Third of the four incenses sent to me by Benyamin Shoham of Seraphim Incense in Israel. The first, Embracing Love, I liked; the second, Single Spirit Cedar, which is in the same series as this Pine, I did not.
I like woody incense - but it's the oils I like. I'm not so keen on solid woods. Indeed, one of the things I think I dislike about Asian incense is that they tend to use wood powder as the combustible. My understanding from what Benyamin says, is that he uses solid ingredients, dried and ground down. This, for me, from prior experience, tends to give the incense a dry, crackling feel, which is not to my personal taste. Some oils, and some modern fragrance ingredients might make Seraphim's incense more commercially appealing; but from what Benyamin says, it is the ancient traditions, and the use of natural, local ingredients which fires him. I wish there were an acceptable way of using traditional, natural ingredients in a modern and vibrant manner. I love what some new incense makers, such as Pure Yemen in Yemen, and Jeomra in Germany, are doing with traditional, natural ingredients - so there is a way perhaps.
I like woody incense - but it's the oils I like. I'm not so keen on solid woods. Indeed, one of the things I think I dislike about Asian incense is that they tend to use wood powder as the combustible. My understanding from what Benyamin says, is that he uses solid ingredients, dried and ground down. This, for me, from prior experience, tends to give the incense a dry, crackling feel, which is not to my personal taste. Some oils, and some modern fragrance ingredients might make Seraphim's incense more commercially appealing; but from what Benyamin says, it is the ancient traditions, and the use of natural, local ingredients which fires him. I wish there were an acceptable way of using traditional, natural ingredients in a modern and vibrant manner. I love what some new incense makers, such as Pure Yemen in Yemen, and Jeomra in Germany, are doing with traditional, natural ingredients - so there is a way perhaps.
As with the Cedar, I'm puzzled that the scent on the stick is somewhat modern, perfumed, light and sweet, almost floral. I was expecting something drier, more rustic, more spicy, and certainly more woody.
On lighting there is a strong flame which doesn't want to be blown out - the stick burns fiercely for a while as though some resin has caught fire. As the stick settles, and the fragrance drifts across, I find that this stick is more aligned with what I expect of a spicy wood incense, especially one made by hand from local ingredients dried and ground down. It is a little dry and crispy, perhaps a tad harsh; quite fragrant though, and I'm liking this one more than the Cedar. The first stick burned a little awkwardly - there was that flare up at the start, and then it went out a few times. This happens with incense sometimes, though this happened with the second and third stick as well, and I didn't have the enthusiasm to try a fourth. I'll do that sometime down the line.
The scent on the burn is pleasant. Warm, slightly resinous, spicy, woody, and reminiscent of pine. I'm not a huge fan of mono-scents - I like balance and contrast, and a story. This is a fairly simple incense. It's pleasant, but it is also problematic with the sticks going out, and I can't say I've enjoyed the experience that much. The gentle burning pine smell not being sufficient to compensate. $17.00 for 10 sticks from Seraphim.
The scent on the burn is pleasant. Warm, slightly resinous, spicy, woody, and reminiscent of pine. I'm not a huge fan of mono-scents - I like balance and contrast, and a story. This is a fairly simple incense. It's pleasant, but it is also problematic with the sticks going out, and I can't say I've enjoyed the experience that much. The gentle burning pine smell not being sufficient to compensate. $17.00 for 10 sticks from Seraphim.
Date: June 2025 Score: 27
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