Incense In The Wind

Burner Burner - Carhartt jacket incense burner

Sunday, 18 May 2025

Xiang Lian Hainan Chen Xiang (Hainan Agarwood)

 


Agarwood was planted in the Chinese island province of Hainan in the late 1950s, and is regarded as a commercial success, with enterprises in Hainan making a variety of agarwood products, including agarwood-infused wine. The scent on these sticks is softer, sweeter, and more fruity than other Asian agarwood sticks I've burned. I'm pre-disposed to that, as I tend to like my incense sweet (preferably with an agreeable balance of darkness). I find this to be one of the most pleasant of the Xiang Lian sticks I've burned. That, to be honest, isn't much of an acclamation, but it is a positive statement. This is an incense that isn't harsh, isn't too faint (best burned with three of four sticks at a time in my experience, though your mileage may vary), and while not thrilling or profound, is really quite acceptable, with some rewards for being patient and paying attention. There is a caramelised smoky quality wafting around the fruity notes, so there are faint echoes of Arbroath smokies and baked pears in the mix. Curious and interesting. 

Available as part of a set of 11 fragrances from Amazon, Temu, and Shein, for around £8. Or by itself from Dylans Den for £3


Date: May 2025   Score: 36
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