Agarwood is Primarily About the Scent—Why Does It Smell So Good?

There was a time when agarwood captured hearts at first sight—from the initial fascination with its mysterious allure, to the fervent pursuit and possession, and finally to the habitual affection akin to that for a loved one. From novice to enthusiast, the journey has been filled with endless debates about origin, sometimes even heated to the point of conflict. Yet, amidst all this, the most fundamental question has been overlooked—the scent of agarwood!

In mainland China, agarwood raw materials are often turned into bracelets for commercial trade. However, agarwood bracelets easily absorb odors, and once tainted, the odor is hard to remove. Even if removed, there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. Therefore, in the Japanese and Taiwanese incense culture, the focus is primarily on collecting raw agarwood materials, with fewer bracelets, and those that exist are of exceptional quality.

What is the essence of agarwood? What is the original intent of enjoying agarwood? That’s right, it’s the scent! The issue of origin is everywhere on the internet, with dozens or even hundreds of different versions, and explanations in books are equally varied, but they are all too generalized. Practice reveals the truth, and the most important thing is to be able to smell the scent yourself. Agarwood, in essence, is all about the scent.

Here, I pay tribute to those adventurers who venture deep into "enemy territory" to seek agarwood, risking their lives to bring back precious materials. I also salute the countless merchants engaged in fierce debates, as it is through their efforts that novices continue to improve.

Returning to the main topic, truly high-quality agarwood will evoke the thought: “Why does it smell so good!” If you’ve had this feeling, congratulations—you’ve encountered excellent agarwood (either through direct scent or through heating and electric fumigation). If you’re still stuck on the issue of origin and fail to appreciate the value of agarwood’s scent, you may remain a novice, becoming an “experienced novice” years later. For those who focus too much on appearance, don’t apply the idea of sandalwood “oozing oil” to agarwood. Agarwood isn’t meant to be handled roughly, nor will it “spray oil.” Its purpose is to provide olfactory satisfaction.

Regarding the issue of origin, professionals have their views, and the public has theirs. This is also a source of heated debates. For example, is West Malaysia part of the Xingzhou or Hui’an region? In fact, West Malaysia has both average-quality and top-quality agarwood (with higher costs), with the latter far surpassing the former. If you think West Malaysia only produces one type of agarwood, you’re mistaken. All agarwood is graded by scent quality, and the same goes for raw materials. If you’ve encountered West Malaysian agarwood with an exceptionally good scent, you’re very lucky, as it offers great value for money (provided your budget is sufficient, as truly high-quality agarwood is becoming increasingly rare).

Before purchasing agarwood, you can start by buying powder from the same material to compare scents. If you’re too impatient, you can directly purchase agarwood or bracelets for comparison (provided there’s no tampering). If the scent is exceptionally good, even far better than any agarwood you’ve experienced before, congratulations—you’ve acquired a piece with true collection value and appreciation potential.

In West Malaysia, ordinary materials are often sold as “Bodhi Qí,” but the scent of ordinary West Malaysian agarwood is generally average, which is a common industry issue. Most regions face similar debates, including Dalagan, Brunei, and Manilao. The most outrageous example is selling Malau as Dalagan, or even labeling Papua as Bodhi Qí or Cambodian Kynam, which is both laughable and frustrating. In reality, every region produces both high-quality and average agarwood—it all depends on how you compare and experience the scent. Don’t fixate on origin; good regions can produce average scents, and average regions can produce exceptional scents, but the cost will naturally be higher. Regardless of origin, the better the scent, the higher the cost and the better the value for money. As long as the scent is good, it’s truly high-quality agarwood.

I don’t reject the debate over origin, as “to each their own,” and everyone has their preferences. But I am particularly drawn to that feeling of “why does this agarwood smell so good,” because I know the original intent and value of agarwood lie in its scent—the delightful experience and satisfaction it brings. If a merchant emphasizes origin but the scent is average, it deviates from the true value and worth of agarwood.

Once, I encountered an agarwood enthusiast who believed that the scent of agarwood was nothing special. Later, I discovered he had been haphazardly purchasing agarwood from various regions, relying solely on pictures and descriptions, while the actual quality and scent were mediocre. I suggested he try smelling high-quality agarwood powder to compare with what he owned. He then realized that agarwood could indeed smell incredibly good.

Often, when you’re unsure about the quality of agarwood, you can start by smelling powder from the same material, either directly or through heating, to compare and experience. This post is dedicated to those who truly appreciate the scent of agarwood. I believe many enthusiasts have developed a high standard for agarwood scents and understand that a good scent is the hallmark of truly high-quality agarwood.

Summary:

• The Essence of Agarwood: The scent is the core value of agarwood.
• Origin Issue: Don’t fixate on origin; every region produces both high-quality and average agarwood.
• Scent Evaluation Methods: Compare scents through direct smelling or heating.
• Collection Advice: Only agarwood with a good scent has true collection value and appreciation potential.

Tip: The scent of agarwood becomes more intense when wet. If the scent becomes very strong after washing, congratulations—you have a good piece of agarwood. If the scent remains weak after washing, it’s likely average, possibly due to budget constraints.

Finally: The world of agarwood is vast, and high-quality agarwood can offer an unparalleled experience. I hope every enthusiast can find their own piece of agarwood that makes them wonder, “Why does it smell so good!”