Sagun Incense were founded in Bangalore in 2014. They appear to make a standard selection of incense copied from successful brands. This is a copy of the successful and popular (mostly in India) Damodhar Sri Sai Flora Fluxo Incense, though less oily, less thick, and less intense. I'm starting a study of Flora and Fluxo incense to see if there is a difference, and if so what that difference is. As reported in my review of the Hari Om Fluxo, some Indian agabathi makers seem to regard Fluxo as another term for masala incense, though perhaps fatter and richer? Flora named incenses are normally also masala, though I've had some which were perfume-dipped, such as Moksh Swarna Sai Flora Batti. Most Flora is fat and rich, such as Balaji Red Premium Flora Sticks , though this Sagon is fairly dry and is more like a standard masala. When looking back at my reviews of Flora and Fluxo incense I noticed that Supreme was also a term used for fatter and richer masala incense, such as Gokula Vrindavan Supreme, Happy Hari Meena Supreme, and Satya Supreme. On the whole I am tending to the thought that Flora, Fluxo and Supreme are terms generally used for fatter, richer masala incense, though - as is the way with a number of Indian agabathi makers, the terms are sometimes used just for marketing, as with the Moksh.
This is a pleasant masala incense which, though invoking the name Flora and the spiritual master Sai Baba, in the manner of Sri Sai Flora Fluxo, is not as thick and rich. It has musky base notes with mild vanilla and light sandalwood then vague floral notes suggestive of rose. It feels rather generic "masala" with no real identity of its own, and lacks impact, merely perfuming a room pleasantly. It's a likable enough everyday incense, though is not on the same level as the standard Flora/Fluxo/Supreme incenses.
It seems that flora sticks are indeed heftier than the average Indian stick. Mike, over at the ORS blog, stated he thought that floras deliver a stronger bomb of fragrance than masalas, but this is not my experience. Many of the floras have ties to Nag Champas in the sense that they use halmaddi with a sweet, floral base/aroma. But the actual scent can vary from subtle to aggressive. This will depend totally on the maker and the market that they are targeting. Some will be infused with sandal, while others can be infused with florals. In some ways, floras are my preferred sticks in the sense that they are usually not heavily oiled with a particular fragrance. They seem smoother rather than cloying. Using terms like masala to differentiate a flora from an agar bathi is a bit misleading because the very definition of masala is mix, which all sticks are to one extent or the other. But unless there is a precise definition of these genres, we will be subject to varied descriptions by both the makers and users of incense.
ReplyDelete"unless there is a precise definition of these genres, we will be subject to varied descriptions by both the makers and users of incense"
DeleteThis is my view. Producers use "genres" (I would say terms) which they feel will help sell their product. The world of incense is no different in this respect to any other product. Be it music, clothing, film, beer, food, cars, producers make and market what they feel the public are currently wanting. There will be some producers, for whatever reason: conservatism, economics, lack of interest (or knowledge) of the current popular market, who may continue to make and market a product that is traditional/out of keeping with the times. Such producers may find themselves less popular with most consumers, but of interest to certain consumers who relish more traditional products. Other producers may pride themselves on experimenting with new ideas. So there are a mix of producers out there. Those who follow the trend. Those who stick with what they know and like. And those who try something new. This mix of producers are not all using terms in an equal way with the same meaning, but certainly all are using terms that they feel in their own way will held them find buyers.
I have a Facebook account, Steve Incense Pereira, that I haven't used for a while. I've just asked the question there, as to what is a flora and a fluxo incense.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015588154537