There's a reason why there hasn't
been a single Agar Aura distillation of Borneo agarwood in
almost two years.
Sure, there are plenty of wild agarwood trees in Borneo (one
of the densest population in the world right now). But the
quality of the agarwood, even from very old trees, simply
doesn't match up to the likes of what could be found a
decade or two ago. Nowadays, Borneo oud oils usually smell
like stale peanuts, fertilizer, or bugspray -- or a
combination of these bizarre scent notes.
Keemasan has none of that.
Of the three new key updates to Agar Aura distillation
philosophy, Keemanasan represents the quality factor the
most. Of course achieving its aroma would have been
impossible without the correct setup (in this case, hybrid
copper + stainless steel at the pot level, and a gigantic
glass condenser + fractional collection system) as well as
all-new Agar Aura distillation techniques (a secret), but
without a doubt, the most prominent factor was the quality
of the raw materials. Not just quantitative (i.e. the
visible oleoresin content) but also qualitative (featuring
the incredible aroma of old, old, old-growth Borneo trees).
Keemasan was extracted from West Borneo Aquilaria Microcarpa
agarwood, so its all heart notes. Golden, thrumming heart
notes. Crisp golden woodiness in the opening accompanied by
rich florals like ylang-ylang, gardenia and honeysuckle, and
gentler powdery-woodiness in the drydown. There is a faint
but clearly distinct note of unfermented Pu-erh tea that
keeps the drydown from becoming cloyingly sweet.
In other words: this is the aroma of the finest Microcarpa
agarwood from West Borneo. To wood connoissuers, smelling
this oil will be like inhaling the aroma of heated Borneo
Microcarpa through an olfactory 'magnifying glass'. To those
who are less acquainted with the whole wood burning thing,
this will be an otherwordly scent, an aroma you would never
have imagined could come from a tree.
Keemasan gives you a glimpse of the inner scent dimensions
of West Borneo Microcarpa. Next in the series: a West Borneo
Beccariana oil which is all top notes, as well as a
co-distillation of Borneo Beccariana, Microcarpa, and
Malaccensis.
WOW not what I was expecting
at all. I got hit with lilacs about a half hour into it,
just incredible !
P.W. (Canada)
MashAllah it is the most unique Borneo oil in my
experience. The subtle floral sweet dry down is
unbelievable!!!
S.S. (USA)
This oil has the green opening that I would expect, but it
had what I can only refer to as a "complexity" that I
didn't know how to describe. Perhaps this
"complexity" I can't properly articulate is the "florals"
you refer to?
L.M. (USA)
What a great, woody/honey dry down.
Customer (USA)
This Keemasan takes floral to another level. I mean
this oil can play tricks on you! It can do some dead
on impersonations of certain floral terpenes. You
will say "wait a second is that coming from the oud at my
wrist? It projects. At other times it even
improves on certain scent notes. Like if vanilla was
somehow better than vanilla is... as if you could smell
the orchid in the bean if that makes any sense.
J.P. (USA)
It just does something remarkable on my skin and
transforms into pure perfume!
C.G. (USA)
Blast of honey in the
opening, powdery Borneo oil with luscious floral
elements, paired with pomegranate, very nice oil.
A.A. (Croatia)
Keemasan is overwhelmingly oudy, it's hard to describe,
but the facet of this oil that is at the heart of oud is
very prominent, moreso that other Borneo ouds I have
tried. The oud note is surrounded by an etherial
woodiness that I associate with Borneo ouds that make
them bright and shimmering, I do agree this oil features
heart notes most prominently but the ethereal topnotes I
expect to find in a Borneo oud are definitely there as
well. Also, there are some floral notes and a touch of
creaminess.
D.C. (USA)
I get usual Borneo profile, but there is a ripe
raspberry note that peaks out. Really beautiful. I think
this is a keeper as well.
M.M. (Canada)
Today I have on Keemasan...a very lovey and high quality
Bornean oil for sure!
C.B. (USA)
The experience was of soaring transcendence, the shear
complexity, brightness and positivity are far beyond
either of the Borneo ouds I own (--, --). It is
the first time I have perceived sweetness from a Borneo
oud.