Stamford Vampire's Kiss sticks

  

I reviewed Stamford Vampire's Kiss cones in March 2017 and again in May last year. In 2017 I scored it 34, commenting "sweet yet medicinal with sharp notes, and beneath that is a bed of flower petals", and noting that there were off notes of smouldering sawdust; in May last year I scored it 28 and said: "On the whole a pleasant soft musky incense, though a tad too smoky for comfort in small rooms", and remarked that I felt I had over-scored it in 2017. 

The scent on the stick is very attractive - reasonably heady, which is impressive, as I don't know how long I've had these sticks, but the box is marked Aargee, which broke up in 2020, so they are at least five years old. There's a sweet, musky aroma, slightly sexy and seductive. This is echoed in the scent on the burn, though - as is common with perfumed incense - with less clarity, and with some warm, vaguely smoky notes softening the experience.  I like this, however - even though I tend to prefer sticks over cones, I feel there is a lack of clarity in the burn, so am scoring it slightly less at 26. 

Date: Aug 2025   Score:  26

***

Stamford London

Stamford Demon's Lust sticks

 

I reviewed Stamford Demon's Lust cones in October 2016, and again in May last year. On neither occasion was I impressed, feeling that I was smelling more of the core material than the perfume, and scored both encounters at 19. I do tend to prefer the experience of a stick over the cone. This has a mild somewhat soapy synthetic violet scent on the stick - quite neutral and green.  This is repeated in the burn, which is reasonably crisp, though does have some vague smoke notes. Overall a modest through moderately pleasant everyday room freshener. 

Date: Aug 2025   Score:  23

***

Stamford London

Stamford Violet

 

I reviewed Stamford Violet Incense Cones back in June 2019 when I said: "These are a poor lot. The merest whiff of violets, but mostly the core material - a sort of vague damp sawdust. Not the best. Score: 19". This sample stick is part of a bunch that turned up in my collection - I don't know when they were sent to me, but they are not fresh. However, straight out of the packet this Stamford Violet has a charming scent of sweet violets, very similar to Parma Violets. The scent on the burn has the same character, though milder and somewhat muted, and mixed with vague smoke notes. On the whole, though, a lot better than the cone, albeit an older sample. 

Date: Aug 2025   Score:  25

***

Stamford London

Stamford Red Rose

 

I reviewed Stamford's Red Rose Cones in November 2015 where I said: "modest run-of-the-mill floral-fragranced cones. They burn nicely and are inoffensive, but there's nothing special or interesting or high quality about them. While not special, they serve well to lightly fragrance a room with a floral  bouquet. Score: 23".  

This sample is part of a bunch I found in my collection, but don't recall when I got them. My conclusion is that they are not fresh, however this Red Rose has a pleasant rose scent on the stick. The rose quality is not so apparent on the burn, however it is there, and the general impression is of sweet floral. Quite acceptable. 

Date: Aug 2025   Score: 24

***

Stamford London

Best rose incense

Stamford Relaxing

  

I first reviewed this in September 2013 as part of the Stamford Aromatherapy Collection where I said: "A blend of cardamom, cedarwood and patchouli, intended to soothe away cares, and create a restful home. Quite a lively spicy aroma on the stick - the cardamom coming through clearly. Not sure how relaxing this is. Indeed, not sure how much the aromas relate to the descriptions! The aroma on burning is cedarwood and cardamom, and is pretty decent, creating an awakening mood. Best of the set. Score: 27" 

This sample is, I suspect, not very fresh, though the scent on the stick is reasonably attractive,  leaning more toward floral than spice. The scent on the burn is mild, warm, pleasant, though not distinct. Acceptable as a low level room freshener. 

Date: Aug 2025   Score: 21

***

Stamford London

Stamford Amber

  

I reviewed this as part of the Stamford Exotic Collection back in June 2014, and said: "Heady perfume on the stick. Sweet, floral, citric. Mild scent on burning - slightly soapy with notes of vanilla and sherbet. Score: 21". There is an acidic volatile scent on the stick, and a muffled vague aroma on the burn. Not impressive. I don't know how old these samples are - I can't remember when I got them, but I suspect they are not fresh, and being basic perfume-dipped sticks, the light notes have evaporated. That evaporation is one of the significant downsides to basic perfume-dipped incense. 

Anyway, there is little awareness of amber in these sticks, even when fresh, and when not fresh, they are not much use even as a basic room freshener. 

Date: Aug 2025   Score: 15

***

Stamford London

Amber