Bilquis Al Ward

It’s been a pleasure to distill some of the finest oud and sandalwood oils over the years. While I’m not much of a blender, I do offer a couple of oils annually. This time, I wanted to create a ‘real attar,’ a co-distillation of materials over a base. If you recall the infamous Bilquis (Kinam/Sandal) attar, I was delighted to see people using it as a standalone as well as macerating some with musk and ambergris. It holds a special place in my heart, as the decision to combine these materials was successful. Inspired by this, I decided to co-distill three distinct materials over a base.

The materials are Kinam, Sandalwood, and Oud, all over a base of rose oil.

These materials are well-known and beloved by many, each with its unique qualities. For those curious, I’ve provided descriptions of each in the other thread here.

After distilling over two weeks and collecting three different fractions, the first whiff was just ooomph. I couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact notes, but it was a harmonious blend of floral, citrus, spicy, creamy, sweet, and green notes. It’s like stepping into a garden filled with distinct flowers, where honeybees are carrying sweet nectar and you are relaxing and enjoying a plate full of fresh tropical fruits.

The rose oil base provided a velvety smoothness, giving the attar a soft floral brightness. The Sumatran oud rolled in with green nuances, grounding the rose and preventing it from becoming too airy. The Kinam threads through like a fine incense ribbon, cool, bittersweet, and luminous, captivating the senses and keeping the nose on the hunt. The Mysore sandalwood cushions everything, creamy and golden, smoothing the edges and transforming the entire scent into something rounded, almost meditative. The drydown would feel like rose petals resting on warm sandalwood, laced with the evocative glow of kinam smoke and the shadowy depth of oud: sweet, resinous, and quietly intoxicating.

Important note: To truly appreciate the beauty of this attar, I highly recommend experiencing it outdoors.