Incense In The Wind

Radiating Incense In The Wind - a painting by Hai Linh Le

Saturday 26 November 2022

Shroff White Sandal

 


A pack of Shroff "dry" incense from the decent American site Exotic Incense - sold at $2 for 25g. The incense is imported into America by The Incense Sampler Works, who have the sticks simply bundled into 25g and  250g packs, tied with string, and then wrapped in cellophane with a small paper slip giving the basic information: name, place made, weight, who imported it. 

These are hand rolled sticks - a charcoal based paste applied to a hand-cut bamboo splint, and then coated in a woody melnoorva powder to stop the sticks gluing together as the paste dries. The bulk of the scent on the stick comes from a fragrant oil or perfume - there is a volatility about the scent which reveals this. It's unknown if the charcoal paste contains additional fragrant ingredients. At this stage the stick is behaving like a perfumed-incense. The scent on the stick is soapy with some floral notes, vaguely jasmine, and underscored, quite lightly, with some creamy sandalwood. Not a woody sandalwood, just the sweet notes. It's pleasant, inviting, clean. 

The scent on the burn is pleasant, mildly soapy, woody - a soft, creamy wood. Acceptable. OK, but nothing special.  It burns a little hot and sharp. There's little about this which suggests quality. This does feel like bargain basement Shroff. 


Date: Nov 2022    Score: 27 

***

Shroff Incense

Sandalwood

Reviewed on Rauchfahne

SAC Arruda Cinnamon Incense Sticks

  


Somewhat crudely rolled perfumed-incense sticks by SAC, one of the bigger Indian incense companies, who export perfumed-incense globally through both the SAC/Sandesh and the GB International brand names. 

Arruda is the herb common rue, which has a variety of uses, including as a food flavouring, a folk medicine used as an antidote for snake poison and to improve eyesight, as a symbol of virginity and purity, and as an insect repellent. When reduced to an essential oil, the active ingredient is 2-Undecanone, which is used in perfumery to support floral notes. It is accompanied by cinnamon - a common perfumed-incense ingredient. 

The scent on the stick is somewhat pungent and chemical - quite crisp and acidic with herby, citric, lavender polish, petrol notes. There's little awareness of cinnamon. It's a fairly neutral scent in that it is neither especially attractive nor especially unattractive - it is just there, doing what it does. 

On the burn it is the cinnamon notes that first make an impression, though quite lightly, and - like the scent on the stick, in quite a neutral manner. Woody notes follow - quite waxy wood, fairly pleasant, like fresh pine and cedar. Some shoe leather. Yeah, mostly sort of brown notes. Nothing special, but increasingly attractive and calming, with a pleasant sense of quiet authority, like being in the study of a banker or insurance dealer. 

Acceptable. 

Date: Nov 2022   Score: 28

***

SAC (Sandesh)


Sunday 20 November 2022

PLDZ (Poundland) Home Scents/Karma Sandalwood 30 Incense Sticks

 


Attractive box of 30 perfumed incense sticks from Poundland for, yes, £1. My box is branded Home Scents, but Poundland have now rebranded these to Karma. PLDZ is the trading name of Poundland. The sticks are very similar to those imported by SifCon International

The sticks are quite long (10 inches). A charcoal based paste has been handrolled on a plain hand cut bamboo splint, then coated in a woody melnoorva powder to prevent the sticks from gluing together as they dry. A volatile perfume or an "agarbatti oil", which is usually diethyl phthalate (DEP), has been applied to the stick at some point.  The scent on the stick is more pine disinfectant than sandalwood. The scent on the burn is quite woody, but a crude wood, slightly spicy, and more cedarwood than sandalwood. Though the sticks look similar, the quality of the scent is not as good as on the SifCon International sticks. Though there is the similarity of a spicy, cedarwood scent. 

The sticks are not offensive, as some cheap perfumed-charcoal incense can be, but the scent is lower end bargain basement everyday incense, serving little purpose other than to cover up poor smells. 


Nov 2022  Score:  20 


Saturday 19 November 2022

SAC Vanilla Strawberry Incense Sticks

Second review - scroll down for earlier

Synthetic fruit and vanilla scent on the stick. Smells more like apple than strawberry. Pleasant citric notes. Some parma violet. There's fruit and a bit of Vick's VapourRub - lemony lavender. I'm not getting strawberry. Some cherry cough sweets. Ha! I'm going round the world of artificial fruit flavours, but not settling on strawberry at all. The burn is pretty much the same as on the stick, though warmer, and with some charcoal ash. It's modest stuff, but quite acceptable as a fairly bright and fun room freshener. 


Date: Feb 2024   Score: 23



First review

Small 8 pack of perfumed-incense sticks, 90p from the charming, but slightly inept TerracottaSenses (they may not have all that they list, and they may not be clear about what they are substituting, so difficult to recommend). SAC are a capable low cost perfumed incense company who also make some useful but not brilliant masala. They are not an incense company I'd ever see myself enthusing over, but the scents are acceptable, everyday stuff. These are hand rolled perfumed-charcoal sticks. The perfume on the stick is pleasant - slightly acidic with a fruity note that could be strawberry or could be blueberry or even parma violet. Meh. It's pleasant, but not exciting. 

The scent on the burn, as is usual with perfumed incense, is not as sharp and sweet as on the stick, though is similar enough to be quite acceptable. The vanilla now makes itself known, and the fruit element takes a back seat. 

It's an acceptable everyday perfumed-incense. Nothing more. Nothing less.  But very pleasant. And it has grown on us...


Date: Nov 2022   Score: 28

***

SAC (Sandesh)


Koya's Rasta Natural Incense Sticks

Second review - scroll down for earlier

 
I have been having a sort out of my stock of incense - and while doing so, I have been plucking out (almost but not quite randomly) sticks that have already been reviewed that it appears it may be appropriate or useful to re-review.  This is a clear case of one such incense, as I reviewed this a year ago, burned a few sticks over the course of a few days, and then placed it as my favourite incense on my Top Drawer World Class Incense listing.  This is generally what I had done since I started this blog just over ten years ago.  This blog was started as an account of my personal discoveries in the world of incense, and the rating and listing was my personal indication of which incenses I liked or found the most or least interesting. This blog, over the years, has attracted more attention than I had anticipated, and some people take the listings and my reviews rather more seriously than I intended. While I am sent a lot of incense to review (much more than I can seriously cope with, and when incense companies ask, I always make clear that this is a hobby, that I have a backlog, and that it may take a while before I review their incense), I always take it that any review is going to be a form of signposting or advertising of the company and their incense, and that what I actually say, or what score I give, is always going to be accepted as my personal opinion, even if I am recommending the incense or the incense house, as I did in this review. However, people do tell me that they buy incense that I rate highly, and some are pleased when they do so, while others are disappointed. Such is the nature of personal taste. And even when people share tastes, there are going to be points at which they diverge. Such is life. Anyway - my enthusiasm for Koya's has been quite strong - not for all their products; there are plenty, such as the Rose and the Pineapple, that I rate low or ordinary; but enough to give me pause for thought in if I was being a tad over enthusiastic. So, shortly after placing this Rasta top of my chart, I decided that if I rated an incense highly, before placing that incense on my Top Drawer listing,  that it would go into a Purgatory listing for at least a month, and then I would review it again to see if after a month had passed I was still enthusiastic. 

So, a year later, do I still find this incense to be the best in the world?  

The packet is a luxury box, with a glossy soft yellowy green colour which makes me think of patchouli and of cannabis. There is a stylised image of a burning joss stick, the smoke rising to meet some Toblerone type mountains, behind which the sun is setting or rising. The subtitle is "The Spiritual Journey of Life". The wording is "Natural Incense is Prepared from odoriferous resins, gums & Natural essential oils. This mystic aroma is specially formulated to worship GOD, to deodorize living quarters and to create a peaceful atmosphere for everyday activity." Not exactly inspired or uplifting wording, and there is a sense in which they might be better off not using them as it says nothing other than the obvious and banal. The packet is, though, on the whole, attractive. The front and back are identical. 

The sticks are 9 inches long with 7 inches of soft crumbly black paste hand-rolled onto a plain bamboo splint. The paste has been sparingly covered with a brown wood powder called melnoorva, which prevents the sticks from gluing together when drying, though is also used for the appearance. While the main powdered fragrant ingredients (the "masala" or noorva ) are mixed into the paste along with oils, charcoals, binders, and other ingredients, the powder or melnoorva on the outside may also contain fragrant ingredients. The main scent on this stick is quite volatile, indicating that the fragrance comes from an oil or perfume which may have been applied after the powder via spraying or dipping. It is an utterly gorgeous scent - sweet as sherbet,  flowery, bright, gay, refined, uplifting. There are some petrol notes, which are not off-putting, they are fairly neutral. Some woody notes emerge, mostly soft sandalwood, though there's also a hint or suggestion of perfume soaked agarwood, just that touch of bakhoor. There's pine and honey and bees wax. There's herbs. And some awareness of patchouli. It's an awesome masala of fragrances. 

The burn is steady, producing a slightly thin but still attractive blue grey smoke. The scent is gentle though not shy, unfolding into all parts of the room, and infusing the house with an indulgent gorgeous fragrance for days afterwards. The scent on the burn mostly echoes the scent on the stick, though is both warmer and sharper. Because of the many elements in the fragrance, this is an incense does not not reveal itself fully when wafted. This is an incense that needs space and time to unfold and develop. Wafting will only give you parts of the overall fragrance, and not necessarily the best parts. Allow this incense to come to you, and you will be well rewarded. Oh gosh, this is truly special. Wood, chocolate, flowers, sweet patchouli. Heavenly. 

Yes, I'm keeping the score of 50. 

 
Date: Dec 2023    Score: 50 



First review

This is a beautiful natural (or masala) incense, rich with oils and resins. It has an identifiable Koya's feel about it - an earthy elegance. Koya's premium incense is among the best available anywhere, and it's a shame they are hardly known outside India. An incense distributor in Europe, America, or Australia should get in touch with the company at Koya, and work out a deal. 

The scent on the stick is floral and woody and musky - I love that it blends three key areas. It's sweet, yet also has an edge of spice. There's rose, there's vanilla, there's agarwood, there's sweet African tobacco - a tantalising and adorable range of scents. Gosh this is stunning stuff. I'm so pleased a reader turned me on to Koya's a few years back. At moments like this I genuinely feel that Koya's are not just among the best incense makers, but are the top incense company in the world right now. It's clear that they purchase top quality ingredients, and that the person responsible for formulating their recipes knows what they are doing, and has the nose for blending fascinating scents.   

The stick is made from a masala-charcoal paste hand-rolled around a plain machine-cut bamboo splint, and then rolled in a woody melnoorva powder to prevent the sticks gluing together as they dry. Essential oils are used in the mixture - and it is the oils that carry the weight of the fragrance on the stick.  

The scent on the burn is as fascinating and compelling as on the stick. It continues to be a rich, though not overbearing, scent, predominantly focused on a sweet rose underscored by a spicy tobacco and creamy wood. It burns slowly and evenly, lasting for over an hour. The room is gently informed and filled with the scent, which lingers pleasantly into the next day (and longer).  This is awesome. 

It is a sensual scent, gently sexy, yet also quite calming and reassuring. It has an assured gravitas, and is paradoxically refined yet earthy. Golly, there is so much going on here, and none of it clashes - all the scents and the emotions created from the scents are in harmony, even when they should be in conflict. I adore this scent. I have burned a good few sticks now, and each burn impresses me more. The scent from stick to stick is consistent, but with each burn I learn more, discover new nuances, new balances, new shades. This is great stuff. 

If you have any interest at all in incense (and I assume you would have, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this), then go out and find yourself some of this incense. There are, sadly, few outlets outside India, but Koya's have been experimenting with posting on Amazon, so you could try there first. And if you find nothing, then contact Koya's directly on their contact page - they are very friendly and helpful. 

I have just put this incense at the top of my Wall of Fame. The most interesting, fascinating, satisfying, top quality incense I have encountered. 

Date: Nov 2022    Score: 50 



India luxury box incense

 

Tuesday 15 November 2022

Vijayshree Golden Nag Chandan Masala Sandalwood Agarbathi

 


Ooh, this is yummy. My sort of incense. Creamy and dreamy scent on the stick. Beautiful sandalwood - a sweet woodiness edging toward floral, with some hints of a woolly magnolia halmaddi. It's all so fresh and natural smelling. 

The burn is honest, being very close to the scent on the stick, which indicates that the scent comes from the dried masala ingredients - true resins and woods, rather than perfumes or oils.  My only complaint is that it's rather a fast, hot burn. But it does gently envelope the room. I feel comfortably embraced by a brilliant sandalwood scent. Oh, this is heavenly! 

And this can be bought at a stunning price - £10 for twelve 15g packets  (total 180g) from Amazon.  Individual packets can be bought from MindBodySpirit for £2 a pack, or TerracottaSenses for £1.60 a pack


Date: Nov 2022   Score: 41 

***
Vijayshree Fragrance


Vijayshree Fragrance

 

Vijayshree was founded in 1990, and has three sites in the incense capital of the world, Bangalore.  They use all natural ingredients, such as halmaddi (allanthus manbarca), nagchampa (mesua ferrea linn), sandalwood, and loban (boswellia sernata roxb). They claim to have over 500 workers making 200,000 packets of incense a day! 


Website: VijayshreeFragrence.com 

Reviews

 
Vijayshree Golden Nag
Chandan Masala Sandalwood Agarbathi

Nov 2022 - Score: 41


 
Vijayshree Golden Nag
Champa
 Masala Cones
Score: 41


Vijayshree Golden Nag Darshan cones
Jan 2024 - Score: 40

  
Vijayshree Golden Nag Temple
Masala Agarbathi
 (M)
Oct 2023 - Score: 39 



Vijayshree Golden Hit
Sept 2019 - Score: 39


Vijayshree Golden Buddha
March 2021 - Score: 38


Vijayshree Golden Nag Chandan
Seven Chakra Masala Agarbathi
 
Dec 2022 - Score: 37


Scents tried: 7 
Top score: 41
Low score: 37
Average:  39


***
The Best Incense Makers


Vijayshree Golden Buddha

 


Gosh this is beautiful - and a good reminder that top quality dreamy incense can be purchased for very little money. Always be very wary of distributors who wish to exploit you and the manufacturers by charging you a lot of money for incense that they paid little for in the first place.  


Date: March 2021    Score: 38 
***
Vijayshree Fragrance


Sunday 13 November 2022

Amrutha Shahi Gulab

 
Second review - scroll down for earlier 

Quite sweet on the stick, and quite volatile. Clearly chemical, though there is some sweet rose in here. On the burn it is fairly smoky, which intrudes with the rose scent a little too much for my taste.  On the whole this is a low end synthetic rose everyday perfumed incense. 


Date: Feb 2024   Score: 22 



First review


A perfumed-charcoal incense for 50p from Popat Stores. Amrutha Aromatics are a fairly new incense company (founded 1991) based in Bangalore. Run by experienced perfumer Subramanya Setty, the company develops all its own perfumes. Shahi Gulab translates as Royal Rose, and is also a popular sweet in India made from cashew nuts and rose petals. 

The sticks are machine made, and are quite neat and tidy. The scent on the stick is delicate and attractive with a combination of roses and black tea. It is gently assertive, but far from being over-bearing or too heady. There are little sharp acidic notes, nothing too alarming, but familiar to chemical perfumes. On the whole, it is an attractive scent. 

The scent on the stick is not as clean and positive as on the stick (a common finding with all incense sticks, though particularly perfumed ones), and is less defined, though is noticeably "rose". As a cheap room freshener, this does the job. It's an acceptable everyday perfumed-incense.  


Date: Nov 2022    Score: 28
***


Best rose incense

Own brand / private label sellers and distributors

 



Own brand or private label sellers and distributors do not make incense but commission it and sell it under their own brand name. Some distributors, such as Gokula, Happy Hari, Absolute Bliss, and TOI may use the same producers, and some, such as Gokula may be more open about their suppliers, and may also sell directly branded incense alongside their own self-branded incense. They are not producers themselves, and often will conceal their sources in order to sell at a high price and make a larger profit, though they can serve a useful function of supporting local producers, and bringing either quality or cheap incense into the UK, Europe, and America that may not otherwise be distributed.  Some companies, like Aargee/Stamford, are very big commercial operations with vast warehouses, others, like Gokula, are small one-person operations.  

I sway to and fro on the issue. I understand the impulse and desire both from the resellers and the producers to go down the own brand route, and have the realism to accept it, but emotionally and spiritually I don't like it. I am way more accepting of it when the prices are low (I love supermarket own brands because they are cheaper), but I hate it when the prices are high. Some great genuine Indian incense can be bought from Aavyaa and Popat Stores for low, low prices. It is up to the consumer to find these out for themselves.


For information about the actual makers of incense rather than the middle man, 


Number One

Gokula Incense
UK importer and distributor
of Indian incense

Scents reviewed: 7
Highest: 45
Lowest: 30
Average: 40
*****

Number Two

Happy Hari's Incense 
(out of business)

UK importer and distributor 
of Indian incense
(Ceased Trading Dec 2017)


Scents reviewed: 8
Highest: 48
Lowest: 28
Average: 38

Conclusion: Paul Eagle found a quality incense maker, and for over 20 years imported decent incense into the UK. I have enjoyed the incenses I have tried - they are certainly above average, and I am now attempting to grab those scents I haven't yet tried, and to buy a few packets of those scents I like.

***

Number Three


Absolute Bliss
(out of business)
American importer and distributor
of Indian incense

Corey Topel imported and sold a selection of branded Indian incense, though was better known as the inheritor of Paul Eagle's Happy Hari label, commissioning a range of incense from the same source(s)


Incense tried: 7
Highest score: 49
Lowest score: 34
Average: 40 (borderline Decent stuff/Heavenly) 

Conclusion: An impressive selection of Decent/Heavenly incense. 

*****

Aargee Incense
(out of business)
UK importer and distributor 
of Indian incense

British based company founded in 1978. They didn't directly make incense, but imported it, and had incense made for them under several brand names including Stamford, and Imperial. They used a range of incense companies, including Goloka, Tulasi,  Padmini, and Satya (Shrinivas Sugandhalaya). The quality was as variable as the intended markets, but included some of the best masala incense made, and didn't often sink very low. The company split up, with the incense importing division continuing as Stamford London, but only dealing in scented incense. 

Top scents: Stamford Chakra Ajna (Third Eye)  (42);  Stamford Chakra Muladhara Root  (40); Aargee Imperial Bharat Mata Bouquet Fragrance  (39); Aargee Laxmi Pooja  (38) ;   Stamford Midnight Calm (by Satya)  (34);  Aargee Patchouli  (33);  Aargee Imperial Raja Rani Lavender Fragrence  (33);  Ganesh Flora by Aargee (32); Stamford Earth Angel  (32);   Stamford Magic Angel  (31);   Aargee Jasmine    (30)   

Scents reviewed: 57 
Highest score: 48
Average top five: 45
Lowest score: 12
Average: 28 
Overall score: 37

Conclusion: Aargee were a significant wholesale importer of incense into the UK, and commissioned some excellent masala incense and sweet, heady commercial scented incense.  Though they continue as Stamford London, they now only sell the scented incense, so the excellent masala incense is no longer available under the Aargee name except in places where there is some old stock left.  .

*****

Blue Pearl
American reseller
of Indian incense

Top scent: Blue Pearl Classic Champa  Dec 2022  -  Score: 41


Scents: 4
Highest score: 41
Lowest score: 18
Average: 32

Conclusion: Quality is random. Other than the Classic Champa I have little interest in this brand.

*****


Green Tree
Dutch distributor of hippy goods 


Top scents: Green Tree Palo Santo Incense Cones (36); Green Tree Californian White Sage (34) 

Incense reviewed: 6 
Highest score: 36 
Lowest score: 20
Average score: 30  

Conclusion: Own label distributor of decent, professional masala incense. Not that interesting, but OK 

*****

American importer and own brand seller

Prabhuji's Gifts is a spiritual American based organisation who commission incense from an unrevealed manufacturer in India. The incense is one of a number of products the organisation sell in order to assist in spreading the teaching of their founder, the Chilean born mystic, Prabhuji. The profits help found their Hindi temple in the Catskill Mountains, and assist their mission to help the local people in Upstate New York

They sell 65 different incense sticks, which they categorise by ingredients, fragrance notes, and intention (cleansing, relaxation, etc).  They also organise by "lines" such as Meditation, Devotion, Chakra, etc. 


Scents: 6
Highest score: 35
Lowest score: 20
Average: 25


Conclusion: Decently made masala style incense; fairly average, leaning on a fragrant/essential oil for the bulk of the scents, and with evidence of the wood resin halmaddi in the charcoal paste mix, which is not to my taste.  

*****

Sifcon International
UK importer and distributor
of Indian incense

UK based  Sifcon International company are a wholesalers dealing in household goods. They import a range of incense sticks and cones, such as Bhagvati Ppure, plus unbranded incense which they have packaged for themselves.


Scents rated: 15
Top score: 36
Low score: 19
Average: 27

Conclusion: Sifcon incense products are decent value for money. They mainly deal in low cost everyday incense, but also bring in decent masala incense under the Bhagvati Ppure brand.

*****


Tree of Life (out of business)
UK importer of Asian incense

UK brand started in 1990, taken over by Cha Cha Dum Dum, who closed in 2018. The brand is up for sale.  The packets claim to be made in the UK, but the style and quality is more indicative of Asian manufacture - possibly Vietnam.

Incense reviewed: 5
High score: 33
Low score: 20
Average: 28

Conclusion: Modest import brand, no longer in business.  


*****

Cha Cha Dum Dum (out of business)
UK importer and distributor 
of Asian goods and incense

Cha Cha Dum Dum was an ethnic gifts company founded in Kensington in 1968 which also distributed incense under their own Ganesha and Mystic Incense brands, and took over the UK Tree of Life brand. Started having problems in 2018, and by 2020 had permanently closed. 

Incense reviewed: 11 (including Tree of Life)
High score: 35
Low score: 20
Average:  28

Conclusion: A modest importer of budget incense, closed as of 2020. Their foil wrapped Mystic Incense was good value and will be missed, though the importing of foil wrapped has been taken over by Zam Zam.

*****

Passion by Jaycia
UK wholesale distributor
of general goods

Passion is the brand name for a range of budget perfumed-charcoal incense sticks marketed by UK general goods wholesale company, Jaycia, who were founded in 1991 and are based in Birmingham.  They do not appear to currently have an active website, though the company is still in operation. It is unclear if they still distribute Passion, though there still some stocks to be found. 


Scents tried: 9
Highest: 29
Lowest: 19
Average: 26 - Modest everyday or average incense

Conclusion - Bargain basement everyday perfumed incense. Nothing remarkable, but not offensive. 


*****

One Aromatics
UK importer and distributor
of Indian incense

One Aromatics is a brand of incense sold by One Village, a distributor of  fair trade goods made in poor or disadvantaged communities.  The company was founded in 1979.  Their range of incense is made by the Auroville community in India.

Scents reviewed: 6
Highest: 33
Lowest: 10
Average: 24

Conclusion: The Auroville community is interesting, so I'd like to explore more incense from them. These One Aromatics are not impressive, but at their best they are decent everyday scents - but they can also be a little crude and harsh.

*****
Elements by Something Different
UK importer and distributor

The Elements brand is part of Something Different, a wholesalers who deal in cute unicorn, magic, and Indian inspired gifts as well as an extensive list of their own branded incense.  

Elements caters to fantasy enthusiasts, with  incense packets illustrated with unicorns, mermaids, and angels. They use known fantasy artists and designers such as  Jessica Galbreth, and Anne Stokes.  The incense tends to be everyday perfumed charcoal - the main buying impulse being the imagery on the packs.  The incense sticks are made in India by an unspecified source.  

Incenses tried: 3
Top score: 25
Low score: 22
Average: 23

Conclusion: Not a brand that interests me. 

*****

Juicy Jay's Thai Incense Sticks
USA importer and distributor

The Juicy Jays company was founded in America in the late 1990s to sell flavoured cigarette papers, and a few years ago - probably 2013, launched their incense series. The aromas have tempting names such as Orange Overload, Funkincense, and Apple Brown Betty. They are cheap and made in Thailand.

Scents reviewed: 5
Highest score: 23
Lowest score: 18
Average: 21

Conclusion: Not a company I'm interested in buying again, though the incense is not evil.


*****

Ancient Wisdom
UK importer and distributor
of Indian and Vietnam incense
 
Ancient Wisdom are a UK distributor of gift ware and incense, based in Sheffield. They import incense from Thailand and sell under their own name, or the brand name Dawn Of Time, or as wholesale bulk lots which are then sold on under names such as Ashley's Workshop.

Top scents: Ancient Wisdom Red Dragon Incense Tibetan Musk (31)

Scents: 12 (9 over 5 years old)
Top: 31
Bottom: 9
Top five: 27
Average: 22
Overall:  24 

Conclusion: I love David's emails. Less keen on his own brand incense. 


*****

Mangaldeep Incense
Domestic brand of ITC (India Tobacco Company)

Mangaldeep is one of the Top Incense Brands in India. Mangaldeep is not an incense company, but a brand name of ITC (India Tobacco Company), India's largest fast moving goods company, who are becoming the number one company for incense in India. The company commission a variety of small to medium sized incense makers, who - unlike Western resellers -  they identify on the packets. From what I have experienced, it seems that Mangaldeep  make bargain basement everyday perfumed charcoal incense for the domestic market, and are likely to be the top incense brand in India purely on price and marketing muscle. 


Incenses tried: 3
Top score: 21
Low score: 18
Average: 20 

Conclusion: Conclusion: I have little interest in exploring further. 

*****

Wild Berry
USA importer and distributor

Wild Berry is an American incense which is starting to sell in the UK. The sticks are colourful, and have wacky modern names, like Pounding Surf and Baking Brownies. They have a pleasant aroma on the stick - quite sweet and like apple pie. When burned, they all smell the same - very synthetic.

Top scents: None
Scents rated: 5
Average score: 20

Conclusion: Not impressed by the sticks in open jars, but the shorties and the cones, while not good value, are acceptable everyday incense. 

*****

(Possibly closed)
UK importer and distributor
of Indian and Thai incense

EmporiumUK.biz are a UK based importing business. They distribute incense, and also have their own brands which are made in India and Thailand. Among the brands they own are the nasty Divine Spirit and the cheap small Spiritual Sky. They have an incense factory in Calcutta.

Top scents: None
Incense tried: 8
Highest score: 25
Lowest score: 9
Average score: 17

Conclusion: Mostly cheap and nasty, but at their best they can be harmless.

*****