In Agarwood distillation industry, soaking and fermentation are not the same, and this is where the distinction has to be made. Fermentation is a deliberate process that some distillers take, distillers who distill for volume and do not distill to create art, will do what they can to hit a new production target.
Soaking, is a hygienic, clean and effective process that simply aids in the break down of the wood and resin structure to help release deeper oils that otherwise would not be released.
However, GC analysis always ended up with plastic-based compound contamination, which the distillers at entry level may not even realize its possible presence, when HDPE tanks are typically used.
Wood soaking before distillation increases the yield of oil from the wood, and also gives oud oil a stronger and lasting smell. Material of soaking pots highly impact, enrich and transform the final scent profile of the oil.
Gaharu 沉香 Agarwood 