GR International Strawberry Incense Sticks

These are deliciously candy-sweet and very fruity. There is a pleasant balancing woody note so the sweetness doesn't become too cloying.  The sticks fragrance the room quite pleasantly, and are good for morning or daytime use in the living room, or for use while soaking in the bath. This is a box of eight sticks bought for 50p from Greenwich Market.  GR International incenses tend to be pleasant rather than exquisite, and while cheap to buy, not always good value as they don't burn for long. I am, however, overall quite pleased with GR International products, and will continue to look out for them.


Date: Jan 2014   Score: 32  27

***

Fruit Fragrances

GR International

Harati Tibetan Incense

This, for me, is one of the finest Tibetan incenses. There is a sweet, almost dreamy fragrance with warm notes of honey and coconut along with more earthy material, quite herbal and grassy. It can be a little drying and demanding, especially if burned for too long, but burnt in small doses this is a very attractive incense. It would be toward the top of everyday incense, except this is not an incense that I would burn every day, so is grouped in spiritual/ritual incense, where it is second place after Ambica Pooja Sambrani.


Date: Sept 2019   Score: 35

I kind of like these, and when I rated them in 2014 I was quite enthusiastic, but they are a little rough. Some folks say that Tibetan incense is "earthy", I say "rough", but it all amounts to the same thing: there is a smoky intensity and an organic directness that overshadows any fragrance qualities, and does not generate positive or relaxing moods. There is coconut here, but it is not a sweet yummy coconut, it is a coconut that is part of a somewhat sharp, almost acrid smoke that is inclined to sting the eyes and bring on headaches. I don't think I have yet encountered a Tibetan incense that I would classify as a heavenly scent.

Date: March 2017   Score:  25

Pack of around 26 dhoop sticks, about five inches long - which is a decent size: easy to handle and store, yet long enough to give a good value burn. I got these for £3.99 from my local shop - though they can be bought for £2.50 online at  shamaniclifestyle.com  or tradewindsorientalshop.co.uk, or a pack of three for £6.99 from eBay. The best deal is from one of my favourite sources -justaromatherapy.co.uk, who do it for £2.20, and have a wide range of other Tibetan sticks.

The sticks are by Sumati Padma, who also make Sumati Padma Tibetan Incense - very cheap and cheerful incense; a little crude, but quite enjoyable. This Harati is way better quality. A much more refined aroma - very pleasant and fresh and natural, inclining toward dried grass and, well, dried grass (or cannabis). On burning there are distinct sweet notes of coconut. Lovely. My only complaint is that the smoke can be a little dry and intense in small spaces, so this is an incense that is better used in large rooms - or spaces which are well ventilated.

Date: Jan 2014  Score: 33

***

Spiritual/Ritual Incense

Himalayan incense
Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan

Stamford Aromatherapy Collection (update)

An intensely perfumed pack - these do smell interesting and pleasant on the stick, even if the mood doesn't generally relate to the one stated on the box; however, on burning, they tend to smell old, oily, smoky, rubbery, and generally not as pleasant as the stick. The best two are Relaxing and Refreshing; the worse two are Sensuality and Meditation.

Score: 24

***

Stamford Aromatherapy Collection - Full review

Other ratings of incense by Aargee

GR International Fengshui Earth

Highly fragrant perfume dipped stick. This is a pleasant and relaxing aroma - warm and sweet, reminiscent of bees wax polish and honey; there are also wood notes in a sensual musky base. Most suitable for burning in the evening either for relaxing or for creating an intimate atmosphere, though pleasant and gentle enough for burning at any time and in any room.


Score: 32

GR International