Named "Absolute Agarwood" by Ashok at Padma Store (where these samples came from - sold at 18 Euros for 15 different scents), where the Agarwood sticks (as of August 2025) are currently sold out. Named as "Absolutely Agarwood" by Rasbihari, where they are $12.50 for 250gm, plus postage.
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| Ab Agarwood from Rasbihari Lal |
Interesting that Rasbihari Lal sells an Ab Oud and an Ab Agarwood. I wonder what they think distinguishes one from the other. My own understanding from usage I've seen over the years is that oud (or oudh) is the Arabic name for agarwood, in the same way that aloeswood is the American name for agarwood, so the use of the name would depend either on who is doing the talking, or who is being targeted. Added to which, as oud is the Arabic name, and oud is a very popular body perfume, especially male perfume, among Arabs, then there is a tendency to view oud as the oil or perfume, and agarwood as the wood. Given the source and price of these sticks, and that pretty much the majority of agarwood or oudh incense is made either from synthetic agarwood oil, such as Black Agar Givco, or a blend of natural essential oils, such as sandalwood, cedarwood, Nagarmotha (Cypriol), patchouli, and vetivert, both Ab Oud and Ab Agarwood are going to be made from scents that have not come from the agarwood tree. That's a given. I think the names are simple marketing terms - Ab Oud aimed at those who are looking for something perhaps more oily and sweet, and Ab Agarwood aimed perhaps at those looking for something a little more woody. But, having said that, I find the opposite to be the case! The Oud I found to be woody, while this Agarwood I find to be creamy and sweet, and even more to my taste with rich caramel notes and hints of vanilla. Both are fairly simple, commercially sweet and attractive, but also very charming and persuasive. And I particularly like the light notes in this Agarwood. Of course, mileage will vary, and there will be plenty of folks who prefer the Oud over this, and may find it sweeter. They certainly play in the same garden.
Date: June 2025 Score: 41
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To my understanding Dehn al Oudh is the Arabic term for Agar*wood*, while Oudh refers more to the oil distilled from the wood, but it's very common to use Oudh and Agarwood as synonyms.
ReplyDelete"I think the names are simple marketing terms - Ab Oud aimed at those who are looking for something perhaps more oily and sweet, and Ab Agarwood aimed perhaps at those looking for something a little more woody."
That would be my guess too.
However, reading my old review, where I called it more of an "oud" smell, it seems like we agree on the general character of the scent being rather the opposite of that expectation.
I wonder if I would like it better now.
I just looked up "Dehn al Oudh", and what I found were references to the oil or at least to scents based on oud/agarwood/aloeswood/eaglewood/gharuwood. I think it's more a cultural thing than an exact science. Aloeswood is interesting because that's the name Americans use, so Japanese agarwood tends to be translated into aloeswood, because their biggest market is in America (my understanding is that the Japanese sell more "high-end" (expensive) incense to America than they do domestically - indeed, domestic sales of Japanese incense has been declining in the past ten years, while imports of Indian incense has been increasing - I think it's a price thing).
DeleteI think in India, from what I've been told, there tends to be a market for incense aimed at Hindus, and a market aimed at Muslims, and incense aimed at Muslims would more likely be termed Oud than Agarwood. Interesting that in a city which attracts Hindus, there would still be a market for Muslims. But a quick look at Google shows that Muslims do live and work in Vrindavan, and do visit. There have been calls to ban them from the Hindu temples, but this appears to have been rejected.
"and incense aimed at Muslims would more likely be termed Oud"
ReplyDeleteYeah, that makes perfectly sense.