SOTD

We figured subtle hints don’t seem to be working. Let’s turn it up a notch. I put it out there and just saying that of the three bottles of 1875 moscatel Madeira from legendary olivieras, one is with me. I am not talking about drinking it. Just smelling. Only smelling. To see the infamous “rancio” note that in the wine world is as revered as kinam.

Kyra Ltd 2.0
A dot under the nose on upper lips.

wow wow Wow. Beyond the medicininal qualities we know of and brother Taha has attested to, it has aromatic complexity of nth magnitude. You must be a monkoh guy with considerable experience with high grade heartwood to appreciate this oil to the fullest. The red tabac cambodi note in spades. Pursat like but not. Kinam Rouge like but laced a few times with kinam. Then u have the hainan bitter medicinal prtrochor babycorn note that weaves in and out. Vietnam is the stronghold though. And wow is it ever insanely delicious. The resident at kings landing. But wait. We are not done

Other notes in kyara Ltd is that oriscent signature note that shows up in many other oriscent oils: a rare steak, iron, nails, onycha, copper pitcher of water quality. It sounds unappealing when you read it but when you smell it along all the other notes, it is not only interesting or good, but beguiling!!!

Damn fine oil damn fine complex scent.

I once said it to myself and laughed for how true it was: kyara Ltd is not oud or a scent or an oil. It is a shuttle. A space shuttle. It takes you places.

Nashila.

My gawd. Taha wasn’t joking. This is one for the ages kinda oil. What a peacock. Like birds of paradise. Dazzling and mesmerizing. So much horizontal complexity:

suggestions of shah jahan and that bitter, bright, medicinal golden hue like that in Shah jahan. then Hindustan 1 joins the party including the blue note but, a shade or two darker. Still blue.
Also a fresh tropical fruit tobacco note of naga oils like bahadur and naga3k or even sumi naga is noticed. Of course There is a candied subtle rose or candied delicate peonies quality here too. Very pretty. So delicate and finessed. Is like that cute girl next door kissing you on the cheeks when you run into each other in the neighborhood on way home or putting garbage out.

As time passes, the different notes almost in a timely manner each take center stage and have a solo-ish performance (I.e. admirable levels of vertical complexity).

It started with shah jahan show and Hindustan 1 as dominant note. 15 min in or so the candied flower petals that Viennese and north Italians love to carry around like tic tac, takes center stage.

Later the sweet mango and guava and other tropical fruit notes and some delicate mild tobacco of naga oils plays solo.

Hindustan 1 still pokes its head out on stage and waves to the audience. But the stage belongs to pink peoni candy.

At this point I cant be bothered to type anymore. The oil is calling and I need to obey its call. It would be rude otherwise.

Sultan Abdul hamit is a show stopper. This evening on a cold chilly night stroll in the neighbourhood, the sultan was shining bright and those smoldering resin rich Borneo and PNG notes were like a mini fireplace on my wrist, keeping me warm and cozy.

Papuamantan EO:
4 proper wears so far.

Opening is more maroke but a more approachable and accessible one. Less damp.

The spice of GP is there. There is indeed a purple note and after looking for it I see a friend’s find of ceram wood suggestion in this oil. More violet than iris to my nose. It Is faint and not always there but can be sensed. In other words the purple note is not a strong defining character or easily picked up note to my nose to date.

With 5 min or so in, the maroke note does a dissapearance magic act and vanishes instead an encens royale (minus the cooling and camphor note) jumps in. Think a very old scent. Like an uncle to port Moresbey. Hallmark of Pm is the perfect roundness and balance. An oil that is like a perfect sphere. So to my nose is more of the texture and behavior of PM rather than following its aromatic accords note by note. Also both are one of few green oils that don’t have that camphoric/minty note.

The oriental spice and star anise are subtle but awesome. The whole super dark green profile is wicked. Best of all it has the settled mature qualities while the top note (heart) comes alive 15 min later with that fuzzy buzzy kinamantany vapours recalling fern and oak moss and lichens. In other words it’s as if there is a few percent of that Borneo green there like a sprinkle on top. This note was completely undetectable in first 10-15 minutes in my 4 wears so far.

Drydown is nothing but that oudy oud marrow that clingers to your sinuses and satisfies the wearer.

A very solid pick up and imho punches above its price point.

Port Papua impressions next. Need more time with it. stay tuned in.

A few swipes of Adan and a KZ filipino stick burning in the background... a match made in heaven? Oh boy

I have to unearth this from the past for how true it is. Long shall live the legends of this one.

Hurting pretty bad this evening with back pain. The yoga session earlier didn’t help nor did anything else I tried during the day. To wind down and go for bed I go for the Quattro fantastico:

Medium swipes of each twr and encens 85 next to one another but with some gape between the lines.

Then on either side a smaller swipe of Ahmad and kannan koh.

Baaaam. The fantastic four.

A calm and sense of relaxation along with fuzzy warm feelings blanket over me. I immediately sink in the couch a little heavier.

This is medicine as well as an insane scent. From the deep deep red to the camphoric top and a whole world of musk leather tobacco medicine in the middle.

Later I Dab the oils (gently mix them basically) but no running. Ooooooof.

Will try this tonight! I never think of layering Oud... I'm probably missing out on a lot

for me 1 in 10 or 1 in 15 wears are co swipes or some sort of layering. some work great. some not. this one above is gorgeous and very synergistic to my nose.

@Rasoul S I did try it - it was an absurdly rich, potent and beautiful co-swipe. Dang (perhaps my swipes were too heavy). I need gallons of these 2.

awesome! glad you enjoyed this concoction. and agreed. wish we could each have a tola

put nirvata muana for wind down before bedtime. what a comforting, gentle yet soul-stirring bouquet. the rooibos vanilla honey tea enjoyed on a stack of freshly dried hay with a gently sugary sweet on the side. is dessert in a bottle. not as sweet as i may gather from this post, but sweet-ish.

soemhow needed a bit more, so a small swipe of mustapha 7, the jewel of karbi anglong goes on over the developing nirvata applied an hour earlier. booooom!

EO Hainan 05 - The transitions from application to dry down are really something else...not just a fragrance but an experience...

Happy Jummah / Friday, everyone!

Signalling the end of the work week, I’ve rung the Borneo bell with Kinamantan. This is mixing beautifully with the calm sea air before today’s storm, blending to create a new Borneo - Walla Patta like experience.

We should gather all the Karbi oils that we own and do a focused comparison one day, maybe over some pu-erh.

As long as we don’t have to karbi ourselves, i am in!

Karbi triple swipes for you!

Contemplating and contrasting three of Ensar's smoky organics lately: Oud Dhul Q, Aroha X, and Aroha Kyaku. Really kind price points. Engaging incensy moods as we approach Christmas in Florida.

Looking forward to your contrast and comparison bullet points when you have time.