Goloka Nature's Nest

 

Third review - scroll down for earlier

Presents as a natural masala stick - quite standard: 6 inches of soft, crumbly charcoal paste hand-rolled onto an 8 inch mauve-coloured machine-cut bamboo splint. The paste has been coated in a sandy coloured melnoorva powder (sometimes called masala powder these days), and it appears that the whole has then been sprinkled with or dipped in a fragrance oil. The scent on the stick is fairly strong and volatile - stronger than it would be if the oils were put into the paste when it was being mixed. The stick scent is fairly sharp, lemony, sweet, sandalwood, floral. A little too sharp and volatile for my comfort. 

The scent on the burn is floral and pleasant without really making a distinct impression. It is citric and floral - rose and jasmine, somewhat lemony, with a soft, light sandalwood base. It's a fresh, cleansing, and moderately calming and relaxing fragrance. Very pleasant, if a little sharp. 

Easily available from outlets around the world in standard 15g packs: UK - 70p from Popat Stores; Australia - $2.00 from Amantimoon;  USA - $2.00 from Exotic Incense.  


Date: Nov 2024    Score: 30 
Average of three reviews: 31

Second review

Six years later, and a fresh pack, and I'm still getting rose from this incense, though more a candy rose, than a fresh flower rose. Though I'm also picking up herbs, particularly basil. 

The stick is hand rolled charcoal paste, soft and crumbly, on a machine cut and dark dyed bamboo splint, which has then been coated in a soft fluffy woody powder. The scent on the stick is quite soft and fresh, quite delicate, with mild floral and herb notes, some gentle sweetness, and a soothing, softly uplifting perfume. It's quite cool, and if it were a colour it would be blue. The scent is mainly coming from a liquid fragrance (there's some volatility and some sense of alcohol). 

The scent on the burn is a little more woody, vague, general burn and smoke, though with elements of what is present on the stick. The scent here appears to mainly come from the dried masala ingredients and the core material in the charcoal paste. It's possible that the intended scent is mainly in the liquid fragrance which is evaporating too quickly, so allowing a little too much of the base materials to come through. It is a cool morning, and there is sometimes a clear movement of the air which is pushing the smoke in one direction, and perhaps, like a gentle bellows, making the stick burn a little too fast and hot, which is evaporating the liquid scent too quickly for the delicate upper notes to be noticed. Now and again the air current changes, and the smoke drifts upward - at that point the scent is much more balanced and perfumed. Interesting how even a little shift in temperature can alter the wind direction and pressure, and so alter the heat of the burn, and so impact on the overall scent experience. 

When burned in a balanced way, with the smoke drifting gently upwards, the scent is delicate, perfumed, nicely balanced between light floral, herby notes and gentle woody warmth.  It is neutral, and I suppose it is a little refined for my taste. I prefer more robust scents, and more earthy, sensual scents. But, to be fair, this is pleasant. 

Date: April 2023   Score: 33

Average of three reviews: 31

First review

Another one in Goloka's Nature range (I'll have a rummage later to see what others I have). There is a distinct and strong rose soap perfume on the sticks, quite candy sweet. Pleasant, but not really my thing. The aroma on burning is pleasant - some rose, some honey, but it's a little too perfumed for my taste, and gives off a fairly neutral vibe. It's not exciting, cleansing, relaxing, or anything - it's just a perfume in the room. OK, but not my favourite in the range.


Date: Feb 2017   Score: 30

Average of three reviews: 31

***

Goloka