BIC do a number of masala style incense in premium or luxury boxes which use the Panchavati name (used on BIC's most successful product, Panchavati dhoop sticks), and are described as "handrolled" with "premium" and/or "masala" also used. The sample package I have been sent include around six of them, and they are the ones that I am most curious about. The previous one I tried, the Lavender, I didn't get on with, but I do love this one, which is much smoother, and has a more harmonious and beautiful scent.
The 50g box has both a luxury and a traditional feel - it is gold coloured with the name and temple image in shimmering ink. The name, Devasthanam, means temple, and the image is of the upper part of a temple. The box has a RRP of 140 Rupees (approx £1.40), with around 18 fat flora/fluxo size sticks, which is excellent value. The sticks are 9 inches long with 7 inches of thick hand-rolled paste on chunky bamboo splints with tips dyed scarlet. The sticks burn for around 70 minutes.
The scent on the stick is somewhat confused - a mix of paint stripper, mocha, ripe tropical fruit, and vanilla ice-cream. Neither the scent nor the appearance of the sticks are attractive or inviting, except in a most rustic and crude way. As with the Lavender, when lit the stick flares up alarmingly, yet takes a while to catch. It reminds me of trying to get coal burning directly with a petroleum based firelighter: the firelighter would burn itself quickly and fiercely - too quickly to get the coal burning, which is why we also used rolled newspapers and sticks, which burn more slowly. Once caught alight, the stick burns steadily, producing a fine volume of smoke. While this is not as aggressive and overwhelming as the Lavender, it is still an assertive and smoky beast that is best used with ventilation, or at a distance. The scent is somewhat smoky, but it is an acceptable, indeed delicious smoky. Very woody, like a bonfire of sweet fragrant woods. There is something quite old fashioned or traditional about the scent. It has elements of the Panchavati dhoop sticks - that curious and beguiling blend of sandalwood and florals, in this case rose and jasmine - and bridging the sandalwood and floral there is some herby, musky patchouli. Yes, not a modern or unusual scent, but something older and more familiar and comforting. And the longer I spend with this stick the more I discover. Yes, indeed, this is a good one.
Date: Oct 2023 Score: 39
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