SK Bakhoor Absolute

As some of you may know, I created an absolute oil from Sultan Qaboos’ bakhoor, which I was fortunate enough to acquire a few years ago. The first tincture was produced in small quantities—a lucky few were able to purchase a bottle, while others received it as gifts. Most of that batch went into a composition I was developing at the time, alongside a piece Faizal was also working on.

That original absolute was truly remarkable. After days of carefully burning off the alcohol, it transformed into a thick, almost resinous oil. The scent was extraordinary—rich, smoky, and incense-heavy—just as one would expect from the Sultan’s renowned bakhoor, which was said to be made only from the finest ingredients. Some even suggested it contained Burmese Oud. Once settled on the skin, it revealed softer undertones of rose and florals that balanced the smoky intensity.

This new SQ Bakhoor Absolute oil took me over a week to create. I lowered the temperature further this time, allowing the alcohol to evaporate more slowly. The result surprised me: a magnificent oil, distinctly different from the first batch. It is still incense-forward, but with far more floral depth and character. Where the original leaned heavily into smoke, this version feels lighter, more refined, and even slightly powdery—an airy counterpoint to its predecessor.

The first batch mirrored the Sultan’s bakhoor almost exactly. This second batch retains that same spirit, but carries far greater nuance and complexity, offering a completely new experience.