Grade A Agarwood Incense Wood — Aquilaria crassna
Sweet, dark balsamic resin opens into toasted-marshmallow and warm wood notes in this richly fragrant Grade A agarwood from Vietnam. Also known as oud wood or aloeswood, this resinous Aquilaria crassna is best suited to gentle heating and attentive incense appreciation.
Resinous wood with a woody finish
Our Grade A pieces are thicker than our Grade AAA selection. As the aromatic resins are spent, a more pronounced woody scent emerges. Begin with a small piece and gentle heat to explore the changing fragrance.
Plantation-grown in Vietnam
This agarwood comes from plantation-grown Aquilaria crassna in Vietnam.
What is agarwood?
Agarwood is the aromatic, resin-rich wood that develops when an Aquilaria tree responds to injury or stress. The resin forms within the wood, creating the fragrant material prized as incense and also known as oud or aloeswood.
Researchers studying Aquilaria crassna have identified sesquiterpenes and chromones in its resinous wood. Research on heated agarwood has also shown that some aromatic compounds are formed during heating, helping explain why its fragrance unfolds with warmth.
How to gently heat agarwood with charcoal
We recommend Japanese incense charcoal in a heat-resistant incense bowl with white ash. Use a copper stand to support a mica plate above the charcoal, and place a small piece of agarwood on the plate.
Start with a small sliver, and begin with more distance between the charcoal and mica plate, then adjust gradually to explore the fragrance without charring the wood. If it begins to char, remove the chip from the heat. This indirect heating approach is inspired by Japanese incense appreciation.
Alternatively, you can briefly warm a piece above a flame until it releases its aroma. Try to not light it on fire, and enjoy the lingering fragrance.
Use in a well-ventilated area, keep the bowl or holder on a heat-resistant surface, and never leave hot charcoal or heating incense unattended.
Origin: Vietnam
Botanical name: Aquilaria crassna
Source: Plantation-grown
Selection: Grade A
Also known as: Oud wood, aloeswood
Explore our Grade AAA agarwood and agarwood incense sticks for other options.
