Mekong is a Laotian oil with a notably barney opening, an immediate signal of the fermentation process the wood has been through during distillation. It is honest about what it is. There is no attempt here to scrub the funk out of the profile. On the skin the composition transforms into something sweeter — a toffee-like resinous note, joined by the funky, faintly cheesy character that has long been a hallmark of Lao plantation oils. Some wearers dislike that note; we recognise it as authentic to the terroir, and we think it deserves to be celebrated for what it is rather than apologised for. Underneath these sit a clean resinous depth and a sweetness that becomes increasingly prominent as the dry down continues. By the closing hours, the barn has receded and the toffee dominates. A characterful, regionally-honest oil at a friendly price. Mekong, Laos. 2018 Available in a 2.5g bottle only
