Neti Neti - Leyte 2022 - Philippines - Pure Artisan Filipino Oud Oil - Dehn al Oud

Neti Neti - Leyte 2022 - Philippines - Pure Artisan Filipino Oud Oil - Dehn al Oud

Jungle : Leyte - Philippines

Species : Cumingiana - Wild

Distillation : February 8 - 18th, 2020 - 2 Day Soak, 10 Day Collection
Class : Traditional Stainless Deg and Bapkha - Wood Fired - Distilled exclusively from high grade wood and shavings from ancient trees

Profile : Rich Umami, Tropical Florals, Red and Purple Berries

**Rich Filipino Umami - Tropical Florals - Red and Purple Berries - Moist Jungle Soil - Oceanic Tones - Resinous Underbelly - Cambodi-like

In addition to producing our own oils, I also commission batches to be made from other artisan colleagues, as well as pick things up I find along the way.

This particular batch of oil was made by a Kuwaiti colleague of mine, right on the cusp of an event that would change everything moving forward, that very next month.

This was a "run over" batch - the oil remaining after producing a run for some wealthy Gulf client for his own private stock. My colleague knows I like unusual things and don't require huge quantities of an oil for it to be useful to me, so he asked back in 2020 if this oil could find a place on my shelves. And like many oils - it sat there, quietly aging.

As we step into the 2025 holidays, I figured 5 years was long enough, and it was time for Neti Neti to begin seeing the light of day.

ABOUT

Neti Neti is a Sanskrit expression meaning "not this, not that".

It reflects a deep spiritual practice of peeling away all labels, identities, and illusions to discover your true self. By denying everything you are not, you move closer to what you are at your core - Pure Consciousness, beyond description.

The phrase is rooted in Hindu philosophy, particularly in the teachings of the Upanishads - used in self-inquiry and meditation. Instead of defining yourself by what you are, you gently deny everything you are not - your roles, your emotions, even your very thoughts - until only pure awareness remains.

Sometimes the Path to Truth isn't about adding more, but in quietly stripping away what doesn't belong.

Considering this oil was produced right before the Pandemic began back in 2020 - I thought the "not this, not that" concept fit perfectly - born of one world, and then thrust into a new. Just as many were forced to come to terms with their new realities, the death of our old selves and way of doing things opened the door to new opportunities and expressions of self. A New Consciousness.

And so - Neti Neti was born, right as our old world was about to meet an abrupt death, and the new and unexplored Consciousness of Post-2020 was about to begin.

SCENT

The Philippines is the latest, and likely the last, of the old world jungles yielding incredible old-growth woods. Add to that the difficulty with which to get your hands on any materials due to the rampant corruption over there - Filipino woods and oils are a rarity in a class all of their own.

This oil, as I had mentioned, was produced by a colleague of mine for a private collection belonging to a very wealthy Gulf client of his. I remind only to say - this was produced for the palate of very deep pockets with a very refined taste, for the collection of a single patron of financial stature that most will never attain. Something many of us likely would never get a chance to smell or experience if it weren't for my very unique relationships with some very out-of-sight people, known only to a certain unusual class of customers.

One thing I find very interesting about woods and oils from the Island of Leyte, specifically - is that in the Gulf, Leyte is adorned above all others for it's Cambodi-like sweetness. I find it interesting because, to my nose, the WOODS don't particularly smell Cambodi-like. The scent of the woods I find to be a very distinctive scent to the Philippines - and in this case, to Leyte, specifically. The OILS, however - the oils I DO find can carry some of the Red and Purple Berries of Cambodi oils that are so beloved. And so it is in the OILS that I find the Cambodi comparison to hold some water.

Neti Neti - bridging the old self and the new - brings forward that warmth of berry compote from Cambodia to the distinct island flavor of Leyte.

There's a rich, brothy Umami to the oil that reminds me of the punch vinegar and fish sauce bring to Filipino dishes (don't worry ... it doesn't smell like vinegar or fish sauce, haha). But it has a brothy punch that reminds me of how these flavors bring a certain zing to a dish, giving it a life and mouthfeel just not found in other cuisines. That same Umami punch is here, in Neti Neti.

The Berries here really shine for me. The Tartness of Raspberries and the Dark Fruitiness of Cassis, combined with that brothy Umaminess - it's not an overly sweet oil - but the combination reminds me of some kind of French Cassis Pastry I used to eat ages ago when I lived in Avignon. Great at any time of year, but especially hits the spot in cooler weather.

Neti Neti has hints of some oceanic notes - but it's less oceanic than many of my Island oils. Leading me to believe that maybe the woods used for this production came more from the mountains of the interior. It's still there - but I fund the jungliness of the ocean breeze to be more humid and dense, than light and sandy. There are some humid soil notes I occasionally catch, as well - lending more to the dense humidity of forest canopy than that of toes in the sand. Whatever the case - it's quite enjoyable, and lends a textural note to the overall vibe of the oil.

Several of my Saudi, Kuwaiti, and Qatari clients have seen samples of this oil already, and every single one of them has LOVED it. So I have a feeling if you have Gulf sensibilities ... Neti Neti is for you !