Huaulu Hoaoeloe Seram I Senkoh 2021 - Northern Seram, Central Maluku - Incense Sticks - Indonesian Series

Jungle : Hoaoeloe - Huaulu, Northern Seram, Central Maluku (some call Ceram Island) - Indonesia
Class : Wild, Live Tree Moluccans (a Gyrinops Sub Species) - Single Tree Harvest


So I have two batches here that I've aptly named Seram I and Seram II. What's the difference?

When it comes to Indonesian Gyrinops and Filaria, many have smelled dead and swamp woods from the Mangroves of Papua, generally around Meroke (and we have a stellar specimen of incense from here currently in the shop). But few have seen LIVE woods from the region from higher grounds and dry forests.

For starters, both batches are single-tree harvests, and were acquired at separate times.

Secondly, Seram I was made from very large chips, some of which I hung on to as chips as they were quite large and thick. I may get these chips up in the shop at some point. Seram I you is a mix of mostly Super and and some Sinking quality. Very resin dense, premium chips.

Seram II, on the other hand, was made from a second batch I had acquired from the same area. The chips were smaller and not quite as thick as the monsters we used in Seram I. Although made from smaller chips - the resin density was superb, and the scent spectacular.

Both batches smell unique from one another.

Worth mentioning, also - not only are these both Live, Single-Tree harvests - but these are Moluccans, which is a subspecies of Gyrinops. The Seram Island Senkoh that has been up in the shop is a Filaria species from the same region as these, in Werinama. Smelling these is a pretty cool study of regional and batch differences, as well as species variations from the same region.

Until recently, Gyrinops and Filaria weren't really found in the Eastern Markets - but it's long been beloved in the Gulf Market, especially for it's green, foresty character. Makes sense when you think of it ... a region renowned for lots and lots of sand liking a scent reminiscent of greener pastures.

Arabs have a particular appreciation of Gyrinops and Filarias from Sri Lanka, various parts of Indonesia (like Papua, PNG, and Sulawesi), and most recently from the Philippines for this very reason - for these species ability to bring the jungle into the desert.

With that said - Moluccans has a particular affinity for the Asian nose, and part of the reason finding any Moluccans these days is due to the demand in the Chinese market. Moluccans woods have a very powdery scent many say is reminiscent of Iris Flowers, and can have hints of spice and gourmand notes of vanilla or chocolate. Needles to say - this stuff is a rare treat.


THE SCENT


Let's start with saying that Seram I is a joy to listen to...

There is a nice, powdery Iris note layered over a dry, almost talcum powder note - reminiscent of Asian body powders that we used to see here in the West in our old pharmacy tradition. Floral, powdery, with a hint of dry woods and what I would call a "demi-sec" of sweetness (a reference there to wine terminology - somewhere in between dry and sweet).

I would say this has an almost feminine quality to it in that it is soft, caressing, and rather comforting to listen to. Some might call this scent a Bois d'Iris ... Iris Wood.

I have a Taiwanese friend that has really enjoyed the Seram materials I've been getting, and so this particular scent strikes me as a bit of a Taiwanese Temple Scent (be that accurate or not ... his affection for it puts that picture in my Mind's Eye). Whatever the case, I imagine you will be as enchanted with this batch as I am.

Small batch - grab some while ya can!

Materials: Gyrinops Moluccans,Makko for Binder