I like exploring incense from around the world, so when, back in 2023, I came upon an incense house based in Malaysia, I knew I had to try them. The incenses by Thurga's are not top level world class - they are not that special. But they are decently made everyday perfumed-charcoal room-fresheners. I like the packaging - I like the bold colours, and the cute images. That carries over into the scents - they are simple, cute, and bold. Not interesting scents - the usual run of the mill mono-scents. But they are scents that work well as light-and-forget background room warmers and brighteners. I have visited Malaysia - it is a modern, forward looking country with towering architecture in the capital, yet well secured in Asian traditions. It felt cleaner and safer than other Asian countries I've visited, though perhaps less friendly and charming. However, the people were always delightful and smiling and very patient. It is curiously multicultural and ethnically mixed, though it all feels harmonious. The main religion is Islam, so alcohol is frowned on, and there are few bars; however, by some quirk that nobody quite understands, a license was given to form a brewery which makes one average lager. A few enterprising Westerners have exploited that loop, to sell what appears to be a wide range of beers, but is just the same lager with different flavourings added. Anyway, Thurga's make standard Indian style perfume-dipped incense, albeit a bit longer than the typical Indian, so they appear to be a cross between Indian and Asian incense sticks.
Malligai is a South Asian jasmine - most likely to be Jasminum sambac. Jasmine is a very popular single-scent incense. It is one of the oldest fragrance flowers cultivated by mankind, and has long been used to flavour food and drinks, and as a perfume. Of its use and history in incense I am less certain. These days its use in incense is as an oil - essential or synthetic or a blend of both, which is either included in the paste that is rolled (or extruded) onto (or into) a stick, or added externally to a pre-made unscented stick. It produces a waxy, sweet, often quite heady "white" floral scent, with musky undertones. It's not my favourite incense scent (jasmine incenses which I may score high, tend to be individual variations which are not typically "jasmine"), though I find it attractive and comfortable when burned. It makes an acceptable room freshener, lifting the atmosphere of a room.
There is a generic jasmine scent on the stick of this Sunrayn Malligai - it feels synthetic, and more like a fabric conditioner scent than a fresh flower, though there are pleasant waxy white floral peaks, and no unpleasant off-notes. The scent on the burn is soft, pleasant, floral, with distinct jasmine notes. It's simple, straightforward, and difficult to dislike. It is creamy and silky, similar to quality hand lotion, with touches of almond and leather. It's not shy but nor is it assertive - it can be placed a distance away, and it will firmly but gently come to you. No need to waft the smoke toward you, it will come to you. This is probably best as a warmer season incense - especially with windows open, though if I wanted a touch of spring sunshine in my room during the winter months I can see myself reaching for this.
Malligai is a South Asian jasmine - most likely to be Jasminum sambac. Jasmine is a very popular single-scent incense. It is one of the oldest fragrance flowers cultivated by mankind, and has long been used to flavour food and drinks, and as a perfume. Of its use and history in incense I am less certain. These days its use in incense is as an oil - essential or synthetic or a blend of both, which is either included in the paste that is rolled (or extruded) onto (or into) a stick, or added externally to a pre-made unscented stick. It produces a waxy, sweet, often quite heady "white" floral scent, with musky undertones. It's not my favourite incense scent (jasmine incenses which I may score high, tend to be individual variations which are not typically "jasmine"), though I find it attractive and comfortable when burned. It makes an acceptable room freshener, lifting the atmosphere of a room.
There is a generic jasmine scent on the stick of this Sunrayn Malligai - it feels synthetic, and more like a fabric conditioner scent than a fresh flower, though there are pleasant waxy white floral peaks, and no unpleasant off-notes. The scent on the burn is soft, pleasant, floral, with distinct jasmine notes. It's simple, straightforward, and difficult to dislike. It is creamy and silky, similar to quality hand lotion, with touches of almond and leather. It's not shy but nor is it assertive - it can be placed a distance away, and it will firmly but gently come to you. No need to waft the smoke toward you, it will come to you. This is probably best as a warmer season incense - especially with windows open, though if I wanted a touch of spring sunshine in my room during the winter months I can see myself reaching for this.
Not a great incense. Not a deep or complex incense, but a damn fine everyday jasmine incense that I'm happy to burn if its a jasmine incense I want. And it's great value for money at 50p a pack from VallisUK.
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