SAC Chandan Incense Sticks

 

SAC (Sandesh) mostly make everyday synthetic-perfume incense. Nothing special, and tending to the low end of acceptable, though mostly OK.  They also tend to focus on the popular single scents: musk, jasmine, rose, patchouli, etc. They're not that interesting an incense house. This is fairly typical: it's a hex pack designed for export with English and some Spanish descriptions. There is a sizeable market for incense in South America. mostly Brazil, but also Argentina, Venezuela, Chile and Mexico. The blurb on the packet reads: "Chandan - Sandalwood as it is called commonly is one of the most widely accepted fragrance since the Vedic times." 

This is a synthetic-sandalwood incense. There are a number of very common synthetic-sandalwood oils. Some of which may be used in even decent quality masala incenses because they help to fix, define, and diffuse the scent. Combining a synthetic with a natural oil works because you get the natural beauty of the natural oil, the little edges, quirks, and depths that come from natural scents, but you also get the instant recognition and familiarity of the scent, which keeps the mind in focus on the scent at a low cost. This SAC Chandan has quite a sweet musky sandalwood scent, quite pleasant. There are several well known and very effective synthetic sandalwood oils, such as Sandalore, Sandaxol / Sandal Mysore Core, and Bacdanol. Perfume makers discuss which one is best to use on Reddit forums; though it is generally considered best to use a variety of different synthetics along with natural sandalwood oil because people react differently to aroma compounds, and also because combining them gives a more rounded and complex aroma. 

Of the synthetic-perfume incenses I think I tend to get along more with the sandalwoods than I do most others. And this one is quite pleasant. It's not one that particularly stands out, and it's not that good that I'm going to use it in my study. But I'm happy to use it in the house as a general everyday house warmer and refresher. It's warm, woody, musky, sweet, with some burnt sugar and faint mineral notes. Fairly simple, and some plastic notes. But it's fine for what it is. 


Date: Jan 2024   Score: 27

SAC (Sandesh)

Sandalwood