Ranga Rao Cycle Brand Woods Natural Incense

  

Second Review - scroll down for earlier

A fresh pack of Woods picked up for £1 from my local corner shop. The box says: "Includes natural oils and resins cherished from time immemorial for their aromachological properties". Aromachology is a modern science, so - with the phrase "from time immemorial" - I assume the company mean aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the use of scents to influence human behaviour, while aromachology is the scientific study of that influence.  

Volatile aroma on the stick. A little medicinal - suggestions of band-aid - which is sometimes compared to oud, especially synthetic oud such as Firmenich, along with herbs, spice, wood, glue, and Lady Esquire shoe conditioner, which contained Tetrachloroethylene. Notes of carbolic soap - or perhaps more accurately, Coal Tar Soap. It's cleansing, uplifting, slightly euphoric - almost narcotic, and quite compelling.  

  

I have a new upright incense burner, which I bought off Amazon for £17. It's decent quality, quite sturdy, looks lovely, burns well, has three different size holder holes, and (which I was looking for) has space to collect the ash. Sadly, while the top screws on securely to the tower, the base does not screw onto the tower, so moving it is precarious, and the tower - complete with burning joss stick - can be knocked over rather too easily.  

After experimenting with upright, upside down, and the classic 30 degree angle, I found I was happier with the angled burn. I like the burn - it's warm, neutral, slightly chalky, has elements of benzoin, which present as natural. There are elements of the synthetic oud noted on the stick, so my assumption is that this stick contains a combination of synthetic oud and natural benzoin (which is also a tree resin, though less expensive). There are attractive fruit and spice notes, a little reminiscent of mulled wine, tangs of spicy orange and cinnamon. I do like this. I like it a lot.  

Date: July 2024   Score: 41 

First review

I have been burning Ranga Rao incense since at least April 2013, and have found them to be a solid maker across the range from budget to premium. They have a number of brands, though Cycle is the best known and most respected, and is the one that tends to get my higher scores. Cycle is mostly, though not exclusively, masala style. I can't remember why,  but  I've been wanting to try this Cycle Brand Woods for some time, so was pleased to see it at aavyaa for £1.50. 

The sticks are 9 inches long with 7 1/2 inches of soft, crumbly black paste hand-rolled onto a plain machine-cut bamboo splint, and finished with a thin smear of brown wood powder. There is a medicinal volatile scent on the stick. Some wood, though the largest impression is of cool menthol (which I seem to be getting a lot of recently, perhaps my mind is tuned into that). On the whole the initial impression is not encouraging. The sticks don't look attractive, and the scent, though reasonably wholesome at a distance, is not that welcoming when getting up close. The packaging is acceptable, but more sort of meh rather than wow. I do like, though, that the inner foil pack has a ziploc reseal to ensure the sticks remain fresh. I think that's the first time I've encountered that on commercial incense bags.

On lighting up, the stick burns hungrily, giving off black smoke until blown out, then it settles into producing a solid column of grey smoke. The scent is divine. Warm, woodsy, mildly sweet, mineral notes, some gentle spice, hovering around an almond benzoin scent. My first burn of this was quite heavenly, and I got quite enthusiastic. Later burns have not invoked the same response. While still being very positive, I'm not being transported. The incense is elegant, soft, welcoming, woodsy, mineral, reassuring. It gently informs the room with a pleasing, attractive, warm and woody aroma. The stick burns for approx 65 minutes. 

Date: Sept 2023   Score: 36  

***

Ranga Rao 

Reviewed on Ratnagandh