Fair Trade Nitiraj Red Nag Champa

Nitiraj is made by Fair Trade Incense Works and was distributed by Bombay Incense, a British incense distribution company who, like Aargee, commission their own products. They mainly operate in America (originally I thought they were American). The sticks are hand rolled from a masala mix, rather than perfume dipped, and this gives a fresher, more natural smell. It's a variation on Nag Champa, and most Nag Champas tend to be masala style incense sticks. As it's a Nag Champa variation, it is sweet and heady and quite intoxicating. There are natural vanilla notes, underscored by sandalwood, producing a warm, seductive, exotic, and very delicious aroma. I have no complaints about this. It's a nice incense.

The packet is plainly decorated and rather uninspiring. And the lack of information about where the incense is made is slightly off-putting. The packet states that this is a blend of "exotic oils and sweet tropical fruits" - and there is a dampness to the sticks which indicates that after being rolled, they were dipped in essential oils - the perfume on the stick itself is not great, being inclined toward furniture polish; but neither is it offensive. I'm not sure how much the aroma of the oils penetrates when burned, as it is the base Nag Champa masala mix that dominates, but there is some awareness of orange oil in the air. The sticks were half price (99p for 10g - approx 10 sticks) as a clearance item from the Incense-man. That would put them normally at around £4 for a standard 20g - a price I feel is a little high when compared to the Nag Champa market leader, Satya. But perhaps they were at clearance because they are old, and the essential oils have largely evaporated, leaving just the basic Nag Champa aroma.

I like this incense. But then, I like Nag Champa. It's a damn good scent, and it burns for a long time, so that would compensate for the price. I note that Mike at ORS is not keen on this incense.

I have recently reviewed the same company's "Original" incense.

Date: Aug 2013   Score: 33

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Nag Champa

 List of Incense Reviewed

Fair Trade Incense Works