*****
This started off as a collection of incense makers, but at least three of the companies on my list do not make the incense themselves, but either commission it, or rebadge it as their own, and sell it under their brand name. As such, this is a list of both makers and distributors. I will separate the makers and the distributors shortly.
The Daily Record's Top 10 Best Selling Incense Sticks in India January 2019.
The Daily Record's Top 10 Best Selling Incense Sticks in India January 2019.
Producers
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| Satya Indian (Bangalore) producer of masala |
Satya Sai Baba is the brand name used by the Indian incense company Shrinivas Sugandhalaya of Bangalore, which was founded in 1964 by Shri Satyam Setty from small premises in Mumbai. It has expanded to now employ approximately 2,500 workers in manufacturing facilities in Bangalore and Mumbai. Their incense sticks and cones are high quality; hand-rolled from a masala of crushed fragrant ingredients around a charcoal base. The company use halmaddi, a traditional fragrant resin, though the use has changed or declined over the years. They make the world's most famous and acclaimed incense, Satya Nag Champa.
Top scents: Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa Agarbatti (50); Satya Natural (42); Satya Harmony (36); Satya Supreme (35); Stamford Midnight Calm (by Satya) (34); Satya Super Hit (33); Satya Aastha (30)
Scents reviewed: 7
Highest score: 50
Lowest score: 30
Average score: 37
Conclusion: There is a reason that Satya are both popular and acclaimed: they make quality incense in a traditional manner that people enjoy. They are not exciting - the scents sort of group together in a homogeneous whole with little difference between them; the packaging is plain, unexciting, and uninformative - just different colour shades and the name to differentiate, but they are a reliable company, producing consistently good products. Two of Satya's scents are in my top ten, and the Nag Champa was my No 1 incense for many years - a real life changer. Many of their scents I would be happy to buy again. Somehow, though, despite the quality, I don't rush to buy a new Satya scent because I somehow know how it will smell, so there is a lack of interest and curiosity. And if I am going to buy Satya, I might as well get the Nag Champa - job done. I will, however, slowly make my way through the range, seeing if they can surprise.
Goloka was founded in 1997 in Bangalore, and is a non-profit trust which provides food and education for disadvantaged children, and training and assistance for women who have lost their husbands. Goloka are one of the leading Nag Champa brands - second after Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya of Bangalore). I like Goloka. I like the availability. I like that the money and reputation goes to Goloka rather than a middle-man. I like that the profits go to help disadvantaged people. I like the low cost and excellent value for money. And the scents are always at least decent, and can be quite heavenly (or divine).
Conclusion: One of my favourite incense makers.
Vijayshree was founded in 1990, and has three sites in the incense capital of the world, Bangalore. They use all natural ingredients, such as halmaddi (allanthus manbarca), nagchampa (mesua ferrea linn), sandalwood, and loban (boswellia sernata roxb). They claim to have over 500 workers making 200,000 packets of incense a day!
Scents tried: 7
Top score: 41
Low score: 37
Average: 39
Score: 38
Top scents: Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa Agarbatti (50); Satya Natural (42); Satya Harmony (36); Satya Supreme (35); Stamford Midnight Calm (by Satya) (34); Satya Super Hit (33); Satya Aastha (30)
Scents reviewed: 7
Highest score: 50
Lowest score: 30
Average score: 37
Conclusion: There is a reason that Satya are both popular and acclaimed: they make quality incense in a traditional manner that people enjoy. They are not exciting - the scents sort of group together in a homogeneous whole with little difference between them; the packaging is plain, unexciting, and uninformative - just different colour shades and the name to differentiate, but they are a reliable company, producing consistently good products. Two of Satya's scents are in my top ten, and the Nag Champa was my No 1 incense for many years - a real life changer. Many of their scents I would be happy to buy again. Somehow, though, despite the quality, I don't rush to buy a new Satya scent because I somehow know how it will smell, so there is a lack of interest and curiosity. And if I am going to buy Satya, I might as well get the Nag Champa - job done. I will, however, slowly make my way through the range, seeing if they can surprise.
*****
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| Goloka Indian (Bangalore) producer of masala |
Goloka was founded in 1997 in Bangalore, and is a non-profit trust which provides food and education for disadvantaged children, and training and assistance for women who have lost their husbands. Goloka are one of the leading Nag Champa brands - second after Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya of Bangalore). I like Goloka. I like the availability. I like that the money and reputation goes to Goloka rather than a middle-man. I like that the profits go to help disadvantaged people. I like the low cost and excellent value for money. And the scents are always at least decent, and can be quite heavenly (or divine).
Incense tried: 28
Highest score: 48
Lowest score: 15
Average: 34
Average top five: 45
Highest score: 48
Lowest score: 15
Average: 34
Average top five: 45
Reviews over 5 years old: 15
Total score: 39
Total score: 39
Conclusion: One of my favourite incense makers.
****
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Bangalore, India |
Vijayshree was founded in 1990, and has three sites in the incense capital of the world, Bangalore. They use all natural ingredients, such as halmaddi (allanthus manbarca), nagchampa (mesua ferrea linn), sandalwood, and loban (boswellia sernata roxb). They claim to have over 500 workers making 200,000 packets of incense a day!
Scents tried: 7
Top score: 41
Low score: 37
Average: 39
****
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Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed and masala |
Koya's was founded in Bangalore in 1970 by Ahamed Kutti, who came from Kerala in Southwest India. The three best selling brands are Vishnu Leela, Maya Supreme and Intimate. They are a well established Indian incense company with a wide range of products including perfumed and natural/masala incense sticks, and currently export to several Asian countries. They don't yet have an export deal with the West, though some incense was available in America through Amazon, and received a positive response.
Their perfumed incenses are decent quality - long lasting, no off-notes, and with attractive perfumes. They are decent everyday perfumed incenses. But it is the masala range that has really impressed me. The everyday masalas are damn good, and excellent value for money based on their domestic prices, while some of the premium masalas, such as their Rasta and Nirvana, are world class, and are either in my Heavenly collection or my Wall of Fame.
Scents tried: 15
Top score: 50
Top score: 50
Average Top 5: 43
Low score: 23
Average all: 32
Low score: 23
Average all: 32
Conclusion: One of the top Indian incense houses, yet not available in the West.
*****
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| Namaste India Incense Indian (Bangalore) producer of masala and perfumed |
Indian Incense are a Bangalore based company. The company started in 1956, the year I was born, as Sri Srinivasa Agarbathi Company. They changed name to Orkay Incense in 1986, using the Snake Brand trademark, and are currently calling themselves Indian Incense, though still use the Orkay name. They appear to have two main lines, this Namaste India brand which is all masala, plus Indian Soul which is perfumed. There are some hex packs in the masala range.
Incenses reviewed: 4
Highest score: 44
Lowest score: 36
Overall score: 39
Highest score: 44
Lowest score: 36
Overall score: 39
*****
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| Nandita Indian (Mumbai) producer of masala and perfumed |
Nandita Fragrances of Mumbai offer a full range of incenses, including bakhoor and dhoop cups. They also do one of my favourite incenses, Nandita Wood Spice, so I am keen to explore further. The company was founded by Sri. K.Y. Acharya (1928-2010), and is based in Mumbai, with a retail store in Udupi, where Acharya was born.
Top scents: Nandita Wood Spice (49); Nandita Black Gold (35); Nandita Organic Nag Champa (33)
Incenses reviewed: 11
Highest score: 44
Lowest score: 27
Average top five: 39
Average: 36
Overall score: 38
Conclusion: I want to explore this company further.
****
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| A. S. Agarbathi Works of Bangalore Bangalore, India |
A. S. Agarbathi Works of Bangalore were founded in 1978, and are members of the All India Agarbathi Manufacturers Association. They have a decent range of masala style sticks sold under the name Ayurvedic, along with the standard everyday room freshener perfumed sticks, plus some backflow cones. The Ayurvedic range is available in the UK, though is not often seen in the usual places.
Scents reviewed: 3
Top score: 40
Bottom score: 34
Average: 37
Average: 37
Conclusion: Worth exploring further.
****
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| Haridas Madhavdas Sugandhi Pune, India |
Haridas Madhavdas Sugandhi of Pune (HMS) have a long established presence as an Indian incense house, though are best known in the West as the supplier for a number of own brand importers such as TOI, Happy Hari, Primo, Gokula, Bhagwan, etc. They are also recognised for their heavy use of vanilla crystals to strengthen and prolong the incense scent, which tends to give most of their incenses a sweet vanilla base.
Incenses: 7
Top score: 44
Top score: 44
Low score: 26
Average: 34
****
Decent Everyday Incense
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| Nikhil's Products of Bangalore Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed and masala |
Nikhil Products of Bangalore were founded in 1986. They make both perfumed and masala incense. They are available in India (Acharya); the UK (Popat); USA (IncenseOnTheWay); and Oz (SunDrops). Prices are generally low, especially in India and the UK.
Incense reviewed: 3
Highest score: 39
Lowest score: 28
Average score: 35
Conclusion: Decent, low price everyday incense, both perfumed and masala. I'd be happy to explore further.
****
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| Misbah's Fragrance Young Indian (Bangalore) producer of masala, luxury boxes, and other incense |
Misbah is a relatively young company - they appear to have been formed in 2018, and are still quite small. They are based in Bangalore, the incense capital of the world. They claim to have over 200 different incenses, and a glance at their products show they have the usual range of everyday perfumed-charcoal, dhoops, sambrani cups, masala, flora, and luxury boxes, etc, with the familiar clones of Sri Sai Flora and Sugandha Shringar, the two most significant Indian incenses, the basis for much modern Indian incense.
Reviews: 3
Top: 38
Bottom: 21
Average: 35
Average: 35
Conclusion: Decent quality masala style incense - worth exploring further.
*****
*****
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| Shroff Incense Indian (Bangalore) producer of masala |
A small traditional Indian producer with a shop in Avenue Road, Bangalore, founded in 1882. They sold incense to the local Mysore king, exhibited in a British Industries fair in Olympia in 1930, and were a founder member of the All India Agarbathi Manufacturers’ Association, so this is a company with a long, and at one time distinguished, history. They have not prospered over the years, so have not expanded or modernised. They continue to make incense in the traditional manner, partly because they do not have the money for investment, and partly because that is what their small market expects. They wish to modernise and expand, but are constrained both by their lack of money, and by the expectations of their market. People buy from them because they are traditional. Some of the recipes and ingredients have been modernised over the years, mostly because of dwindling supplies and rising costs, though sometimes because they genuinely feel that a modern method or ingredient is beneficial to the incense, and acceptable to the customer. So they are not completely locked into the past.
They are not a well known company, but have got a small and loyal market of buyers who enjoy traditionally made Indian incense. They group their incense into dry and wet masala. The dry masala is cheaper and contains little to no essential oils - relying on dried ingredients - leaves, petals, tree bark, resin ,etc; the wet masala adds essential oils to the mix. In my experience it is the wet masala incenses that produce the richer, sweeter, more attractive scent. The wet masalas, however, are not thick and damp like flora or fluxo incenses; they are more in line with the modern perfumed-masala incenses.
Scents: 6
Highest score: 43
Lowest score: 28
Average: 35
Conclusion: I like Shroff. I like their history, and their struggle to make a place for themselves as a small traditional company in a modern market; and I like their wet masala incense. I am less keen on the dry stuff. I think to appreciate Shroff it is better to pay a few dollars more and get the wet stuff.
*****
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Indian (Mumbai) producer
Gamta Organic Incense are based in Mumbai, and appear to have been founded in 2021. Their marketing focus appears to be that they are making Panchgavya products - which means they utilise cow by-products, such as milk, urine, dung, ghee, and curd, according to Ayurveda principles. The liquid fragrances, on the other hand, are harsh with chemicals.
Scents tried: 5
Top score: 39
Bottom score: 28
Average: 33
Conclusion: The use of panchgavya paste is intriguing, though the intrusive chemical element to the liquid fragrance is off-putting. On the burn the incense is decent everyday room fragrance. I'd be OK with trying more Gamta incense, though wouldn't seek it out.
*****
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| Aromatika Indian (Jaipur) producer of perfumed and masala |
An Indian company based in Jaipur who have been making incense for over 30 years.
Top scents: Aromatika Ace Scents Dragon Blood (45); Aromatika Sacre Coeur Sandalwood (42); Aromatika Ace Scents Frankincense & Myrrh (40); Aromatika Vedic Marie Qui Defait Les Noeuds (35)
Scents tried: 19
Top score: 45
Low score: 13
Average: 28
Average masala (out of 7): 36 (Decent Stuff)
Average perfumed (out of 12): 23 (Everyday)
Conclusion: The masala incense is good, and I'm happy to seek out new Aromatika masala incense. The perfumed incense is average - I wouldn't avoid it, especially if there's a good deal, but I wouldn't seek it out.
*****
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Indian (Bangalore) producer |
Parimal Mandir are a well established Indian incense company, founded in 1942 in Bangalore by Sunku Gundaiah Setty as the “Gandhi Flour Mills & Perfumery Works”. The company is domestically successful with some exports to Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Africa, and there is at least one family member still on the executive board. They have a useful video detailing both their history and their production methods: Documentary Release (2014). They mainly use the "Parimal" brand name, but also have a "Shubh Labh" brand name for use on at least one incense.
Scents reviewed: 5
Top score: 47
Low score: 25
Average: 37
Conclusion: I'll need to revisit this maker.
Top score: 47
Low score: 25
Average: 37
Conclusion: I'll need to revisit this maker.
*****
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Indian (Mumbai) producer of masala and perfumed |
N. Ranga Rao & Sons Exports of Mumbai have been selling incense since 1948, and export to 60 countries. They use Flute, Cycle, Lia and Angel brand names, and also make Woods and Rhythm brand incense. They make dhoop, perfumed, and masala style incense. Cycle is the most respected brand, and the one that I find tends to make the better incense, mostly, though not exclusively, masala. Flute is a popular brand that mostly makes perfumed.
It is a respected company that is one of the larger incense companies, and is popular domestically, as well as having a decent international market, though nothing as compared to Satya, HEM, etc.
Listed as Number One brand in India in January 2019.
Scents tried: 20
Highest: 40
Lowest: 24
Average: 31 (Decent quality scents)
Conclusion: I find them a solid, dependable, decent quality company, with the best incense nudging or getting into Heavenly, and the lowest never falling lower than Average Everyday. I am interested in exploring further.
Conclusion: I find them a solid, dependable, decent quality company, with the best incense nudging or getting into Heavenly, and the lowest never falling lower than Average Everyday. I am interested in exploring further.
*****
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| Hari Om Fragrance Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed and masala |
Hari Om Fragrance was founded in 1990 in Bangalore. They copy existing popular brands such as Moksh, Sugandha Swarna, and Sri Sai Flora, but also have their own brands which are well established, such as Sai Bhajan, and some scents which appear to be original and quite divine, such as Hari Om Tez. The quality of packaging is good, and the incenses, be they perfume-dipped or masala, are also all of a decent standard.
Top scents: Hari Om 12/- Tez (38); Hari Om Vishwa Sai (Fluxo Incense) (35); Hari Om Fluxo Incense (34); Hari Om Divine Incense Butmogra (32); Hari Om 12/- Pankudi (31)
Scents reviewed: 20 (Reviews over five years old: 14)
Highest score: 40
Lowest Score: 17
Average top five: 37
Average score: 30
Overall score: 34 - Decent stuff
Conclusion: They seem to be a good representative of the everyday Indian incense market, as they carry a wide range of scents and types of incense, including masala and perfumed, mainly aimed at the domestic market. They are, essentially, the quintessence of domestic Indian incense.
*****
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| HEM Corporation Indian (Bangalore and Mumbai) producer of perfumed with some masala |
The HEM Corporation has incense factories in Bangalore, Mumbai and Bhiwandi; it was founded in 1975, and is one of the largest incense companies in the world, with over 100 different incense products which are exported to over 50 countries around the world. Most people will have heard of HEM and tried their sticks. For some people, HEM will be their main or only knowledge of incense. The incense mostly synthetic-perfume based - the sticks are hand made by rolling a charcoal paste onto sticks, which are then dipped into chemical perfumes. But they also do some decent masala, the range of which has been increasing of late.
Top scents: HEM Frankincense-Myrrh (40); HEM Blueberry (36); HEM Cherry Vanilla (32); HEM Precious Mogra (Jasmine) (31); HEM Strawberry (30)
Scents rated: 39
Highest score: 40
Lowest score: 8
Lowest score: 8
Average top five: 38
Average score: 27
Overall: 32
Conclusion: Not my favourite incense maker by any means; they are inconsistent, and can make some vile chemical based "floral" scents, but at their best they can produce some cheap and attractive synthetic scents suitable for everyday burning. I am inclined against them, but will succumb to cheap deals, and I'm sometimes surprised by how much I enjoy some scents. They also make masala, which is becoming more available in the West as Indian incense houses note the success of Satya and Goloka.
Average score: 27
Overall: 32
Conclusion: Not my favourite incense maker by any means; they are inconsistent, and can make some vile chemical based "floral" scents, but at their best they can produce some cheap and attractive synthetic scents suitable for everyday burning. I am inclined against them, but will succumb to cheap deals, and I'm sometimes surprised by how much I enjoy some scents. They also make masala, which is becoming more available in the West as Indian incense houses note the success of Satya and Goloka.
*****
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| Amritha (E B Creasy / Darley Butler) Sri Lankan producer of perfumed incense |
Amritha is the incense brand of E B Creasy, a long standing large Sri Lanka company (founded in 1878) which sells a range of products and services. Creasy took over another long standing Sri Lanka company, Darley Butler, in 1967, and both names appear on the packaging. The incense is very much in the Indian tradition; which is appropriate as Sri Lanka (formally Ceylon) is an island country very close to India.
They make scented/perfumed incense sticks, which are machine extruded onto machine cut bamboo splints. There is generally a fragrant synthetic scent of citric fruits, or heady florals, or creamy woods - often quite bright, high notes, some alcohol chemicals, some interesting earthy herbs and woods to ground the flying top notes. It's generally decent everyday single scent stuff, though on their own blends, Original and Gia, they can raise their game to something quite significant. They make their own incense in a facility in Padukka, which is a small town on the outskirts of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
Scents tried: 5
Top score: 43
Top score: 43
Bottom score: 24
Average: 31
*****
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| Moksh Agarbatti Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed |
Moksh Agarbatti of Bangalore was founded in 1996 and makes Swarna Champa, a brand it is proud of, but which doesn't appear to be available in the UK. It claims to be the "world's largest selling agarbatties", with over 35 different fragrances, which they advertise on TV in India - here's a Moksh TV Advert from April 2015. They have three manufacturing unites in Bangalore.
All the sticks I have tried so far have been reasonably pleasant everyday perfume dipped charcoal sticks. Not special for meditation or for guests, but decent everyday stuff to brighten up and freshen a room.
Top scents: Moksh Swarna Divya Sugandh (39); Moksh Swarna Champa (36); Moksh Akash Phool (33); Moksh Swarna Gulab (35); Moksh Swarna RajaniGandha (33)
Incense reviewed: 9
Highest score: 39
Lowest score: 22
Average: 31 (Borderline decent everyday incense)
Conclusion: I am happy to use Moksh for my everyday incense
*****
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| Hari Darshan Indian (Delhi) producer of perfumed, masala and dhoop |
Hari Darshan of Delhi are one of India's oldest and most successful incense companies, though little known in the West until relatively recently with their Tribal Soul range. They have been making incense for around 70 years (some sources say 100 years, though on a pack of their incense they have a seal saying "Pure Fragrance since 1970"), passing through four generations, and offer a wide range of incense products: dhoop, masala, perfumed, etc. They advertise on Indian TV with the tag line Ghar Ko Mandir Bana De ("Make the house a temple") as shown here.
Top scents: Tales of India Maharani Dream (M) (40); Hari Darshan Patchouli Cones (P) (33); Hari Darshan Lavender cones (P) (31)
Incense reviewed: 18
Highest score: 40
Lowest score: 15
Average score: 27
Top five: 33
Overall score: 30
Top five: 33
Overall score: 30
Conclusion: Well established Delhi based manufacturer of wide range of incense, little known in the West, but starting to export, via Green Tree, their Tribal Soul and Native Soul brands.
****
Balarama of Thailand. Balarama produces incense for companies in Europe and America, and they are one of the main sources for the modern Spiritual Sky incense (which used to be awesome in the 70s). While not 100% certain, they are highly likely to be the source for Kuumba incense.
Scents reviewed: 19
Top score: 37
Low score: 17
Average: 30
Low score: 17
Average: 30
Conclusion: Borderline Average/Decent everyday modern room freshener perfumed incense made by a Thailand company which specialises in producing room fragrance incense for various retail companies. Generally likeable, fun, and good value (unless buying under the Kuumba brand name).
*****
New Moon Aromas is a relatively recent brand. A number of internet shops around the world list New Moon incense, and they can be bought for less than £2 a box on Amazon. The website for the brand (newmoonaromas.net) is registered, but not fully active. The brand is owned by Wonder Imports, an Indian owned Australian wholesale company, and their UK branch, Wonder Incense. Navan Shah from the company has been in touch to tell me they have their own manufacturing premises in India, so Wonder Incense can be classed as producers rather than just distributors.
The incenses are machine made masalas which have been perfumed with fragrant oils, which seems to be a type of incense I have been encountering a lot recently, and which I am identifying on my Incense List as perfumed masala (PM). Navan is unable to tell me what proportion of "agarbatti oil" (DEP) is blended with essential oils.
New Moon Aromas are distributed in India, Europe, and Australia.
Incense reviewed: 6
Highest: 39
Lowest: 25
Average: 30 (Decent Stuff/Everyday Average)
*****
Modest Everyday or Average Incense
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| Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH) |
Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH) was created in 1992, and by 2023 had an annual turnover of £65 million. Zed Black is their main brand, and has been named as one of the top brands in India. MDPH also make incense for own label Western companies, such as Fleur De Vie for the Dutch company Eastern-trading.
Reviews: 4
Top score: 33
Bottom score: 20
Average: 28
*****
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| Thurga's (SunRayn) Incense Malaysia. Perfumed. |
Thurga's Industries of Malaysia are a "manufacturer" and distributor of highly perfumed machine-extruded perfumed-charcoal incense sticks at good value prices.
Scents: 3
Top score: 33
Bottom score: 25
Average: 29
*****
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| Mysore Sugandhi Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed |
The Mysore Sugandhi Dhoop Factory of Bangalore was formed in 1934, and claims to be the first exporter of incense from India - their name means the fragrant incense factory of Mysore, and their Chandon Dhoop was made under the patronage of the Maharaja of Mysore.
They provide some incense for Aargee - the Aargee tube series are regular Sugandhi products under a different wrapper.
Scents reviewed: 7
High score: 33
Low score: 22
Average: 27
Conclusion: Everything I have tried by Sungandhi so far has been perfume dipped, but highly scented, making them moderately attractive, even if somewhat limited.
*****
 |
SAC (Sandesh)/GR International Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed and masala |
The Sandesh Agarbathi Company (SAC) was founded in 1970 by D.N.P. Guptha in Bangalore, the centre of India's incense industry. They started as a cottage industry, but are now a significant exporter around the world, with over 250 different incense products, many of which are listed on the American retail site Incense OnTheWay. The company is a member of the All India Agarbathi Manufacturers Association. Products are mostly everyday perfume-dipped. Quite competent. They also do several acceptable masala.
Top scents: SAC Arcangel Gabriel Sandalo (P): 35; SAC Jasmine (P): 35; SAC Atma Darshan Flora (M): 34; SAC Patchouli (cones); (P): 34; SAC FrankIncense Myrrh (M): 33
Scents reviewed: 20
Highest: 35
Lowest: 18
Average: 27
A decent everyday incense company who make cheap perfume-dipped and masala incense. I'm quite happy to explore further.
GR International is the same company as SAC so I'm keeping them together (it's cool that I gave them the same score!)
 |
| GR International Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed |
GR International were founded in 1970, and are based in Bangalore. The company have started and abandoned a few websites, but incense-sticks-supplier.com appears to be the most recent; they started a blog early in 2013, but didn't keep up with it.
Top scents: GR International Sandalo (42); GR International Fengshui Earth (33); GR International Strawberry (32); GR International Eucalyptus (32): GR International Fengshui Metal (32): GR International Tangerine (30)
Scents reviewed: 10
Highest score: 42
Lowest score:
Average score: 29
Conclusion: A typical perfume dipped incense maker, but I tend to like some of their products - not hugely, the scores are usually around 32, but enough to keep an interest. I especially like their Sandalwood cones. I'll keep on exploring their products to see if they have another one that I enjoy as much as the Sandalo.
Top scents: GR International Sandalo (42); GR International Fengshui Earth (33); GR International Strawberry (32); GR International Eucalyptus (32): GR International Fengshui Metal (32): GR International Tangerine (30)
Scents reviewed: 10
Highest score: 42
Lowest score:
Average score: 29
Conclusion: A typical perfume dipped incense maker, but I tend to like some of their products - not hugely, the scores are usually around 32, but enough to keep an interest. I especially like their Sandalwood cones. I'll keep on exploring their products to see if they have another one that I enjoy as much as the Sandalo.
*****
 |
Indian (Mumbai) producer of masala |
A Mumbai based incense company who are followers of Krishna. All their incense is traditionally made using natural ingredients. They are distributed in the UK by Gokula, who are also followers of Krishna.
Incense reviewed: 6
Highest score: 37
Lowest score: 20
Average: 27 (Everyday Incense)
Conclusion: A modest but pleasant maker of natural incense. Nothing particularly special, but sold by Gokula at a modest price, and worth trying. Much of what I have tried has been around a while, so will try a fresh batch or two of some of the more promising scents to see what they are like new.
*****
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| Balaji Agarbatti Company Indian (Bangalore) producer of masala and perfumed |
The Balaji company was founded in Bangalore in 1957 by a Mr Gupta, who had previously been involved with the Sri Srinivasa Agarbathi Company in Chintamani near Bangalore which had been formed in the 1920s. They sell a range of incense sticks and dhoops, a mix of natural/masala and perfumed charcoal, as well as soaps and perfumes.
Scents: 9
Highest score: 42
Lowest score: 10
Average: 26
Conclusion: A fairly average everyday producer who makes heady and colourful incense for the Indian market, some of which I find delightful, though is probably too rich for the Western market.
****
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| Mahendra / Betco Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed |
Mahendra Perfumery Works of Bangalore were formed in 1921. Betco International is their export division.
Top scents: Betco Hanuman (35); Mahendra Bhajan (33); Betco Saraswathi (33); Betco Bouquet (31); Mahendra Arora (30); Betco Rose (30)
Scents reviewed: 10
Top score: 35
Low score: 17
Average: 26
Conclusion: A well established perfume-dipped incense maker who make pleasant enough products for everyday use. While nothing special, the scents are a little better than average. I'll continue to explore.
*****
Indian (Bangalore) producer
Sagun Incense were founded in Bangalore in 2014. They appear to make a standard selection of incense, some copied from successful brands, and they export to quite a few countries across the world. The incense is well made and quite decent, though can be a little pedestrian. The packets are a little midway between standard Satya style boxes and the impressive luxury boxes.
Scents tried: 3
Highest: 30
Lowest: 25
Average: 28
Conclusion: The incense is well made and quite decent, though can be a little pedestrian. The packets are a little midway between standard Satya style boxes and the impressive luxury boxes.
*****
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Sage Spirit
Native American producer of sage smudge and perfumed
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Sage Spirit are a company founded in 1995 by a Native American tribe, the Jicarilla Apache, who live on the Jicarilla reservation in New Mexico, not far from the border with Colorado. Burning sage smudge sticks is part of Native American rituals, and the company make and sell traditional sage smudges, but have also branched out into making Asian style perfume-dipped incense sticks.
Top scents: Blue Corn Flower (38); Cedar (36)
Scents reviewed: 5
Highest score: 38
Lowest score: 16
Average: 26
Highest score: 38
Lowest score: 16
Average: 26
Conclusion: I went overboard with Sage Spirit when I first burned them. Then I felt I had over-rated them, and scored them down. And then I felt that the scents, though soft, had a unique and delicate touch that actually I am quite fond of. At this point I don't know where I am with them. I guess I shall keep exploring them until I make up my mind!
*****
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| Padmini Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed and dhoop |
Padmini were founded in the 1960s. Apparently they became known in the US for their little dhoop sticks. The company is not that well established in the UK, though Aargee import the little dhoop sticks, Gold Statue and a few others. The website emphasises that Padmini make "aroma chemicals", and details the various compounds they make, rather than the incense sticks they make.
Scents reviewed: 6
Top score: 40
Low score: 18
Average: 29
Conclusion: A modest everyday perfumed incense producer.
*****
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| Veer Incense Indian (Valsad) producer of perfumed |
Veer Incense is the brand name of Viral Enterprises based in Valsad (Gujarat, India). They were founded in 2015 by Viral Shah and employ up to ten people. They were the first company I imported incense from. They were new at it and made mistakes meaning the boxes arrived damaged. Plus the boxes were too big to sell via mail order, so I made a loss on the deal. However, their incense sticks are decent quality everyday incense.
Top scents: Veer Special Loban (Score: 39); Veer Special 3 in 1 (Score: 30)
Incense reviewed: 7
Incense reviewed: 7
Top score: 39
Low score: 28
Average: 30 (Median: 28)
Conclusion: A pleasant top end everyday perfumed incense company. Not that adventurous, and poor quality packaging, but cheap and cheerful.
Conclusion: A pleasant top end everyday perfumed incense company. Not that adventurous, and poor quality packaging, but cheap and cheerful.
*****
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Indian (Bangalore) producer of dhoop |
Sree Yadalam Dhoops Industries of Bangalore (or Bengaluru) were founded in 1999, and use the Gomaathaa trademark. Gomaatha is the Indian name for the cow as the holy mother, and a cow is used in their trademark. Their dhoops were popular and sold in the UK and USA, though they also sold joss sticks or agarbatti. The company went bankrupt in 2012, with the Central Bank of India selling off some of the companies assets.
Scents tried: 8
Highest Score: 37
Highest Score: 37
Lowest Score: 20
Overall Score: 30 (Borderline decent everyday dhoop)
Ekom are a new incense company founded in 2022 in the young city of Chandigarh with its bold modern architecture by Corbusier. This year (2023) Ekom have won an award for being the "Sustainable Incense Brand of The Year". Their products are organic, with no charcoal, or potassium nitrate, or chemicals. The aim is to produce a modern, natural, gentle and subtle incense.
****
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Ekom |
Ekom are a new incense company founded in 2022 in the young city of Chandigarh with its bold modern architecture by Corbusier. This year (2023) Ekom have won an award for being the "Sustainable Incense Brand of The Year". Their products are organic, with no charcoal, or potassium nitrate, or chemicals. The aim is to produce a modern, natural, gentle and subtle incense.
Reviews: 4
High score: 32
Low score: 23
Average: 28 (Modest or average incense)
Conclusion: I like the sustainability and purity, however the mildness, dryness, and simplicity of the scents is not to my taste. I will certainly try any samples or offers that come my way, and also keep an eye open for future developments (the company is still young), but for the moment this is not an incense house for me.
****
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| Fair Trade Incense Works Indian (Mumbai) producer of perfumed masala |
Fair Trade Incense Works are based in Mumbai and mostly make incense for others to brand as their own, though they did have some brands of their own which they distributed themselves, Om Incense, Nitiraj Incense and Natural Incense. Of those, only Om and Nitiraj appear to still be available under individual distribution deals. In the UK, Bombay Incense - a British based company who do most of their business in America, used to distribute Nitiraj and Om in the UK and America, though by 2018, Ian Snow had taken over the UK distribution. However, as of 2021, Ian Snow no longer sell Nitiraj or Om. Distribution is now handled by Namaste in the UK, and by Kheops International in North America.
Fair Trade make masala incense using fragrant oils or perfumes, but the ingredients tend to be thin, poor quality. They tend to use machines. This is a reliable and economical method of making incense sticks.
Incense reviewed: 10
Highest: 35
Lowest: 20
Average: 25 (Everyday Incense)
Conclusion: I tend to quite like Fair Trade products, but never get excited by them. They are always decent scents, and the incense is well made, professional, and consistent. But there is not much excitement, creativity, or heart about them. This is professionally made incense, made with a clear eye on the profit line. Job done. There is nothing wrong with them, except, like HEM and SAC Sandesh, they lack soul. Companies like this show that it doesn't matter if the incense is masala or perfumed, what matters is the attitude and spirit of the makers.
****
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Indian (Mysore) producer of mostly perfumed incense |
Aravinda Parimala Works of Mysore were founded as a small local company in 1963 with Sugandha Shringar - apparently the first blended (as opposed to single scent) incense sticks. The company has developed its exports and now has several export awards and a range of scents, most of which appear to be perfumed, though some appear to be masala. It has a Facebook page.
Scents tried: 8
Highest: 30
Lowest: 20
Average: 26 - Modest everyday or average incense
Conclusion: Other than the historic and cultural significance of Sugandha Shringar, I have found little of interest in the company's output.
Scents tried: 8
Highest: 30
Lowest: 20
Average: 26 - Modest everyday or average incense
Conclusion: Other than the historic and cultural significance of Sugandha Shringar, I have found little of interest in the company's output.
****
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| Deepika Fragrance Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed masala |
Deepika Fragrance is based in Bangalore, and is run by a Hindu family, headed by Harish Gupta, with the contact person being Ajay Gupta. They have a shop on 1st Block, Rajajinagar, in Bangalore.
Scents reviewed: 5
Highest: 32
Lowest: 21
Average: 26
Highest: 32
Lowest: 21
Average: 26
Conclusion: The Deepika boxes say they are masala cones, but they present and burn as sawdust cones with perfume. On the whole they are lower end everyday incense, borderline toilet freshener.
****
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| Asoka Trading Company Bangalore |
Asoka Trading Company was founded in Bangalore by T. V. Chalamiah Chetty, in 1943, after he had worked some years for other incense houses. They make everyday synthetic-perfumed room fresheners. The company's key product is Bharath Darshan.
Scents: 6
Top: 37
Conclusion: Long running producer with a base in America, and a presence in many Western countries. Not a quality incense house. Appears to aim for the Western market with Westernised Indian imagery. More common in America than the UK. Mostly known for perfumed incense, though also have modest everyday perfumed masala.
The incense and the packaging are similar to Auroshika, and One Aromatics, and Meadows, and The Mother's, who all appear to be connected in some way with the ashram in Pondicherry and the community in Auroville, which was founded by The Mother. Though the companies operate in different places (Auroshika in America, and The Mother's in the UK, etc). This brand, though, is the original, and operates from Pondicherry.
Scents: 6
Top: 37
Bottom: 20
Average: 24
Average: 24
All reviews are over five years old
Conclusion: All incense appears to be synthetic-perfumed, and - other than the flagship Bharath Darshan - fairly low end. I'm keeping an open mind, but not an incense house I have any interest in exploring further.
****
Patanjali Agarbatti - a branch of Patanjali Ayurved, a manufacturer and distributor of various foods and goods in India, who were founded in 1956 in New Delhi, are considered one of the Top Incense Brands in India. The parent company made £58 million in 2021. All the incense I've seen has been branded Aastha.
Scents reviewed: 4
Highest score: 30
Lowest score: 17
Average: 24 (Everyday incense)
Average: 24 (Everyday incense)
Conclusion: I've only reviewed four scents - they were all everyday perfumed incense, nothing special. The prices on the website are very cheap - 10 Rupees (10p) for 25g seems to be the standard. I'll keep an open mind, but given that this is not an incense house, and the aim appears to be to sell cheap, I may not come across a decent incense from this company.
*****
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| Flourish Fragrance Indian (Ahmedebad) producer |
Flourish Fragrance are an incense house based in Ahmedabad on the upper Western coast of India. They produce perfumed and masala style incense. They have experience of incense making dating back three generations to 1965.
Scents reviewed: 6
Top score: 30
Bottom score: 18
Average: 23
Conclusion: The appearance on a number of sticks is that these are masala style; however, Flourish use very noticeable chemicals and synthetic scents which are somewhat harsh and off-putting. Despite that, the musky based scents are reasonably attractive. I'm really put off by the crude use of chemicals, however somewhat intrigued by the musky nature of some of the scents. I'm not going to hunt down any Flourish incense, but I'm keeping my opinion open, and wouldn't reject trying more scents.
*****
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Indian (Delhi) producer of perfumed with some masala |
R. Expo / Song Of India is an Indian company based in Noida, a new city just outside of Delhi, with a branch in America. They started out in 1932 as an independent business called Mathur Perfumery Works hand-making traditional incense, then branched out in 1972 to create a sales outlet in America. Aroma Temple is Song of India's main brand, and is a machine extruded and perfume-dipped incense. In 2017 they created the hippy-chic brand The Great Indian Caravan making low cost perfume-dipped incense. They also make modest masala incense.
Incense reviewed: 9
Highest: 32
Lowest: 19
Average: 23 (Everyday incense)
Conclusion: Long running producer with a base in America, and a presence in many Western countries. Not a quality incense house. Appears to aim for the Western market with Westernised Indian imagery. More common in America than the UK. Mostly known for perfumed incense, though also have modest everyday perfumed masala.
*****
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| Cottage Industries Indian producer |
Cottage Industries is part of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, India. The history of the Cottage Industries brand is that it was founded in 1949 by Mirra Alfassa, The Mother, to provide the ashram with incense. So the aim was for this to be a modest low cost product for their own use. Surplus was sold to visitors, and by 1973 was being exported. It is sold under the Cottage Industries brand name, though originally and for a while it was under the name of the ashram: Sri Aurobindo.
The incense and the packaging are similar to Auroshika, and One Aromatics, and Meadows, and The Mother's, who all appear to be connected in some way with the ashram in Pondicherry and the community in Auroville, which was founded by The Mother. Though the companies operate in different places (Auroshika in America, and The Mother's in the UK, etc). This brand, though, is the original, and operates from Pondicherry.
Scents tried: 5
Highest: 28
Lowest: 23
Average: 23 - Lower end modest incense
Highest: 28
Lowest: 23
Average: 23 - Lower end modest incense
*****
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| Metro Agarbatti Company of Pakistan Pakistan producer of perfumed |
The Metro Agarbatti Company of Karachi, Pakistan, use an image of a white and ginger cat as their trademark, and call it the Cat Brand. The company was formed in 1970, and are the largest incense company in Pakistan, with 95% of the market. They are working hard to improve their export trade, and have been achieving some success with the Metro Milan.
Top scents: Metro Rose (31); Metro Three in one (30)
Scents reviewed: 4
Highest score: 31
Lowest score:
Average score: 25
Conclusion: A modest though reasonably attractive basic perfume dipped incense maker.
Krishan Products were founded in 1951, and claim to be India's leading manufacturer and exporter of premium quality incense sticks. They do a range of fruit and other standard scents. Website: krishanincense.com
Scents reviewed: 4
Top score: 30
Low score: 20
Average: 25
Conclusion: A modest everyday basic perfume dipped incense maker.
German incense company, known for cones and wooden German smokers. Founded 1865. They have a manufacturing unit in Germany, but it is unclear if the cones are made there, or somewhere in India.
Scents reviewed: 2
High score: 30
Low score: 20
Average: 25
Conclusion: Not impressed so far, but the cones are cheap enough, and the company is famous, so I am willing to try a few more.
Incense company founded in 1973 in Pondicherry, India. The sticks are made from a hand-rolled charcoal base, then dipped in chemical perfume.
Top scents: None
Scents reviewed: 3
Average score: 24
Conclusion: None of the scents tried so far have really impressed, but they have been soft and reasonably pleasant. I am willing to explore further.
Top scents: Metro Rose (31); Metro Three in one (30)
Scents reviewed: 4
Highest score: 31
Lowest score:
Average score: 25
Conclusion: A modest though reasonably attractive basic perfume dipped incense maker.
*****
Darshan International of Bangalore was founded in 1987 by T. Srinivas, then carried on by his sons in 2000. They deal in perfume dipped sticks, cones and dhoops. Some Darshan TV ads: Black Stone,Black Stone 2, Black Stone 3, Black Stone, Bharath, Hari.
Conclusion: A maker of decent enough perfume-dipped everyday incense.
*****
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| Krishan Products of Mumbai Indian (Mumbai) producer of perfumed |
Scents reviewed: 4
Top score: 30
Low score: 20
Average: 25
Conclusion: A modest everyday basic perfume dipped incense maker.
Scents reviewed: 2
High score: 30
Low score: 20
Average: 25
Conclusion: Not impressed so far, but the cones are cheap enough, and the company is famous, so I am willing to try a few more.
*****
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| Auroshika Incense Indian (Pondicherry) producer of perfumed |
Incense company founded in 1973 in Pondicherry, India. The sticks are made from a hand-rolled charcoal base, then dipped in chemical perfume.
Top scents: None
Scents reviewed: 3
Average score: 24
Conclusion: None of the scents tried so far have really impressed, but they have been soft and reasonably pleasant. I am willing to explore further.
*****
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| Gopal Joie incense Indian (Delhi, Bangalore) producer of mostly perfumed |
Gopal, trading as Joie, make fairly standard cheap incense sticks and wet dhoops. The ingredients they use may all be natural, but the scents are artificial, created out of processing the natural ingredients. The scents are unimaginative - White Rose, Lily of the Valley, Orange, etc. The package decoration is uninspired and poor quality (a blurred image of a bunch of white roses for example). The scents are weak, and will often reveal more of the base burning material than the intended perfume.
The Gopal Group, which sells tobacco, chemicals, industrial perfume, etc, was formed in 1942. They have incense factories in Delhi, Bangalore and Baddi.
Top scents: Joie Sea Breeze (31)
Scents reviewed: 9
Highest score: 31
Lowest score:
Average score: 22
Conclusion: Not a company I am interested in buying from, but I will continue to keep an open mind.
Sarathi International, trading as Tulasi, have incense sticks available from a number of UK internet sites, such as the Asian Cookshop and Incense Essentials, either in hex boxes of 20 or square boxes of 8 sticks for an average cost of around 5p a stick. They produce decent enough scents, and are a fairly consistent if largely unexciting incense company. The sticks tend to be of modest size, and are hand rolled from charcoal paste onto dyed sticks and then perfume dipped. Nothing exciting, but they are cheap, and tend to turn up on market stalls and hardware stores.
I was recently encouraged to try the Tulasi Vidwan, which turned out to be a traditional masala incense - while it's not one of the best, it is a proper job incense. Nice one.
The company was founded in 1945 as a small family business, and has grown to an operation employing over 300 people from a modern 75,000 square ft factory in Bangalore - which it claims is the largest incense factory in Bangalore. The company exports to 45 countries worldwide.
Top scents: Tulasi Nag Champa (40); Tulasi Vidwan (39); Tulasi Nag Champa & Rose (37)
The Gopal Group, which sells tobacco, chemicals, industrial perfume, etc, was formed in 1942. They have incense factories in Delhi, Bangalore and Baddi.
Top scents: Joie Sea Breeze (31)
Scents reviewed: 9
Highest score: 31
Lowest score:
Average score: 22
Conclusion: Not a company I am interested in buying from, but I will continue to keep an open mind.
*****
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| Tulasi Incense (Sarathi International) Indian (Bangalore) producer of perfumed and occasional masala |
Sarathi International, trading as Tulasi, have incense sticks available from a number of UK internet sites, such as the Asian Cookshop and Incense Essentials, either in hex boxes of 20 or square boxes of 8 sticks for an average cost of around 5p a stick. They produce decent enough scents, and are a fairly consistent if largely unexciting incense company. The sticks tend to be of modest size, and are hand rolled from charcoal paste onto dyed sticks and then perfume dipped. Nothing exciting, but they are cheap, and tend to turn up on market stalls and hardware stores.
I was recently encouraged to try the Tulasi Vidwan, which turned out to be a traditional masala incense - while it's not one of the best, it is a proper job incense. Nice one.
The company was founded in 1945 as a small family business, and has grown to an operation employing over 300 people from a modern 75,000 square ft factory in Bangalore - which it claims is the largest incense factory in Bangalore. The company exports to 45 countries worldwide.
Top scents: Tulasi Nag Champa (40); Tulasi Vidwan (39); Tulasi Nag Champa & Rose (37)
Scents rated: 32
Highest score: 40
Lowest score: 1
Average score: 25 (average everyday incense)
Conclusion: I thought Tulasi were an everyday perfume-dipped incense company until I was turned on to the Vidwan. Now I shall keep an open mind on this, and other incense companies. Their everyday perfume-dipped incense is professionally packaged with a good standard of English, and they are fairly ubiquitous in the UK. At one time it was HEM I saw everywhere, but Tulasi appears to be slightly more common. In 2022 they launched a "Nag Champa" perfumed incense range in Europe - decent stuff. Certainly they are part of the big three incense companies along with HEM and Satya.
Toilet Cleaners
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| Pal-Ji Incense Sticks Indian producer (address unknown) of perfumed |
Address unknown. Imported into the UK in bulk and available in job lots on eBay and other places - you can have 100 boxes delivered for £35, or collect them yourself from a distributor in Bolton for 99p. They are not awful awful, but they are not very good either. Low quality bargain basement perfume dipped incense.
Scents reviewed: 11
Highest score: 24
Lowest score: 10
Average: 18 (Toilet Cleaners: Not to be burned in the house; just use in the toilet or outside.)
Conclusion: This is generic low-quality bargain-basement perfumed-incense. The packets are cheaply and crudely designed. There has been little effort to make a quality product, and there is no pretence (other than, perhaps, the words "Export Quality") that these sticks are going to be anything other than utilitarian at best. There is in real terms little difference between the scents - some are better defined than others, but all the scents are weak and the smell of the base wood powders comes through rather noticeably - which is typical of poorer quality perfumed incense.
*****
Own brand / private label sellers and distributors
The details below can be found in Own brand / private label sellers and distributors, which will be updated. The details below will not be updated, and eventually will be removed.
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| Gokula Incense UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
Scents reviewed: 7
Highest: 45
Lowest: 30
Average: 40
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| Happy Hari's Incense (out of business) UK importer and distributor of Indian incense (Ceased Trading Dec 2017) |
Scents reviewed: 8
Highest: 48
Lowest: 28
Average: 38
Conclusion: Paul Eagle found a quality incense maker, and for over 20 years imported decent incense into the UK. I have enjoyed the incenses I have tried - they are certainly above average, and I am now attempting to grab those scents I haven't yet tried, and to buy a few packets of those scents I like.
***
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| Aargee Incense UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
British based company founded in 1978. They don't directly make incense, but import it, and have incense made for them under several brand names including Stamford, and Imperial. They use a range of incense companies, including Goloka, Tulasi, Padmini, and Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya). The quality is as variable as the intended markets, but includes some of the best incense made, and never sinks very low.
Top scents: Stamford Chakra Ajna (Third Eye) (42); Stamford Chakra Muladhara Root (40); Aargee Imperial Bharat Mata Bouquet Fragrance (39); Aargee Laxmi Pooja (38) ; Stamford Midnight Calm (by Satya) (34); Aargee Patchouli (33); Aargee Imperial Raja Rani Lavender Fragrence (33); Ganesh Flora by Aargee (32); Stamford Earth Angel (32); Stamford Magic Angel (31); Aargee Jasmine (30)
Scents reviewed: 25
Highest score: 42
Lowest score:
Average score: 32
Conclusion: A consistently reliable company. At their best an Aargee brand incense will be amongst the very best incense in the world. At their worse, a decent incense that may not inspire, but will be worth buying again.
*****
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| Sifcon International UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
UK based Sifcon International company are a wholesalers dealing in household goods. They import a range of incense sticks and cones, such as Bhagvati Ppure, plus unbranded incense which they have packaged for themselves.
Scents rated: 15
Top score: 36
Low score: 19
Average: 27
*****
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| Tree of Life (out of business) UK importer of Asian incense |
UK brand started in 1990, taken over by Cha Cha Dum Dum, who closed in 2018. The brand is up for sale. The packets claim to be made in the UK, but the style and quality is more indicative of Asian manufacture - possibly Vietnam.
Incense reviewed: 5
High score: 33
Low score: 20
Average: 28
Conclusion: Modest import brand, no longer in business.
*****
Cha Cha Dum Dum (out of business)
UK importer and distributorof Asian goods and incense
Cha Cha Dum Dum was an ethnic gifts company founded in Kensington in 1968 which also distributed incense under their own Ganesha and Mystic Incense brands, and took over the UK Tree of Life brand. Started having problems in 2018, and by 2020 had permanently closed.
Incense reviewed: 11 (including Tree of Life)
High score: 35
Low score: 20
Average: 28
Conclusion: A modest importer of budget incense, closed as of 2020. Their foil wrapped Mystic Incense was good value and will be missed, though the importing of foil wrapped has been taken over by Zam Zam.
Incense reviewed: 11 (including Tree of Life)
High score: 35
Low score: 20
Average: 28
Conclusion: A modest importer of budget incense, closed as of 2020. Their foil wrapped Mystic Incense was good value and will be missed, though the importing of foil wrapped has been taken over by Zam Zam.
*****
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| One Aromatics UK importer and distributor of Indian incense |
One Aromatics is a brand of incense sold by One Village, a distributor of fair trade goods made in poor or disadvantaged communities. The company was founded in 1979. Their range of incense is made by the Auroville community in India.
Scents reviewed: 6
Highest: 33
Lowest: 10
Average: 24
Conclusion: The Auroville community is interesting, so I'd like to explore more incense from them. These One Aromatics are not impressive, but at their best they are decent everyday scents - but they can also be a little crude and harsh.
The Juicy Jays company was founded in America in the late 1990s to sell flavoured cigarette papers, and a few years ago - probably 2013, launched their incense series. The aromas have tempting names such as Orange Overload, Funkincense, and Apple Brown Betty. They are cheap and made in Thailand.
Scents reviewed: 5
Highest score: 23
Lowest score: 18
Average: 21
Conclusion: Not a company I'm interested in buying again, though the incense is not evil.
Scents reviewed: 6
Highest: 33
Lowest: 10
Average: 24
Conclusion: The Auroville community is interesting, so I'd like to explore more incense from them. These One Aromatics are not impressive, but at their best they are decent everyday scents - but they can also be a little crude and harsh.
*****
 |
| Juicy Jay's Thai Incense Sticks USA importer and distributor |
The Juicy Jays company was founded in America in the late 1990s to sell flavoured cigarette papers, and a few years ago - probably 2013, launched their incense series. The aromas have tempting names such as Orange Overload, Funkincense, and Apple Brown Betty. They are cheap and made in Thailand.
Scents reviewed: 5
Highest score: 23
Lowest score: 18
Average: 21
Conclusion: Not a company I'm interested in buying again, though the incense is not evil.
*****
 |
| Ancient Wisdom UK importer and distributor of Indian and Vietnam incense |
Ancient Wisdom are a UK distributor of gift ware and incense, based in Sheffield. They import incense from Thailand and sell under their own name, or the brand name Dawn Of Time, or as wholesale bulk lots which are then sold on under names such as Ashley's Workshop.
Top scents: Ancient Wisdom Red Dragon Incense Tibetan Musk (31)
Scents rated: 8
Highest score: 31
Lowest score: 19
Average score: 22
Conclusion: One of my least favourite incense companies
Top scents: Ancient Wisdom Red Dragon Incense Tibetan Musk (31)
Scents rated: 8
Highest score: 31
Lowest score: 19
Average score: 22
Conclusion: One of my least favourite incense companies
*****
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| Wild Berry USA importer and distributor |
Wild Berry is an American incense which is starting to sell in the UK. The sticks are colourful, and have wacky modern names, like Pounding Surf and Baking Brownies. They have a pleasant aroma on the stick - quite sweet and like apple pie. When burned, they all smell the same - very synthetic.
Top scents: None
Scents rated: 5
Average score: 20
Conclusion: Not impressed by the sticks in open jars, but the shorties and the cones, while not good value, are acceptable everyday incense.
EmporiumUK.biz are a UK based importing business. They distribute incense, and also have their own brands which are made in India and Thailand. Among the brands they own are the nasty Divine Spirit and the cheap small Spiritual Sky. They have an incense factory in Calcutta.
Top scents: None
Incense tried: 8
Highest score: 25
Lowest score: 9
Average score: 17
Conclusion: Mostly cheap and nasty, but at their best they can be harmless.
Top scents: None
Scents rated: 5
Average score: 20
Conclusion: Not impressed by the sticks in open jars, but the shorties and the cones, while not good value, are acceptable everyday incense.
*****
EmporiumUK.biz are a UK based importing business. They distribute incense, and also have their own brands which are made in India and Thailand. Among the brands they own are the nasty Divine Spirit and the cheap small Spiritual Sky. They have an incense factory in Calcutta.
Top scents: None
Incense tried: 8
Highest score: 25
Lowest score: 9
Average score: 17
Conclusion: Mostly cheap and nasty, but at their best they can be harmless.
*****
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What about Happy Hari? ie: Me :)
ReplyDeleteI'd probably put you under Aargee, but above GR International. But I haven't been burning much of your stuff recently, as I have an increased sensitivity to halmaddi. Aargee are all over the place - they can commission some really cheap shit, but they can also commission some awesome stuff from the best incense makers.
DeleteDo you know Gokula-incense? They do some really cool stuff that I think you'd like.
Here's their website with contact details
Deletehttp://www.gokula-incense.co.uk/
Have you tried the recent MetroMilan agarbatti, they have different packaging hexagonal packs, with flavours such as Amber, Rose, Lavender, Jasmine, Bakhoor, Lily, They also have a flora batti, and a product named Blunt wave with flavours such as baby powder, vanilla, jamaican fruit, egyptian musk, and 20 more flavours in a box.
ReplyDeleteIts really good.
I may have some in my incense box (I have HUGE piles of unreviewed incense - people keep sending me stuff, and I will buy stuff I've not seen before, so I am rather swamped by the size of the task!). I'll have a rummage around. If I can't find any, then I'll certainly look into it - sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy company have the agency of metromilan incense across u.s contant:347-8429987
ReplyDeleteRed nag!!! Try it. If u like nag Champa. Satya or gold. They are made by shanthimalai. Who employ and help women in need and donate large protions of proceeds. Very strong nag classic smell. Its a must try.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing this as available in the US through Essence of the Ages, http://www.essenceoftheages.com/shanth/shant1.html, but I can't see it as being available in the UK.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know of a UK outlet?
What do you think of One Aromatic products, sold here in the UK? I really like their Ambrosia (which is Halmaddi). Do you rate them, I think it's a lovely incense... https://www.oneworldshop.co.uk/one-aromatics-ambrosia-incense
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know Heather. Looks interesting. I've ordered six, taking advantage of the 10% discount for signing up to the newsletter. I did take a look at One Village's own website (http://onevillage.org/aromatics.htm) where they have an offer of 12 different fragrances for £16 with free posting, which makes it a little cheaper, but was quite happy just to have six at this point in case they are not to my liking. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes I've bought the 12 pack in the past, I bought one of each, but wasn't really keen on some of the others (though the Cedarwood, Sandlewood and Rose weren't too bad).. Of course you could actually just buy 12 packs of the Ambrosia.. They allow you to choose whatever you want in the 12 pack offer. I buy their soap as well, too sometimes. I live opposite Findhorn, I'm sure you've heard of it, and went on my first trip there last year, and discovered they sell it! So I was able to get another two packs! Lol. I do have some of the other scents left. They're not too bad. The Jasmine is nice. I find some incense, kind of burns the back of your throat, I think I've seen you say that. But the One Aromatics Ambrosia doesnt.. :)
ReplyDeleteIncense with halmaddi tends to do that - especially some of the Mothers stuff, which rips my throat apart! I can take low levels of it, but as halmaddi is very popular in America a lot of the incense made for the American market, especially the "connoisseur" incense market, packs it in. It's probably the only tree based incense that I don't get along with, other tree resins or woods I love - amber, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, agarwood, etc. I'm exploring Egyptian and Persian incense at the moment (and will get around to reviewing it at some point!), which is fascinating, and doesn't use halmaddi, preferring other woods, particularly agarwood (or oud).
ReplyDeleteI have a Facebook page Incense Inthewind (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015588154537) which I use occasionally to get information from incense makers in India, Asia and the Middle East. It's fascinating how many there are!
I have got round to reviewing the Ambrosia.
ReplyDeletehttp://incenseinthewind.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/one-aromatics-ambrosia.html
Very interesting... can you tell me how would you rate Darshan incense... the only one i know yet....
ReplyDeleteHi Simone
DeleteI've now added them to the above article. I've only rated four of their scents, but they seem a maker of decent enough perfume-dipped everyday incense. There are plenty worse though also plenty more interesting incense makers, but essentially they appear to me to be OK. They seem to be a well established domestic incense company in India as they frequently make TV commercials.
I hope that helps!
Hi Steve, can you review Balaji incense probably from BAC Perfume. It is getting popular as well but im not sure of its quality the way you explain the top 10. Many thanks, pranam
ReplyDeleteK.Lee
This Balaji?
DeleteI have had a varied experience with this company. Sometimes awesome, sometimes poor. I probably have some more in my backlog to review. I will be getting back to reviewing shortly, as I clear away other nonsense from my desk.
Hi Steve any reviews regarding Heera Brand masala incense sticks sold in UK recently?
ReplyDeleteI'm not aware of any. Indeed, I wasn't aware of the Heera brand until you just mentioned it. I've just had a look and note that Heera is a brand of P&B Foods Ltd, a large and successful importer and distributor of goods to the Asian community in Europe and the UK. I can see Heera incense available in many Asian online stores for reasonable prices. It appears to be masala incense, so I would be interested in reviewing some. Do you work for Heera? You can email me direct: silktork@gmail.com
DeleteI love this site for it's valuable education :) Before this I hadn't realised there were different ways incense was made; now I know it's the chemical dipped 1s that give me headaches, & can steer clear! I now only buy better brands like Satya, but I disagree about their packaging being 'boring & unattractive'! I love that they keep the standard & constant, instantly recognisable design, with it's basic info yet in a wild rainbow variety of different colour boxes! I love seeing them stacked togther -(possibly an ASD thing)- & have had to stop myself buying more just because I like the different colour box-! As marketing goes, it's not a bad strategy.. :) x
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think I was a bit harsh when I said "boring and unattractive", so I have adjusted the wording. The packaging is plain and simple, and there are some who will find that appealing.
DeleteI find that packaging is a part of the overall experience. I respect a company when they spend some time and consideration on attractive and relevant packaging design, especially when there is helpful information as well - such as ingredients, or an intention behind creating the scent.
There are certainly a number of incense companies who make much less attractive packaging than Satya. And Goloka is about the same as Satya with using the same basic design, and simply changing the tone of colour and the name.