Soul Sticks Aztec Aromas White Sage

 

A clear copy of Inca Aromas, the Soul Sticks Aztec Aromas are commissioned in California, and made by an unknown, but clearly experienced, maker in Bangalore, India. They are reasonably well made, and they mostly smell great, but I tend to feel a sense of unease when:
A) an incense is commissioned rather than developed directly by the maker - there is inevitably a dissonance in the relationship between maker and product when the maker is following instructions rather than following their own creativity: a certain passion, commitment, pride, and authenticity is lost - it simply becomes a professional transaction; and

B) the actual maker is concealed - I like openness, honesty, information; I don't like it when things are deliberately concealed from me purely for the financial benefit of the middle man. Out of curiosity, and with the hunger of an incense-hunter, I continue to seek out and try all incense, but I can (increasingly) become frustrated and disappointed when I buy an incense only to find that I've got the incense of a brand name rather than the incense of the actual maker.  

The stick is a thick dry charcoal dhoop on a sturdy bamboo stick. The scent on the stick is minimal as it hasn't been perfume-dipped or coated in a perfumed melnoorva/masala powder. Because of its thickness it takes a while to light. I apply a flame, then blow on the stick, then more flame, more blowing, turning the stick so flame is applied to different parts of the tip. Blowing on the glow really helps get it going. 

For such a thick, compressed dhoop the scent is not as assertive as it could be, and there is less smoke than expected. There is the cleansing note of white sage. I'm generally OK with the scent of white sage, though it's not a scent that particularly attracts me or gives me deep pleasure. I do, though, like its cleansing qualities. This stick has those cleansing qualities along with resinous musky notes, quite sensual, grounding the lighter, herbal notes, and giving it a welcome balance. It's a solid, decent dhoop.  

Date: Dec 2024   Score:  31

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White Sage