Original Crottendorfer Adventsduft (Scent of Advent)

 

Most of the scents of German incense cones, including Crottendorfer, play around with the theme of Christmas or winter. The incenses by Crottendorfer that I have liked the most, are those which attempt directly to capture the essence of Christmas - such as Christmas Frankincense, Christmas Scent, and this Scent of Advent. I wouldn't say that I find the scents here are particularly Christmassy (for me, perhaps they would be for the average German) - the first scent I noticed on lighting the cone is honey. A rather lovely warm, sticky brown honey. I kind of associate honey with summer and sunny days. Each to their own. Other scents start to emerge, but before I can settle on an idea of what I am picking up, the cone has come to an end. They really don't last long these Crottendorfer cones. Though they do remain hot and smouldering for some time after the scent has finished emitting, which means they can't be cleared away easily, and a new incense burner has to be found. After several burns I'm comfortable with saying that really what I pick up is the honey scent, and I quite like it. Other scents that are present are minor, and before I can get to grips with them the cone has finished it's olfactory display, like some bargain basement firework fizzling out. 

Anyway. Yeah, this is OK. Not brilliant or anything, but quite a nice, if weak and soon gone, honey scent. 

Sold in boxes of 24 cones for  €1.95, and available direct from Crottendorfer. Cones burn for approx 10 minutes with a faint scent that doesn't linger for long.  

Date: Feb 2025    Score: 29 

***

Original Crottendorfer cones

Original Crottendorfer Tannenduft (Scent of Fir)

 

Very faint slightly sweet, softly spicy green scent on the cone. Moderately pleasant scent on the burn. Warm, gently spicy, green, vibrant, modestly woody and outdoorsy scent on the burn. In general I find the German cones to be modest in scent, and modest in ambition. The scents focus playfully with the theme of Christmas, but don't seem to aim for anything more aesthetically interesting; and these Crottendorfer cones are more modest than the longest established and better known Knox. They remind me of everyday Chinese and Japanese incense - modest in strength and olfactory ambition. I have learned how to relax into them and appreciate them for what they are. But what they are is not the sort of incense I really enjoy and appreciate. I love the culture around German cones - the wooden smokers are particularly attractive and interesting - but the cones themselves are really not my thing. They're not bad - they're just wimpy, limited, and boring. 

Sold in boxes of 24 cones for  €1.95, and available direct from Crottendorfer. Cones burn for approx 10 minutes with a faint scent that doesn't linger for long.  

Date: April 2025    Score: 24 

***

Original Crottendorfer cones

Ansaam Incenses Rooh Al Musk

 

This is not one of Ansaam's "Galaxy" sticks - which are quite chunky; this is termed an "Incense Stick". Still quite thick, but not as monstrous as the "Galaxy". Quite a smoky and heady incense - not so much that you can't burn it indoors, but only for short periods - it serves best as an indoors smudge or as a garden stick. 

The scent is pleasant without being special. It presents as fairly generic incense fragrance. Sweet, musky, woodsy, mostly dark base scents, though with enough playful top floral notes to keep the interest. The main points of interest with this incense is that it is made in Egypt, and the sticks are very long. But that second point, the length, I find an awkward distraction. And the headiness and smokiness is a tad too much even for me, and I love heady incense. So, the fragrance I like, but it's not quite special enough to overcome what for me are two obstacles to buying again - the awkward length (not easy to store, nor to burn indoors), and the assertiveness of the burn. 

Date: April 2025    Score: 31

***

Ansaam Incenses of Egypt

Original Crottendorfer Weihnachtsduft (Christmas Scent)

 

Musky and honey sweet scent on the cone. As is typical with Crottendorfer cones, the scent is mild and elusive, but it is there, and it is nice.  A suggestion of frankincense, and a hint of table polish. The main element I take away is a warm sweetness. 

The scent on the burn is similar to the scent on the cone, though a little colder and less sweet. Best burned at a distance otherwise elements of the combustible will also be inhaled and smelled - this introduces a blend of coal dust and mild wood smoke, or - rather - a scorched wood smell. I quite like the scent. I have learned from experience with Chinese and Japanese incense to be patient with mildly scented incense, though my preference is for incense to be more noticeable and to last longer, so Crottendorfer cones are not really for me, even though the scents can be somewhat pleasing.  

Sold in boxes of 24 cones for  €1.95, and available direct from Crottendorfer. Cones burn for approx 10 minutes with a faint scent that doesn't linger for long.  

Date: Feb 2025    Score: 28

***

Original Crottendorfer cones

Original Crottendorfer Waldmoos (Forest Moss)

 

Forest moss is an uncommon incense scent. It has occasionally been used as a central perfume scent, as with Jo Malone's Forest Moss Cologne, and Crystal Parfum's Forest Moss, but I don't see many other examples. The scent is rather delicate to the point that I can barely detect anything tangible. I am aware during the burn that there is a scent (beyond the general aroma of burning paper and something cool, like cold coal ash, which would be the scent of the combustible material), however, other than something dry and faintly perfumed, I'm not getting much in the way of details. Very mild spice, something vaguely "green", possible musk and vanilla, and a general sense of outdoors.  It's an OK fragrance, but like much Chinese and Japanese incense, rather too delicate for my personal taste. 

Sold in boxes of 24 cones for  €1.95, and available direct from Crottendorfer.  

Date: Feb 2025    Score: 27

***

Original Crottendorfer cones

Original Crottendorfer Zimtapfel (Cinnamon Apple)

 

There is a long standing tradition of Germany of burning incense cones at Christmas - often in beautifully carved wooden smokers. Crottendorfer are one of three long established cone manufacturers in Germany. All three tend to target their scents to the Christmas period, so frankincense, spruce, fireplace, winter orange, etc are popular scents, and this Cinnamon Apple falls comfortably into that bracket. 

The scent on the cone does have a mild cinnamon apple scent - rather similar to the cinnamon apple scents popular for the fresheners that people hang in their cars. On the burn, provided the cone is placed at the far end of the room so that the scorching notes of the wood powder used as a combustible don't carry, the scent is light, delicate, moderately sweet and moderately attractive. As the burn only lasts ten minutes, and the scent is quite delicate, I don't find this a very effective room freshener. However, the cones are not expensive, and when used in conjunction with a German smoker can be fun - and it feels more authentic to use a German cone in a German smoker. But, on the whole, I feel any other brand of winter themed incense cones would serve as well or better.  

Sold in boxes of 24 cones for  €1.95, and available direct from Crottendorfer.  

Date: Feb 2025    Score: 25

***

Original Crottendorfer cones

Original Crottendorfer Waldhonig (Forest Honey)

 

Crottendorfer are a well established German manufacturer of small incense cones. Founded in 1936 as a small scale kitchen producer, the company unusually use potato starch as a binder.  They are the second largest of the three big German incense cones makes - Knox and Huss being the other two.  There is a fascinating tradition in Germany of burning incense cones at Christmas in beautifully carved German smokers, pyramids, and arches.  There is a strong incense culture in Germany, with some of the world's best incense shops, traders, blog, etc, based in Germany, presumably inspired, even if subliminally, by the long tradition of burning incense cones. 

Cones are a form of dhoop - an ancient method of burning incense, thought to have been developed by priests in India. Dhoop forms the basis for all modern combustible incense - it is a blend of fragrant and combustible material, often with a binder and a fixative. The combustible material would be a form of charcoal powder and/or wood powder. The fragrant material would originally have been finely ground resins, roots, spices, petals, etc, but these days is more commonly perfumes  - either essential oils or fragrance oils (blends or synthetics). The cone is a small, shaped dhoop. As it comes to a point it is easy to light. As it is small and compact, it can be burned in a small space, such as a wooden smoker. Both India and Japan claim to have been the first to develop the cone, but the dates they give are later than that of Germany - the cone was in use in Germany in the 19th century, and Knox was founded as a cone manufacturer in 1865. 

I've never been a fan of cones. I don't quite know why this is, because some of my highest rated incense are cones. I find that, despite enjoying and respecting some cones,  I somehow regard them as second rate incense. That is not a logical or appropriate assessment, but is a distinct prejudice I am aware I carry. I regard cones as convenient, easy to use, and tidier than sticks, but I cannot hold them in my hand the way I can hold a stick. Cones don't have the same emotional and spiritual hold on me that sticks do. I have memories of rock festivals in my impressionable youth, in which sticks were lit and waved about, and these memories are very evocative, and quite possibly drive my general interest in and enthusiasm for incense to this day. I have no such memories of cones. My earliest memory of using a cone is thinking that they were expensive for what they were, and that they didn't last long. All that being said, I keep an open mind on all incense I burn and try to suppress any prejudice. I noted earlier this year that blogger Nathan Upchurch burned some Knox incense - while not being impressed with the quality, he did enjoy the scent and the experience. I always like to focus on the experience rather than the brand name or method of manufacture, but it can be difficult to completely shake off deep, emotional, early impressions.  

The cones are small, mustard coloured, and with a faint but clearly discernible cold scent. The scent is a little like the powdery pollen in a flower, along with sandalwood soap, and honey flavoured sweets. The company state that "many" of the fragrances they use are natural, though this is likely to be a fragrance oil composed of ingredients which smell like honey, rather than honey itself. The scent on the burn contains some honey notes though is dominated for me by the general smell of scorching wood. I have been burning a lot of Chinese and Japanese incense recently, in which wood powder is the main combustible, and I have been attuning myself to that experience, which generally means burning the incense a good distance away from me, to allow the lighter fragrance notes to diffuse toward me, while the heavier combustible fall to the ground. And this works well with German incense cones such as this Crottendorfer, which are made with some degree of wood powder. Though the honey scent which drifts across is fairly light, and smells singed and smoky. The burn lasts ten minutes.  Sold in boxes of 24 cones for  €1.95, and available direct from Crottendorfer.  

Date: Feb 2025    Score: 24

***

Original Crottendorfer cones

Nandita Mantra Meditation masala incense

 

A creamy sandalwood based masala stick from Nandita of Mumbai. A prominent sherbet lemon fragrance on the stick is echoed on the burn, though not as sharply and cleanly as on the stick. Soft floral top notes flutter around, but it is mainly the sandalwood that is the core scent here. It's a decent enough sandalwood scent, though nothing remarkable; and the other fragrance notes - the lemon and the floral, don't do enough to make this special for me. 

Decent enough sandalwood based everyday masala room-freshener type stick. I've reviewed this in cone form, where I also felt it to be a little ordinary. The stick version is fresher, smoother, and more attractive than the cone, but - to be fair - not by much. An OK stick, but fairly average - not at all in the same area as Wood Spice, Black Gold, Acharya, or Dehn Al Oudh, which are among the key Nandita incenses. 

Date: April 2025   Score: 29

***

Nandita of Mumbai

Reviewed on Ratnagandh

Reviewed on ORS

(DBS) Monsoon (Good Incense / Bhagwan) Patchouli

 

Monsoon Incense is the new name for Good Incense, the brand that Eugene of Ukraine runs alongside Bhagwan incense. This Patchouli was sent to me by Eugene for review a year or two ago, about a year after he had sent me samples of Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi of Pune (DBS) incense, such as the Agarwood and the Natural Patchouli. Eugene had spent some months in India researching for his incense business, and we had talked together a lot, as he was gathering information and ideas where to look. Pune seemed a good place to go, as that is the home of Haridas Madhavdas Sugandhi (HMS), who supply many Western (and domestic) traders, such as Harry Hari and Temple of Incense. While there, Eugene got samples from Vinasons and DBS, and sent them to me. I raved about DBS - who were unknown in the West at the time, and I raved about another of Eugene's discoveries, B.G Pooja Nag Champa. Not long after that, Everest Trader reached out to those shops and started selling their incense. While I am pleased that the incense from these outlets is now better known in the West, and under their own names, I do feel uncomfortable that, albeit inadvertently, some of Eugene's work had been somewhat taken over by another trader because of me. However, this appears to be somewhat common in the incense world, and Eugene and I have spoken about it, and are cool about it. I did not at any point betray a confidence.  

I had the DBS Natural Patchouli and the Good Incense Patchouli (as it was called then) together in my drawer for a while, and uncovered them a couple of days ago. The Good / Monsoon Incense Patchouli struck me as very similar to the DBS Patchouli, though sharper, brighter, fresher, and quite minty compared to the DBS which is more musky and earthy. I assumed I put them together as I wanted to compare them. So I asked Eugene if they were both by DBS, and if the difference between them could be put down to batch variation, or if it was that the Good/Monsoon version was fresher. He replied that they are both from DBS, but that he had asked DBS to put in 10% more oil to make it fresher. He also said that he would be OK with me saying that the Monsoon Patchouli is made by DBS. 

At that point, though there is a difference, I had no particular preference. Both are enjoyable on their own terms. I like the musky, dusty, powdery, more outdoorsy, natural feel of the DBS, but I also like the brightness and sweetness and freshness of the Monsoon. Overtime, I find that the vanilla notes of the Monsoon tend to become a little cloying, while the more earthy qualities of the DBS remain intriguing, almost compelling. But it's a minor difference, because the Monsoon compensates by being more youthful and uplifting. 

On the burn there is perhaps less difference to note, except perhaps in strength and depth and diffusion. The Monsoon Incense feels bolder, which is more my thing. Bolder, sharper, more defined, and longer lasting. Distinctly patchouli, but sweetened by the vanillin crystals, which appear to be a feature of the "school of Pune" incense. Vanillin crystals are sometimes used in the same way as halmaddi to "fix" the perfume notes so they are clearer and last longer. And this appears to be a tradition in Pune.  

Overall I end up liking the Monsoon Patchouli slightly more than the DBS Natural Patchouli. I like the boldness and freshness and the sheer joy. And I find the vanillin uplifts the patchouli in a delightful manner. As a big patchouli lover, I end up loving this a lot. I'm perhaps a bit muddled by the vanillin, and would perhaps prefer it without the vanillin, but  I suspect that its the vanillin that is really boosting and lifting the patchouli. At the moment this is the biggest, freshest, greenest, most joyful patchouli incense I've burned (apart from the legendary and mysterious Aargee Imperial Maharaja Patchouli - but that is out of print, and nobody knows who made it).  Nice one. 

Date: April 2025   Score: 42 

***

DBS of Pune

Patchouli

Bhagwan Incense

Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi (DBS) of Pune

  

Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi (DBS) was founded in Pune in1872, though claim an involvement in incense going back further than that - saying their family started formulating incense sticks (dhoop, no doubt) in 1701 after meeting a Tibetan spiritual guide. The business is today run by Devendra Tribhuvandas Sugandhi, the sixth-generation to do so. The name Sugandhi means fragrance - I'm unclear if the family name has arisen from being involved in the fragrance industry or is honorary.  The company was founded by an uncle, Damodardas, and a nephew, Bhagwandas, hence the name Damodarhas Bhagwandas Sugandhi. 

Facebook account. 

Reviews 

Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi
Agarwood (PM)
Feb 2024 - Score: 48

(DBS) Monsoon Incense Patchouli (PM)

Apr 2025 - Score: 42

Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi
Natural Patchouli (PM)
Apr 2025 - Score: 40

Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi
Special Chandan (PM)
Feb 2024 - Score: 30

  

Reviews: 3 
Top score: 48
Bottom score: 30

Average: 39

Conclusion: 

***

The Best Incense Makers

Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi (DBS) Natural Patchouli

 

Patchouli stick from Damodardas Bhagwandas Sugandhi (DBS) of Pune, neighbours of Haridas Madhavdas Sugandhi (HMS) and Vinasons,  sent to me by Eugene of incense importer Bhagwan Incense when he was doing research for his business in 2022. He later sent me a sample of Good Incense Patchouli which was made for him by DBS, which is sharper, brighter, fresher, quite minty, and Eugene tells me it was made in 2023 with 10% extra oil. That is now sold as Monsoon Incense Patchouli, after a name change last year. 

The scent on the stick is earthy, musky, rustic, natural and honest and real. I've really liked the DBS incense that Eugene sent me. It has the feel of HMS and of Vinasons, so really belongs to the "school of Pune" (if there could be said to be such a thing!). There is vanilla in here, which perhaps is the key to the Pune character. It's certainly there in HMS, though Vinasons' incense, while also quite sweet, leans more in the direction of Parma Violets.  My enthusiasm for DBS led to Everest Trader in America ordering stocks to sell on their website. The plus side of that is DBS is now better known and available (in America at least), though as it was Eugene who brought them to my attention though his hunt for incense for his Bhagwan and Good/Monsoon incense brands, it feels in a way as though I have harmed Eugene's business in a way. We have talked about it today, and he's cool with me revealing that DBS is the source for the Monsoon Patchouli, as the cat is now out of the bag.   

  

The vanilla character is clearer on the burn, which detracts a little. Vanilla crystals are a perfume fixative, operating in the same way as halmaddi; and it has long been my assumption that is why HMS use it. And it is possibly a tradition in Pune to use vanilla instead of or in addition to halmaddi as a scent fixative, which is why I notice it here, also, in a DBS incense. 

The burn is gentle and subtle, though not weak or shy. The scent unfolds peacefully around the room, lifting, warming, and sweetening it. It is characteristically patchouli - leafy, herby, somewhat minty, underscored with a sensual though gentle musk. Bloody good stuff.  

Date: April 2025    Score: 40

***

DBS of Pune

Patchouli

Banjara Ritual Resin On Stick Copal

 

Despite appearances this is not a South American resin-on-a-stick (ROAS) incense, it's made in Bangalore, India by R M Enterprises who trade under the name Banjara. ROAS incense is trending heavily across South America,  gaining traction in North America, and is spreading across the globe. New companies in India, Germany, and Yemen are picking up on the style and running with it. 

Copal incense is strongly associated with South American tribes and indigenous culture.  It's not often I come upon it in incense made in other countries; unless, as here, there is a deliberate attempt to invoke a South American ambiance.  Copal is sometimes regarded as being close to frankincense, and is sometimes referred to as the "Mexican frankincense". I find it sweeter, fruitier, more pleasant and appealing, but with less depth, complexity, and resonance. I wouldn't say I prefer one over the other - it depends on mood and situation. 

This has a beautiful scent on the stick - resinous, herby, woody,  and certainly sweet and fruity. The scent on the burn follows that of the scent on the stick, though is brighter and sharper and more resinous with a pleasing amount of fresh acidity. I feel that these Banjara resin-sticks have been successful. I'm a little uncomfortable with the leaning on South American culture in the promotion of the sticks, but the sticks themselves have been very enjoyable and satisfying.  The UK wholesalers Ancient Wisdom distribute them in the UK, so Banjara sticks are available all over the UK for around £3 a pack of 8 from: eBay;  MysticMoon, Amazon, Shiva, etc and also in North America - SoapOpera, South America - Samana,  Australia - Herb Temple, and other countries. It's a good price for decent incense in a style that is trending and exciting. 

Date: April 2025   Score:  36

***

Banjara Incense

Pure Yemen

 

Pure Yemen

As far as I know the resin-on-a-stick (ROAR)  incense  started with Fred Soll around the late 1970s in New Mexico. It developed among the Native Americans in New Mexico and California, and also in South America, particularly with Inca Aromas in Peru, and Sagrada Madre in Argentina, who have been particularly successful. This style of incense is now popping up all over the place. So here is an example made in Yemen by Pure Yemen (archived site), who have an Etsy shop, though I got mine from the UK shop Herbal Dimensions, who have put their brand name on the incense. They have attractively packed the sticks in silver sparkle tissue paper inside a firm cardboard box. Herbal Dimensions sell them for £8.95 for 10 sticks. 

Reviews

Pure Yemen Frankincense Incense Sticks 
Mar 2025 - Score: 40

   

Pure Yemen Dragons Blood Incense Sticks 
Mar 2025 - Score: 40

  

Pure Yemen Myrrh - Socotran Incense Sticks 
Mar 2025 - Score: 32

  

Reviews: 3 
Top score: 40
Bottom score: 32
Average: 37

Conclusion:  I like these Pure Yemen sticks and am very interested in keeping an eye on the company and exploring further. 

***

Incense by Country

The Best Incense Makers

Banjara Incense (R M Enterprises)

 

Incense made in Bangalore, India by R M Enterprises who trade under the name Banjara.  The incense is in the increasingly popular and trending resin-on-a-stick (ROAS) style started by Fred Soll in New Mexico, and now being made in California and across South America, often promoted using Native American and South American cultures - as is the case here. Other such ROAS incense is made in India, such as Soul Sticks Amazon Incenses - made in India for an American company; and other India incense houses exploit the cultural traditions of Native Americans, such as Hari Darshan with their Tribal Soul and Native Soul ranges; though this Banjara range is the first I've seen where an India incense house is so clearly and obviously setting themselves up in direct competition with the resin-on-a-stick incenses from South America and Native Americans. I'm cool (indeed excited) when one culture builds on the incense culture of another. That's how culture expands and is enriched. There is though a line being crossed a little when one culture is presenting itself as another culture in a somewhat deceptive manner in order to promote and sell their products. There is some disquiet about such exploitation among the Native Americans, especially as it interferes with their limited potential to sell their own products.  

The UK wholesalers Ancient Wisdom distribute them in the UK, so Banjara sticks are appearing all over the UK for around £3 a pack of 8 from: eBay;  MysticMoon, Amazon, Shiva, etc and also in North America - SoapOpera, South America - Samana,  Australia - Herb Temple, and other countries. It's a good price for decent incense in a style that is trending and exciting. 

  

Reviews

   

Banjara Ritual Resin On Stick Frankincense 
Apr 2025 - Score: 38

  

Banjara Ritual Resin On Stick Copal 
April 2025 - Score: 36

  

Banjara Ritual Resin On Stick Chamomile 
April 2025 - Score: 35

Banjara Ritual Resin On Stick Cinnamon 
Apr 2025 - Score: 27

Reviews: 4 
Top score: 38 
Bottom score: 27 

Average: 33

Conclusion: Attractive and decent quality resin-stick incense. 

***

The Best Incense Makers

Banjara Ritual Resin On Stick Frankincense

  

Incense made in Bangalore, India by R M Enterprises who trade under the name Banjara.  The incense is in the increasingly popular and trending resin-on-a-stick (ROAS) style started by Fred Soll in New Mexico, and now being made in California and across South America, often promoted using Native American and South American cultures - as is the case here. Other such ROAS incense is made in India, such as Soul Sticks Amazon Incenses - made in India for an American company; and other India incense houses exploit the cultural traditions of Native Americans, such as Hari Darshan with their Tribal Soul and Native Soul ranges; though this Banjara range is the first I've seen where an India incense house is so clearly and obviously setting themselves up in direct competition with the resin-on-a-stick incenses from South America and Native Americans. I'm cool (indeed excited) when one culture builds on the incense culture of another. That's how culture expands and is enriched. There is though a line being crossed a little when one culture is presenting itself as another culture in a somewhat deceptive manner in order to promote and sell their products. There is some disquiet about such exploitation among the Native Americans, especially as it interferes with their limited potential to sell their own products.  

The sticks are quite chunky - a thick paste hand-rolled onto sturdy wooden sticks, and then coated in a fragrant pale powder. The scent on the stick is gently spicy and resinous with an accent on sweet fragrant pine. Very attractive. The scent on the burn echoes that on the stick, and comes across as genuinely resinous and fresh and herbal. Really quite delightful. I do like this. A lot. 

The UK wholesalers Ancient Wisdom distribute them in the UK, so Banjara sticks are appearing all over the UK for around £3 a pack of 8 from: eBay;  MysticMoon, Amazon, Shiva, etc and also in North America - SoapOpera, South America - Samana,  Australia - Herb Temple, and other countries. It's a good price for decent incense in a style that is trending and exciting. 

Date: April 2025   Score: 38

***

Banjara Incense

Frankincense

Banjara Ritual Resin On Stick Cinnamon

 

Incense made in Bangalore, India by R M Enterprises who trade under the name Banjara.  The incense is in the increasingly popular and trending resin-on-a-stick (ROAS) style started by Fred Soll in New Mexico, and now being made in California and across South America, often promoted using Native North and South American cultures - as is the case here. I like when different incense cultures inspire each other. The American incenses are using the indigenous scents of their ancestors - sage and copal, etc, but doing so in the India style of the stick with a core. These India incenses are taking the American ROAS idea, and building on it with the skills and experience of generations of incense stick makers. My qualm is in the use of Native American cultural iconography to sell the incense, and copying some of the packaging ideas used in America. Be proud of your own culture, or be neutral. 

These Cinnamon sticks look somewhat less like most of the ROAS I have got from California and South America. It looks more like a fat masala or flora stick, albeit with a chunkier, more solid wood core than the usual bamboo. The paste can be crumbled into a fine dust in the hand, and appears to be composed of charcoal and wood powder. There is a mild resinous scent on the stick with some sweet overtones, and a dry spicy core of cinnamon and menthol. There may be some benzoin in here as well. 

The scent on the burn is mildly resinous, gently spicy, hints of menthol, somewhat dry, and  somehow empty. It's like an underpowered and indifferent resin on an underheated burner. There are sweet notes, and it is not unattractive - it just isn't doing much for me. 

Date: April 2025    Score:  27

***

Banjara Incense

Best cinnamon incense