Agarwood Oil - My First Visit to Assam

July 23, 2019
Posted by Amit Tandon

After my visit to Maharashtra for Sandalwood oil, I felt very hopeful when I received permission from my elder brother to visit Assam. This permission came after a long time because the state of Assam has faced many issues due to terrorist activities. They targeted "Hindi-speaking men" (men who spoke Hindi). Assam is a rural and wild area, and I had heard that it has many rare and natural products, so I was very excited to visit.

My assistant and I prepared for our visit to the world’s rare products area, Assam. When we arrived in Guwahati, the atmosphere was very different from my hometown. Upon reaching the factory, I placed my bag in the room and asked my assistant to visit the distillation area. There, Mr. Bahap (the Cauldron Man) explained everything about agarwood distillation. It was here that I learned all about the process.

"It is true that Agarwood oil is one of the most rare and precious products on earth, but only distillers know that Agarwood oil is produced by steam distillation of generally low-grade agarwood chips and powder. High-grade Agarwood chips are used only to produce Oud Chips (for burning)."

The distillation method begins with cutting the Agarwood chips into small pieces, which are then soaked in water for a minimum of 15 days. After 15 days, the material is ready for distillation. The materials are then placed in a steel cauldron, and a fire is lit under it to begin the distillation process. As the distillation progresses, two different grades of oil are produced.

I discovered that Agarwood oil has only two grades, which are determined by the distillation period:

Double Super Grade: After two or three days of distillation, Double Super Grade oil is obtained; its scent is extremely precious.
Super Grade: After 12 to 15 days of distillation, Super Grade oil is produced; its scent is somewhat different from the first grade.

Many suppliers give unique names to their products to create new markets. My suggestion to interested buyers is to always check a small sample, like 1ML, from any supplier before making a purchase. I was very disappointed last night when I learned that a supplier of Agarwood oil had cheated my friend in Canada by selling him something else instead of genuine Agarwood oil. Why do some people want to destroy the market for this holy Agarwood oil? Such actions make buyers lose trust in real distillers.

Please note, the name "Agarwood Boya Paste" comes to mind.

Agarwood Boya Paste is obtained from raw Agarwood. It is one of the cheapest Agarwood products. Its appearance is similar to wax and can be used in creams and other products. Its price is lower than all the other grades mentioned above. However, Boya Paste cannot be used as a perfume because it is as thick as wax and cannot be applied to the skin. So, please confirm all the product details and properties before making a purchase.

Below are the specifications of Agarwood oil based on my personal experience: