Ceram ’97

The scent of these chips sent me off into a frenzy. I’ve been derailed, spending days on days formulating a new perfume inspired by a whiff of Ceram—I’m still a long ways off from even a first draft. I’m not kidding, since smelling a sliver I’ve immersed myself in all things–iris.

I haven’t smelled it before or since, this magical purple note of iris. What kind of juice these trees must have been drunk on, I don’t know. All I know is that everybody who has owned Ceram wood has kept a good stash of it—one whiff of the iris note and you’ll understand why.

Dark brown maybe. Ink-stained looking stripes okay. But black black black always better.

It’s easy for me to show you a dark-hued, ‘densely resinated’ oud chip and tell you why it’s the best wood since Trat went dry. But is it? Is black better than brown better than plain Jane?

Generally, dark-colored resin indicates good wood. But often, it’s totally not the case. The best proof is that the best wood (according to most) looks indistinguishable from normal distillation stock. I’m talking, of course, about kyara.

But fine, kyara is an exceptional case. So let’s put that example on the back burner for now, and take a look a this:

The truth is, these chips are as extraordinary as they look ordinary. Harvested twenty-three years ago on an island few ever heard of, this is one of the rarest harvests circulating in veteran oud circles. Even back then, Ceram island oud was a rarity, which is why this batch is still around, two decades later.

I haven’t smelled this iris heart in any other aloes—not even in Almahera or all of Maluku. Not to mention regions farther off. This purple chord is the bedrock for my current daze, this iris infatuation that stoked a fire of inspiration I can’t extinguish.

A bit romantic, maybe. But the iris is real. The quiet calm inhaled at low temp soothes you. If God wills, that iris parfum will one day sit on your shelf and you’ll know where it all began. The fact that you have the chance to own Ceram agarwood is real—that it’s olde generation aquilarias that peaked when most of us were still in high school—that is something else!

Featured Testimonials…

To be honest it took me quite a few attempts to find the perfect settings for this exquisite wood and I think that I’ve finally found it

The smell that you’re getting from this wood is exceptional, I’d almost call it a floral creamy aroma.

 

0,15g on the subitism on lowtemp has filled my entire room with that beautiful aroma and after 1 hour there still resin pockets opening and spreading even more of that gorgeous smell.

 

I think I have to get some more nice oud chips for my collection with the next order. I’m not using them very often, maybe 3-5 times per year, but when I’m heating some agar wood it’s always a great experience. The aromatics are so satisfying and help me to relax.

 

I hope that the wood section in the shop will see a few additions in the future, specially something that’s as amazing as ceram and in the same price range

—Chris A / Germany

How in the world is this possible? How can a wood smell more floral than a flower? Why was this kept a secret from all of us? And lastly you better have an oil made from this wood already and it better be aging in the deep dark corners of your safe within a safe within a safe behind a secret bookshelf behind a painting. I feel it will shove PK’s face in it and immediately jump to your top releases ever. This is deliscious delicious wood and beyond pretty. It is profound. Score!

100% agree that the ambient aroma of the wood is not only present but on steroids and it is distinctly purple in scent. Iris in fact is the closest thing that springs to mind. Zero exaggeration and no power of suggestion needed. It is just that obvious when it is staring you in the face.

— Rasoul S. / Canada

“Burn of the night:

Some of the best oils and perfumes (including bespoke) are offered by EO, but rarely do I hear about the quality of wild agarwood that is being offered by EO. I have found some of my most cherished and valuable Oud woods and Kinam woods from EO.

Ceram 97 is a wood unlike any I have discovered elsewhere (This shares a similar eliteness to royal Maluku and Royal Almahera).

The floral fragrance that fills the room when this is gently and carefully heated is the treasure that all perfumers are chasing and trying to bottle.

My journey into artisanal Oud oil started with searching for the highest quality oud woods around the world. I can confidently say that if you click on the oud wood section on EO’s website, you can’t go wrong.

Tip: For this wood I use electric to control the heat better and really get the aroma out. I use mica plates also.

Abu Naeem.  • USA

Original FB Post

I love this wood also!! Sooooo special! I think I’ll burn some right now also!

—Christina L. / USA

Also special – with definite similarities to the Royal Almahera, although notably sweeter and more floral, toned down in the bitterness. If Almahera is like bright morning sun, Ceram is more like a waning sunset. Its darker and more relaxing like an herbal floral tea, more settling than the Almahera’s green tea stimulation effect. I do get those hints of purple, more so than the blue from the Filipino Abuyog, although it does have some similarities to it. It’s more about beauty while Almahera is more about majesty, and has some creaminess not quite noticeable in the Almahera.

(Note: Royal Almahera has sold out)

—Lucas / USA

No doubt. Ceram ’97 is the truth.

—Himanshu S. / USA