Ansaam Incenses Sondos

 

Tidying up my desk, and this emerged from under a heap of books, CDs, incense packs, and scarves. It's a big packet to mislay - the sticks are over a foot long! They are from Ansaam Incenses of Egypt. While in Cairo visiting one of my daughters who taught there, I bought some of the normal sized Ansaam incenses from a stall in Khan el-Khalili. In looking on the internet for more information about the Ansaam incense house I found Etsy seller, Kim of IncenseLounge who was selling these long sticks for £8 a packet (they are - as of Aug 2025 - around £11.50 a packet).  I have noted that since my initial review in April 2024 a number of other sellers have popped up on Etsy, Amazon,  DesertCart, and eBay at varying prices. 

There is some useful information on the pack, such as the production date (Jan 2021), and the shelf life (five years). It also tells me the ingredients: Sandalwood, Fragrance, Natural Fixatives, Masala Powder - Tree Bark. The sticks are mechanically extruded, and appear to be made in the same way, and using the same ingredients, as Indian incense. So this is a modern perfumed masala stick. The fragrance is the key thing in perfumed masala, and the fragrance is made by Maomen, based in Port Said. Both companies formed at the same time, and are based in the same place, so it looks like Ansaam Incenses is the incense brand of Maomen.  

The scent on the stick is very perfumed and commercial with powdery floral notes, some citric, and a sweet musky, almost patchouli base. It seems to riff around that sweet musky fragrance with floral and citric notes, which is pleasant, though a little earnest and is not profound or interesting.  I like it, but it's too simple and perfumed for my taste, so doesn't hold my attention. Because of the length there are not many incense holders which are appropriate. Outside is fine - just stick it in the ground. It can also be put in the earth of a plant pot, depending of the size and shape of the plant. I have some upright stick holders, and that's what I use. The fragrance on the burn expands on the fragrance on the stick - it is a sweet oud scent, though with some sandalwood notes that ground it and provide some woody contrast to the sweetness. It burns OK in the house - reasonably heady (which I like), but not overwhelming. Though I haven't burned the whole stick in one go. I just burn a bit, until there's the point at which the sweetness gets a bit satiating, then I put it out. It does fill the house with a sweet, musky aroma which lingers pleasantly for some time. It is softly Arabic in nature. I like it, but the sweetness, and the simple nature keeps the score down. And I find the length to be off-putting as an indoor incense - though I would find it useful as an outdoor incense for picnics or barbecues - so there's swings and roundabouts. 

I just looked up the name - Sondos is a feminine perfume by Lattafa - an Arabian perfume maker. It all starts to make sense now. I think I'd prefer this as a perfume than an incense, though I'm not sure I'd find it attractive on someone. I think this is a perfume to spray on bedclothes. 

Date: Aug 2025    Score: 32

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Ansaam Incenses of Egypt