Bangladesh & Bhutan — The Forgotten Neighbours of Indian Oud

When discussing Indian oud, the conversation almost always centres on Assam and Nagaland. But two neighbouring countries — Bangladesh and Bhutan — share similar ecological conditions and have their own significant, if often overlooked, agarwood traditions. Bangladesh, particularly the Sylhet Division in the northeast, borders directly on the oud-producing regions of Assam. The forests of Sylhet have historically produced Aquilaria malaccensis agarwood that is virtually indistinguishable from Assamese oud in terms of species and growing conditions. Bangladeshi oud shares the deep, animalic, leathery profile of its Indian neighbour, with some traders arguing that the best Sylheti oud rivals premium Assamese specimens. The agarwood trade in Bangladesh goes back centuries. Sylhet was a major hub for oud production long before modern borders were drawn, and the local expertise in harvesting, grading, and distilling agarwood remains strong. However, like Assam, wild populations have been severely depleted, and much of the current Bangladeshi oud market is supplied by increasingly mature plantation trees. Bhutan represents something entirely different. This small Himalayan kingdom, wedged between India and Tibet, has wild Aquilaria populations in its subtropical southern foothills. Bhutanese oud is extraordinarily rare on the international market — the country’s strong environmental protections and small population mean that very little agarwood leaves the country commercially. What makes Bhutanese oud special is its altitude. The trees grow at elevations significantly higher than most other Aquilaria habitats, resulting in slower growth and potentially denser resin formation. The few samples that have reached collectors suggest a unique profile — cooler, more austere, with an almost alpine quality that is unlike anything from the lowlands. For those fortunate enough to encounter genuine Bhutanese oud, it represents one of the true rarities of the agarwood world. 💬 Discussion: Have you encountered oud from Bangladesh or Bhutan? How does Sylheti oud compare to Assamese in your experience?