King V

In a market flooded with mass-produced, generic agarwood, every so often a rare gem emerges – one that rewrites the rules and warps your olfactory outlook.

This was the case with Filipino agarwood chips which excited even the most seasoned oudheads with a sensory breakthrough so profound, it challenged all you’ve learned about oud.

Agarwood’s chemical and aromatic complexity varies widely by origin, you know that. But the first time I gently heated a tiny sliver of these Filipino chips, I expected familiar notes – perhaps a plumy twang or a darker New Guinea filaria scent… something akin to what I already knew…

Instead, I encountered something entirely unexpected: a vivid “blue” note reminiscent of Kyara de Kalbar…

This powdery nuance is usually associated with distilled oils, not raw agarwood. Yet here, it was unmistakably present, layered with a delicate floral sweetness that brought to mind Bruneian agarwood – an aroma I seldom encountered in the past fifteen years.

As you continue to explore the chips at varying temperatures, a strong, clean, narcotic blue scent emerges, creating a sensory experience akin to the intense oud nights of Baram, Sarawak.

Physiologically, the experience is striking: a tingling sensation on the scalp, heightened sensory awareness – an almost euphoric response to the volatile compounds released. This is a proper olfactory stimulant.

Filipino agarwood chips of this caliber are increasingly scarce. And we’ve learned to be prepared for the disappointment common with many Filipino harvests – many regions produce good-looking agarwood with almost zero olfactory value. (Many investors lost big money because of this.)

The recent surge in regional oud prices mirrors patterns seen previously in Sri Lanka, where supply dwindled under increasing demand. Harvesting in the Philippines has reached a peak; old growth areas like Tawi Tawi are exhausted, while competing Indian, Thai, and Chinese teams have escalated extraction, accelerating depletion and quality decline.

Against this backdrop, these Vasayan sinkers stand apart as the highest quality Filipino agarwood: exceptionally dense, producing a distinctive metallic clink when handled.

Unlike other pieces in the Vintage Agarwood Collection, which have mind-boggling formations, I don’t consider the King V pieces decorative or carving wood – these exists solely for their scent. Their unmatches blue-cool beauty.

I acquired the entire available harvest and offer it now to those who seek more than just oud – someone who is out on  a sensory journey. This isn’t an investment to hoard, but an invitation to engage deeply, to elevate your appreciation of oud, and to get a whiff of the true wonders of the world.