Emperor of Kedah

Emperor of Kedah by Jinkoh Store. For the longest time, I tried to place the purple-hued accord in Emperor of Kedah; it’s not reminiscent of purple florals like in other Malays, nor of plums as found in Dokusan or Meghalaya 1977. I believe it is akin to dark grapes. Perhaps there are notes of blackberries, but primarily, it is the dark grape that creates the deep purple impression I detect in this oil. The opening is effervescent, evoking the characteristic “Cola” nuance many associate with certain Malaysian oud oils—a sensation I interpret as a blend of clove, cardamom, and cinnamon—tingling your nostrils in the most satisfying way. It continues to the heart of the oil, adorned with juicy grapes and blackberries draped in golden honey. At this stage, the texture becomes syrupy as the honey note takes hold of the composition together with the oleoresins. The fruity quality also shifts toward something akin to sugar-glazed raisins. The honey comes in strong, and it is followed up in the base of the oil by an old wood aroma, faint dry tobacco leaves, and the smoothest, most exquisite leather garments one can think of, while supple incense smoke adds to the final stage, a beautiful game of textures and colors. As I always smell my oud oils through colors, I associate this one with deeply saturated hues of Purple, Brown, and Gold. A fizzy-spicy purple oil immersed in honey with a dark finish. A Malay oil capable of satisfying even those who generally don't like this profile. IG:@memroy.of.scents