This light patchouli oil from Aceh in Indonesia is so balanced that it's hard to believe it is not molecular distilled. Yet it is 100% pure and natural and still boasts a whopping 38% patchouli alcohol content (standard patchouli is usually 30% or lower).

Since the ancient days of the sultanate of Aceh, patchouli from this region has been revered and it was an item of trade with the English East India Company (along with black pepper) in its heyday. Aceh is to patchouli as Île de Bourbon is to geranium and Comoros to ylang-ylang.

Patchouli is steam distilled either using stainless steel or iron distilling units. Oil produced in a stainless steel vat is called “light” and it is the colour of pale straw. The classic iron distilled oil is dark (deep gold through orange to dark brown). The odour profile between the products is similar but in the long dry down the light oil is cleaner.

Despite being an earthy oil, the less dirty the dry down the higher the prestige. This light oil is naturally high in patchouli alcohol, the heart of the oil with virtually no dirty qualities, and so the oil has one of the sweetest and softest dry downs possible in a pure and natural patchouli oil.

For modern fragrances requiring a refined and regal patchouli note, this is the oil you need.

Origin: Aceh, Indonesia
Variety: Pogostemon cablin Benth.
Part: Leaves