I enjoyed the previous Pure Incense I reviewed in 2017 - the Nepal Musk. Later research, when reviewing Primo Incense Nepal Musk, led me to the view that the Nepal Musk had been made by Haridas Madhavdas Sugandhi (HMS) of Pune, a small company, but one that is generally respected for still using traditional methods, and producing good quality incense. They mainly sell direct to distributors, such as Pure Incense, who then sell the incense under their own name.
This incense has not impressed me as much as the Nepal Musk. Not to say it isn't good stuff. But it's not as heavenly for me. It's good, but I experience it as a bit crude. The scent is cedar rather than frankincense, and it reminds me of the SifCon Cinnamon Cedarwood, though not as interesting or complex. I find it rather simple and direct and eventually boring. The cedarwood scent is a bit dry, and lacks tingle and excitement. Looking at the ingredients I note that cedar is a main ingredient, along with sandalwood, vanilla powder, amber, and various flower petals. Right down at the bottom, along with the gums and makko powder, is a drop or two of frankincense oil. Seems odd to call an incense Frankincense when is is mainly woody cedar. There is a sense of being misdirected, which is a shame. As, while this is not on the same level as the Nepal Musk, it is a good incense, and is clearly made from pure ingredients in the traditional way. If it had been marketed as Cedar, or at least as a Woody incense, I would be happier.
This incense has not impressed me as much as the Nepal Musk. Not to say it isn't good stuff. But it's not as heavenly for me. It's good, but I experience it as a bit crude. The scent is cedar rather than frankincense, and it reminds me of the SifCon Cinnamon Cedarwood, though not as interesting or complex. I find it rather simple and direct and eventually boring. The cedarwood scent is a bit dry, and lacks tingle and excitement. Looking at the ingredients I note that cedar is a main ingredient, along with sandalwood, vanilla powder, amber, and various flower petals. Right down at the bottom, along with the gums and makko powder, is a drop or two of frankincense oil. Seems odd to call an incense Frankincense when is is mainly woody cedar. There is a sense of being misdirected, which is a shame. As, while this is not on the same level as the Nepal Musk, it is a good incense, and is clearly made from pure ingredients in the traditional way. If it had been marketed as Cedar, or at least as a Woody incense, I would be happier.
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| HMS Classic Frankincense |
This Pure Incense Frankincense is HMS Classic Frankincense, which it appears is not directly available in the UK, so distributors such as Pure Incense a providing a service. It is available from Pure Incense at £2.25 for 10gm. Pure Incense is run by Adi-Guru Das a UK based Krishna devotee who has experience of incense buying for Krishna temples in the UK. He sources from traditional cottage manufacturers in rural India, such as HMS. He has stockists in various outlets around the world. The prices are a little high, especially when compared with Gokula incense, which is also run by a UK based Krishna devotee who sources from traditional cottage manufacturers in rural India, but the two incense I have tried have impressed me, and I am keen to explore further (though I need first to reduce my current backlog!).
Date: March 2021 Score: 30
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| Haridas Madhavdas Sugandhi |
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Hi Eugene. Yes, I would be interested in exploring more Haridas incense. I need first, though, to reduce some of my backlog. Having so many incenses around the house, a bit jumbled up, means I am sometimes unsure which I have reviewed and which I have not. And I know I am way behind on reviewing samples which were sent to me over a year ago.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea though, and am quite tempted to get together a collection of Haridas for reviewing.