The sixth stick from the 10 stick Blue Pearl "Classic Champa" sampler which has three Champa styles, plus 7 other fragrances ranging from Amber to Silver Lotus, is the Silver Lotus, and the description is: "A Sweet Heavenly Blossom". Most lotus incenses use a synthetic fragrance, though some may use oil blends made from benzoin, sandalwood, and jasmine. This has scents on the stick resembling benzoin, sandalwood, and jasmine, along with rubber, and a puff of cool volatility. It is more vanilla than it is lotus. I'm liking these Blue Pearl incense because the use of vanilla and sandalwood with a light hint of musk or patchouli gives them an instant and easy appeal combined with a gentle touch of wood and warm, comforting sex appeal. However, when burning them in a series, the vanilla starts to become a little sickly and cloying. I'll be giving the Blue Pearl a little rest after this Silver Lotus as I am somewhat over-satiated with vanilla.
The stick is machine-extruded charcoal, and - given the volatility of the scent on the stick - presents as being perfume-dipped. There are pros-and-cons with perfume-dipped, same as there are pro-and-cons with masala incense, and with wood paste incense. One of the drawbacks of perfume-dipped is that there may be a sharp, cold volatility on the stick; though that volatility tends to vanish on the burn. A perfume-dipped may have crisper, cleaner, more varied notes than a stick with embedded fragrance; but the pay off is that the softer, more rounded and subtle notes of embedded fragrance incense tend not to be there. Some incense makers use a blend of both embedded fragrances and surface oils in order to get some of the benefits of both.
Anyway, there is volatility on the stick which is not there on the burn. The burn is quite soft and attractive. Yes, there is some waxy floral notes here, but I am somewhat locked into awareness of the vanilla, so that is what is grabbing me. However, the vanilla is not as heavy here as it has been on some other Blue Pearl sticks, and serves mainly to both support and ground the delicate, waxy floral notes. My main issue is that there is a general smokiness about the stick which doesn't sit well with the general ambiance of delicate florals and soft vanilla. But, all in all, a pleasant and attractive soft and warm and delicate room freshener. Yes, I like this.
