Goloka Astagandha (Organica / Natural Series)

 

The Organica series has been around since at least 2018 with six Indian focused fragrances (Davanam, Astagandha, Frangipani, Kastoori, Sandalwood, and Sri Tulasi), though appears to have been joined at some point with four additional scents with a Native American focus (Palo Santo, White Sage, Lavender & White Sage, and Sandalwood & White Sage). They are distributed in the US by Om Imports, and in the UK by Puckator. Sold in the UK at around £1.50 per 15gm pack, and in the US at $2.00 per pack. The Organica name appears to have been replaced at some point with Natural, presumably due to the costs involved in using the "organic" term in the West. 

Astagandha is a blend of eight fragrant ingredients which typically include saffron and sandalwood.  The paste on the stick is roughly rolled and uneven. There is a curious fragrance on the stick. A rough men's hair oil scent alongside more natural and intriguing and not necessarily commercially appealing aromas. Summer dust with hints of farmyard. Clay and flowers. Gosh - fascinating. This is not an accord that will likely have a wide appeal, but I find it compelling and rewarding. I like scents that are a little different, and perhaps a little challenging, but especially, as here, also somewhat attractive and desirable. I do find, personally - your mileage may vary, that scents which combine the harmonious with the challenging are the most interesting and satisfying.  Fragrance accords that combine the principle of yin and yang (contrasting elements that together form a positive energy in which the whole is greater than the parts) are much more delightful than scents which are weighted too much on the sweet or the savoury - such scents tend to pall after a while and become boring or satiating. While a yin and yang scent will continue to fascinate. 

The scent on the burn is floral, earthy, mildly bitter, dry, herby (in the sense of dry herbs rather than fresh), with suggestions of saffron. It's a compelling and fascinating scent, though doesn't quite carry the promise of the stick, and is a little hazy or muddled. I walked around the house smudging each of the rooms, and found it opened up more in the larger rooms which had more fresh air coming from larger open windows. This is a fascinating and delightful incense which I love, though that love is tempered by the sense of disappointment that the burn fell short of the promise of the scent on the stick.  This could have scored so much higher. 

Date: June 2025    Score: 40

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Goloka

Reviewed in Germany