Ancient Wisdom are a UK distributor of gift ware and incense, based in Sheffield. They import incense from Thailand - often made by Balarama - 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. They also distribute Satya and Aargee products.
When I first encountered their products, it was bargain basement unbranded stuff from Vietnam and Thailand - aimed at a undiscriminating audience. I grew cautious about buying anything that they sold under their own brands because my experiences tended to be of faded generic scents and crude organic core material, which I didn't enjoy; although, their foil-wrapped Red Dragon Incense I found quite enjoyable. They are, as of 2018, working with Mahendra Perfumery Works of Bangalore, whose everyday perfume-dipped charcoal sticks are quite decent, to produce a range under the name Freedom.
The owner, David Hardy, sends regular emails to his customers about his travels around Asia buying stock. They are friendly and informative emails. He was out in Bali when Covid-19 brought flights to a halt, and he had to stay there for the duration. He arranged help for people in the area caught out by Covid-19. This week - start of July 2020, he has written to say he is coming back to the UK because one of his warehouses in Sheffield has burned down. As part of his email he says: "The stock will need replacing so all those family businesses in India, Indonesia and China are going to get a welcome boost at a time they really need it. " What a really good person he is.
Scents: 12 (9 over 5 years old)
When I first encountered their products, it was bargain basement unbranded stuff from Vietnam and Thailand - aimed at a undiscriminating audience. I grew cautious about buying anything that they sold under their own brands because my experiences tended to be of faded generic scents and crude organic core material, which I didn't enjoy; although, their foil-wrapped Red Dragon Incense I found quite enjoyable. They are, as of 2018, working with Mahendra Perfumery Works of Bangalore, whose everyday perfume-dipped charcoal sticks are quite decent, to produce a range under the name Freedom.
The Ancient Wisdom warehouse in Sheffield on fire in July 2020 |
The owner, David Hardy, sends regular emails to his customers about his travels around Asia buying stock. They are friendly and informative emails. He was out in Bali when Covid-19 brought flights to a halt, and he had to stay there for the duration. He arranged help for people in the area caught out by Covid-19. This week - start of July 2020, he has written to say he is coming back to the UK because one of his warehouses in Sheffield has burned down. As part of his email he says: "The stock will need replacing so all those family businesses in India, Indonesia and China are going to get a welcome boost at a time they really need it. " What a really good person he is.
Reviews
* = Score over five years old, so may not be reliableBalarama Red Dragon Tibetan Musk
June 2015 - Score: 31* |
Mahendra Freedom Nag Champa June 2018 - Score: 31* |
Dawn of Time Frankincense & Myrrh
June 2013 - Score: 28* |
Mahendra Ancient Wisdom Freedom Serenity (P) Dec 2023 - Score: 24 |
Ancient Wisdom Bulk/Loose Incense (assorted fragrances) (P) Dec 2023 - Score: 21 |
Cinnamon Orange
Jan 2016 - Score: 20* |
Dawn of Time Of Persian Roses June 2013 - Score: 20* |
Ashleys Workshop Dragon's Blood March 2013 - Score: 20* |
Ashley's Workshop Nag Champa April 2014 - Score: 20* |
100 Loose Cones eBay Mega-Mix June 2014 - Score: 20* |
Nose Delight Wizard Lavender June 2013 - Score: 19* |
Ancient Wisdom Dragon's Blood cones (P) Oct 2023 - Score: 9 |
Scents: 12 (9 over 5 years old)
Top: 31
Bottom: 9
Bottom: 9
Top five: 27
Average: 22
Average: 22
Overall: 24
Conclusion: I love David's emails. Less keen on his own brand incense.
Conclusion: I love David's emails. Less keen on his own brand incense.
***
Own Brand / Private Label |
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