Moksh Swarna Gulab (स्वर्ण स्वर्ण - Gold Rose)

Second review - scroll down for earlier

This is a highly fragranced perfume-dipped (or perfumed) incense. The floral character is there from the off, giving great lungfuls of rose perfume. This brightens and freshens any room. Moksh are one of the most popular domestic incense companies in India, and you can see why. There's nothing fussy or fancy about this - it just does what it says on the tin - it fills the room with a clean and happy fragrance. It's not sublime or heavenly, but for a cheap and cheerful everyday incense this works wonders. I have grown to like Moksh, and I think the company deserves more exposure in the UK - not for incense geeks, but for everyday folk who want a decent everyday incense. I successively sold it in my (now closed) eBay incense shop. Nice one. 


Date: Nov 2018   Score: 35

First review

I reviewed a Moksh incense back in 2013 - Akash Phool; a reasonably pleasant fragrant everyday perfume-dipped incense. I said I'd be interested in reviewing other Moksh incense, and now, nearly four years later, I get around to it. This is kinda similar to the Akash Phool in that it is highly scented, with a chemical rather than natural formulation (sharp, acrid notes of toilet cleaner); machine made, perfume-dipped on charcoal. The scent when burning is gentle, surprisingly refined, and quite floral. It is certainly better than toilet freshener incense, though a good way from being heavenly, and just falls short of being the sort of good stuff I'd like to buy again. This is decent, basic everyday incense. Top end of the everyday incense, but not one to use when friends or guests are expected, or when you want to have a special moment, but fine for lighting up any time you want some gentle and pleasant floral notes in the house that you're not really going to spend any attention to.

The name Gulab is Hindi - स्वर्ण - for rose. And the subtitle is "Natural Rose Flowers' Fragrance". The box is attractively decorated with roses. The brand range is Swarna - स्वर्ण - meaning Gold. Moksh TV Advert from April 2015.


Date: March 2017   Score: 29

***

Moksh Agarbatti

Perfume-Dipped Incense

Best rose incense

SAC (Sandesh) Jasmine (cones)

A fresh clean smell like freshly cut cucumber. Not floral, but certainly pleasant and cleansing.  Not a heavenly or profound scent, this is a decent everyday incense that will bring life and some joy to a room. It feels cool and refreshing like strong mints. Not sophisticated, but enjoyable everyday stuff.

Date: March 2017   Score: 27

***

Incense cones

SAC (Sandesh)

 Incense Ratings
Top of the Dhoops!

SAC (Sandesh) Rose incense cones

This is basic bottom of the range everyday perfume-dipped incense. Despite the name there is little awareness of roses or indeed of any floral quality. The scent on burning is not strong, but is fresh, slightly sharp, tangy, and reminiscent of toilet cleaner. Lemon is the nearest scent. Best used simply to freshen up the toilet.


Date: March 2017 - Score: 19

***

Incense cones

SAC (Sandesh)

 Incense Ratings - Top of the Dhoops!

Best rose incense

SAC (Sandesh) Patchouli (cones)

I still like this. Warm, gently woody with a reminiscence of patchouli. As it burns some of the base sawdust makes itself felt, but its otherwise quite a solid and attractive scent.

Date: April 2018   Score:  34

I am a sucker for patchouli, and this everyday perfume-dipped cone has not let me down. OK, it's not a heavenly example, and it starts off a little sharp and medicinal, but it settles down into a warm, herby/musky aroma - this is good stuff. This will inform and warm up any room, and create a pleasant smelling and mildly sensual atmosphere in the house. I like this, and will be buying more of the same. Yes, Good Stuff.

Date: March 2017    Score: 33

***

Incense cones

SAC (Sandesh)

Patchouli
Score: 25

SAC (Sandesh) Lavender (cone)

This is a fairly basic, though not offensive, perfume dipped incense cone. The scent notes are medicinal, slightly sharp, quite faint, a little smoky from the charcoal. This is better than the bargain basement toilet cleaners, but is at the bottom end of the everyday incense.

Date: March 2017   Score: 20

***

Incense cones

SAC (Sandesh)

Best of Lavender

SAC (Sandesh)

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 were listed on the  now closed American retail site IncenseOnTheWay.  The company is a member of the All India Agarbathi Manufactures Association. They also trade under the GR International name with what appears to be the same products.

*= Review over 5 years old so can't be relied on 

Reviews

SAC Atma Darshan Flora (Masala)
April 2023 - Score: 38=↑

 

SAC Arcangel Gabriel Sandalo
(Sandalwood - 7 Arcangels)
Perfumed
April 2021 - Score: 35

SAC Patchouli (cones) (Perfumed)
April 2018 Score: 34↑*

SAC FrankIncense Myrrh (Masala)  

July 2017 - Score: 33*

SAC Champa (Perfumed) 
March 2017 - Score: 32*

SAC Rose (Perfumed)

  June 2017 - Score: 30↑*

SAC Patchouli (Perfumed) 
March 2017 - Score: 29*

SAC Jasmine (Perfumed)

April 2023 - Score: 28↑↓

SAC Arruda Cinnamon Incense Sticks (P)
Nov 2022 - Score: 28 

 
  

SAC Camphor & Rock Salt Incense Sticks (P)
Feb 2024 - Score: 28 

SAC Jasmine (cones) (P) 
March 2017 - Score: 27*

  

SAC Chandan Incense Sticks 
Jan 2024 - Score: 27

SAC Lavender (P)
Oct 2018 - Score: 25=*

SAC Sandalwood
Perfumed Masala
April 2017 - Score:  25*

SAC Arcangel Jofiel
(Mil Flores - 7 Arcangels)
Perfumed
April 2021 -  Score: 25

 

SAC San Miguel Arcangel 

(Arruda - 7 Arcangels) 

Perfumed

April 2021 - Score: 25

SAC Vanilla Strawberry (P)
Feb 2024): 23↓

 

SAC Arcangel Samuel/Chamuel
(Rose & Honey - 7 Arcangels)
Perfumed
April - 2021 - Score: 21

  

SAC Musk (P)
Jan 2024 - Score: 21

SAC Arcangel Zadquiel
(Violet - 7 Arcangels)
Perfumed
April 2021 - Score: 20

SAC Sandalo Cones
Dec 2021 - Score: 20↓

SAC Lavender (cone)
Perfumed. 
March 2017 - Score: 20*

 

SAC Archangel Uriel Canelo
(Cinnamon - 7 Arcangels)
Perfumed
April 2021 - Score: 19 

 

SAC Arcangel Rafael Jasmin
(Jasmine - 7 Arcangels)
Perfumed
April 2021 - Score: 18

Scents reviewed: 24
Highest: 35
Lowest: 18 
Average:  27

Conclusion: An acceptable everyday incense company who make cheap perfume-dipped and masala incense. There's nothing exciting or unusual here - they are pretty average, so I'm not that interested in exploring their perfumed products any further, but I might have a sniff around more of their masala products - their Atma Darshan Flora is fairly decent.

***

The Best Incense Makers

Top Ten 
Perfume-Dipped Incense

 

Top Incense Brands in India