Nikhil's Sugandha

 

Second review - scroll down for earlier

Slight change in packet design (previous packet, though reviewed in 2021, was 2017), and the addition of the word masala in the subtitle: Natural Masala incense Sticks. There is no great consistency in the use of the terms "masala" and "natural" - they appear to refer to the same thing: a decent quality incense which mainly follows the traditional method of folding the fragrance ingredients into the paste rather than adding them externally, and which uses natural ingredients. These days I find that many incenses which say they are masala or natural will be using synthetic scents, and which more often that not will have fragrant oils added externally. I do, albeit casually, note that incense sold domestically (within India) is more likely to use the term "natural", while incense aimed for export will more likely use the term "masala". I think the West is more familiar with the term masala. 

The scent on the stick is fresh and glorious, and falls within what I would personally identify  as a "masala incense". It's floral, fruity, and woody. A classic incense accord.  I think all Indian incenses which use the name "Sugandha" (which means fragrance) are based on the classic Aravinda Sugandha Shringar. They tend to use the same somewhat swirly semi-gothic text, and a similar 1950s packet design.  That Sugandha is claimed to be the first incense blend. Previously incenses had been single scent. It was Sugandha that took that bold step forward in creating a new scent, a new accord. If that is true, then it is likely to be the most influential and important incense sold, as this is such a classic accord. Nag Champa appears to be based on this accord - and Satya's Nag Champa came after Sugandha Shringar.  

The scent on the burn leans heavily on perfume, and presents more as a perfumed incense than a masala. It's more floral on the burn than on the stick. There is the warm wool scent/feel I associate with halmaddi, along with some prickles in my nose and the back of my throat, though I am currently wondering if this is a reaction to terpenes in some essential oils rather than just halmaddi. This is a reasonably heady and assertive incense. The accord is delightful - floral, uplifting, sunny, colourful. Powdery, candy sweet, and lovable, if a tad over-bearing and possibly cloying. However, yes, I like this.  

Regular 15 stick pack available for 75p from Popat in the UK, or $1.95 from Incense Guru in USA.  

Date: March 2025    Score: 39

First review

This is a decent quality natural or masala incense from Nikhil which appears to only be available from Popat Stores (currently 75p for 15 sticks) in the UK, though there are a number of outlets in the US, including Walmart and IncenseOnTheWay. I was sent these in 2017, and am only now getting round to reviewing them. Out of the packet they smell fresh and wonderful. One of the advantages of traditional masala incense is that the resins and oils are folded into the paste, and so retain their scent for longer than incenses which apply oils or perfumes to the outside of the stick - which is quicker, easier, and cheaper to do, but which allows the scents to evaporate.  

I like these. There's a certain amount of halmaddi in here [2025 note - or it may be the presence of terpenes from the oils that I am picking up; I'm not quite sure], but not so much as it bothers me, just enough to add a woolly warmth. It's a delicious sweet incense with distinct spicy wood notes hinting at cedarwood and dark pine, with some white sandalwood underneath, and then - higher up, some lavender and some sharper, fresher pine, and then some florals. This is so good it approaches the more heavenly incenses, though is perhaps more of a top end everyday incense, for when I might fancy the richer, warmer, more comforting notes of a masala style incense. 

It is cleansing with some mineral awareness and a bit of ozone, yet warm and almost seductive. Not a morning or evening scent, but something in between - something to liven up an afternoon, and give a gentle warmth and sparkle to the house. 

I wondered what Sugandha could refer to, and speculated that it might refer to Queen Sugandha who was briefly a ruler of Kashmir in the 10th century, or that it might be an alternative spelling  of sugandhi - the Indian sarsaparilla.  However, it turns out that sugandh simply means fragrance.

Date: Oct 2021   Score: 39

***

Nikhil's Products of Bangalore