Akar Wangi

Akar wangi means fragrant root. It is vetiver, a tall grass whose roots are dug up, washed, dried and distilled. In Indonesia nearly all of it comes from around Garut, in the volcanic hills south-east of Bandung, where it has been grown for export since before the Second World War.

The roots stay in the still for half a day or longer and give up one or two parts in a hundred as a thick, dark oil that smells of wet earth, smoke and cut wood.

This perfume keeps the root at its centre and puts wood around it: cedar, guaiac, oakmoss. Bergamot and something like struck flint open it, and are gone soon after.