Manila Ateek 1976 : Pure Filippino Oud Oil - Philippines Dehn al Oudh

Manila Ateek 1976 : Pure Filippino Oud Oil - Philippines Dehn al Oudh


Jungle : Manila
Class : Wild
Distillation : Traditional Copper Deg and Bapkha - Indian Style setup, but locally distilled in the Philippines
Species : Unspecified, but I suspect a Gyrinops and Cumingiana Co-Distillation


As rare as oils from the Philippines are - rarer still are vintage oils from the region, let alone Ateek batches. As one of my clients I chat with regularly said when I told him about this … “1976 😱😱😱!!”

This is an interesting production - as it was actually distilled locally in the Philippines - in a traditional Indian-style copper Deg and Bapkha - and by an old local distillation family, to boot.

This was distilled by the same family that produced Kakawit 2010, by the father of the guy who juiced that oil. This oil, like Kakawit 2010, was produced specifically for a Kuwaiti client - the very client whom I sourced this from. This is the remainder of what was a very well received oil, and he squirreled away a portion for a rainy day, of which I have acquired all that remains of it. Doubt he ever expected an American to be his umbrella nearly 50 years later 😆

As the tastes of his clients were different back in the 70’s - expect this oil to be more traditional, but in line with the quality and class of the other old oils in my Ateek Series. Which is to say - Smooth, like very old Scotch. It’s obvious this is an old oil, and was made from ancient trees.

To put it simply … it is superb.

Whereas Kakawit 2010 is more of a pre-New Gen style - Manila 1976 is an opulent, deep, rich old Arab flavor that’ll hit the spot in a way that newer oils somehow don’t (yet 😆). Gotta be that intangible factor of Time that simply can’t be replicated.


THE SCENT


Its quite a complex oil, and I’m finding the words to describe it to be a little inadequate.

Expect a smooth, rounded opening. Similar to old Hindis … but different. It’s certainly nothing to be afraid of.

Sometimes I feel like I’m wearing an old Sri Lankan Oil. The drydown is obviously Filippino - but the ride from Beginning to End is filled with fruits and florals, hints of smoke, oceanic breezes and resin and musk and ancient wooden floors. There’s a lot going on.

I find Manila 1976 to be a very meditative oil. Very grounding. But also feel like it’s “charging my battery”. I feel … plugged in.

Hopefully you’ll take advantage of this rare opportunity to try such a unique oil from a time few even knew of the agarwood treasures hiding in the jungles of the Philippines.