Malino vs. Maroke: Sulawesi and Papua

Malino (from the island of Sulawesi) and Maroke (from the Papua region) are two names that connoisseurs of Indonesian oud know, and both are among the sought-after eastern regions. In this comparison we place the two regions across the axes of scent, quality, price, and use, in a fair language that shows the difference between them is fine, governed by taste and grade, not by the name alone.

At a glance

The table describes general tendencies that connoisseurs know; and within each region there are widely varying grades.

Where does each of them come from?

"Malino" is a name attributed to the Malino area and its surroundings on the island of Sulawesi in central Indonesia, and it is among the sought-after oud names among connoisseurs. As for "Maroke," it is from the Papua region in the far east, and among the regions whose high grades are sought for collection. And the two regions differ ecologically and geographically, for Sulawesi is in the center and Papua in the east.

And both are a more specialized name than the familiar regions like Kalimantan and Sumatran, so they are closer to the world of connoisseurs and collectors. But the same principle remains: the grade within a single region is decisive, not merely the name.

Scent: fine differences

Connoisseurs tend to describe Malino with a distinctive character that made it sought-after, and Maroke with relative richness and depth. But these are descriptions of general tendencies, not rules, and within each region there is a wide spectrum. And because they are two specialized, sought-after names, the importance of verifying the source and the grade at purchase increases.

And the most honest judgment is with your nose: for the experience of the piece reveals its character more than the name of the region, especially with the desirable names that may tempt attribution to them.

Quality and price

Quality in the two regions is measured by the same standards: the richness in resin, the grade, sinking, and the processing. And both are a name desired among connoisseurs, which may raise the price of their high grades. But the price follows the grade and rarity within the piece, not the luster of the name alone; for each has high grades and others ordinary.

Names for collectors, not for beginners

Unlike Kalimantan and Sumatran, which are suitable for beginning, Malino and Maroke lean toward the world of collectors and connoisseurs who have gone beyond the familiar regions and come to look for a special character. And this does not mean that they are necessarily "finer," but rather that they are more specialized; for the collector looks for variety in their collection, not for the "best absolutely."

And so we advise whoever acquires these two names to have built a taste first with the familiar regions, so that they realize what actually distinguishes Malino and Maroke. For one who has not yet tried a Kalimantan or Sumatran oud may not notice what makes these two names sought-after, and would have paid for the name more than they benefited from the character.

Questions to ask before buying

With the desirable names, the importance of these questions increases:

• What is its documented source? For the desirable name is most in need of verification of the source.
• What is its grade and sinking? For the grade makes the difference within a single name.
• Is it wild or cultivated? For this affects the character and price.
• Have you tried its sample? For the experience settles what the desirable name cannot guarantee.

These questions protect you from paying the price of a shiny name you have not verified, and move you to evaluating the piece by its real qualities.

Which do you choose?

Both names are leaned toward by collectors more than beginners, and both are worth trying if you want to go beyond the familiar regions. So if the distinctive character of Malino excites you, try it; and if you are looking for the richness and depth of Maroke, try it; and the most honest is to test a sample of each at a close grade, for the difference is fine and settled by your nose.

And we at Oud Treasure state the region of each piece and its grade honestly, and we do not attribute an oud to a desirable name it is not from. And in the following comparison we place Jawi against the Sumatran.