How Aroma Sublime is Meeting The Challenge of Sustainability in Sourcing Wild Agarwood

In the pantheon of luxury aromatics, Oud essential oil (distilled from agarwood) stands a class apart.

The most coveted class of agarwood is wild forest agarwood harvested exclusively from mature, naturally occurring Aquilaria trees. This prized commodity represents the pinnacle of both aromatic quality and status in the world of agarwood. Yet, with this notoriety, rarity, and increasing value, comes a pressing concern: the looming shadow of unsustainability. A combination of factors are making the very best wild agarwood harder and harder to find, more and more expensive, and subject to greater regulation and restriction.

The Primary Cause of the Decline of Wild Agarwood: Large-Scale Deforestation

The true primary cause for the increasing rarity of wild agarwood is not poaching or overharvesting as many believe. It’s actually general deforestation, massive industrial-scale deforestation in which agarwood species are simply collateral damage.

General deforestation (for lumber, farming, and other human exploits) is reducing the sheer volume of untouched wild forest worldwide, thereby diminishing the range and prevalence of the naturally occurring agarwood trees, which proffer our most beloved scent. The real long-term solution is saving old-growth forests and encouraging re-forestation including the re-planting of agarwood species.

This is a serious and complex issue that requires collaboration between regulators, governments, and industry. Awareness and activism from the general public to support the preservation of natural forest around the world as well as pointed attempts toward reforestation can be extremely helpful in this regard.

Optimally, wild agarwood trees should only be harvested when in a fully mature state and nearing the end of their natural life cycle. Older wild trees have fulfilled their primary role in the natural environment and contributed to the replenishment of the species. Unlike the vast majority of other forest resources, the harvesting of mature wild agarwood trees does not require destructive practices such as clear-cutting or burning. Mature trees also offer us the most bountiful harvest of aromatic wood, agarwood that is also of the very best aromatic quality.

The cultivated (farmed) agarwood industry, in its most responsible and conscientious form, can also be a major collaborator toward improving the prevalence of agarwood species in natural forest environments worldwide. We have seen many examples first-hand; Responsible, green, organically farmed agarwood operations that also participate in forest stewardship and long-term transgenerational sustainability planning. We cannot say this about the cultivated agarwood industry at large, since standard practices are so highly variable. From chemical-laden highly destructive practices, to clean, green, and regenerative; the cultivated agarwood business is a whole other topic of discussion beyond the scope of this writing.


The Menace of Unskilled and Careless Wild Agarwood Poaching

The global demand for Oud and agarwood has led to a surge of unskilled and irresponsible poachers looking for quick profits. These individuals will target even the youngest trees, which yield only minuscule amounts of aromatic wood. In doing so, not only is quality compromised, but a life, one that could have contributed significantly more value in the future, is cut short. Aroma Sublime firmly distances itself from such practices.

While this is often anxiously promoted as the primary cause of the ever-increasing rarity of wild agarwood species, this is not entirely accurate. The impact of agarwood poaching cannot compare to that of general large-scale deforestation. Unskilled, irresponsible, and often illegal poaching of immature agarwood trees is a serious problem in some parts of the world, and the ever-increasing value of the wood, combined with aggressive regulations and law enforcement, can result in conflicts between harvesters and authorities. While this problem should not be ignored or minimized, it does tend to distract from the bigger problem, large-scale industrial deforestation on a global scale.

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Aroma Sublime Sets a New Course Toward Greater Sustainability; Mature Trees Only

Aroma Sublime's commitment to sustainability is evident in our movement toward 100% responsible harvesting of only mature wild trees nearing the end of their natural life cycle. We are now able to commit fully to this, as we have developed more and more relationships over time with skilled, committed wild-harvesters, often lifelong and multigenerational practitioners, who understand and respect responsible wild harvesting practices with an interest in safeguarding immature trees, for a bounty that only comes with patient respect for nature’s course.

Mature agarwood trees, nearing the end of their natural life cycle, are our primary focus. These grand sentinels of the forest, with their years of accumulated aromatic wisdom, produce agarwood and Oud oil that is intense, intricate, and full. When it comes to Oud, time and the complexity that only natural processes can offer, impart the superior quality Aroma Sublime is famous for. And now we move forward with a crystal clear vision for increased sustainability.

How do we verify and enforce our sustainability policies?

We achieve this high standard by carefully vetting our wild-harvesters and artisan distillers, developing personal relationships, often meeting them personally and visiting them on-site. These are often lifelong or multigenerational agarwood experts with a deep connection to the land and with a strong interest in stewardship and the preservation of agarwood species for future generations. We are interested in the story of each tree we harvest, and frequently, as much as possible, are involved in the harvesting and processing of the tree from discovery to distillation, from forest to flacon.

Aroma Sublime Stays Strictly Small Scale: a feature, not a bug

Aroma Sublime is strictly small-scale when it comes to wild agarwood. We don't want to become a huge company and dominate the market. We don't want to compete with irresponsible mass harvesters and middlemen who buy any scrap of wood from any seller. We choose to focus on quality and not quantity. We are interested in sustainable and personal practices, rather than unbridled expansion.

Indeed we are eagerly awaiting improvements in the farming or agarwood; sustainable cultivation of agarwood that results in a final product that we can truly say is as good as wild. So far, nothing compares to the very best wild agarwood and Oud.

Our experience is that both sustainability and aromatic quality can be in confluence: mature trees generally offer a superior aromatic depth, complexity and fullness that is second to none. As such, we can confidently make the choices we do based on both aromatic quality and our broader ethical responsibilities.

The Art of Singularity: Single-Tree Oud Distillations

Much like the best wine or coffee, wild Oud can capture the essence of a precise geographic location, or better yet, the spirit of a single mature tree. At Aroma Sublime, this is our chosen path.

1. Celebrating the uniqueness of a single tree:
Each wild agarwood tree has a story to tell—a narrative of its life and journey; its unique terroir, its struggles, and its triumphs. By focusing on oud oil distillations from single trees, or small groups of mature trees in the same location, we aim to capture this story in its purest form, offering our consumers an aromatic experience that's unparalleled in its specificity and refinement.

2. A More Distinct Symphony of Notes:
The resultant Oud oil, derived from individual fully mature trees, carries with it a unique symphony of notes. Just as a sommelier can identify the nuances of wines from different vineyards, seasoned noses can detect the aromatic variations in our single-source Oud oils. This approach not only provides a distinctive and limited edition product for our clientele but also reinforces our commitment to honoring each tree's individual essence and our greater ethos of sustainability.

Nature’s narrative and nuance

In a world where the clamor and controversy for wild Oud and agarwood grows ever more intense, our mission here at Aroma Sublime is to ensure that this demand doesn't drown out the wisdom and richness of the untouched forest, and the time-honored tradition of small batch artisan Oud distillation. For those seeking not just a fragrance, but an experience, Aroma Sublime is committed to sustainable practices around the harvesting and crafting of authentic wild Oud and agarwood, emphasizing the value of patience, small-batch specificity, and respect for nature's timeline.

New Permanent Price Reduction on Raw Agarwood and Sandalwood.

Pierre Black at Aroma Sublime headquarters in Vietnam.

In the past, we always thought of our company Aroma Sublime as specializing in oils, rather than raw wood. The vast majority of orders we received for raw wood were small and only a few grams at a time. The wood we kept in stock we mostly thought of something that we might eventually transform into oil, offering raw wood to our customers was more of a sideline and not really a primary focus.

All this is about to change!

The first step is that we have radically revised our prices on larger purchases of raw wood (10 grams or more). You will see now on all of our wood listings, that there has been a price adjustment of about 30% off for purchases of 10 grams or more!

The savings will only compound with our additional standard discounts that apply at checkout. Yes, you can apply 2 discounts at once! Our standard discounts are 15% on orders of $500 or more, and 25% off orders of $1000 or more. These additional discounts apply automatically at checkout. This can add up to an incredible 50% (more or less) off all our raw agarwood and sandalwood! No need to wait for a sale! Simply order more and immediately receive discounts from 25% to 50% off.

100-year -old sinking grade Mysore sandalwood.

Wild raw agarwood and agarwood oil.

For the next few months all of our wood listings appear as specially priced "SALE" items. However, these price reductions on purchases of 10 g or more are permanent!

These changes are happening for a few reasons…

The first is simply customer demand for larger quantities of fantastic wood at better prices. We're happy to oblige, and have given greater consideration to price adjustments for larger orders.

The deeper reason we're able to do this now, is because in recent years we have spent a lot more time on the ground, on location, meeting responsible, experienced agarwood harvesters in person and developing relationships. It's gotten to the point where we cannot possibly buy all of the incredible wood that we encounter. Prices have dropped a little bit because we are dealing more often with experienced harvesters directly instead of dealing with middlemen. We would like to pass this abundance on to you and at a much better price point whenever possible.

You are going to see our selection and variety of wood improve in the near future and you're going to see many offerings at much lower prices, especially when you take advantage of our discount structure for an almost unbelievable 50% off of list prices.

And finally thank you so much for your trust and support over the years.

- Pierre Black and the Aroma Sublime Team

Check out our wood selection here.

Here are some additional notes for our STANDARDS and POLICIES regarding RAW AGARWOOD in particular:

• When we say wild, we mean wild! All our products designated as WILD are from genuine 100% naturally occurring wild forest agarwood trees with no human interventions prior to harvest. Occasionally we might offer other options, but they will be clearly indicated as either “cultivated” (farmed) or “semi-wild” (agarwood growth influenced by human intervention in a natural setting). When we say wild, we mean wild!

• One tree wonders! We strongly prefer single-tree agarwood harvests and single-tree Oud oil distillations. This has both environmental benefits an, we believe, experiential benefits; in terms of capturing the unique essence of a single, fully mature, agarwood tree. When this single-tree preference is not possible we strongly favor combining wood from only a few fully mature trees, of known provenance, from the same geographic location, and from trusted and experienced harvesters. More and more you will see us moving toward single-tree productions. It’s part of our commitment to sustainability and the joy we take in honoring the individual aromatic “soul” of each tree we harvest.

• Selecting wood for both beauty and aroma: We always do our best to send you beautiful-looking whole pieces of agarwood as best we can, regardless of the size of your order. (You will never receive dust, small chips, or low-quality scraps; unless the product is described and shown as such in the listing.) Already, our entire agarwood supply is always carefully chosen for both aroma and aesthetic appeal. Then we do our very best to fill your order with solid, attractive pieces of agarwood, as best we can, based on the number of grams you purchase of a particular wood variety. Purchasing at least 5 grams or more will give you an aesthetic advantage allowing us to select more attractive single pieces of agarwood just for you that will demonstrate clearly the natural form, color, and texture of the wood you have chosen.

Check out our wood selection here.

New Releases: Two Very Special Ouds for May 2024

SUEDE X PREMIUM 2023 • in-house 100% wild Oud blend • Central Vietnam

• highlights: ​Soft natural suede leather and a medley of gourmet dried fruits. Silky smooth and round Vietnamese Oud​ perfection.​

• material: 100% wild natural Aquilaria crassna

• production: A carefully crafted in-house blend of three top-shelf 100% wild ​Vietnamese Oud oils​ distilled in 2022 and early 2023. In this carefully considered blend we’ve achieved a silky smooth classic​, the kind of Oud we are famous for. 100% pure wild Oud oil.

• scent description: ​Rest assured, Suede X Premium is the ultimate in smooth, soft, clean and natural leather notes showcased, but perfectly harmonized, in a classic Vietnamese Aquilaria crassna​ dreamscape. Smooth and sweet right from the bottle. On top of delicate, warm, natural suede, you'll notice a background of freshly baked spice cake; earthy cassia, vanilla, raisins, and allspice. There's a touch of fresh blonde pipe tobacco here as well (but zero smoke). Very, very slowly, as this oil opens up and transforms on your skin, the suede leather aura and soft spice aspects gently fade, and a medley of gourmet dried fruit emerges. Luscious dried apricot, golden raisins, the finest sticky dates and golden figs… This is a journey into classic Viet Oud perfection.

• notes of controversy: ​None. ​A silky smooth classic​, the kind of Oud we are famous for.

• special notes: 
Skeptical about leathery Oud? Suede X Premium is definitely not your typical leathery​ Oud!  ​"Leather" is usually a poor generalization when describing Oud. More detail should be provided. There is an incredible variety in what leather might smell like including some unpleasant, sharp, or chemical notes that are clearly undesirable. Some Oud buyers have become cautious about buying Ouds described as leathery in any way. With our Suede X Premium there are no surprises. No leather overload. Nothing to hide here. Just smooth and delicate suede perfection in a beautiful harmony with other notes.

A note about ​Oud blending​ here at Aroma Sublime. ​We pride ourselves​ on carefully considered blending, with the goal of elevating already superb ingredients into something absolutely Sublime. Of course, our Oud blends are crafted using only the finest 100% wild Oud oil (either in-house distillations or verified and lab-tested partner-distillers) already aged to perfection. All our Oud blends are still only 100% pure wild Oud oil with nothing else added. Our blended oils are NOT a secondary B-grade product, or an afterthought, as is the case with many such products on the market. And that's if they tell you it's a blend at all... Our Oud blends are a matter of pride and have often been customer favorites since the very beginning.

PAHANG CHERRY SINGLE RESERVE • Single-Tree Wild Oud, Aquilaria malaccensis • Pahang Malaysia

• highlights: Creamy, dark and mysterious; featuring black cherry, apple, black pepper, vanilla, narcotic deep florals, black soil. Unique deep green color.

• material: 100% wild Aquilaria malaccensis, distillation from one single wild tree.

• production: April 2023, ultra-traditional process by a master distiller, low-temperature distilled in wood-fired copper still with glass collector. Crafted by a Malaysian third-generation true master distiller. Lab-tested for purity and authenticity.

• scent description: Creamy, narcotic, dark and mysterious; PAHANG CHERRY SINGLE RESERVE is a beautifully crafted, darkly-sweet, and smooth Oud experience right from the start, reflecting a quintessence of classical Malay oud tradition.

( Generally speaking, most Malaysian Aquilaria malaccensis distillations are soaked in water for days or weeks before distillation imparting various fermented and barn notes to the finished oil. This one is not soaked at all, and is very traditionally distilled in a wood-fired copper pot by a true master. The resulting Oud oil features essentially zero barn or fermented notes, and zero smoke, as is sometimes the result of less skilled wood-firing. )

PAHANG CHERRY SINGLE RESERVE is sweet and buoyant right from the start but with a certain dark and mysterious promise of deeper delights to come. Early notes include prominent ripe black cherry, complex and bright gourmet peppercorn, silky vanilla pod, blackest soil, and even an unexpected salty mineralic note that threads through early on. Classic Oud notes of fresh blonde tobacco and light natural leather mingle subtly and intermittently. Crisp sweet apple soon emerges, and will partner in a beautiful slow dance with the black cherry throughout the drydown. The cherry and apple will ebb and flow, but are a primary theme in this Oud. You’ll also notice an almost ineffable but omnipresent floral creaminess here reminiscent of Orris root. This is also a major theme that remains quietly present through most of the drydown. There are moments when the black soil aspect comes to full clarity, a vast temperate deciduous forest at night; dense, dewy, lush, dark and cool. Oxygen and lichens. Stillness. It will not be long, however, until warmth and light re-emerge. Allspice and port wine make brief appearances at the heart. Deep into the drydown, the finish is easy and gentle; featuring cooked apples, new wood, carpenter’s shop, overripe cherry, more black pepper, and that abiding sultry creaminess.

• notes of controversy: Sometimes has a slight oily petroleum note at close proximity, a note which does not project. We provide details like this in the spirit of honesty and full transparency as we do with all our Oud oils.

• special comments: We expect this oil to age particularly well. We think its an exceptional value at current pricing. Rest assured we are setting aside a little of this Oud to see what happens in 5 years or more.

New Wild Agarwood Malas & Our New Bottle design for 2024

New in the shop: Limited supply of traditional 108-bead wild agarwood malas.

Pierre is back in Vietnam, always on the hunt for new products that meet our high-quality standards. We individually hand-select our 100% wild agarwood malas from carefully vetted local Viet crafters. Each mala is slightly different and each small batch of malas is unique since it comes from a single wild tree. We carefully hand-select the very best ones for our customers.

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New Bottle Design For the New Year…

And here a quick look at out new bottles for 2024. A new look with the same luxury features; solid crystal bottle, glass dipstick, and silicone seal. Our new cap design allows the dipstick to rest at an angle when placed on a flat surface, without the dipstick touching the surface itself. Also it can be placed upside down on its head. Its this kind of attention to detail we think will enhance your experience of our world class speciality aromatics.

Two new Cambodian beauties... New Oud in the Shop

JADE IBIS 2022 • 100% wild Oud • Pursat Cambodia

• highlights: Smooth and steady classic Cambodian Oud, mostly sweet but with poignant, evocative bitter aspects. Light tobacco, autumn leaves, molasses, natural leather, cooked/dried stonefruit, and new wood are thematic here.

• material: 100% wild Aquilaria crassna, from a group of a few mature trees growing close together in the wild forest lowlands of the Pursat region of Cambodia.

• production: Distilled in October 2022 in steel with a glass collector. Dedicated and verified artisan distiller. Lab-tested for purity and authenticity.

• scent description: This very classic Cambodian Oud stays strong, smooth, and steady through its glowing golden unfolding. Some interesting, unique notes feature strongly at the outset; blackstrap molasses, autumn leaves, red ginseng root, pleasant horse & stable (clean, moderate). These notes quickly relax and harmonize the primary and more consistent classic Oud notes that define and carry this beautiful oil; blonde pipe tobacco, natural suede leather, buckwheat honey, dried apricot, peach jam, sultana raisins, and freshly cut new lumber. Expands and mellows through the drydown into a golden peachy-marmalade and carpenter’s shop aura, with most of the other notes settling comfortably into the background. There is something very nostalgic and soothing about this very special aromatic journey.

• notes of controversy: Minimal. A warm touch of “horse and stable” without being “barny” in a challenging way. The red ginseng and molasses notes bring a slight bitterness to the overall bouquet, mostly in the first hour of drydown.

BLACK NAGA • 100% wild Cambodian Oud • Kampot, Cambodia

• vintage: distilled in early December 2022 from one mature tree in the wild forest lowlands of the Kampot region of Southern Cambodia. Distilled in steel with a glass collector. Dedicated and verified artisan distiller.

• scent highlights: A rich, deep, complex, smooth, clean, gently masculine-leaning Oud. Whiskey, dark pipe tobacco, sweet brown spices, lots of dried fruit.

• scent description: This gorgeous classic Cambodian Oud opens with fine smooth malty-caramel whiskey, dark pipe tobacco, simmering cassia and nutmeg, vanilla pod, raisin, and dried apricot, overripe black cherry, apple cider, chamomile flower, and natural licorice root. It has an interesting understated mineralic and black soil note and an elegant, refined, hint of smoke. Most interestingly perhaps, fresh blueberry notes occasionally emerge in the early drydown. Even with all this complexity at the start, the top notes dance seamlessly and smoothly together. Nothing sharp or undesirable. There is only a touch of leather present in this Oud, a soft natural leather that lingers in the background and remains present through all of the drydown. With some time, this Oud relaxes into a slow sweet cruise, showcasing mainly buttery dried fruits and simmering sweet brown spices; dried apricot, a medley of raisins, dried black fig, sweet baking spices like earthy cinnamon, cassia, allspice, and nutmeg; applesauce, brown sugar and butter. The finish is sweet and smooth Oud glory that lasts and lasts.

• special notes: we think this is a special Oud that will age brilliantly. We are eager to see what happens over time.

• notes of controversy: none. No rough edges. No barn. Even the slightly-too-sharp whiskey note right out of the bottle softens within seconds. Smoke, sometimes a less desirable note for some customers, is in harmony here in the most elegant and understated way. A risk worth taking for those wary of smokier Ouds.

• species: A. crassna

Price Drop or our famous Frangipani essential oil

Recently we've been able to permanently reduce the price of our in-house Hydro distilled pure frangipani essential oil! In the past, the high price of this oil has kept it out of reach for many customers.

Due to the maturing of our own organic frangipani tree plantation at Aroma Sublime headquarters in Southwestern Vietnam, we are now able to permanently reduce the price of this world-class perfumers ingredient or stand-alone aromatic experience.

Aroma Sublime's incredible organic hydro-distilled White Plumeria (frangipani) flower essential oil, a rare feat of all-natural low-temperature hydro-distillation by company founder Tony Bolton. A pure, natural floral extract that requires a full 7 kilograms of fresh organic white plumeria blossoms to produce only 1ml of sublime and heavenly essential oil. Intensely sweet and floral super-concentrate requiring only the tiniest amount for a total aromatic immersion. A must-have essential oil for professional perfumers and the serious aromatics aficionado.

Our aging and blending process gives this oil a depth, sweetness, and complexity unlike any other aromatic. Featuring top notes of muscat, peach, apricot, nectarine, honeydew, and bright spring wild honey. The heart opens into sultry night-blooming floral complexity; white lily and cereus, wild summer honey, Chardonnay, Sauternes, and fresh very ripe stonefruit (peach, nectarine, apricot). Patience reveals pure frangipani perfection deep into the drydown, a beautifully clear and complete impression of the original flower. Superb longevity. An absolutely epic aromatic experience.


100% hydro-distilled fresh Vietnam White Plumeria flower, organic production from our own plantation.

Visit our shop now.

Frangipani in antiquity: Plumeria flower relief in Penataran temple, Blitar, East Java, Indonesia. Estimated 500-700 years old.

To barn or not to barn: Understanding so-called "barn" notes in Oud and perfumery

Oud, the essential oil of agarwood, offers us perhaps the most complexity and variety of any single-source natural aromatic in the world, the reason for its revered status and obsessive study by its devotees.

Barn. barn? barn!

Newcomers to the world of Oud might find this “barn” business to be an enigmatic and quirky bit of nomenclature, little used and rarely needed in more mainstream olfactory explorations. Indeed, we at Aroma Sublime think that the term barn is widely overused. At best, it’s a slightly lazy generalization; at worst, a means of excusing or obfuscating less desirable notes in the marketing of inferior Oud.

What do people really mean by barn when describing the aromatic notes particular to Oud?

The descriptive barn might encompass a variety of pleasant or pleasantly harmonized animalic notes, variations of human body odor, pheromones, straw, horse, sheep, dog, civet, musk, horse`s stable, the full range of leather notes, light fermented notes, astringency, a whole palette of woody notes, cheese in all its variety, grassy green notes, sheep’s wool, lanolin, and many many more.

The controversy arises, however, around some other aromatic notes that many novices or casual aficionados might not dare to declare openly; fecal, urinous, ammonia, “cat box”, fermented, rotten, necrotic, rancid, or intense human body odor in all its variations. We deign to propose that the majority of customers should be informed when especially intense notes of controversy feature strongly in an Oud. We believe you should know what you are investing in.

We do not name these aspects in any spirit of judgment or dismissal, but rather in the spirit of clarity and transparency. We are not here to “yuck anyone’s yum” or to pass judgment on a matter that is highly subjective on an individual and cultural level. But we think precision is important. A lack of precision and transparency in the Oud culture at large, we are convinced, has permanently dissuaded many potential Oud lovers in their earliest explorations.

Its essential to note that many places in the world where Oud bears its longest and greatest histories, strongly favor all the aromas that the term barn encompasses. Without question, there are excellent Ouds that are all about barn. However, we feel that even in an Oud culture where everything-barn is beloved and extolled, there exists a spectrum of quality and degrees of refinement that the customer deserves to be informed about. Horse & stable, or horse manure? Yes, we think you deserve to know!

The important question for us is, are these more challenging aromatic features more likely to persuade or dissuade? Will they be most generally experienced as pleasant or unpleasant, alluring or off-putting? Its there a harmony and a dance, or is there a slap in the face?! How and for how long do they mingle and interact with the other aromatic notes in a particular Oud?

On the other side of the spectrum, there are those who might be inclined to reject the possibility of these more controversial aromatic notes being in any way pleasant or desirable. We will let you in on the not-so-secret secret in the perfume industry both contemporarily and historically: These “taboo” aromatic notes will almost universally delight and seduce the human nose when they are carefully woven into a scent formula; artfully, subtly, as punctuation or sub-text rather than an overt theme. In many cases, they are mere glimmers in a well-designed blend, precisely sub-perceptual and therefore subconscious in their effect.

This subtle application of these more challenging aromatic notes translating directly to wider acceptance and appreciation generalizes well in Oud as well, the difference being that the variations in Oud are more a result of inherent natural chemistry, and less the result of precision human formulation (as in the case of perfume, especially modern synthetic perfumery). This natural occurrence, which we help to isolate and express through distillation, is part of the unique allure that Oud offers.

In conclusion, we feel that Barn has become an all too common euphemism and catch-all for all of the more challenging aromatic features that Oud might bring. Barn is often is a word carefully chosen by marketers to obfuscate an excess of controversial aromatic notes, especially when they feature excessively or disharmoniously in a lower-quality Oud’s aromatic spectrum. Experienced Oud aficionados will know exactly what we mean. Barn is too often used as an excuse to sell you a disappointing Oud.

Aroma Sublime, A Different Approach to Oud

We offer a very clear description of our Oud oils including how the aroma transforms through the drydown. We are not afraid to list less popular or more challenging aromatic notes and discuss how they present in our Oud oils. If they are present at all.

We do our best to offer a careful and precise approach to everything “barn” might encompass. We specialize in Oud featuring very moderate and well-harmonized “barn” aspects on the more accessible side of the spectrum. We are not afraid to discuss these in detail.

We are known for cleaner, sweeter, rounder Oud oils from 100% wild agarwood that is not fermented or burned. We are known for cleaner-spectrum Oud oils, with smooth and round aromatic features. We are known for our careful selection of premium wild agarwood, our passion for gentle traditional distillation techniques, and our patient aging protocols.

All this results in a more reliable Oud experience.

No euphemisms and vagueries.

No excuses.

Just reliable Oud.

Browse our carefully curated Oud collection.

Health Benefits of Damascena Rose Essential Oil

For centuries, the Damascena rose has been revered for its beauty and fragrance. But beyond its aesthetic appeal lies a precious oil with numerous health benefits. Known as Damascena rose essential oil, this oil is obtained through steam distillation of the rose petals and has been the subject of numerous clinical studies that confirm its therapeutic properties.

One of the most well-known benefits of Damascena rose essential oil is its ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Clinical studies have found that the oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, making it a natural remedy for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Inhaling the oil has been found to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, all of which are indicators of a relaxed state.

Another way that Damascena rose essential oil can benefit the mind and body is by promoting a positive mood. Studies have shown that the oil can act as a natural antidepressant and anxiolytic agent, with some researchers suggesting that it may be as effective as prescription medication in treating depression and anxiety. Inhaling the oil has been found to increase feelings of happiness, reduce negative emotions, and improve overall well-being.

But the benefits of Damascena rose essential oil don't stop there. The oil has been found to possess analgesic properties, making it a natural remedy for pain relief. Clinical studies have shown that applying the oil topically can reduce pain and discomfort associated with headaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle soreness.

The oil's therapeutic properties also extend to the skin. Damascena rose essential oil has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties that can benefit the skin in a variety of ways. Clinical studies have shown that applying the oil topically can reduce inflammation, protect against UV damage, and promote healthy, glowing skin.

Finally, Damascena rose essential oil has been found to have antimicrobial properties that can help to boost the immune system. Studies have shown that the oil can be effective in treating respiratory infections, coughs, colds, and flu, making it a natural and safe alternative to prescription medication.

In conclusion, the health benefits of Damascena rose essential oil are numerous and backed by clinical research. From reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation to relieving pain and boosting immunity, this precious oil is a natural and effective remedy for a variety of ailments. So why not indulge in the sweet and delicate fragrance of Damascena rose essential oil, and let its numerous benefits work their magic on your mind, body, and soul?

Peruse our carefully curated current collection of rose delights.

The Scent of Natural Agarwood Jewelry, Full Disclosure

The Truth about Jewelry Grade Agarwood

We notice that in general people’s expectations for the aroma of natural untreated Agarwood have been overblown and ruined by the abundance of artificially enhanced Agarwood products on the open market. Deceptions that range from the entirely synthetic and artificial, to the non-disclosure of natural enhancements of Agarwood aroma such as treatment with agarwood resin or essential oil.

People have become used to scent-enhanced products which will simply always smell stronger than natural raw untreated Agarwood.

The truth is that most natural untreated Agarwood including 100% wild Agarwood does not project aroma consistently or persistently. The aroma tends to be light and intermittent. It tends to produce slightly more aroma when rubbed or warmed. But will not fill a room with its aroma or perfume one’s skin to the same degree that an Oud oil or burned Agarwood incense would.

Even the very best and most expensive raw untreated Agarwood such as Kinam (Kynam, Kyara) does not produce a constant room-filling aroma at room temperature.

We find that public expectations have been ruined by fakery in the Agarwood business.

We notice that in general people’s expectations for the aroma of natural Agarwood have been overblown and ruined by the abundance of artificially enhanced Agarwood products on the open market. Deceptions that range from the entirely synthetic and artificial, to the non-disclosure of natural enhancements of Agarwood aroma such as treatment with resin or oil.

Outright Fraud?

Many, if not most, of the “natural agarwood” products on the open market today are chemically enhanced works of outright fraud.

Others are naturally enhanced products with natural resin or Oud oil. For example: Its a very common traditional practice to rub some Oud oil into a fine piece of Agarwood jewelry to protect and care for the wood as well as to enhance the scent. There is nothing wrong with this as long as vendors disclose the practice to their customers.

Many people have become used to scent-enhanced products which will simply always smell stronger than natural raw untreated Agarwood.

Natural Scent Enhancement

Natural Agarwood resin is a byproduct of the essential oil distillation process in the cultivated Oud (Agarwood essential oil) industry. Natural Agarwood resin imparts an aroma that is more prominent and persistent when compared to what natural untreated Agarwood would normally offer. Natural Agarwood resin isolates and intensifies primarily the leather, wood, and tobacco aromatic base notes that feature prominently in the aromatic spectrum of most Oud and Agarwood. It also protects the wood from the rigors of wear; moisture and friction, and also deepens the color of the wood. We think these naturally enhanced resin-infused agarwood beadworks offer an affordable and high-quality option to our customers. But honesty and clarity is essential in operating ethically and educating our customers. Of greatest importance; the aroma of resin-treated agarwood will not be nearly as refined and complex as authentic high-grade untreated wild. The aroma, while stronger, bludgeons you with intensified base notes and not much else.

Natural Enhancements Only

We believe that certain natural enhancements are acceptable, but that it is essential that vendors and crafters in the industry are honest about such enhancements. We accept only certain natural enhancements such as treating wood with natural Agarwood resin or natural Oud oil, and we will always disclose the specific practice to our customers. As well we will always be crystal clear on Wild, Semi-Wild, or Cultivated designations for all our Agarwood products.

Our Preference; Untreated Wild

We prefer the real thing. Pure, untreated, wild agarwood is a natural wonder. One must become present to its subtleties and moods. The delicate aroma will ebb and flow. Wearing this wood on the body will expose it to warmth and friction, intermittently releasing an ethereal, pure, and completely natural aroma. An unadulterated direct experience of an authentic, rare, and exquisite gift from nature enjoyed by the initiated for millennia.

Offering exclusively 100% Wild Agarwood would be our true preference, but the availability of such high-quality items is sporadic and the price is ever-increasing and prohibitively expensive for many.

As such, we offer a variety of untreated or naturally enhanced options for the various needs and preferences of our customers. Our promise is absolute clarity on the quality and authenticity of our offerings.

We would love to hear your thoughts regarding these products so we can better serve you.

A New Oud: In Memory of our Oud Savant, friend, and founder, Tony Bolton.

First, we want to express our immense gratitude to our friends and customers and the aromatics community at large for your incredible support during this challenging time. Tony's wife Tha, especially, is going through a very difficult time, and your support is absolutely indispensable.

We would like everyone to know that Tha and I plan to continue operating and expanding Aroma Sublime. Of course, we are moving slowly right now. We are recovering from a huge loss with our founder passing, and it will take some time to re-orient ourselves. Especially on the Vietnam side of the business.

There are some positive notes looking forward. Tha has unquestionably become a master distiller, having worked alongside Tony for so many years. In recent years, since Tony's health had deteriorated, I have watched Tha orchestrate the distillation of incredible Oud oils entirely on her own, from processing a whole wild agarwood tree with the team, to personally monitoring the still in the middle of the night, to the moment the Oud is clarified and put away for aging, she does it all. Tony was of course delighted by all this and very proud of Tha's impressive skill. As am I.

Some of these magnificent oils are presently being aged. These include a completely unexpected sinking Oud oil, created using a very nice (non-sinking) wood from the Khanh Hoa region. Watch for these oils coming soon.

Contrary to the imaginings of some of our hopeful admirers, there is no big secret collection of Tony's oils waiting to be released. We wish this were the case!

Rather, we hope to honor Tony's legacy by continuing to create superb Oud through the continued application of Tony's philosophy and wisdom to the process.

We definitely uncovered a few pleasant surprises when I was in Vietnam on-site over the summer. Small amounts of some superb oils. These are mostly already sold out.

I feel immense gratitude for these final months I was able to enjoy on-site with Tony.

After Tony's passing, Tha did uncover one new Oud. It’s probably the last one that was distilled entirely by Tony. It’s a classic "Tony", a straightforward sweet and balanced wild Vietnam profile, and very smooth after more than 3 years of aging. There is only about 30ml available. Distilled from selected wild agarwood from the Hue imperial City and Da Nang regions. IMPERIAL STAR is a perfect Oud to release now in honor of Tony's work and legacy.

You can read the full description in the listing on our website. https://www.aromasublime.com/shop/imperial-star-100-wild-oud-in-house-hue-vietnam

We appreciate your support.

Pierre Black and Aroma Sublime

The Passing of Founder Tony Bolton.

Sadly we lost a true legend in the Oud and artisanal aromatics world. On October 10th, Tony Bolton passed away at home with his wife Tha by his side after complications from a recent stroke.

One of the kindest and funniest people I have ever known, Tony introduced me to the art of essential oil distillation, and was a great friend and mentor. My heart goes out to his family in Vietnam and in the UK, and especially to his wife Tha.

You will be dearly missed Sir Tony.

It is a very good time to buy products that ship from Vietnam HQ as these funds go directly to Tony's wife Tha and will help with accumulated medical expenses and funeral costs.

Tony’s wife Tha has been the real engine behind the Vietnam side of Aroma Sublime for some time now since Tony’s first stroke in 2020. She has taken care of Tony while also continuing to distill some absolutely magnificent Ouds and of course their coveted Plumeria (frangipani) oil. Tha has quietly taken up the reins and become a master distiller in her own right working alongside Tony for so many years.

SUBITISM 3.0 incense burner incense heater electric variable heat adjustment and international voltage raw incense burner fine handcrafted

SUBITISM fine incense burner/heater is individually handcrafted to perfection by Abdenbi of France, artisanal perfumer and craftsman.
Offers variable and precise heat adjustment for precision burning of the finest raw incense materials including agarwood, kynam, sandalwood, frankincense, elemi, myrrh, copal, and many more. Operates on any voltage (100-240v) anywhere in the world and comes with socket adapter for your country.

I was a client before I was the distributor for this product. Its simply the best product of this type I have found. We are proud to be one of only 2 distributors of this product worldwide.

ONE YEAR limited WARRANTY on unit functionality. (see additional details below)
Includes worldwide trackable shipping.

COMES WITH:
Burner box unit
Adapter box and cord with temperature adjustment dial
50 mica plates


ONE YEAR WARRANTY on unit functionality provided that the outer parts of the unit have been well taken care of and not exposed to rough handling, abuse, dirt and debris, or water; and provided that the unit has not been tampered with internally in any way. Warranty does not cover any unit with any physical damage to outer casings, cover, any type of water damage; a unit with a burner plate that is physically damaged in any way, a burner plate that is dirty or has been allowed to come into direct contact with incense materials during use. (Use the burning plates and trays provided.) Warranty does not cover damage by fire, or any effects of incense materials catching fire as a result of burning incense materials at excessively high temperature or for extended periods of time. Warranty is offered and claims effected by the original craftsperson only, not the shop. We do our very best to assist in any warranty claims - we want you to be happy with this handcrafted artisanal product - however this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of the unit by the original craftsperson. Warranty does not cover refund; rather the warranty covers repair or replacement only, at our discretion and the discretion of the original craftsperson.

CAUTION: never leave the burner unattended while it is turned on. sparks of flames may occur unexpectedly in your incense material. the unit may overheat or start a fire if left unattended for an extended period of time. rest the unit on a heat resistant surface while using as some heat will radiate to the bottom of the unit. we recommend that you unplug the unit while it is unattended or not in use. Disclaimer and copyright apply to this product and its description: http://www.pierreblack.com/copyright-and-disclaimer



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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS (Europe, USA, Canada, etc) generally DO NOT PAY additional customs fees. We make our best effort to provide the correct documentation for your specific country to reduce or eliminate customs duties and taxes.

• Pierre Black, Tony Bolton, and Aroma Sublime partnership...
I am honoured to have partnered with Aroma Sublime and the legendary Tony Bolton to bring you some of the finest artisanal hydro-distilled essential oils in the world. Aroma Sublime specializes in limited-edition single-estate small-batch distillations of Oud (Agarwood), Sandalwood, Frangipani, Rose, and others. Offering a selection of their own exclusive on-site distillations, or a small, carefully curated selection of fine artisanal oils from carefully chosen suppliers that we laboratory test for purity, Aroma Sublime has a reputation for quality, purity, and simplicity. Always solvent-free, Aroma Sublime supplies only verified pure hydro-distilled essential oils of the highest quality from our own still or from trusted and verified artisanal suppliers. If we don't oversee production personally, our products are lab tested for purity. visit: https://www.aromasublime.com and https://pierreblack.com

Team Reunion 2022 - Two months at Vietnam headquarters...

Fresh from the still 100% SINKING OUD!

Our two-month team reunion at Vietnam headquarters was fun and incredibly fruitful!
This included a buying trip to Cambodia where we met some trusted artisanal distillers and agarwood hunters.
We made a few trips to Saigon with the whole gang, and also spent a lot of time at headquarters in the Vietnamese countryside sorting through inventory and Tony`s secret stash. We really found some gems!
There are so many new things in the shop as a result and the website is now fully updated!

Another big event was the surprise distillation of a 100% sinking Oud! This is actually the first time we’ve had a 100% sinking distillation. In the past, occasionally, a small portion might have been sinking. This time this gorgeous wild wood from a single tree from Khanh Hoa province in Vietnam produced only sinking oil! We’ve never seen this before. You will have to be patient however as we plan to age this for at least one year before release to the public.

A wonderful surprise; our first 100% sinking Oud distillation!

Pierre is now back in Japan for the time being, but we are looking forward to more time in Vietnam together sooner than later.

In other news, Coming soon, expect to see some one of a kind display pieces available. If you’re interested in these you can message us for a sneak peek and get an early opportunity to grab that special larger piece you have been looking for.

Please apply our active discount codes to optimize your savings at checkout.
10% OFF orders over $200 use code 10OVER200 at checkout
20% OFF orders over $400 use code 20OVER400 at checkout
30% OFF orders over $800 use code 30OVER800 at checkout
free premium shipping on orders totalling $500 or more

Customer Question: What about airing out or sunning an Oud oil to improve it?

Customer Question:

Some Oud producers put the oil under the sun or expose it to the open air to ostensibly speed up the aging process or improve the oil. What do you think of these methods?

Answer from Aroma Sublime:

If there is a problem with a certain oil, then certain tricks like this can be applied to potentially improve the oil.

Most of the time we prefer to deal entirely in oils that are top grade every step of the way; from tree, to still, to aging process; and so tricks like this would not be required and might remove desirable nuances from an exceptional oil, flattening and simplifying the scent.

By sunning or airing out an Oud oil you lose the most volatile and ethereal components of the oil. This can be extremely destructive to a premium oil with no problematic notes or flaws and an exciting symphony of interesting top and heart notes.

Very commonly, If the top notes, especially, of a lower quality Oud oil are unpleasant, the oil can be “improved” with these techniques. You will also lose some of the pleasant top and heart notes as well, however, and might reduce the oil to a bunch of simple Oudy base notes.

I would not say that it’s wrong to use these tricks, but rather that it must be cautiously applied case by case.

For a top quality Oud with no obvious vices, I would recommend patient aging for at least one year in a closed container kept in total darkness and without extreme temperature fluctuations. Of course, there is no problem taking it out occasionally for a sniff.

On the other hand, If you have a medium- to low-quality Oud with some less desirable notes you can try to clean it up a little using air or sun exposure.

New Oud - Cambodi Sublime 7 year !​

New Oud - Cambodi Sublime 7 year !​

A limited edition Oud discovered in Tony's secret stash...​

So much excitement when we dug up this gem! This unassuming little bottle with only a few precious millilitres of one of Tony’s earliest Oud distillations!
Cambodia wild agarwood jungle distilled by wood fire more than 7 years ago. This has aged into a gorgeous smooth and perfectly round olfactory orgasm of vanilla pod, black liquorice jujubes, natural suede, very ripe black cherry, and candied orange peel. Zero barn. Zero sharp edges. Zero smoke. Zero vices. This is why Tony is a legend in the artisanal Oud world.

Only 3 ml available. $390 per ml. No samples.

The Team is Back Together at Vietnam HQ!​

The Team is Back Together!​

After more than 2 years apart, we are back together at Aroma Sublime headquarters in Vietnam, deep in premium wild agarwood country! Pierre has been able to return to headquarters with the lifting of travel restrictions for Vietnam and will be staying for at least one month, possibly longer...

We will be digging into Tony’s secret personal stash of oils and attars, some of which have been ageing for many years.
We will also be distilling some Oud, sandalwood, and more, and we will be showing you the process.
We hope you will join us. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for one-of-a-kind items and special deals. There will be something new every day!

Those interested in raw wild agarwood should pay especially close attention to our Facebook and Instagram pages over the next 30 days. There will be some very special one-of-a-kind agarwood pieces made available on a first-come, first-serve basis. These will not be featured on our website as they will disappear fast.

Subitism Incense Heater: the finest precision electric incensoir

Subitism Incense Heater

the finest precision electric encensoir

SUBITISM fine incense burner/heater
individually handcrafted to perfection by Abdenbi of France, an artisanal perfumer and craftsman. We are proud to be one of only 2 distributors of this product worldwide!
100-240v WORLDWIDE functionality!

We are sure you will love this product. It's simply the best product of this type we have found for precision heating of high-quality raw incense materials. Skip the mess and inconvenience of charcoal. Experience instant precision temperature control and get the most out of your valuable and delicate raw aromatics. Offers variable and precise heat adjustment for precision burning of the finest raw incense materials including agarwood, kynam, sandalwood, frankincense, elemi, myrrh, copal, and many more. Operates on any voltage (100-240v) anywhere in the world and comes with a socket adapter for your country if available. Please be patient. This item is in high demand and each item is handcrafted just for you. We generally ship this item within TWO WEEKS of ordering. Once shipped you will have your burner in 2-5 days anywhere with worldwide trackable shipping. This item ships direct from France where it is handcrafted just for you.

ONE YEAR limited WARRANTY on unit functionality. (see additional details below)
• COMES WITH:
- Burner box unit (Box dimensions: 150 x 100 x 72 mm)
- Adapter box and cord with temperature adjustment dial (100-240v worldwide)
- Adapter plug for your country if available (all major continents/countries)
- 50 mica plates
- 3 round mica plates
- tweezer for safely handling incense materials
- blower brush for cleaning the unit

Common Questions about using the burner...
• SETTINGS: Many people ask us about what burner setting to use for different materials. The short answer is that there is no correct setting for each material. Its very subjective; very much a matter of personal preference, and will also change based on environmental factors and sample size, even with the same material.
The general rule for best results? Always start at a low temperature and slowly increase the temperature paying close attention to what is happening visually to the material on the burner plate as well as the resulting aroma. The purpose of having a burner of this quality is to slowly, gently, and incrementally heat your finer incense materials, slowly releasing layers of aromatic nuance and complexity, without actual combustion and the resulting burnt aromas. You will simply get more value from your fine aromatics. Since the actual temperature of the heater element does not exactly correspond to the voltage/knob setting across different machines, and may vary as well in your individual machine based on environmental factors, no one can suggest useful guidelines based on the knob/voltage setting. Instead, we recommend experimenting with each material on your own burner and using your own preferences, results, and intuitions to determine the "best settings" for each material you use. Remember; start low and slowly increase the temperature until you get the results you want.
• RESINS and other "messy" incense materials: For burning resins such as frankincense or copal, we suggest you use a little tray that you fashion from aluminum foil. The tray can be placed directly on a mica plate and then on the burner element. The aluminum foil keeps the melting resin contained, protecting your machine, while efficiently heating the resin to the preferred burning temperature.

Warranty and Cautions...
• ONE YEAR WARRANTY on unit functionality provided that the outer parts of the unit have been well taken care of and not exposed to rough handling, abuse, dirt and debris, or water; and provided that the unit has not been tampered with internally in any way. Warranty does not cover any unit with any physical damage to outer casings, cover, any type of water damage; a unit with a burner plate that is physically damaged in any way, a burner plate that is dirty or has been allowed to come into direct contact with incense materials during use. (Use the burning plates and trays provided.) Warranty does not cover damage by fire or any effects of incense materials catching fire as a result of burning incense materials at excessively high temperatures or for extended periods of time. Warranty is offered and claims effected by the original craftsperson only, not the shop. We do our very best to assist in any warranty claims, we want you to be happy with this handcrafted artisanal product, however, this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of the unit by the original craftsperson. Warranty does not cover refund; rather the warranty covers repair or replacement only, at our discretion and the discretion of the original craftsperson.
• CAUTION: never leave the burner unattended while it is turned on. sparks of flames may occur unexpectedly in your incense material. the unit may overheat or start a fire if left unattended for an extended period of time. rest the unit on a heat-resistant surface while using it, as some heat will radiate to the bottom of the unit. We recommend that you unplug the unit while it is unattended or not in use.

See the Shopping Page for current pricing.

Genuine “sacred sandalwood” - The story of “Zen One” - one very special tree!

There’s a lot of talk about “sacred sandalwood”. What makes a sandalwood sacred? This kind of designation is often pretty abstract, but very simply its the very best sandalwood in terms of overall quality and aroma, but also grown and processed in a religious or spiritual setting with careful reverence and attention to detail in every regard. The scent of the final product is the real measure of course. So what is it about the scent of the very best sandalwood that makes us feel its sacred? Why is it considered sacred in so many religions and spiritual traditions around the world? I believe that when a natural substance possesses the properties of providing pleasure, a sense of peace, and real healing of both the body and the mind; it tends to be considered sacred by those who encounter it. The physical healing and psychoactive properties of sandalwood are very well documented. (for now you can explore these in detail with a quick online search, but at later date, we will be providing a complete listing of actual references to studies and scientific articles.) And of course, the very best sandalwood will have greater potency in every aforementioned regard.

We could get technical here and get into the chemistry of what qualifies as genuine sacred sandalwood worthy of the designation. Sure you can absolutely measure what makes a superlative sandalwood oil with chemical analysis, but today I’m just here to tell the story of one very special tree that has all the hallmarks of true and traditional sacred sandalwood. Terroir, growing conditions, age of the tree, provenance, purity, extraction, and ageing.

An incredibly lucky find in the garden of a 600+year-old Zen temple in southern Japan. I have had a personal connection to this temple since 2006 and it has been my “spiritual home” ever since. It is where I first started meditation practice and I have maintained a relationship with them ever since spending more than 2 years of my life there in total.

The tree was a gift. The roots of the tree were failing in the very rocky terrain of the ancient Zen garden in which it grew for more than a century. We know for sure that the tree is over 100 years old because of photos and memories, but the exact age is unknown.

When trees like this are harvested in Japan, already an increasingly rare event, they tend to be made into fine incense as is the culture in Japan, rather than essential oil. What an opportunity to obtain this tree for distillation! Because of the very rocky terrain and thin soil this tree grew in, its growth was challenged and it suffered a dwarfing effect, a stunting of its growth that is known to intensify and concentrate the oil the tree produces.

The first distillation of ZEN ONE was at Aroma Sublime headquarters in Vietnam in January 2020. The simplest approach to make this happen? 10 kilos of the main trunk in my suitcase!
Problem solved. This also ended up being my first solo distillation experience, but with Tony and Tha’s close guidance and mentorship. It was on the Lamborghini of custom made stills, Tony’s massive teardrop shaped copper beauty. 8 days later we knew it was all worth it!

About the oil...
ZEN ONE - Japanese Sacred Sandalwood essential oil, Oita prefecture, Kyushu, Japan
single-tree, over 100 years old, from 600-year-old Zen temple garden.
species: Santalum album
part used: heartwood of main trunk, aged 3 years before distillation.
vintage: January 2020 in-house low-temperature hydro-distillation lasting 8 days.

The scent of ZEN ONE is dense and intense; clean, spicy and invigorating but without being sharp or camphorous. Its pure sandalwood glory all the way through, but with some unique features that reflect the very special terroir. Most notably, the outset features a surprising full medley of peppercorns; fresh green peppercorns, resinous and rich gourmet black peppercorn, scintillating pink, and fresh pungent long pepper. You will also notice a prominent sustained cedar note from outset to heart, as the early spiciness dissipates, cedar and other conifers step in for a brief cameo. The finish is big dense sandalwood quintessence, remaining dense and beautifully structured all the way. This oil has remarkable staying power. Absolutely epic sandalwood oil and an opportunity not to be missed.

See the Shopping Page or our Etsy Shop for current prices.

and coming soon…
ZEN HEART - Japanese Sacred Sandalwood root essential oil
the same single-tree as “Zen One”, over 100 years old, from 600-year-old Zen temple garden.
species: Santalum album
part used: heartwood of root system, aged in-ground 5 years, then dry-aged 9 months before distillation.
vintage: January 2021 in-house low-temperature hydro-distillation lasting 10 days.

Scheduled for release January 2022

General Operations Update, Tony Bolton and Aroma Sublime

Originally Posted on Ouddict, the world’s largest Artisanal Oud Forum.

Hi Everyone.
I'm Pierre Black and I am here representing Tony Bolton and Aroma Sublime, formerly Agar Aromas Vietnam.
Since the company's name change in late 2019, the chaos around the early pandemic, followed by Tony's stroke and other health challenges, there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation about the company, as well as an outpouring of concern for Tony.

I'm here now to simply provide a complete update, and to announce our renewed participation here at Ouddict.

1. Why the name change?
I arrived in Vietnam and first met Tony in 2019 when he had just expanded the product line to include his in-house distilled, now famous, sandalwood and frangipani oils, and was looking for some help and a rebrand that reflected these changes and also added a little polish to the presentation of what was already a magnificent and highly-acclaimed curated artisanal Oud collection. We developed the new name and branding changes together, on-location, in late 2019. (We had such a fun time as well, and I have wonderful memories of this time!)

2. How's Tony doing now?
Tony is doing ok and is healthier now than he was in 2020. However, the consequences of his stroke last year have left him less able to be present and engaged online especially when it comes to typing and texting. He still oversees all operations at the company's beautiful headquarters in southwestern Vietnam right on the Mekong River near the Cambodian border. Tony has been really touched by the concern and well-wishes expressed by so many of you in the Oud community and regrets that he has not been able to keep up with all replies. For those of you who know Tony personally and want to connect with him, it's much easier to arrange a video chat than it is to expect an extended text chat.

3. Tony's wife Tha.
Tha is an absolute force of nature and has been through incredible challenges since Tony's stroke, not only taking care of Tony, but also handling most of the physical work around distillation and order fulfillment. What many people don't realize is that she has also become quite the Oud expert working alongside Tony since the very beginning. She is now the engine behind Aroma Sublime and deserves our trust, support, and credit for keeping the Vietnam operation afloat during these extremely challenging times. I want to acknowledge her incredible efforts and expertise. Since Tha has started taking on more of the distillations singlehandedly lately, she has produced some absolutely stunning Oud. She is the behind-the-scenes beating-heart of the operation today, and I'm so excited to release some incredible new Oud oils soon that are made entirely by her skilled hands and wise nose.

4. What is my role here?
I realize Tony is a legend in the Oud world, and I have no illusions about filling his shoes. While indeed I am now a partner in the business, I see myself much more as an apprentice in a support role when it comes to the Oud side of the business. When it comes to Oud and Agarwood I'm simply here to facilitate your access to their Oud and Agarwood collection. I do have my own line of other products and you will see these fully integrated into the Aroma Sublime product line, but you will also always know exactly what's what. I will not be focussing much on Oud in my own work until I am able to return to Vietnam when I hope to work again on-site with Tony and Tha. For now, they remain focussed on Oud and Frangipani oil production. While I am focussing on distilling resins like frankincense and a few special Japanese raw materials, as well as making some perfume and skincare products. Although I am most often the public face of the company now, and I am living in Japan for now, we do operate as a team and are always in close contact. As in the past, we are committed to integrity and transparency in all that we do here at Aroma Sublime.

5. Who am I?
What I bring to the table is my extensive background as a multidisciplinary Naturopath, aromatherapist, and herbalist and a particular love of working with aromatics and herbals that also provide sensory pleasure and joy as we use them. Through the pandemic, here in Japan, I have taken a deep dive into distillation and perfumery, blending Tony's mentorship with my own curiosities and special interests. I have been getting some spectacular results with excellent feedback from customers and a few industry experts.
My personal "Oud awakening" began completely by chance in Thailand in 2013. I fell in love with Oud there and the rest is history, as they say. I have been chasing oud ever since, but my professional involvement really only took hold in 2019 when I started working with Tony. I'm not here pretending to be an expert on Oud. I have some decent knowledge and experience in the Oud world, and a decent nose, but more importantly, I just get really excited about this stuff! I feel very fortunate to have had a couple of months living on-site at Aroma Sublime headquarters deep in the Vietnamese countryside working directly with Tony and Tha. I have learned so much working with them when it comes to Oud itself and the art of distillation! As well, importantly, I feel we have much more than a business relationship, I now think of them as family.

6. Why am I in Japan now, and not on-site in Vietnam?
Just before the pandemic, I had plans to build a life in Vietnam and continue working extensively with Tony and Tha on location. Pandemic-related travel restrictions suddenly prevented this.
I was on a quick visa renewal trip to Thailand, where I was also showcasing our products at a conference. During this trip the seriousness of the pandemic took hold and I was suddenly not able to return to Vietnam indefinitely. I was very lucky to slip into Japan just 2 days before they also closed their borders. Fortunately, I have many friends and contacts here in Japan, as I have been working with some Zen meditation retreat centers here since 2006. Since my arrival here at the beginning of the pandemic, I have been volunteering at a mostly empty Zen center. The silver lining of the situation is that, in collaboration with the monk here, we decided to start doing some small-scale distillation here, and have had access to some absolutely epic raw materials.
It is with deep sadness and concern, however, that I have not been able to return to Vietnam to help Tony and Tha on site, especially when Tony's health deteriorated. We are all looking forward to better times and my return to Vietnam and I am relieved that Tony's health has improved somewhat since last year.

7. Our Oud collection now...
Our selection and production process for Oud oils has not changed at all. It's still a carefully curated small collection of 100% pure, mostly wild Oud oils, that we are incredibly proud of. More than half our products are in-house distillations, and most of these are single-tree distillations where we oversee the provenance of the whole tree right from the forest. The small number of outsourced Oud oils in our collection are from reputable artisanal producers and are lab tested for purity. Most of our oils are aged 1 year or more so there is a delay before new distillations go to market. Tha handles 90% of this work these days. While I have the great pleasure of testing, discussing, and promoting the oils, I'm not involved in production. In fact, most of our Oud selection is exactly the same as it was in 2019, with the addition of only a few new oils since then. All of this reflects our commitment to careful curation and quality assurance.


We are feeling optimistic about what is to come, and eager to participate here at Ouddict.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported us in the past!
We really appreciate it, and look forward to serving you in the future.

Pierre Black,
for Tony Bolton and the Aroma Sublime team.

See the Shopping Page or our Etsy Shop

Tony Bolton's famous FRANGIPANI - the impossible oil!

Tony Bolton's famous FRANGIPANI Pure Premium - the impossible oil!
100% pure frangipani flower essential oil from our own plantation.

process: 100% pure organic hydro-distilled Vietnam Frangipani flower essential oil

species: Plumeria

parts used: fresh flowers

terroir: mekong river, southwestern Vietnam

All the industry experts said this was not possible, but Aroma Sublime did it anyway! Pure hydro-distilled perfume-grade Frangipani flower oil from our own plantation. Kilos of fresh frangipani flowers are needed to yield each millilitre of this precious golden oil, very slowly and gently low-temperature distilled in our copper still with a glass condenser. Top notes of muscat, peach, apricot, nectarine, honeydew. Sweet and fruity, like a fine ice wine. Heart features dusky floral complexity; lily and cereus, summer honey, chardonnay, ripe stonefruits. Base blooms into pure frangipani perfection, a beautifully clear and complete impression of the original flower. Superb longevity. 100% pure frangipani flower essential oil from our own plantation.

See the Shopping Page or our Etsy Shop for current prices.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Our products are pure, natural, and chemical-free. This product can be used simply for the aroma, but it also has traditional medicinal uses. Get properly informed before using this product in or on your body. Some people tolerate natural aromatics and essential oils easily and others do not. Use caution and common sense. Get informed about this specific product from a variety of sources before you make a decision about how to use it.

• INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS (Europe, USA, Canada, etc) generally DO NOT PAY additional customs fees. We make our best effort to provide the correct documentation for your specific country to reduce or eliminate customs duties and taxes.

• It's all in THE "DRYDOWN": How to best enjoy premium aromatic oils: https://pierreblack.com/blog/2020/7/4/its-all-in-the-drydown-how-to-enjoy-premium-oud-and-other-finer-aromatics

• The Best Bottle Choice for Fine Aromatics? Our Choice is Clear.
PLEASE PROTECT YOUR VALUABLE AROMATICS & OTHER NATURALS FROM LIGHT & TEMPERATURE VARIATION.
https://pierreblack.com/blog/2020/11/8/best-bottles-for-fine-aromatics-our-choice-is-clear

• DISCLAIMER: As with any natural product, allergic sensitivity is possible. Always test for 24 hours on a small area of skin before use. No medical or health claims are made regarding this product. Inform yourself regarding the correct and safe use of natural products before using them. Disclaimer and copyright apply to this product and its description: http://www.pierreblack.com/copyright-and-disclaimer

• Pierre Black, Tony Bolton, and Aroma Sublime partnership...
I am honoured to have partnered with Aroma Sublime and the legendary Tony Bolton to bring you some of the finest artisanal hydro-distilled essential oils in the world. Aroma Sublime specializes in limited-edition single-estate small-batch distillations of Oud (Agarwood), Sandalwood, Frangipani, Rose, and others. Offering a selection of their own exclusive on-site distillations, or a small, carefully curated selection of fine artisanal oils from carefully chosen suppliers that we laboratory test for purity, Aroma Sublime has a reputation for quality, purity, and simplicity. Always solvent-free, Aroma Sublime supplies only verified pure hydro-distilled essential oils of the highest quality from our own still or from trusted and verified artisanal suppliers. If we don't oversee production personally, our products are lab tested for purity. visit: https://www.aromasublime.com and https://pierreblack.com