured metal encased bottles leak oils between the threads of the head and the neck, making a mess and loosing valuable oud. Most others, particularly the crystal pyramids, the "Royal Kinam" type and the late Kyara Koutan ones gave me no problems so far.

Having said that, if one wants to have oils with them at all times it's just as easy to carry several in small sample vials, particularly the ones that have a lip that prevents the oil from flowing inside the cap and sticking there. I've been using this method for a long time. The oils that I use on a daily basis are all small decants housed in sample vials and regardless of what kind of bottle the bulk of that oil is stored, the ones that I prefer in my usual rotation are always accessible.

 

[Oudiferous]

Floraopia, I went through the same process with fancy bottles vs. standard bottles. Ensar finally converted me! But I do have the experience of getting oil all over my fingers when pulling the stopper out, which is undesirable. It's much smoother to unscrew a glass applicator stick from the semi-fancy bottles, the ones pictured for Kyara Koutan and such. But the glass always appears slightly fragile to me on those bottles, and I definitely trust the plain ones more than anything else, despite the less fancy experience.

 

[floraopia]

When you say you have gotten Oud all over your fingers, is that because the bottle has jerked back and shaken when you remove the dipstick? I am always very careful and have never had that problem. I have got Oud on my fingers by holding the stick a bit too low, but then I just use that instead, as my swipe.

 

[OudFreak]

floraopia, I unstopper the bottle by holding the stopper with a few fingers a pulling up. I don't spill if I'm careful, but I normally offer fragrance to any muslim brothers around. Because of this, I normally open the bottle with haste and spill a bit.

 

[Oudiferous]

When you say you have gotten Oud all over your fingers, is that because the bottle has jerked back and shaken when you remove the dipstick? I am always very careful and have never had that problem. I have got Oud on my fingers by holding the stick a bit too low, but then I just use that instead, as my swipe.

I have never spilled, because I am super cautious and very tediously work to unscrew the stopper. But there is usually some oil on the rim, and the surface area of the top of the stopper and the rim and the bottle itself are all quite small, so sometimes I get oil on my fingers regardless. Very little oil, in any case.

 

[masstika]

I have to add my voice to the chorus against fancy bottle especially for shipping. I do like them but only for display and very very cautious use. Initially I was all for them until I had repeatedly accidents with them. In the picture you can see two examples , the bottle on the right you can see the brass neck has disengaged from the glass bottle and the bottle on the left the neck hand the cap has green oxide on it (I had cleaned it so it is not so much shown now). Thank God, in both cases my loss was negligible and I was able to transfer the oil to the utilitarian and hassle free octagonal glass bottle with the plastic dipper and screw top. If you intend to use the decorative glass bottles and I do use them, then ship the oil separately from the bottle and decant it once you have it at home. But for traveling and casual use there is nothing better than the usual screw top bottles.

 

[masstika]

I found that the bottle that Oudhasi came in was the best bottle I have seen so far. it is not the most beautiful for sure but its construction is second to none; very sturdy cap that seems welded to the brass neck. The stick itself is glass and the closure top is big enough to hold without touching the stick so your hands remain free of unwanted oils. the top screws on giving the advantage and security of the plain bottles. Well done.

 

[the alaskan]

i sure like Ensars sample vials. they dont leak and stand up very easily. the last batch i bought on ebay has had a couple leak and they deff leaned if they stood at all. i would sure like to know the right place to buy some good ones. anyone?

i like to decant a small portion of oil to a sample bottle that way i can have it portable for using/sharing. this allows the largest portion to mature without being opened all the time and keeps it from accidental contamination such as, dead skin flakes, hairs, previously applied oils,ect... from getting on the swiper then back to the oil.

 

[the alaskan]

thanks, i havent had any of those before. i had been avoiding them due to the narrow opening. i like to fill my bottles about half way and i hold the bottle sideways with the wand along the edge and as the oil runs along the wand i rotate it as i pull it from the side of the vial. this gets the perfect amount of oil on the wand for my taste. i would have to figure out another way or just keep dipping.

i have found i like a bit on each side of my beard. if i put it under my nose i get olfactory fatigue and its smell is very hard to detect. if i dab the sides of my face then when ever i turn around or move my head from side to side im blessed with whiffs of oud thoughout the day.