Niksen - Tuli 2022 - Nagaland - India - Pure Artisan Hindi Oud Oil - Dehn al Oud

Niksen - Tuli 2022 - Nagaland - India - Pure Artisan Hindi Oud Oil - Dehn al Oud

Jungle : Tuli - Nagaland, India

Species : Agallocha - Wild

Distillation : January 5 - 17th, 2022 - 2 Day Soak, 12 Day Collection
Class : Traditional Stainless Deg and Bapkha - Wood Fired - Distilled exclusively from high grade "red" wood and shavings from 5 trees aged 125-150 years old

Profile : Rich Umami, Hints of Florals, and Musk

**Rich, thick, meaty Umami - Saffron - Tart Berries - Jungle Florals - Hints of Smoke - Zesty Musk

This is a really fun small batch of oil made not from a tree we took down ourselves, but was able to get some incredible wood and the top grade shavings from 5 trees from the Tuli area of Nagaland.

Everything from my India operation takes ages to get to me, so this oil had had 3 solid years of aging before it made it's way over to me. So it's already got some great development on it and is ready to rock and roll.

ABOUT

Niksen is a Dutch word, meaning " The Mindful Practice of Doing Nothing".

It's a pause for your Mind to Wander, Rest, and Refresh. It's not avoidance - but rather, a quite space where clarity and calm naturally emerge.

Tuli is a small town in the Mokokchung district of Nagaland in northeast India, situated on the right bank of the Milak River about 80 km north of the district headquarters, Mokokchung. It sits where the Langpangkong Range rises from the surrounding plains, so the immediate landscape is a mix of low rolling hills, river flats, and nearby forested highlands. It's a peaceful small town in the mountains of an area not heavily populated.

I find many Tuli oils to be contemplative, calming, mindful respites in the world of Oud - and Niksen jumped out at me as the perfect name for this oil.

SCENT

Nagaland woods, in general, tend to have a delightful floral note them that often transfers to the oils produced from the region when done properly. The Mokokchung district, especially, I find to be delightfully floral - and the Tuli area with its surrounding Langpangkong Mountains are some of my personal fave profiles.

Upon immediate application, the thickness and richness of Umami is what initially jumps into my nostrils. I love these kinds of rich oils to wear solo - but they also smell so damn good when layering with other fragrances, or compounding further with other ingredients. To me, oils like these are a bit like chocolate - joyful to eat on its own, but enhancing everything you dunk into it. It makes everything it touches better.

The Florals on this batch are more in the background. You may miss them if you're in a rush, but if you pause and pay attention - those jungly white narcotic florals are there wafting through the oudy humid punch.

I get some hints of Tart Berries and the leathery fruitiness of Saffron alongside those gentle Floral notes. Be sure to pay attention, as they are less pronounced as in some of my other oils, and may be overshadowed by the thickness of Umami if you aren't looking for them.

Throughout the wear I detect some very light hints of smoke, which add depth and mystique to this already delightful ride. It's very gentle - like wafts of time spent lounging and gently comforting in the background.

What really surprised me on this batch was this transition to a strong muskiness after the heaviest and thickest run of that umami richness. On my skin, those musk notes last for a solid 2-3 hours, before tapering off a little bit and the oudy resin notes start peeking in. On my skin, at least - that was a bit unusual. I normally don't get those blasting musky notes from wearing an oil on skin - so I imagine it'll be even more pronounced on some other folks.

Overall, this is a really really enjoyable ride. Strong, thick umami with hints of florals and a delightfully surprising muskiness that just slaps in a really satiating inhale. Zen-like, Meditative, Stress-busting enjoyment.

Several of my 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 ... Niksen is for you !