Fenix Incense are an Irish company, founded in 1990, and operating out of an arts workshop in Dublin. Working with producers in Brazil, they sell resin-on-a-stick type incense. I was sent a sample by a UK based online shop who packaged it poorly so, as you see in the picture, it got damaged, and made quite a mess! However, I was able to burn what I had, and found it interesting, so have ordered a selection of Fenix from that shop, who are currently (Feb 2025) selling them at a discount of £7.50 for a packet of 9 sticks.
These dhoops or resins on a stick which seem to have originated in New Mexico via Fred Soll and are currently made by a several companies in South America, are quite fascinating, and have become my favourite form of incense. It is not clear to me if Soll invented this form of incense or developed it from what Native Americans were already doing.
This Fenix stick is fascinating and attractive if a little crude. It is quite resinous and smoky with some tar and pine notes alongside scorching herbs. The scent on the stick is fresh and herbal, and when lit the resin notes really pop. The named ingredients are salt and guinea henweed - which is also known as anamu and petiveria. Salt is a curious ingredient, though I have noted its use in several other South American incenses, and it has been used in incense since at least Biblical times. It is considered a pure and cleansing ingredient; and is presumably included for ritual purposes, as burning salt would be unlikely to have an impact on the fragrance. The guinea henweed, which is native to South America, is used in traditional medicines and religious ceremonies; the leaves have a garlic smell - though I can't say I have noted that. The scent is woody resinous - mostly in the area of frankincense and myrrh, with pine and tar supporting. There are some minor sweet and floral top notes, but this is mainly about the bass and drum. It feels very natural and is engaging and delightful. It leaves a cleansing coal tar soap scent in the home, which will divide opinion. I have always liked coal tar soap, though in small doses. As this stick was damaged, it didn't burn as long as it normally would. I'm not sure how I would feel after burning a full stick. I'd probably stub it out or remove it from the room halfway through. As it stands I like this, though in moderation. After the stick finished my nose was tingling, and I had a coal tar soap taste at the back of my throat. Probably best burned outdoors, or at least with plenty of ventilation!
These dhoops or resins on a stick which seem to have originated in New Mexico via Fred Soll and are currently made by a several companies in South America, are quite fascinating, and have become my favourite form of incense. It is not clear to me if Soll invented this form of incense or developed it from what Native Americans were already doing.
This Fenix stick is fascinating and attractive if a little crude. It is quite resinous and smoky with some tar and pine notes alongside scorching herbs. The scent on the stick is fresh and herbal, and when lit the resin notes really pop. The named ingredients are salt and guinea henweed - which is also known as anamu and petiveria. Salt is a curious ingredient, though I have noted its use in several other South American incenses, and it has been used in incense since at least Biblical times. It is considered a pure and cleansing ingredient; and is presumably included for ritual purposes, as burning salt would be unlikely to have an impact on the fragrance. The guinea henweed, which is native to South America, is used in traditional medicines and religious ceremonies; the leaves have a garlic smell - though I can't say I have noted that. The scent is woody resinous - mostly in the area of frankincense and myrrh, with pine and tar supporting. There are some minor sweet and floral top notes, but this is mainly about the bass and drum. It feels very natural and is engaging and delightful. It leaves a cleansing coal tar soap scent in the home, which will divide opinion. I have always liked coal tar soap, though in small doses. As this stick was damaged, it didn't burn as long as it normally would. I'm not sure how I would feel after burning a full stick. I'd probably stub it out or remove it from the room halfway through. As it stands I like this, though in moderation. After the stick finished my nose was tingling, and I had a coal tar soap taste at the back of my throat. Probably best burned outdoors, or at least with plenty of ventilation!
Date: Feb 2025 Score: 34
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