Mai Kritsana

Mai Kritsana is every Oud lovers craving satisfied from the Thai reigon of Chanthanburi.

When people think of Thai Ouds, its often associated with words like ‘fruity,’ ‘sweet,’ and ‘cheap.’ Thai oils also appear to have a connection with the first type of Ouds that people begin their journey with, primarily due to their friendliness and easy to appreciate profile. I myself embarked on this journey many years ago! I’ve encountered very few deep, dark, woody Thai Ouds with an ancient aroma, and they rank among the best in my collection.

I wanted to showcase an oil that challenges the norm of Thai oils, one that would change everyone’s perspective on what Ouds from this region have to offer. A Thai oud with the deep, dark vibes reminiscent of Malaysian, Sumatran, and Cambodian Ouds. The wood for this oil was sourced from the southeastern region of Chanthaburi, not far from the Cambodian border. The woods juiced for this oil were from plantation wood from a single mature naturally infected tree. You will immediately sense the quality and the Oudy kick it delivers from the get-go, this sits on par with any wild Oud oil in your collection, swipe it and see for yourself…

The ageing of this oil over the years has made it a complete Oud heads dream. The oil showcases juicy dark incense, bitter sweet nectar, tobbacco aswell as a deep soothing incensy base. The oil named “Mai Kritsana” the word for Oud in the Thai language.

I’ve encountered several oils from this area, and they all seem to capture that dark, oudy essence that every Oud enthusiast craves. Its aroma reminds me of various tigerwood oils I’ve smelt, as well as aged Cambodians and deep dark Malays.

The oil itself is deep orange/brown with a thick syrupy texture. When you swipe it, you’re greeted with a mesmerizing burst of pure, oozing, resinous wood, accompanied by gentle wisps of sweet molasses, tobacco-laden smoke with baked clay, ripe purple plums. There’s a hint of warm hay, cocoa beans, roasted coffee, a subtle green herbal mintiness, the fragrance of an old temple or library, this oil really transports you to a great place and offers a top gier Oud like those available from Thailand a decade ago.

The oil lacks any fruity notes but possesses an intriguing dark sweetness. I wouldn’t describe it as a sweet oil, but more of an incense-like sweetness as opposed to fruity. From top to middle to base notes, the ancient woody aroma dominates this oil and the projection is strong with stern and solid lasting power!