Goloka Chandan

Second review - scroll down for earlier

Goloka are one of my favourite incense companies, and this Chandan incense has been in the Top Drawer of my Top Of The Dhoops list since 2013, though was moved into the Purgatory section a few years ago because it has been a while since I reviewed it.  This is a fresh pack, though it appears just like it did over twelve years ago. This is proper job hand rolled masala incense. The scent on the stick is delectable - creamy, sweet sandalwood, trembling with beauty, flecked with light florals, and sparkling brightly with vanilla and caramel. Yes, caramel. And toffee. This is a sweet, creamy, edible sort of scent. There's something else going on, but I can't pin it down. It's sort of leathery and musty - it's in the background, but it adds depth and interest, and prevents the sweetness from becoming too cloying. It works. 

On the burn the floral flecks step forward more boldly to reveal themselves as lilac, delicately and deliciously decorating the cloudy peaks of the sweet sandalwood. Oh my fucking gosh, this is a stunningly supreme incense. 

Out of curiosity I scraped off the wood powder surrounding the charcoal paste. I have done that recently with two Vijayshree incenses, Meditation and Mantra, all with pretty much the same result. There is a faint scent when burning the exposed paste, but the bulk of the fragrance is contained in the powder. 


Date: Jan 2025    Score: 47

First review

An elegantly designed 15gm box of Goloka Chandan incense from my local shop for £2.50. Rather expensive for 12 rather thin, mildly perfumed, not especially long-lasting sticks. The box is elegantly designed, with high quality printing, giving the impression that the contents are high value - and this is reinforced with the Goloka hologram seal on the side. The sand coloured incense is hand rolled around natural, undyed bamboo sticks - the twists of the hand rolling can be clearly seen; and there is a pleasant dry powdery appearance.

Goloka are one of the leading Nag Champa brands, and there is more than a hint of that incense here, though well grounded in a very clean and pleasant sandalwood. This reminds me of incense I sometimes encountered burning at festivals during the Seventies - the aroma is top quality, clearly 100% natural, quite evocative, and is something that would make an impression and be remembered. Though expensive, it is damn good, and worth the money - though can be bought for around £1.50 online. Cheapest is justaromatherapy.co.uk/, at £1.05, and they also have some very good deals on multi-buy selections.

From an initial disappointment that the sticks were over-priced and inadequate, I have grown to love the quality of the scent, and the approach of the company, and have already ordered more. The ingredients include "rare herbs, flowers, honey, resins & oils". The quality of the burning material is faultless, and the aroma left behind is warm, clean and and highly attractive. Though initially the scent appears as though - like Nag Champa - it could be a little sweet and cloying, it is quickly balanced by the pure sandalwood to produce a balanced and harmonious aroma. This is a very refined and well designed scent - reflective of the quality of the design and printing of the box (which is made from 100% recycled material).

Date: April 2013   Score: 46   

***

Goloka

Sandalwood

Reviewed on Rauchfahne

Reviewed on Ratnagandh